Ink For Quill Pen
No matter which pen you own, this ink is perfect for drawing and writing. Not only is it waterproof and fade-proof but its lightfast properties ensure lasting memories.
Quill pens were once the predominant writing instrument. Crafted from goose, turkey, swan and even crow feathers, they gradually replaced reed pens as the go-to writing implement.
HISTORY
Writing with a quill pen is an ancient practice that continues to amaze those who appreciate its beauty and history. Calligraphers employ this form of writing for creating artistic characters while illustrators commonly employ this technique for technical drawings or sketches.
The quill pen first made its debut around the sixth century and eventually replaced reed pens as the go-to writing instrument throughout medieval Europe. Primarily used on parchment and vellum documents, it could also add decorations or illustrations, making an important historical document such as Magna Carta or Declaration of Independence legally binded using one.
The quill was traditionally created from primary flight feathers from large birds such as geese, turkeys and swans and then cut and split to create a nib that could then be shaped at an angle for easier writing. Preferred due to capillarity properties of its surface area that could hold ink for easy writing in fine lines.
APPLICATIONS
Before the steel nib and fountain pen became mainstream writing tools, quills were the go-to writing instrument. Made from treated flight feathers from large birds, quills could be fashioned into pointed tips allowing for controlled script on parchment or paper. When submerged in inkwells they also served as reservoirs of ink that was drawn toward its point through capillary action.
The most sought-after quill pens feature feathers from either goose or swan primary flight feathers as the primary flight feathers were longer, stronger and more rigid compared to others in their species. Writers could select feathers from either left or right wings according to personal preference.
Bottled ink works beautifully with quill pens. Mastering its use may require some practice, as it is highly pressure sensitive and responds to changes in paper surface or handwriting or drawing style. While modern inks contain industrial dyes in solvent/surfactant mixtures, quill ink was traditionally prepared using ingredients such as berries or herbs for infusion.
MATERIALS
Quill pens can be fragile devices that easily become clogged up with ink dripping down from their tip, and can quickly become unusable due to dripping ink. A bit of gum arabic or vinegar may help as this thickens the ink so it flows more freely through.
Carbon black or iron gall ink has long been the go-to ink for quill pens. This ink is composed of organic material such as tree bark or fruit skin that has been combined with gallic acid to produce its tannate (a mixture of iron salts and gallic acid) as its base, such as Codex Sinaiticus manuscripts written with this ink.
The quill is typically composed of goose feather, but other species like swan, turkey, hawk or even crow feathers can also be used. Once cut to approximately 9 inches long and its tip cut into a channel for writing purposes – ink drips from its slit in the pen to fill its channel at its tip allowing one dip for approximately three or four lines of writing.
FINISH
Quill pens were first used around the sixth century and quickly established themselves as the preferred writing instrument, replacing reed or bamboo pens. To create these quill pens made from feathers of large birds such as geese, turkeys and swans that maintained an sharp point; quills would later go on to write many important historical documents including Magna Carta and Declaration of Independence; Thomas Jefferson even raised geese at Monticello to supply him with writing quills!
A quill pen consists of a feather with a small slit at its end to hold ink, which is drawn through through capillary action and drawn up through its small hole by capillary action. Between uses, the quill is stored in an inkwell to avoid drying and clogging up its inkwell slot.
Calligraphy remains an art form that remains popular for wedding invitations, certificates and personalized artworks. Technical draftsmen rely heavily on quill pens due to their precision and clarity – yet nowadays quill pens have come to symbolize education and literary traditions.
