Quill Pen For Sale
Quill pens were used for writing most medieval manuscripts and the Declaration of Independence, with Thomas Jefferson breeding geese at Monticello to supply him with this writing instrument. A quill pen is constructed from primary flight feathers shed during birds’ annual moult, heat treated for maximum strength and flexibility.
Types
Quill pens are dip pens composed of feathers or sometimes bamboo or reed sticks with points trimmed to points, featuring an ink reservoir at their tip and slit for inking. A quill pen responds to hand pressure and ink volume usage for expressive lines that stand out more than ballpoint pens do – perfect for those who appreciate writing and drawing! A quill pen makes an excellent addition for someone who appreciates tactile writing or drawing experiences.
Quills were used for most medieval manuscripts as well as writing significant documents like Magna Carta and the Declaration of Independence. Their strongest quills come from primary flight feathers discarded during birds’ annual moult, most commonly those from geese; though swan, turkey, and crow feathers can sometimes also be found. Quills continue to be widely used today by professional scribes and calligraphers due to their direct response and connection between user and their work.
Nibs
Quill nibs feature a tapering slit at their tip that conveys ink via capillary action, and come in various shapes and sizes to meet various writing tasks.
The pointed nib is designed with a fine point that can be adjusted depending on how much pressure is applied to it, creating thick or thin strokes depending on what pressure is used on it. Pushing down on the pen causes its tines to flex outward, increasing ink flow through more slits; applying less pressure causes them to contract back down, producing thinner strokes and cross hatching details and lithography work with minimal ink waste.
Metal nibs maintain their sharp edge for much longer than quill pens do, and require much less sharpening over time. Furthermore, they’re easier to handle and can easily be swapped out in holders; different kinds of metal nibs exist such as stub nibs that enable modulated line thickness (thick/thin), similar to what traditional broad dip pens do, or cursive italic nibs with more rounded corners for cursive writing.
Ink
While quill pens can be unpredictably, just like traditional writing tools, they can be truly amazing tools to work with. Learning the ropes takes practice but is very rewarding once mastered; ink choice (traditionally iron gall but nowadays regular bottled ink works just as well) also matters significantly.
Quill pens operate using capillary action; their hollow shaft or calamus serves as an ink reservoir and ink rises through it through narrow slits to the nib. By altering the amount of water used, you can control the thickness of your line; simply ensure your pen remains clean between uses! Historically goose feathers were most often chosen due to being larger and stronger; however other sources like turkey feathers, crow feathers or even hawk feathers have also been utilized; Thomas Jefferson raised geese on his farm at Monticello specifically so he had access to writing quills to write his works of history!
Care
Quill pens feature nibs fashioned from feathers (or reed/bamboo), which have been cut into sharp points with small slits allowing capillary action to draw ink to its tip. A quill pen was traditionally used by medieval manuscript writers as well as Thomas Jefferson in writing the Declaration of Independence at Monticello; Thomas kept geese exclusively for this purpose!
When not in use, the easiest way to keep a quill pen clean is to allow it to air-dry. Remove its cartridge/converter, run its nib through water – preferably filtered if possible – until it runs clear; this should help break up any dry ink particles stuck in its nib. For an even deeper clean you could even add one teaspoon of household ammonia for additional depth of cleaning if required.
