I am no great shakes at calligraphy by any means. I like fiddling with it though for several reasons. Partly because I like writing and making little flourishes on cards or letters I write (yes I write letters!). Partly because I find it relaxing and I think it looks nice. But mainly because I was persecuted at school for being left handed. I was made to use my right hand and I still use my right hand for sports, scissors, carrying things. The irony is my writing with my right hand was awful. My left hand writing is (even if I do say it myself) very nice. I often receive compliments on it. And that to me is the ultimate revenge on everyone who used to tell me that left handed people have horrible handwriting. I find that calligraphy pens make my handwriting even better and it is fun.
I generally use either Rotring ArtPens, or Manuscript Calligraphy Pens with left handed nibs. Ink colour varies but it is usually grey or sepia.
You can generally find these in sets which are not too pricey.
I used to do technical draughting when I was younger, using a Rotring Rapidograph 0.13mm technical pen, so I really like Rotring pens. I use Manuscript also because of their left handed nibs.
I don’t have special calligraphy pens, but on two of my Pelikans a stub nib and an Italic which gives my handwriting a nice touch. And I love writing especially my diary and of course to write letters too. Many people noticing it shake their heads and make remarks but I think the personal touch of a handwritten and sealed letter on Crownmill is a compliment for the person receiving it. And as Gill said, handmade and hand written Christmas cards are always thankfully received by friends and family. Some even keep the cards as I am often told over many years and feel honoured to have received one. It makes one happy to give a little joy that way…..
Now looking at the Manuscript box makes me wonder if I should try out those interresting writing tools………?! 😉 especially to find out what the difference there is between this set or the normal Bandzug-nibs (sorry, but I did not find a translation for this kind of nib), which fit in a normal pen.
And about being lefthanded is still a problem sometimes. My daughter is also writing with her left hand and surely had a hard time in school at first and we also had little battles in the family because my parents, aunts and uncles try to fight my way of thinking to let her be the way she is. Meanwhile she is almost thirty years old and her writing like yours is often complimented even though she has to write real fast most of the time it does not visibly change. Makes me proud to have won the battle against all the family and teachers “advice”.
I’ve got a few calligraphy pens, but I don’t seem to do it as often as I used to. For the last few years, it seems to have been relegated to Christmas cards 🙁