in a quandary now and should perhaps allow for both.

Bah. I accidentally deleted my comment.

I said that overarm would require one to turn the hatpin after removing it from the hat, most likely.

in the eye. So it'd be a fron the elbow, fist to the side jabbing motion. *nods and goes to find someone to 'speriment on*

In the neck sideways from behind.

My miming with a pencil indicates that it is difficult to stab somebody underarm with a hatpin, as it slides through the hand.

Whereas, overarm, one can use one's thumb to stop this.

Depends on quite where you're intending to stab them, exactly.

Well, there is only one thing for it, I shall have to have a hatpin which maneuvers in the hand for use both under and overarm.

Overarm into the eyeball, underarm up beneath the ribcage.

You could also have a hatpin with a more ornate top designed for a better grip?

The design that I have toying (see latest plurk) should make the pin a little more wieldable.

Honestly, I was not aiming to spend Saturday making hatpins, but I suppose life is an endlessly surprising journey.

if you're going to employ them to move through a crowd Weatherwax-style, it's more like underarm. And what better way to spend a weekend?

Oooo, new toy!