How to Make a Quill Pen
Quill pens use hollow shafts filled with ink that is drawn through capillary action from point to nib, making this tool accessible even to young ladies, according to Cyclopdia of Useful Arts from 1854.
Quills were constructed using large bird feathers such as those from geese, swans, turkeys or turkey vultures – with other sources like crow, hawk or owl feathers also being utilized – treated in various ways in order to harden and shape them into writing nibs.
History
Ink is an essential writing utensil; without it, literature would cease to exist. In Classical Antiquity, people used clay tablets, wax tablets and reed pens to write on animal skins and papyrus. While these tools proved effective for writing purposes, each had some drawbacks; clay was too heavy, wax was brittle and reed pens weren’t flexible enough for fine scripts.
Quill pens first made their appearance around the sixth century and quickly rose to prominence during the Middle Ages, remaining the primary writing tool until metal pens started replacing them in the 19th century. Magna Carta and Declaration of Independence were written using quills; quills also served daily ship logs and letters written.
Materials
Quill pens are made of primary feather shafts from large birds such as turkeys, geese and swans; typically the outermost wing feathers. Quill pens are both easy and satisfying to make; their long lasting points don’t need sharpening as often. Furthermore, quills respond more fluidly and more flexibly than reed pens when light variations in pressure occur allowing for an effortless writing experience.
Quill pens feature hollow shafts containing ink that is delivered through capillary action to their tip, creating the ink flow known as capillary action. Quills were utilized extensively throughout history for writing important documents like Magna Carta and Declaration of Independence – even Thomas Jefferson kept geese at Monticello just so he would have quills available!
Before creating your own quill pen, you will require several essential ingredients. Feathers from large birds such as geese and swans tend to be preferred due to their strength.
Nibs
Feathers have long been used as dip pen nibs, typically from geese or swans, though other species like crows, turkeys and even owls have had feathers used as nibs as well. For the strongest nibs the outer edges of each feather must first molt before being cut into its current form and cut with a small slit to regulate ink flow from calamus pens.
A pointed nib is flexible, with tines that split apart to produce line variations. Some flexible nibs may even come labeled with specific width designations (like “EF,” for extra fine). Beginners are strongly advised to start out with stiff nibs instead of more delicate models which could easily break when subjected to excessive pressure.
Before using a new metal nib, it’s essential to remove its protective coating in order to avoid corrosion. Otherwise, ink could clog its pores and make cleaning and reuse impossible. Gently scrub with dish soap, pen cleaner or rubbing alcohol using a toothbrush until all residue has been eliminated from its coating.
Ink
Quill pens use ink to leave marks on paper through capillary action and require that their feather be treated to hold and use ink effectively (you could technically just dip it), with goose, swan, or turkey feathers being the optimal choices – they typically feature larger feathers treated to retain ink well enough. They’re then cut to mimic traditional pen nibs with small slits in their tips that channel ink from its hollow shaft (called the calamus) through capillary action into their hollow shaft (called the calamus).
Slit the quill about 6-8 inches long to create a slit for inking with iron gall ink (available from Blotpens though they no longer sell the traditional liquid form), then dip and use to write or draw with. While practicing takes time and practice is rewarded and enjoyable.
