Compare Pencil Grips

Compare pencil grips in three different categories: easy grips, specialty grips, and therapeutic grips.

Incorrectly holding a pen or pencil leads to less legible penmanship, writer's cramp, and for some students regression in writing and drawing ability as they re-learn the correct way to hold their writing instruments.

The use of pencil grips aids them in correcting an incorrect pencil grip. Better yet, the correct pencil grip may aid them in developing the correct grip in the first place.

EASY PENCIL GRIPS

The first four grips compared here are what we call easy grips. They are easy to use and for the majority of students will train their fingers in the tripod grip with consistent use for several months.

If the easy and less expensive tools work, there's no reason to invest in the more expensive grips.

Stetro Pencil Grips

THE Stetro Grip is Included in the Easy Grip Pack AND the Favorite Five Pack

The Stetro pencil grip can be considered the classic pen and pencil grip children have used for decades. It was developed by J.R. Moon, who also developed the edges on pencils which make them not perfectly cylinder shaped.

The famous stetro pencil grip is a small piece of firm plastic slightly larger than a marble. It's surface has indentations which form the tripod grip when the students' fingers are placed in the correct area.

An arrow on the grip points up for a right handed student and down for a left handed student.

There is a star shape on the indentation where the thumb rests. The pointer finger is opposite it, and the underside has a larger curve which the middle finger fits into.

As one of the original pen/pencil grips, the stetro grip is often considered the standard to compare other pencil grips.

Advantages of the Stetro pencil grips

• Widely available
• Trains fingers in the tripod grip
• Variety of kid-appealing colors
• Inexpensive (less than $1)
• Teaches the student how to hold a pencil, even when the grip is removed.

Disadvantages of the Stetro pencil grips

• Plastic is hard and rigid, less comfortable than many other grips
• Left-handed position is not exactly equivalent
• Only fits a standard size pencil or pen
• Not as easy-to-use for preschoolers as other larger pen/pencil grips

Solo Pencil Grip

This is a newer pencil grip which is larger and easier to use than the Stetro, but largely does the same thing. It has matching indentations for right and left handed writers. Right handed students place their thumb in the "R" space, and left handed students place their thumb in the "L" space.

Advantages of the Solo Pencil Grip

• Better positioning for left handed students than the Stetro pencil grips
• Larger, may be used by younger students
• Pencil grip recommended for people with arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome

Disadvantages of the Solo Pencil Grips

• Not widely available
• Firm rigid plastic

Triangle Pencil Grip

The Triangle Grip is Included in both the Easy Pack and the Favorite Five Pack

The triangle pencil grips are used in many schools and are one of the most used kindergarten pencil grips. They are made of a rubbery substance and have a triangle shape which promotes the tripod pencil grasp.

Triangle pencil grips are a simple shape and very easy to use: no special directions, no modifications for left handed students.

Advantages of the Triangle Pencil Grips

• Simple to use for right and left handed students
• Uniform shape is appreciated by some students - no need to focus on putting your fingers in a particular space
• Widely available
• Inexpensive (less than $1.00 each)
• Available in regular and jumbo (jumbo for smaller children)
• Useful in preschool and kindergarten
• Symmetry particularly helpful for students with dyslexia

Disadvantages of the Triangle Pencil Grips

• May not correct specific problems such as thumb wrapping, pencil squeezing, or putting the third finger on top of the pencil.

Fish Pencil Grip

The Fish Grip is Included in the Easy Pack Below

Here is a fun and simple grip to use, and kids like the friendly looking fish that come in a variety of colors. The fish grip is somewhat like the triangle grip, except it is necessary to get the fish's head upward. The underside of the fish is curved to nestle onto the third finger.

Advantages of the Fish Pencil Grips

• Simple to use for right and left handed students
• Fun, friendly shape with kid appeal
• Inexpensive (less than $1.00 each)
• Useful for preschool through elementary

Disadvantages of the Fish Pencil Grips

• Flimsy. (But how long did you expect to keep a fish out of water anyway?)
• Doesn't correct serious problems.

Specialty Pencil Grips

The next five pencil grips we will compare we have listed as specialty grips. They are larger, softer, and generally more comfortable than those we have listed as "easy grips." They may prevent specific problems (such as the thumb crossing over the middle of the pencil.) They are a little more expensive (over $1 each) and generally need to be ordered on-line.

THE Ergonomic Pencil Grip

THE Pencil Grip is Included in the Speciality Pack AND the Favorite Five Pack.

We refer to this grip as THE ergonomic grip. The company that makes it just calls it The Pencil Grip (a bit generic, wouldn't you say?) Since we are reviewing multiple grips, we call it THE Ergonomic grip here. It is made of larger, softer, and more flexible material than any of the grips listed above as "easy" grips.

THE Pencil Grip is ergonomically correct, developed by a physician, and recommended by many occupational therapists. A larger percentage of the grip is in contact with writers' skin than with other grips. It has soft contours.

The pictures above show how the thumb sits on the flat part of the grip while the other fingers are cushioned are the softer curves.

Advantages of The Pencil Grip

• Comfortable and flexible
• Variety of colors including glittery and neon colors
• Jumbo and regular size - (adults use jumbo)
• Decreases writer's cramp

Disadvantages of The Pencil Grip

• Moderately expensive ($1.50 - $2.50 each)

The Crossover Pencil Grips

Crossover Grip is in the Speciality Pack AND The Favorite Five Pack

This is very similar to THE Ergonomic Pencil Grip (above) but has an additional band across the top. Students tuck their thumb and pointer finger under the band. This gives extra security in preventing their fingers from slipping out of position and reinforcing the tripod pencil grasp.

Advantages of the Crossover Pencil Grips

• Has the comfort and flexibility of THE Ergonomic Pencil Grip
• Prevents thumb wrapping
• Prevents use of fourth finger on the top of the pencil
• Useful for children whose fingers "slip" out of position

Disadvantages of the Crossover Pencil Grips

• Moderately expensive ($1.50 - $2.00 each)
• Not widely available

Grotto Pencil Grips

The Grotto Grip is in the Specialty Pack

The grotto pencil grips are soft grips with multiple angles and curves in an interesting shape. It fosters an "o" shape between the thumb and index finger as well as a relaxed grip on the pencil.

Advantages of the Grotto Pencil Grips

• Discourages squeezing the pencil
• Helpful for those who have narrow space between thumb and first finger
• Recommended for autistic individuals
• Decreases writers' cramp
• Ridges and angles for those who like the sensory feel of different surfaces

Disadvantages of the Grotto Pencil Grips

• Expensive (over $2.00 each)
• Not widely available
  

Crossover Pencil Grip vs Grotto Grip

I am often asked what is the difference between the two. The answer: not a lot. They both serve primarily the same purpose but are made by different companies.

The Crossover grip is made by the same company as The Ergonomic Grip and has the same soft cushy comfort. The Grotto grip is more flexible than the rigid plastic of the Stetro and Solo grips, but not quite as cushy as the Crossover.

The Grotto grip is more angular with a deeper pocket for the thumb so it may be more effective for those whose thumbs are so determined to cross the center line.

Like many similar products, people have their preferences between these two but both serve the primary purpose of keeping the thumb from crossing over the pointer finger.

The Pinch Grip

The Pinch Grip is in the Specialty Pack

The Pinch Grip is another soft grip made by the same company that makes the ergonomic and crossover grips. It has the same soft, cushioned texture. It does not have the band that prevents thumb wrapping. Instead, the front of the grip comes to a triangular shape that promotes the tripod grasp. Advantages of the Pinch Grips

• Prevents tight grip
• More guidance for finger placement than the ergonomic grip but less than the crossover
• Recommended as a transitional grip by students who have been using the Crossover or Grotto grips

Disadvantages of the Pinch Pencil Grips

• Expensive ($1 to $2.00 each)
• Not widely available
  
• More freedom of finger placement means less guidance in promoting the tripod hold

Bumpy Pencil Grip

The Bumpy Grip is in the Specialty Pack

We debated if this grip should go in the specialty grips section or the textured grips section. It really belongs in both.

The Bumpy grip is made by the same group that makes The Ergonomic Grip (and Crossover) so it has the same comfortable feel. It is also similar to the Triangle grips (described in Easy Grips at the top of this page) so it could go in THAT category as well. We have included it with our specialty grips for the reasons listed below. Advantages of the Bumpy Grips

• A soft cushioned grip that is as easy to use as the triangular grip but more comfortable
• Can be used as the final step in a transition from a Crossover since it has the same cushioned feel
• Bumpy texture is enjoyed by students who benefit from tactile sensation
• Helpful for those with sweaty hands

Disadvantages of the Pinch Pencil Grips

• More expensive than the triangular grip
• This grip is more about comfort than guiding the tripod hold.

Therapeutic Grips

Now we come to the group of grips we label therapeutic (although all of them are therapeutic to some extent.) These are a more expensive set of grips that are intended to meet specific problems that the easy grips or specialty grips did not solve.

In addition to being more expensive, these are also more conspicuous devices that might make some students more self-concious using.

The Claw

The Claw is Included in the Therapeutic Pack AND the Favorite Five Pack

What an awesome name for a pencil grip, but once you have seen it you will agree that it is well named. The Claw pencil grips are made of three small, flexible cups that the fingers fit into. In the middle is a space to place the pencil, pen, marker or crayon. The cups ensure that the fingers stay in the tripod hold the entire time the instrument is held. While any child who struggles to maintain the tripod grasp would benefit from this device, it is particularly valuable for those with weak muscles or hand disabilities.

It comes in three sizes:

• Small - ages 3 to 5
• Medium - ages 5 - 12
• Large - 12 and above

Advantages of the Claw Pencil Grips

• Easy to use - no instructions needed for the child to know where to put their fingers
• Maintains the tripod grasp perfectly
• Ideal for hand and muscle disabilities

Disadvantages of the Claw Pencil Grips

• Fingers may become sweaty
• Bulky size may be more conspicuous than some children are comfortable with
• No color choice
• Moderately expensive ($1.50 to $2.50)

Egg Oh

The Egg Oh Pencil Grip is included in the Therapeutic Pack

When it comes to pencil grips, the Egg Oh is a horse of a different color (speaking of which, it only comes in two colors.) It is shaped like an egg and is made of a spongy-like material. It does not promote the tripod hold specifically. However, it is a first grip for those students whose pencil-hold is seriously wrong (like those who grasp it with their full fist.)

Advantages of the Egg Oh Pencil Grip

• Easy to use - no instructions needed
• Helpful for non-verbal students as a first grip
• Ideal for hand and muscle disabilities

Disadvantages of Egg Oh Pencil Grips

• Does not promote the specific tripod hold
• Limited color choices
• Moderately expensive ($1.50 to $2.50)

HandiWriter

The HandWriter is a completely different design from pencil grips. This is a knit band that students wear around the wrist. The pencil or writing instrument is inserted in a small loop and held in the correct position. A small charm is held against the palm by the fourth and fifth finger. The effect is to pull the fingers into the tripod grasp.

Besides the unique design, another feature of this tool that differs from pencil grips is the focus on the angle of the pencil. If a student's grasp causes the writing instrument to project at a different angle, this may be the best tool for correcting their problem.

Particularly helpful for left-handed students, the same tool came be used by either left or right handed writers. If corrects the problem of left-handed writers who smudge their letters while writing.

Advantages of the Handiwriter

• Prevents the left-handed hook
• Prevents smeared writing for left-handed students
• Promotes correct pencil angle
• Comfortable to use
• No pencil grip is needed. But if students like the feel of a grip, the HandiWriter can be used with any pencil grip desired.

Disadvantages of the Handiwriter

• Not widely available
  
• Expensive (over $5.00 each)
  
• May be less convenient to wash cloth bands than the plastic grips
• Some students may need help slipping it over their wrist.

Twist N Write

The Twist N Write is not a pencil grip but a specially designed pencil that places the kids' fingers into the tripod hold. It is made by the makers of Pen Again, a similar tool with ink instead of pencil lead.

Advantages of Twist N Write

• The rocket shape makes it seem like a toy
• Autistic and non-verbal kids can use it with limited instruction
• Recommended for those with Ehlers-Danlos and other connective tissue disorders
• Refillable lead is available

Disadvantages of Twist N Write

• Not widely available
• Cost is greater than $2 each
• Transitioning to a standard pencil might be harder for some children

Textured Pencil Grips

In this class there are a wide range of pencil grips made by numerous companies. These are not therapeutic per se, and do not help to correct writing problems such as poor grasp. They make holding the pencil more comfortable. In addition, the assortment of colors and shapes are fun to many students. Pencil grip collection anyone?

Some students who benefit from sensory stimulation have enjoyed using pencils grips, and when no longer needed may still prefer the softer more comfortable feel of soft pencil grips than wooden pencils. They may "graduate" to these textured pencil grips which give them a wide variety of choices, usually for little cost.

Advantages of Textured Pencil Grips

• Soft, comfortable
• Wide selection of colors and shapes and materials
• Available everywhere
• Inexpensive (less than $1.00 - some even 10 for $1.00)

< Disadvantages of Textured Pencil Grips

• Do not correct grip problems

Foam Pencil Grips

• Soft and spongy
• Difficult to wash

Gel Pencil Grips

• Squishy soft
• Often liked by those who have used The Pencil Grip or other flexible grips

Other options
Fuzzy, furry, spikey, slimey, gooey, glittery, flashing
You name it, someone has probably made it.

Get a Grip Pack

You may have noticed that it gets fairly pricey to buy pencil grips - particularly if you don't know which grip you need. We have four packs to help you.

Easy Grip Pack

$1.99
Easy Grip Pack
 
This includes one each of the following grips:

• Stetro
• Triangle
• Fish
• Solo

Specialty Grip Pack

$8.50
Specialty Grip Pack
 
The Specialty Pencil Grip Pack includes one each of these (pictured left to right):

• The Ergonomic Grip
• The Crossover Grip
• Grotto Grip
• Pinch Grip
• Bumpy Grip

Therapeutic Grip Pack

$15.99
Therapeutic Grip Pack
 
The Therapeutic Grip Pack includes one of each of these:

• The Claw
• Twist N Write Pencil
• Handiwriter
• Egg Oh

Favorite Five Grip Pack

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