Many people don’t know that left-handed pens differ from right-handed pens. Writing with a right-handed pen can be difficult and uncomfortable for a left handed writing person, as the left-handed hand naturally moves across the writing line and pushes the nib across the page, which requires more effort and generates more friction.  Fortunately, today, many pen options are specifically designed to help left-handed people write effortlessly.

Choosing the right pen for left-handed people can be challenging. Hand position, nib shape, and nib size are just some of the factors to consider when choosing a pen. In this article, I will explore the features of left-handed pens.

For a left-handed person writing with a classic pen, and not a left-handed pen, can be intricate. The pen is the biggest challenge for lefties, as nibs are generally designed for righties. Only a few brands make pens specifically for lefties.

Many left-handers do not receive adequate instruction on how to write in school. Generally, they figure it out on their own. However, using right-handed writing instruments and awkward hand positions lead to many inconveniences, such as paper smudging, nib scratching, poor ink flow, cramping, and hand fatigue.

The ideal solution would be a pen specially designed for lefties. Thus, writing can also become easy, pleasant, and effective for them.

Why is it important to choose a special left-handed pen?

Writing with a right-handed pen can be difficult and uncomfortable for a left-handed person. This is because most pens are designed to be used with the right hand, which makes the nib too narrow and stiff for a left-handed person to use easily. Right-handed people drag the nib of the pen across the paper, while left-handed people push the nib, which can lead to writing problems such as paper smudging or poor ink flow.

Although many lefties get used to writing with a right-handed pen, using a left-handed pen can make writing much easier and more efficient. Left-handed pens have nibs specially designed to be wider and more flexible than right-handed pens, making writing easier and smoother.

The left-handed pen has a special nib

An essential feature is the nib. This can be flexible or stiff, fine or broad, and the shape of the nib is very important. All of these characteristics affect how a left-handed person writes with a pen, so a pen should be chosen with a nib that a left-handed person feels most comfortable with.

Right-handed people write by pulling the pen, while left-handed people push into the nib, meaning there must be a ball at the tip of the writing instrument so that the pen does not puncture the paper. Left-handed use of a regular pen can result in poor ink flow and scratching of the writing sheet. The nib of a left-handed pen is specially designed to eliminate these problems.

Some pens have nibs with a slightly slanted tip. The rounded tip provides a smooth, scratch-free flow, while the slightly angled shape of the nib favors the writing angle left-handed users use. 

Nib size is extremely important for ink flow. There is no one-size-fits-all nib that works for all lefties. Once again, it all comes down to a matter of preference.

The wider nib allows for the smoothest writing and least scratches on paper of all the nibs. At the same time, the tip of a wider nib removes more ink, which increases the possibility of smudging the paper. This makes it especially unsuitable for left-handed people who have smaller writing.

The medium nib is the most common nib on the market, and its smoothness should be close to that of the broad nib.

The fine nib no longer offers the smoothest writing but instead offers a faster drying time and allows left-handed people to write more neatly.

There is also the extra fine nib. It’s designed for neater, more accurate writing and generally uses less ink. A left-handed person may encounter problems when using such a nib, such as scratching the paper.

Hand and paper position

A left-handed person cannot see the writing unless he sits in a particular position and holds the paper on which he is writing in the same way. These things are learned, but you also need a pen that does not slip out of your hand and provides the best possible comfort.

Usually, the left-hand position is awkward when writing with a right-handed pen, so lefties change their hand or paper position to compensate. But when using a special left-handed pen, they no longer have to force themselves to change their hand or paper position. 

In fact, some left-handed people who have started using a left-handed pen have found that they can write in a much more natural position, so that they no longer feel the discomfort and fatigue of their hands.

Some pens, especially children’s pens, have a chunky body, which makes them much easier to hold. They are a great option for those who hold the pen too tightly and experience hand cramps. The nib has a large round tip, so it can write easily regardless of how the pen is held.

A left-handed person tends to bring the fingertips closer to the top, which requires frequent grip readjustments, which can be a hassle. Holding the pen too tightly does more harm than good, as it pushes the nib further into the paper. 

In contrast, a pen with a slightly flared grip allows the fingers to adopt a correct position without causing too much pressure. Most pens have an ergonomic grip to encourage a good and correct grip. Here, you can learn more about flus.

Ink

Another important aspect is the type of ink used. A clumsy child will run his hand over what he writes, and standard ink will spread, so it is advisable to choose a quick-drying ink.

Most inks sit on top of the paper as they dry, but there are also inks specially designed to soak into the fibers of the paper quickly. If a fine nib is used, it takes less than ten seconds to dry completely on almost any paper.

Gel-based inks are also available. These are a great choice for lefties as they dry instantly, reducing the risk of them smudging the paper. Of course, everyone’s preferences are different, and what works for one person may not work for another. 

For example, a person who writes quickly may need a thin nib and quick-drying ink, and a person who prefers broader nibs may want to hold their hand below the writing line. Left-handed people should test different options to find the one that works best for them.