The Modern Quill Pen

Quill pens make an elegant addition to any calligraphy kit, and this set offers everything needed for classic pen styles: ink and an easy pen holder!

Quill pens were first invented around the 6th century CE as an alternative to reed pens, replacing their use for writing medieval manuscripts as well as important documents like Magna Carta and Declaration of Independence.

Feathers

Quill pens employ capillary action, drawing ink up into their nib and holding it there via gravity. This allows users to make very fine and delicate marks on paper or vellum – perfect for calligraphy and historical writing styles.

Tradition states that primary remiges (large feathers from large birds such as geese) are used to craft quills used to turn into pen nibs, though other feather types from turkeys, crows and pheasants can also be utilized.

To create a quill for use as a nib, start by carefully removing its barbs from its tip and trimming to approximately 7-8 inches long. Next, using a sharp pen knife cut across its backside creating a blunt end for use as your nib. Finally, soak your feather in water for at least six hours (preferably overnight) prior to using as your nib.

Nibs

A fountain pen’s nib determines its writing appearance and feel. These nibs come in various shapes, sizes, and materials; for instance, a stub nib creates thick downstrokes with thin sidestrokes while an italic nib produces wide vertical strokes with fine horizontal lines. Fude nibs produce brush-like strokes while left-handed nibs correspond with their writer’s angle of writing.

JetPens’ team recommends starting with a fine nib as the easiest writing experience compared to its more delicate cousin, an extra fine nib; its writing experience will more closely mimic that of ballpoint or gel pens.

Flex nibs are more flexible than other fountain pen nibs and allow for line variation by changing pressure applied. However, over-flexing can cause it to railroad — an indescribably serious condition in which tines spread apart and no longer return back into their original shapes.

Inkwells

A quill pen can exude elegance, tradition, and history. Though digital writing methods have taken its place, many artists and calligraphers still rely on quill pens and inkwells as part of their artistic practice.

An inkwell is a freestanding container used for dipping quills and fountain pens into ink. They’re typically constructed out of glass, porcelain, or another material and may feature ornate designs to add decorative flair to a desk setup. Many inkwells also include lids to prevent spillage or evaporation of ink during use.

Modern inkwells are specifically designed to make refilling faster and simpler, minimizing mess and spills while offering convenient access to ink. Some inkwells even come prefilled, eliminating the need for separate ink bottles altogether and making writing simpler. Pineider and Visconti travel inkwells provide secure refilling on-the-go; perfect for elevating everyday writing experiences! To learn more, visit Dromgoole’s Fine Writing Instruments today.

Styling

Quill pens are more durable than their bamboo and reed counterparts, and work through capillary action, causing ink to rise naturally on the narrow nib similar to how water rises naturally in plants, creating fine, wispy lines when more pressure is applied.

Scribes often select stronger turkey, swan or goose feathers for writing purposes as these species of birds possess longer undomesticated feathers which increase durability. When choosing their feather for writing purposes they also consider curvature, sightline and species selection before selecting an ideal feather.

When using a metal quill pen, be sure to monitor ink buildup and blot the nib often in order to prevent corrosion of its metal parts. Furthermore, select ink tailored specifically for quill pens as it is more opaque and thinner than India ink for smooth writing experience. TPK offers one such kit called Crowquill Kit which also comes with its own cushy holder!