Question About The Plastic Protector Under The Writer's Hand

[Lamb South]

In watching bottled ink tests and pen reviews on YouTube, I noticed that a lot of folks place a piece of what looks like plastic underneath their writing hand. I am very new to the world of fountain pens and was wondering what purpose this serves. Also is there a commercially available product to serve this function or is it just something you create at home? Thanks.

[ac12]

It keeps the hand oils from smearing onto the paper. Which as you get further down the page, the pen will run into. Then depending on the oil from your hand, the pen may start to "misbehave" such as skipping where the ink can't flow onto and stick to the oily paper.

Basically anything to separate your hand from the paper is fine. I sometimes use a thin cardboard/magazine cover or just another sheet of paper.

 

ps, it is also to keep any other "stuff" on your hand from smearing on the paper and causing problems with writing. I think in college it was sweat from having to jog across campus to your next class on a hot day. My hand was sweaty and oily enough that my pen would slip in my grip, and I had to carve groves into the section to give my fingers something to grip onto.

Edited October 29, 2014 by ac12

[LuckyKate]

I got one from Nanami Paper. They come in handy. Here's the link:

 

 

http://www.nanamipaper.com/products/writing-mat-b5-soft-clear.html

[Ernst Bitterman]

I'll use a piece of paper towel if it looks like it will be a problem. This depends on temperature and the nature of the paper (some get feather a LOT faster than others). When I'm just writing for my own benefit, I don't worry about it too much. I also suggest not worrying too much about it; using FPs is meant to be fun!

[Bo Bo Olson]

I got 'dry' hands....so don't need it.

A regular sheet of paper would do, if you run into skipping on the bottom third of the page.

Edited October 30, 2014 by Bo Bo Olson

[Princeps Anglorum]

I use a small sheet of blotting paper. Works well and yo also have blotter to hand if needed.

[Morphling27]

I've always used smaller notepads and notebooks, the 6x9. My hand rarely touches the paper then, but I have huge hamfists.

[SujiCorp12345]

I just use a sheet of paper as well. Prevents any oils from tampering with my writing later on.