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Comment by blackeyeblitzar | Hacker News Reader

It’s interesting seeing all the innovative writing products in Japan - feels like a totally different culture. I have to say though, in the age of phones and laptops, it’s hard to make time to write things physically. It also just seems more painful (like for the hands). Still, I appreciate the design and thought that goes into Japanese pencils and pens.

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> It also just seems more painful (like for the hands).

If you're anything like me, that's the experience of writing with cheap pens and pencils, but finding the right grip for you can make writing a totally different experience. I don't write huge amounts on paper any more these days, so maybe my hand would start cramping up if I wrote voluminously, but I can easily take hours worth of notes without any trouble when using nice pens.

Have you tried a good-quality, light-weight fountain pen?

I tried a plastic body light one a long time back but haven’t returned to it. I think in part because I found the roller ball point pens to be smoother writing and less ‘scratchy’. But maybe I am not using it properly or didn’t get the right model.

I have found the Pilot Kakuno (about ¥1000, so inexpensive) - just IMO, - pilot ink is very easy flowing, the nibs are great for my writing style, pull off cap not screw, so much easier and readier to use, easy to clean. I work in the UK health service which is not a good place for stationery lovers.

A well-tuned fountain pen should write with only the weight of the pen, and then it can take time to learn to relax the hand and shoulder.

I can type for longer without pain than I can write with a ballpoint or a pencil, but a fountain pen exceeds them both.

Maybe I just have bad technique. I feel like I can’t relax the hand but have to actively use it. Longer writing is definitely painful.

Relaxing isn't easy by any means, at least for me, it takes a lot of practice.

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