I went back to watch the video after your explanation, I see what your saying and why he is doing it. I thought he had some wierd technique but now I understand. Thank you Ken. BTW my M's are done with 3 strokes maybe I should try your technique to see if I can clean it up some.
Brad,
This is just a personal opinion.
I am more interested in writing lettering than drawing it, and I feel that, to maintain the flow of writing, the fewer pen lifts the better. I find that this is particularly true of writing Copperplate with a flexible nib, where the constant shading/hairline ebb and flow produces better results when interrupted as little as possible. Also, it's a very tactile experience which is largely lost when repeatedly broken up with pen lifts.
I should make clear that I am talking here about the handwritten form of English Roundhand (Copperplate) and not about Engrosser's Script which is drawn, not written, and whilst looking very similar, is in fact, quite different with equally strong and valid values.
Whether you use five, three or one stroke(s) to write the letter 'm', what matters is how it looks on the page. I just get better results with one stroke.....and it's more enjoyable!
Ken