Handwriting Stuffs! Working One's Way Up Cheaply?

[Benpercent]

I'm a bit conflicted as to where this should go, but as it's about self-improvement, I'm sure here is fine.

As of present I'm trying to improve my handwriting for a number of reasons, and it occurred to me that I might be holding back my progress by using inferior pens, pencils, and paper. A lot of sources really tout the importance of good writing instruments, and while I don't view it as absolutely necessary to my goals, I do think they would be a help.

Besides, with this stuff kept in mind I'm starting to wonder if my progress is "flawed" or something since I do everything with a number two mechanical paper on regular notebook paper.

On the money-note, I ask: What are some good place or ways to secure higher-quality pens, paper, and whatnot for this purpose?

And the trick is that I don't want to invest in fountain pens and whatnot from the get-go. I'd like to "work my way up," if possible, by trying out still-yet higher quality writing utensils, but at a lower spot on the hierarchy for my handwriting training, and, most importantly, on the cheap. For those who don't know, a good fountain pen can cost over a hundred dollars, if not hundreds, and I'm certainly not going that far until I appreciate my handwriting enough to make that investment.

So what say you?

[Norrie]

Huh. I had never thought about the pens or pencils involved. I have ridiculously flawless handwriting (like, strangers comment on it all the time. It basically looks like it's been typed), and I use whatever pen is closest to me. I prefer ball point over the fancy new gel pens.

Aside from maybe finding a pen or pencil that is comfortable in your hand, I'm not sure that getting into high end utensils is going to help any.

If you print, is it more legible than when writing in cursive?

[chicagomeg]

That's absurd. I also have beautiful handwriting and use any pen. That won't make a difference. I had horrible handwriting until 5th grade. I wanted a calligraphy set (not a fancy one, a $20 from the craft store) for Christmas, and my mom wouldn't buy me one because my normal writing was so messy. I learned to write neatly so I could earn the calligraphy set. If I could do it at 10, you can do it now. Just slow down & take your time. But really, I can't even see why it matters that much as an adult in the 21st century to have neat writing; we have computers now.

At any rate, no, this is not an excuse to buy fancy pens of any sort, the $3/pen kind or the $300/pen kind.

[Frankies Girl]

I used to have horrible handwriting through my grade school/high school years, and then I worked through my early 20s as an elementary teacher's assistant. I learned really fast that you have to write neatly if you want the kids to learn how to write neatly too, and it changed my writing style completely.

The tools you use have nothing to do with it. I'd suggest you get some grade school practice sheets (the ones where you have to trace over letters/words and then copy the writing style over and over again) if you really want to improve your handwriting. That's also what I did when I injured my primary hand and had to learn to write legibly using my off hand. You basically need to retrain yourself to write neatly and elegantly, not buy fancier tools.

[zinethstache]

+1 Frankies Girl

get some templates to practice with. I too had to learn to write with my opposite hand after surgery a few years back. Using the grade school guides helped alot.

[Benpercent]

Good points, all. If you guys say you've developed handwriting as neat as if it were typed *without* fancy instruments, then I'm convinced enough.

Though, perhaps I could still make things just a wee easier with, say, better paper? That would be cheap enough. It just feels like my pencil "catches" on the paper sometimes.

So far I'm doing multiple things, interchanging them to keep things fresh. For one, I'll try copying down an article off the internet using my new handwriting methodology to get word-formation down. For two, I do line drills, such as drawing lines at an angle or circles as round as possible.

I might also try getting a cheapie kids' coloring book to trace the outlines of the pictures.

[chicagomeg]

Though, perhaps I could still make things just a wee easier with, say, better paper? That would be cheap enough. It just feels like my pencil "catches" on the paper sometimes.

No, I don't think that will matter either.

[Kevan]

The implement definitely affects my handwriting.  I'm partial to the Zebra F-301 fine tip.  A pen needs to feel "right" as it glides across the page, but I'm unlikely to spend more on a pen than the Zebras cost ($2).

[Fletch]

It shouldn't make a big difference unless you press really hard or hold your pencil at a strange angle. This happens to me with some cheap old school pencils, the lead splinters off. But I sketch enough to have good pencils with various lead hardness levels, try a softer one (hb lead is the middle, higher numbers with an h are harder, higher numbers with a b are softer) if you feel it catching.

[catccc]

I am really curious why one would care to improve his/her handwriting.  Should I be improving my handwriting?  Care to explain? 

[sol]

Quality writing implements are not expensive.  Check out this recent post at wirecutter:  http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/the-best-pen/

Summary:  all of the world's biggest pen geeks are totally in love with a $4 ball point pen, the Uniball Jetstream, which you can buy in the office supply section of almost any store.  Or get online:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002FSZP5A/

This is the sort of luxury spending I can get behind.  This is arguably the best pen in the world right now, including pens that cost thousands of dollars.  Yes, it costs ten times as much as some budget alternatives, but I'm prepared to burn $4 to experience the ultimate luxury in this one little corner of the universe.

[Adventine]

Gonna chime in with everyone else here - good handwriting doesn't depend on what kind of paper or pen you use, but on the amount of control you have in the muscles in your writing hand. You can train your hand's muscles just like you can train any other muscle in your body.

[Benpercent]

Still yet more good fodder, everyone, for the quality discussion. I really appreciate the input.

To answer someone's question above as to why one ought to improve handwriting: Well, that's subjective. For me, it's a personal value, but it may not hold true for everyone. As for me, I have several reasons:

1.) I want to write faster and neater at the same time, so I want to master "gliding." As someone recommended above, I'll look into a different kind of lead since my current pencils "catch" on the paper. Also, I want this because I write a LOT, and I'll write a lot lot more if my handwriting can be sped up (though I do type a lot too, of course; I mix them so that my thought doesn't get "attach" to the words' appearance).

2.) I have a hypothesis that good handwriting might contribute to good knife skills for the culinary arts, and I do want to learn how to cook. One thing I've noticed is that every cook I've seen with good knife skills *also* tended to have good, if not outrageously good handwriting, to the point of almost looking typed. I theorize that their culinary training in effect *trained* their overall dexterity, which shows in their handwriting. As such, I'm wondering if improving my dexterity via handwriting plus other things (such a knot tying) might improve my dexterity that will flow into culinary endeavors. Weird self-improvement, but worth it to me.

3.) I want my writing to look good and intelligent to others, including being legible of course.

4.) I want to increase  the amount of fun I have writing. Cursive is interesting in that it feels good, in a way, to have the pencil dancing about like that. Improving precision and having a more attractive result is bound to make it more satisfying.

5.) Perhaps the overall precision-dexterity that will be trained as a result of this may open me to other enjoyments, such a calligraphy and sketching.

6.) Babes.

[Norrie]

6.) Babes.

You should have said so in your first post. Totally spend the money on a great pen and high end paper.   ;)

[lizzzi]

There is something very satisfying about turning out a handwritten note or letter to someone on good quality, carefully-chosen stationery. It is something special for the recipient, that can be stored as a special keepsake. A journal is also more fundamental, closer to the bone in a way, if it is carefully handwritten in a nice blank book of some kind. I write professionally, and am as computer-literate as anyone else, but I always, always start with a handwritten draft. It makes the writing more real, more immediate, more handcrafted or home-made somehow. More real. In terms of paper for handwriting columns, book reviews, or novels, I just use everyday, lined, 8 1/2 by 11 school notebooks. I am picky about my pens, but they don't have to be expensive. I like a fine pointed ballpoint, usually Bic or Pilot--available anywhere, but medium point is much more common. I hate gel--it doesn't work for my handwriting. Then I just  try to write slowly and mindfully, keeping it neat. Good handwriting is important to me, too--it bothers me when people say it isn't important because we have computers now. 

[Left]

I'd try a paintbrush. The little ones from kid's paint kits or the slightly larger ones. I learned to write chinese with it before (can't remember any of it though) but it did make me feel like I had to "write" better. First because I viewed it more as drawing/painting and not writing so I paid more attention to how I was making the lines. Second, the ink flows with the brush (like quill pens) and doesn't catch on the paper as you put it. The ink is easy to make for cheap if you wanted, black paint + water, but it isn't all that expensive either.

oh wanted to mention, that since the "ink" paint bleeds together if it is too close, you end up learning to space letters a bit wider, if you have problem of writing too tiny, it doesn't work without a lot of practice

[non geordie beth]

My handwriting used to be fine. These days it's bloody awful. Care to throw down a gauntlet of improving handwriting?! I'll join you!

[Mrs WW]

I love to learn from this forum! Who knew there were pen bloggers, hosts of them?

Anyway, my handwriting is something that Ive worked hard on for as long as I can remember! It wasnt until university that my style really "stuck", having tried all kinds of styles before. I use a flowing style with calligraphy like first paragraph letters, and I get complimented on it every time someone sees it. That makes me very happy, why I dont know! I think that a thoughtful way of writing both in matters of language, grammar and handwriting style gives a professional impression, at least in my case as a creative.

Im up for a challenge to improve further, if there are others interested.

[kdms]

Quality writing implements are not expensive.  Check out this recent post at wirecutter:  http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/the-best-pen/

Summary:  all of the world's biggest pen geeks are totally in love with a $4 ball point pen, the Uniball Jetstream, which you can buy in the office supply section of almost any store.  Or get online:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002FSZP5A/

This is the sort of luxury spending I can get behind.  This is arguably the best pen in the world right now, including pens that cost thousands of dollars.  Yes, it costs ten times as much as some budget alternatives, but I'm prepared to burn $4 to experience the ultimate luxury in this one little corner of the universe.

Second vote for the Uniball Jetstream....whenever I find myself without a working pen at work, these are the ones I always ask the admin assistant to buy.

I don't think the paper matters much - but I do know that I never, ever use a mechanical pencil for anything, unless it's a drafting style that can be sharpened like a regular pencil.  The lead's too square-edged and thin to get a good glide going and it breaks way too easily.  If you want to continue using pencils, stick to 2B or 4B, get a decent sharpener, stay away from the H grade pencils, and be aware that the softer the lead, the higher the smudge factor.  I have a spray can of fixative that I use on pencil sketches and documents so that they don't smudge when the page gets flipped.

[cmk]

I've found that as I've grown older, my handwriting has deteriorated.  As a young student, I was always one of the best cursive writers in my class.  Now, I can barely decipher my own notes. 

I'm going to take the challenge to improve. Maybe this is another aspect of aging that we can mitigate if we are aware of it.  Maybe careful attention to handwriting might be beneficial in the same way as playing a musical instrument - mindfully controlling the brain-to-hand connection. 

Thanks for the links to the blogs, now I've wasted 2 hours reading about pens!  I love pens and paper!