Thread: Hand written letters

Being on call 24/7 for over 40 yrs,I had pagers,Sat phones and cells up the wazoo,Now am retired,no need anymore.

They are of writing a letter or note is slowly going away. The schools do not teach cursive any longer, (at least the elementary school district my wife works for doesn't) it seems the schools do not have time to teach it anymore. My Mother and my Father both made sure they helped me learn to read, write and do math. I may not write in cursive very well but I do know how to print. My Father made me take Drafting and Math & Mechanical Arts in School.

Cursive - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I am 53 years old, grew up with hand-written letters and I am glad they are a thing of the past. I find it very hard to write legibly and find it occasionally very hard to read someone else's handwriting.

As an artist, and letter writer, I find enjoyment trading letters with another person not only to keep a proven communication method alive but to exercise my abilities to write in different styles. I trade occasional letters with Ed Hewitt and try to make sure that I use a different lettering style each time.

My personal handwriting was so bad that I taught myself calligraphy in order to be understood. That has led to the use of different handwritten typefaces that i now use.

That reminds me, I owe Ed a letter. I finally deciphered his last missive and need top respond. It's coming Ed, give me a few weeks to pull it together.

In addition to always shaving with a straight razor (since 15 years old,) I have always used a fountain pen to write, it's what my father taught me to write with. Like straight razor staving, using a fountain pen requires the user to take there time when writing, lack of or bad penmanship starts with rushing the process IMO. My father and I wrote letters to each almost weekly until he passed. While I don't write as much as I used to I love the process of putting pen to paper.

I have tried my hand at fountain pens but they are not made for me I am afraid. As the ink spreads within the paper you have to write large letters. Moreover I probably use too much pressure when writing which doesn't help either.

Originally Posted by Kees

I have tried my hand at fountain pens but they are not made for me I am afraid. As the ink spreads within the paper you have to write large letters. Moreover I probably use too much pressure when writing which doesn't help either.

You do need the right pen, ink and paper. Paper makes a big difference.

Originally Posted by Bayamontate

In addition to always shaving with a straight razor (since 15 years old,) I have always used a fountain pen to write, it's what my father taught me to write with. Like straight razor staving, using a fountain pen requires the user to take there time when writing, lack of or bad penmanship starts with rushing the process IMO. My father and I wrote letters to each almost weekly until he passed. While I don't write as much as I used to I love the process of putting pen to paper.

My father taught me calligraphy and later in life I bought a cheap fountain pen. Cheap yes but I loved it. I want to get a quality pen next. Something about doing it the old way that appeals to me.