How to Use a Quill Pen

Quill pens offer an intriguing calligraphic experience that requires special preparation and technique for producing elegant strokes.

An important tool in calligraphy and calligraphic writing is a high-quality sheet of parchment and pot or inkwell, along with specially-formulated ink for dip pens or calligraphy to avoid drying out and clogging the nib. Blot the nib frequently to prevent build-up of ink.

Ink

Quill pens are writing tools made up of feathers used as nibs and ink reservoirs. Quills can be found being used in calligraphy and fine art as well as technical draftsmen and illustrators’ practices, making these more flexible than older reed pens yet less capable of holding ink and thus require regular dips into an inkwell during writing sessions. Goose or swan feathers are most often utilized but crow, turkey and hawk feathers have also been employed as quills.

Before using a quill pen, its feather should be prepared by removing any manufacturing oil residue and then dipped in ink, such as iron gall ink, at regular intervals to maintain even ink flow over paper. Blotting regularly after each dip helps prevent ink buildup on metal nib and could render the pen unusable – while protecting your feather against damage during writing using a felt cushion can also provide extra support.

Nib

A quill pen’s nib is the curved end of its feather’s hollow shaft (calamus). To maximize ink flow and prevent leakage, it should be cut to an ideal shape; additionally, having such an indentation helps hold down its tip securely.

Use ink that has been specially developed for quill pens to prevent bleeding. Other types of ink may bleed too freely and create unsightly writing, as well as cause build-up in the nib. Make sure to regularly blot the nib in order to prevent accumulation.

Position your nib at a downward angle – experts typically advise setting it to between 45 degrees for right-handed people and perpendicular for left-handers – to produce thin lines without making mistakes. Be mindful not to apply too much pressure as too much might damage the pen or tear paper, creating unusable blobs of ink that become unusable later. When finished writing, use sand as an absorbent to soak up extra ink from your nib and protect its life longer.

Paper

When writing with a quill pen, placing it on a flat felt cushion helps maintain its shape and avoid cracking under pressure from being applied directly to its nib. Furthermore, this prolongs its lifespan since less sharpening will need to be done over time.

A quality quill is usually constructed of goose or swan feather, though other large bird feathers such as turkey, crow, and owl feathers have also been utilized. When cut to shape similar to that of traditional nibs with an opening that controls ink flow from its “calamus,” or hollow center of the pen, quills offer great control of ink flow.

Position the nib so it faces left for right-handed people and down for lefties; this will enable thin, manageable lines. Apply light pressure when writing; too much force could break or tear paper or cause unsightly ink blobs. Also try writing without stopping frequently until redipping is necessary – this will give you a greater insight into how the pen responds to both your writing style and paper surface.

Practice

Quill pens may seem outdated to modern writers, but they offer an enjoyable writing experience. Though quill pens require more care and effort to use than ball-point pens, their results make the extra work worth while. Practice regularly until you develop a writing style that speaks to you; find worksheets online that showcase styles you admire then adopt these qualities into your own writing.

Clean the quill regularly to prevent ink from drying out and clogging the slit, if using a metal nib blot it with paper or tissue to avoid an accumulation of ink that could potentially leak out and make your pen leaky.

If using a natural quill, its nib may need to be sharpened on an intermittent basis to ensure optimal use of surface tension and prevent an increase in ink flooding over onto paper. A sign that its nib needs sharpening is when an increase in ink covers paper; its tip should feature a slight curve with increased width just behind its point for best use of surface tension.