How to Hold a Fountain Pen Correctly

King Arthur was said to have drawn a magical sword (Excalibur) from a stone when no one else could. Under Merlin’s guidance and with his Knights of the Round Table, Arthur and his trusty sword drove the invading Saxons out of Britain. Of course, these figures come from the pages of myth and legend, but the feeling of wielding a beautifully crafted fountain pen in your hand is a modern-day equivalent. Like Arthur with his loyal Excalibur, your creative potential is unstoppable when you learn the proper pen grip for your fine writing tools.

While we can’t point you toward the fictional castle of Camelot, if you want to learn how to hold a fountain pen, you’re in the right place. Whether you want to improve your handwriting or just produce an impressive signature, it all starts with holding a pen correctly. In this article, we’re walking you through the fundamentals of grip and positioning for writing with a fountain pen, with step-by-step instructions and tips for right and left-handers. We’ll also dip our proverbial quills into some advanced writing techniques. Get ready to level up your handwriting in comfort and style!

Basic Principles of Holding a Fountain Pen

Like anything worthwhile, learning how to write with a fountain pen takes some practice and effort. Your typical disposable pen (think rollerball or ballpoint) will produce lines pretty well from most positions, but fountain pens require a certain touch. By design, the fountain pen works best with a light grip. The biggest learning curve for beginners is using a pen at a specific angle. This is where “muscle memory” is your friend. Let’s look closer into the proper way of holding a pen.

Step-by-Step Guide to Proper Fountain Pen Posture

Fountain Pen Writing: It Gets Easier

Steady as it goes. Learning fountain pen handwriting is an experience to be savored, not rushed through! While it may feel a little awkward at first, soon you’ll get used to and come to love the lighter feel of the pen in your hand. We’ve only scratched the surface of writing with a fountain pen here. For a detailed overview of writing with and filling your pen with ink for that smooth, fluid experience, check out How to Use a Fountain Pen.

Writing Skills and Practices

If you only take one tip from this article, let it be this; SLOW DOWN!

One of the hallmarks of fountain pen writing is the minimal pressure it takes to use them. It’s easiest to cultivate this particular pressure, especially in the beginning, when you’re not in a rush. Every time you uncap your fountain pen, find the light touch it needs to produce elegant strokes effortlessly.

The Art of Moving Lightly on Paper

Consistency is key in beautiful handwriting; a good simile also helps. When writing with your fountain pen, imagine that your paper is like water and you are gently guiding the nib through it. Light movements result in gentle ripples where your words form. Another way to think about this litheness of movement is to consider a ballet dancer. Their movements are intentional yet gentle. This is the space where fountain pen writing shines.  

Practice Exercises for Improved Neatness

Practice writing a few times per week to practice your posture and light hand movements with your fountain pen. Most writers are avid readers, so start with copying pages from your favorite books. Transcribe text from classic literature or your latest favorite mystery novel. As for clarity, our eyes are attracted to shapes that are aligned, symmetrical, and evenly spaced.  

To improve your neatness, keep all your letters flush on the baseline. Ascending letters should all rise to the same height while descending letters should drop to the same level. Capital letters should be uniform, and spacing between letters should be kept consistent. Learn more about these terms and how to improve your handwriting here.

Exploring Different Writing Styles: From Spencerian to Modern

While it’s done some ingenious things, we’ve also lost a lot to technology. Penmanship is becoming a lost art, but brands like us are committed to keeping it alive and sharing the secrets of excellent handwriting. Developing your unique style of writing with a fountain pen is a timeless way to show off your personality.

Many of us remember learning cursive writing, or Spencerian script, in grade school. This writing style naturally attracts artists, academics, and anyone who loves letters with a flourish. Cleaner, sans serif texts and more modern styles appeal to the minimalist. Experiment with different writing styles and see which one speaks to you!

Advanced Writing Techniques

Mastering Pressure Control and Writing Motion

Advanced fountain penmanship comes with nuanced control over the pressure you wield over the nib. With pencils and ballpoints, writers often “lock” in their finger and hand muscles as they write. Once you hold your fountain pen at a reliable point (the “sweet spot”), start to utilize the movement of your arm more than your fingers. Practice applying varying degrees of light pressure to see how it affects the thickness and texture of your strokes

The Importance of Balance and Pen Positioning

A well-balanced pen feels comfortable in your hand and improves the overall quality of your writing. Make sure your nib is positioned so that it doesn’t strain your grip. To avoid overuse injury or muscle fatigue, focus on using your lower arm muscles to leverage the pressure of your pen while writing. Using the larger muscles of your arm over your fingers gives you more control, leading to more consistently reliable penmanship.

Tips for Smooth and Consistent Writing

Practice truly makes perfect with fountain pen writing. These tips will improve your writing experience across the board:

• Always cap your pen when not in use to prevent the ink from drying out.

• Use the right nib angle (AKA the angle that doesn’t “scratch”)

• Only apply gentle pressure to the nib.

• Maintain proper posture.

Selecting the Right Fountain Pen

Choosing the right fountain pen comes down to personal preference, but everyone must consider the same aspects. Color, aesthetics, and style are just the tip of the iceberg. Let’s look at the deciding factors more intently.

Factors to Consider: Hand Size, Writing Style, and Speed

If you choose a pen that’s too big or too small, you risk hand fatigue and cramping. For writers who use heavier pens, opt for one with a long barrel. Slimmer fountain pens with curved grips will be more comfortable for smaller hands. For students who need to write quickly, lightweight fountain pens are a good choice. If you prefer a heavier, more ornate pen, be sure to take frequent breaks to avoid cramping.

The Importance of Pen Weight and Balance

A well-balanced pen reduces fatigue during long writing sessions. Heavier pens don’t necessarily provide more stability. It’s important to select a fountain pen that not only complements the size of your hand and writing style, but feels natural to hold. Test different pens at your local pen boutique to see what feels right for you.

Nib Selection

The nib is the heart of the fountain pen experience. The size you choose should reflect your writing style and preference for line thickness. Finer nibs suit small, neat handwriting, while broad nibs are ideal for larger handwriting. Medium nibs are a good choice for beginners, as they have less feedback and are less “scratchy” than thinner nibs. You’ll find your preferred size with trial and error; it’s part of the journey.

Fountain Pen Maintenance and Care

This sounds more intimidating than it actually is. Maintaining and caring for your fountain pen is the key to ensuring its longevity and performance. Since these pens use water-based inks, all you need to do to clean them is hold them under running tap water. Occasionally, you’ll need to bring in the big guns and use a pen flush to help unclog your pen. We review our top flush formula and other favorite accessories here. 

If you notice any flow issues or skipping, the first solution we suggest is to flush your pen. We also recommend cleaning your pen when switching different color inks or when storing your pen for more than 3 weeks. Speaking of inks, only use high-quality inks made for fountain pens, as cheap formulas can damage your pen. Store your inks and pens in a temperature-controlled space out of direct sunlight.    

Preserving Tradition in the Present

Using a fountain pen is both a nod toward tradition and preserving the art of penmanship for future generations. Nothing but the fountain pen can handle calligraphy, sheet music, artistic projects, and everyday writing with ease and flair. With the right grip, posture, and care, you can enjoy the fountain pen writing experience for years to come. At Goldspot Pens, we encourage you to explore different sizes and weights of pens as you discover your own distinct writing style. Over time, you’ll be able to write continuously and smoothly with improved clarity. The contours of your pen will become more familiar and your movements more fluid with every writing session. So uncap your pens, Pen Pals, and, like Arthur and his trusty Excalibur, let’s continue the legacy of fine penmanship.