Any Shorthand Fans?

[gordonhooker]

I don't know of anyone who uses short-hand but I have met a few with long pockets over the years

[BookCat]

I learned Pitman many years ago. I was always better at reading it than writing it at speed, probably because I didn't do enough transcription practise. I could take notes from books easily enough, but not if I was 'being dictated to' (which usually involved listening to a cassette of myself reading slowly from a book).

 

If I ever decide to again, it would probably take about a week for me to freshen up the knowledge.

 

Oh, and I wrote with a soft pencil for the heavy and light lines. I did have a Steno pen but threw it away years ago, before I knew about fountain pens, because it leaked.

[sidthecat]

My mother learned Pittman as a young secretary, but forgot it when she left work to raise a family.

Then she returned to work as a legal secretary, and since Gregg was the fashionable style, she started to learn that. But then she discovered that her Pittman skills came back so she switched back to that.

[AAAndrew]

I just went through a bunch of fountain pen ads and stuff from the 19th-century and I remember one of them talking about how the pen worked well for shorthand because the flexible nib could make the thin and thick lines as needed. Now I can't find the reference.

 

If you're really interested, you can probably find it in one of the links I put in a post on the Pen History forum. There are also a few ads for shorthand services and classes but I haven't called them out specifically. Here's a page with two ads from Scribners in 1889 as an example.

[fiberdrunk]

I just went through a bunch of fountain pen ads and stuff from the 19th-century and I remember one of them talking about how the pen worked well for shorthand because the flexible nib could make the thin and thick lines as needed. Now I can't find the reference.

 

If you're really interested, you can probably find it in one of the links I put in a post on the Pen History forum. There are also a few ads for shorthand services and classes but I haven't called them out specifically. Here's a page with two ads from Scribners in 1889 as an example.

 

Wow! How fun! Those ads are really fun to look at! Thanks for putting that together!

[BookCat]

If only I could remember the details of the shorthand fountain pen I used to have. I'm sure it had 'Steno' written on it, though I'm not sure if this was the brand. It was flexible from extra fine to broad, had a long and pointed nib, but required some pressure to flex. It leaked and I prefered pencils at that time.

[fiberdrunk]

If only I could remember the details of the shorthand fountain pen I used to have. I'm sure it had 'Steno' written on it, though I'm not sure if this was the brand. It was flexible from extra fine to broad, had a long and pointed nib, but required some pressure to flex. It leaked and I prefered pencils at that time.

 

I've never tried to do shorthand in pencil... I think I'll give that a try, just for fun. Could be fun with colored pencils.

[Oldtimer]

By the way, have any of you found any decent steno pads that take fountain pen ink well? I've only found one so far: Ampad Steno Pad Orchid (the cover is orchid... the paper is more like a pale blue). The sheets are quite thick and don't bleed through at all.

 

I've also tested Staples Steno Book, Staples Graph Ruled Steno Book, and Tops Docket with blue paper, and they all bleed through.

 

I have heard that Field Notes makes an excellent steno book, but I haven't tried it myself. They are quite pricey, though... $9.95.

 

What do you use?

 

If you want the cheapest alternatie I suggest go to Publix (if available in your area) and buy several notepads at $1.49 ea of this http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i82/anangeli/Publix%20Notebook_zpscjyp51po.jpg plain paper notepad. It is definitely great for FP and I am stashing for the long run to keep at my desk for note taking and calligraphy practice. No lines.

Edited June 30, 2015 by Oldtimer

[fiberdrunk]

 

If you want the cheapest alternatie I suggest go to Publix (if available in your area) and buy several notepads at $1.49 ea of this http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i82/anangeli/Publix%20Notebook_zpscjyp51po.jpg plain paper notepad. It is definitely great for FP and I am stashing for the long run to keep at my desk for note taking and calligraphy practice. No lines.

 

Nice! I haven't seen that particular one. Usually, though, for shorthand you want Gregg ruling. Though I guess blank pages would serve, too.

 

I discovered another steno pad that works well, and it's even bagasse: Skilcraft Steno Book. It's the only steno pad with Gregg ruling that I know of that is made of bagasse (sugarcane), which has always had a great reputation with fountain pen inks. I've been meaning to do a review of it, but just haven't had the time. I ordered it from Paper Clips Etc. which has free shipping, and their sales benefit the blind. Other places that carry it are Amazon (but without free shipping) and Office Depot (online, at least-- not sure if it is in-store). Make sure to get the one with the green cover that says "Bio Based Bagasse Paper" as Skilcraft does have non-bagasse papers, too.

Edited June 30, 2015 by fiberdrunk

[SuperNib44]

 

I've never tried to do shorthand in pencil... I think I'll give that a try, just for fun. Could be fun with colored pencils.

A lot of times I prefer to practice shorthand with a pencil because they are often more accessible and less finicky some times when in under pressure.

[fiberdrunk]

I posted a review of two fountain pen-friendly steno pads here.

[fiberdrunk]

One final review for now of a really cool steno pad holder by Tactical Notebook Covers. You can find it in this thread here. It's just perfect for shorthand (or any note-takers, for that matter)!