I also have trouble only with the "A" on several of my machines while touch typing. Coincidence? No. I think there's a few good reasons.

First of all, "A" is the third most frequent letter in the English language, superseded only by "E" and "T". Second, "A" is at the extreme edge of the keyboard, so you will be striking this often-used letter with a weaker finger. Third, a large majority of people are right-handed, and thus this third most frequently used letter is typed by the weakest finger of the weakest hand.

These three reasons together make for a very good reason why many people seem to have "A" troubles while touch-typing.

~Joe

JoeV wrote:

These three reasons together make for a very good reason why many people seem to have "A" troubles while touch-typing.

Is it really many? I've never had an issue with the letter A on any typewriter, nor have I ever come across any other typist suffering from an A deficiency issue. In fact, this thread is the first place that I've read the A-key use being discussed in such a manner, so I question if this really is a common problem.

I'm not trying to nitpick your point, and no doubt your explanation is absolutely correct for some instances; however, the internet being what it is, a place were statements can spread like wildfire, it's important in my mind to separate fact from fiction, and researched facts from speculation.

With the two Hermes 2000, I can't remember if it was specifically the letter A. I do know that those two machines did skipped with three different typists. I don't use my pinkie finger. I use three fingers on each hand. My husband uses his index fingers and strikes the keys extremely hard. (he is a true platen punisher).  I had a local collector who is a touch typist test them out and he too experienced skipping problems. Three different typing techniques led me to believe that it wasn't the typing style. I've had skipping problems with other models but somehow managed to fix them with through cleaning and/or adjustments, not the two Hermes 2000 though. I couldn't figure it out.  Personally, skipping is the main quirk that takes the joy out of using these machines. I will not use a machine that skips.

I just acquired a green/pistachio Hermes 2000. It's feel is unique among the 10 typewriters in the stable and is rapidly becoming my favorite, exceeded only by the Olivetti Lettera 32, my go-to-the-beach typer.

I don't have trouble with the 'a' on the Hermes, but my Smith-Corona Sterling skips on the 'a' and the three Olympias seems sensitive to the same key.
I'm pretty certain it's my typing. There's no way the single escapement mechanism knows what key is being struck, so it must have to do with speed, force, and angle of that pinkie finger. IMO.

My SC also skips on the "a" sometimes. I think part of it is my bad typing.