Why fountain pens and cursive work together

There’s a reason many people who pick up a fountain pen eventually fall in love with cursive handwriting—each complements the other in a way modern tools (hmmm maybe the Apple Pencil can) just can’t replicate.

Smooth flow

Fountain pens are designed to glide across the page with minimal effort. The natural curves and loops of cursive writing match the effortless ink flow from a fountain pen.

Less pressure, better control

Unlike ballpoint pens, which require more pressure to write, fountain pens need a lighter touch. This makes cursive, which involves continuous strokes and flowing letters, easier on the hand and wrist. If you write in cursive for long periods, a fountain pen reduces fatigue.

Consistency in line thickness 

One of the most satisfying aspects of cursive writing is the variation in line thickness. Fountain pen nibs, especially flex, italic, stub or soft gold nibs, emphasize the thick and thin lines of cursive, giving your writing more character.

Want to improve (or learn) cursive?

If you want to learn basic cursive penmanship, I recommend starting with a book targeted for kids (just like how we watch kids shows to learn another language, perhaps). I found a highly-rated one that you’d might want to check out.

To further improve, The Art of Cursive Penmanship is a popular book in the community. You can get a copy of this on Amazon!