Hand anatomy and prefered pen size.

[Guest Denis Richard]

Few years ago, I had a native flute custom made, and the maker asked me to measure several parts of my hands. Can we try to compile a little database of pen preferences and finger sizes ? That could be interesting... Let's start with the index finger (just a guess). In the picture below I show which measurements I'd like to see (length and width taken at the illustrated points). If you can post these, along with the pen width you prefer (a reference to Pelikan sizes would be great), I'll be forever grateful

 

I'll start :

 

Index : length : 4'' ; width : 7/8''.

Prefered pen width : Pelikan 400 or smaller.

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

 

It is 6.5 CM and 1.4 CM.

 

Dillon

[Roger]

This is really funny. A frenchman gives his measurement in inches and an american gives his in cm. Are we, on this board, all upgemixed or what?

 

I'm going to wait until you ask for the middle finger, Denis. That's the important one. When used, back where I came from, it was then flight or fight!

[Guest Denis Richard]

This is really funny. A frenchman gives his measurement in inches and an american gives his in cm. Are we, on this board, all upgemixed or what?

 

I'm going to wait until you ask for the middle finger, Denis. That's the important one. When used, back where I came from, it was then flight or fight!

Why use a system that makes sense when I can use the local one ?

 

It's ok Roger... I'll bring a ruler to the Show... :ph34r:

[Guest Denis Richard]

Hi,

 

 

It is 6.5 CM and 1.4 CM.

 

Dillon

Thanks Dillon,

 

what is your prefered/most comfortable pen size width ?

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

It is 5-6 MM in diameter or less.

 

I do not have inch rulers, so...

 

Dillon

[JeffTL]

Length: Just shy of 4", maybe 3.9"

Width: .6"

 

Preferred pen width: I think I'd benefit from something a bit wider than my Reflex, though it is generally comfortable -- I like the feel in general of the Esterbrook J, maybe something even wider than that (though that's the widest fountain pen I've had the chance to hold thus far). Estie SJ feels a bit small for me, and my Sheaffer Triumph desk pen feels pretty nice. I've had the chance to handle a Parker 21 and it felt pretty good too -- which probably bodes well for 51s also.

 

For the record, my (ridiculously low) comfortable writing angle is somewhere between 35 and 45 degrees between pen and paper. In ballpoints, a Paper-Mate PhD feels nice but I have to use a higher writing angle and a lot more pressure than I'd really like. Stick pens are way too narrow. In regard to pencils, I like the Pilot Renegade (except the grip isn't as good as on the PhD, to which it is somewhat similar), though wood pencils and the Pentel Sharp are also nice.

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

My writing angle is either 45 or 38 depending on the thickness of the pen. I hold my Reflex and 45 at the very start of the tapered grip. Still a bit thick for me, but those are nice pens in my opinion.

 

Dillon

Edited October 4, 2005 by Dillo

[JeffTL]

Of course, I meant 3/5 of an inch

 

I tend to hold the Reflex towards the middle, though sometimes towards the bottom as well.

[Maja]

Index finger length: 4 5/8 " and width: 3/4"

Preferred pen width: Pelikan M200

[Carrie]

Index finger length 8.3cm and width 1.8cm

 

Preferred pens, really depends on my mood. The largest pen that I own is my Duofold Centennial. Also like to write with a Parker 51, Conway Stewart 84 or 27.

 

Are you going to analyse all our results and tell us what it says about us

[tooloose-letrek]

Hey, wait just a minute...are you certain you're after the information you say you are? I hear rumors about the correlation in males between hand size and other things.

 

Hmmm...

[Elaine]

Hi,

 

I do not really think that 6" is you finger width. Wow!

He wrote .6 (point 6)

[Elaine]

3 1/8 inches length

 

5/10 inches width.

 

I prefer Pelikan 400/200 pens. I also like much smaller pens such as the Pelikan M300, and Waterman 52 1/2 V

[wimg]

Hi Denis,

 

My index finger is 10.3 cm long (4 1/8 ïnch?), and 2.4 cm wide (15/16 inch ?), measured as indicated.

 

I prefer pens the size of a Pel M800 or bigger, but not as big as a Delta Dolce Vita Oversized. Pens of prefernce for width are WM Edson and Stipula Etruria . I find the retractable Etrurias most comfortable.

 

I can write with most fountain pens, provided they don't curve or taper in a funny way (as compared to my own hand), or are rather short. I find pens that taper strongly in the web between index finger and thumb extremely uncomfortable to write with (e.g. the Sailor 1911), or that rest awkwardly on this web (eg. the Sérénitè).

 

I hold my pens normally at an angle between 45 and 60 degrees, depending on the type of pen. Angled to a lower degree when it is an italic than when it is a normal, rounded type of nib.

 

HTH, warm regards, Wim

[roisnoir]

My right index is 4.5" in length, and .75" in width.

 

Favored pen width (today, at least. Tomorrow, I'll decide I like my VP best or something) is my Parker 50 Falcon. Almost exactly a centimenter across, according to my tape measure.

[Maja]

  Hey, wait just a minute...are you certain you're after the information you say you are?  I hear rumors about the correlation in males between hand size and other things.

 

Hmmm...

So how big is yours, "Too Loose"?

 

 

Um, your finger, I meant.

 

 

Hope no one's offended too much by this comment...but it just begged a reply.

[Maja]

Ok, I hope none of the guys here actually believe Too-Loose's post...

 

Don't be shy....

[tooloose-letrek]

So how big is yours, "Too Loose"?

Well...um...don't you know about shrinkage? Hands in water are susceptible to shrinkage! Any number I give you would be totally misleading!

 

[southpaw]

My left index finger is 90 mm long and 20.5 mm wide at the indicated point (have to be very specific given the shift this post is taking ). I prefer larger pens - M805, Van Gogh Maxi, Bexley Sheherazade & Submariner Grande are great as far as size (and other ways also).