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[–] axissilverhand 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

How to hold the pen: Shiny side up, dark side down, like a motorcycle, thus:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XlIM2J2Sh8#t=260

At first, try not to "post" the pen, meaning don't put the cap on the end of the pen.

Pressure: Use a mechanical pencil on a single sheet of paper on a table. Try to write in a balanced fashion without causing deep creases, fragmenting the lead, or tearing the paper - that's about how much pressure is good to start off with -- if the pen won't write with that amount of pressure then it needs to be cleaned. Rinse it under running water for a bit, use a paper towel to dry it off.

3 (Out of order, as it goes with #1 better) -- I usually have new writers start by dipping the pen, or I'll start the pen for them to make sure the ink is flowing freely - if the feed is slow in starting many new writers will think they're not pressing hard enough and accidentally damage the pen, or worse yet, get frustrated and quit.

2 -- The ink should dry by the time you get to the end of the line on normal paper with basic ink. Finding paper & ink that play nice together is part of the process, but for starting out I'd use Rhodia paper if you want nice/widely available paper and Parker Quink as a basic starting point -- both are reasonably cheap, but are high enough quality that you'll notice (and hopefully prefer) the experience to a rollerball.

[–] [deleted] ago 

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[–] axissilverhand 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

Yes, try the pen without posting it first (this also keeps someone new from trying to post a pen that isn't intended to be posted), and see what the balance is like. Get used to it, and then you can post it later if the pen allows for it, or you want a different balance. Also, I have a Faber-Castell e-Motion pen that posts with a 1/4 twist - trying to un-post it without twisting it will actually damage the pen.