3 ms·

Why were teachers so reluctant to let you use ballpoint pens?

deely3 3y ago
Completely different country: because ballpoint pens not good for calligraphy. I'm still not sure why, but I heard this argument everytime.
- Hendrikto 3y ago
  Writing the same sentence with a fountain pen vs ballpoint, it looks much nicer with the fountain pen.
- raisedbyninjas 3y ago
  Fountain pens let you vary the width of the line depending on how much force is applied.
  - chipsa 3y ago
    Unless you know you have a flexy nib, you shouldn't. Too much force can cause your tines to sproing, and then you need a new nib (or get a nibsmith to fix it, which might be more). Most of my pens have nibs that aren't designed for much line variation.
slim 3y ago
conservatism (in the form of : the kids would never learn how to write properly if they don't time their strokes with dipping the pen in the ink routine)
- bipson 3y ago
  It is the same thinking as the "you need to start with C to become a good programmer". They started with ink, it worked for them, so we obviously also had to. For me it was even worse. My teachers argued that I must not use my Pelikan pen (all my classmates were on fountain pens) and write with pencil instead, because I was using to much force. The most infuriating thing about it: I never saw a teacher using anything else than a regular pen. Strictly forbidden. Those were for grown ups.
krisoft 3y ago
My teachers argument was that fountain pens require more precise control of your writing force. If you start to learn with ballpoint it might mask some issues with your writing (mainly too much downforce) which can cause you problems later in life. (Such as fatique or cramps in your hand.)
mnd999 3y ago
I dunno, we started with the Berol handwriting pen which is basically a plastic tip. Your basic biro is not a good writing pen - they are difficult to control. The ink is thick and gloopy so it takes too much force to get going and then shoots off quickly. Modern ballpoints, from the likes of Mitsubishi and Pilot are inexpensive and much much better.

Completely different country: because ballpoint pens not good for calligraphy. I'm still not sure why, but I heard this argument everytime.

Hendrikto 3y ago
Writing the same sentence with a fountain pen vs ballpoint, it looks much nicer with the fountain pen.
raisedbyninjas 3y ago
Fountain pens let you vary the width of the line depending on how much force is applied.
- chipsa 3y ago
  Unless you know you have a flexy nib, you shouldn't. Too much force can cause your tines to sproing, and then you need a new nib (or get a nibsmith to fix it, which might be more). Most of my pens have nibs that aren't designed for much line variation.

slim 3y ago

conservatism (in the form of : the kids would never learn how to write properly if they don't time their strokes with dipping the pen in the ink routine)

bipson 3y ago
It is the same thinking as the "you need to start with C to become a good programmer". They started with ink, it worked for them, so we obviously also had to. For me it was even worse. My teachers argued that I must not use my Pelikan pen (all my classmates were on fountain pens) and write with pencil instead, because I was using to much force. The most infuriating thing about it: I never saw a teacher using anything else than a regular pen. Strictly forbidden. Those were for grown ups.

krisoft 3y ago

My teachers argument was that fountain pens require more precise control of your writing force. If you start to learn with ballpoint it might mask some issues with your writing (mainly too much downforce) which can cause you problems later in life. (Such as fatique or cramps in your hand.)

mnd999 3y ago

I dunno, we started with the Berol handwriting pen which is basically a plastic tip. Your basic biro is not a good writing pen - they are difficult to control. The ink is thick and gloopy so it takes too much force to get going and then shoots off quickly. Modern ballpoints, from the likes of Mitsubishi and Pilot are inexpensive and much much better.