Straight holder

A straight holder is the simplest style of pen holder, with the nib sitting directly in line with the shaft rather than offset to one side. It works with both broad edge and pointed nibs and is the standard choice for modern calligraphy, where letters do not need the strict, consistent slant of traditional copperplate. Many letterers prefer the neutral feel of a straight holder because it does not force any particular angle on the hand.

For left-handed writers, a straight holder is often easier to control than a right-handed oblique holder, since it does not fight the natural angle of an underwriting or hooked grip. It also tends to be lighter and cheaper than oblique holders, making it a common starting point for anyone trying pointed pen calligraphy for the first time before deciding whether a slanted script style is worth the extra hardware.

When choosing a straight holder, look at grip diameter, weight, and how well it holds different nib sizes without slipping. A frequent mistake beginners make is forcing a strong slant with a straight holder by twisting the wrist, which causes fatigue and inconsistent letterforms. If a strong, consistent slant is the goal, an oblique holder solves that problem more comfortably than fighting a straight one.