Pen or Pencil--Which do you use?

[Deb]

Which do you use? Simple poll this time around. I did add "both" and "other" just for fun.

Pen can refer to anything that uses ink. Pencil is a lead barrel item of sorts. However, you can mark "other" if your item of choice for writing Gregg shorthand is something slightly different.

[Deb]

Reply if you'd like to get specific to share. Pictures are also great of the item, plus your shorthand notes (even just a word) using it.

[lvw]

I do almost all of my writing in pen, whether shorthand or not. I'm a mathematician, and write most of my math notes in pen. (Other mathematicians will understand, but non-mathematicians might consider that odd.)

[Deb]

Ivw, I'm not a mathematician or even close.... Why do you write most of your notes in pen? I just use pen because it flows smoother for me then pencil, plus it doesn't get dull or need sharpening while writing.

[lvw]

That's exactly why I use a pen. It's smoother and it doesn't get dull. It also makes nicer marks on the paper--darker and more even. It just seems to be a better writing tool. Pencil can be really nice for drawing, though. I understand Pitman writers are kind of stuck with pencils nowadays, since most pens (except some art pens) don't make the thin and thick lines they require.

[Deb]

I actually see some flexible nibs for fountain pens that would work for Pitman or other similar types of shorthand. But I think that or pencil is the only choice. I see them on Instagram videos or other places for fancy calligraphy. Maybe brush pens might work, but they are usually thick and don't provide much for thin lines, although experts seem to be good at them (with pen calligraphy).

With Gregg, really anything goes. It might not be easy, but it would work. Even if someone used something and created thick and thin lines, it would be the same outline. "Prepare" is the same no matter how it's written or what line it's written on (with some, like Pitnam if an outline is written above the line, on the line or below it would mean something different each time). Gregg isn't as important. Helps though.

[Deb]

Anyone else want to login and take the poll?

Just thinking, there are a lot of calligraphy pens now being used for those who do bullet journaling, they might actually work with Pitman. But of course, anything will work with Gregg, eve if you have some fat or thin strokes, above or below the line. As long as YOU can read it.

[rachel8375]

I use pen. I've tried pencil but it is either too light or gats dull and causes me to have to work harder to show difference in loop sizes.

[phoenix]

I use pen also. When taking shorthand in high school, the teacher told us to never use pencil because it dulls and you can't take time to sharpen - especially when speed building. Also, over time you might not be able to read the notes if they are in pencil. But ink should hold up better over time.

[Deb]

Nov 17, 2018 15:55:35 GMT -5 phoenix said:

I use pen also. When taking shorthand in high school, the teacher told us to never use pencil because it dulls and you can't take time to sharpen - especially when speed building. Also, over time you might not be able to read the notes if they are in pencil. But ink should hold up better over time.

She's 99% right. If you use a mechanical pencil, you could click to keep the pencil "sharp". But it won't be really sharp. Those also seem to break easily for me. I think there were some mechanical pencils that had a click by the hold position, so you wouldn't lose too much time. I still would prefer a pen.

Has anyone tried using a mechanical pencil?

[lvw]

There are mechanical pencils that take thicker lead that does not break easily (0.046 inches rather than the currently common 0.7 mm or thinner). These used to be the most common kind, and in the old days the lead was advanced by turning part of the pencil--either the eraser end or the point end. This allowed the lead to be advanced easily to the desired length. New lead was fed in through the point; this disallowed automatically loading a new lead from a canister inside the pencil.

More recent mechanical pencils are basically repurposed draftsman's pencils. Draftsman's pencils are meant to use thin leads and to be held vertically to the paper for ruling lines and curves. If you hold such a pencil obliquely to the paper and put downward pressure on it, as for writing, the thin lead can break. So if you choose to use a mechanical pencil for writing, I'd recommend the type that takes 0.046 inch lead.

In regard to shorthand, there's not real advantage to a pencil if you write Gregg. But Pitman uses thin and thick strokes, and pens that can make that distinction are rare nowadays. So you might need a pencil for Pitman.