Using a Quill Pen

Quill pens, constructed from large bird feathers such as goose, swan or turkey feathers, replaced reed pens as the preferred tool to write important historical documents such as Magna Carta and Declaration of Independence.

Quill pens require practice to master, but can greatly enhance handwriting. Their long, hollow shaft holds ink that flows to its point through a calamus slit at the tip. While mastering one may take practice, using it can improve handwriting dramatically.

Feathers

Many are fearful of using or working with quill pens, as their behaviour is unpredictable and requires significant pressure; furthermore, they often leak if not used with care.

To build your own quill pen you will require feathers, ink, and paper. The best feathers to use for crafting quill pens are primary flight feathers shed from birds during their annual molt cycle; these can be purchased online, at craft stores, and hunting reserves that save the feathers of animals killed on their property.

As well as wood or bamboo for your nib, you will also require some sand for curing purposes to harden it and stop leakage. Please refer to Brown and Lovett’s The Historical Source Book for Scribes for instructions.

Ink

Ink is an integral component of writing instruments such as quill pens. In Classical Antiquity, organic material was burned in order to make carbon black that was mixed with water and tree gum so as to prevent clumping of ink on paper surfaces.

Quill pens were once the go-to writing instrument until around 1840 when metal pen became more widespread. For best results, feather quills such as those made of goose, swan and turkey feathers were preferred for making quill pens.

Though quills may be difficult for beginners to use due to frequent ink dipping and nib maintenance needs, they offer an unforgettable experience that can only improve handwriting with mindful practice and commitment [Dayspring Pens].

Slit

Quills were used as writing tools prior to the invention of dip pens, metal nib pens and ballpoint pens. Quills are often made with goose, swan and turkey feathers because these species’ feathers tend to be stronger. Quills also serve as picks on string instruments such as the harpsichord.

People use quill pens for calligraphy and other forms of writing. Additionally, these fine art tools work especially well on parchment and vellum which are both forms of animal skin.

Quill pens can help improve your handwriting with practice, but newcomers might find them challenging because of frequent ink dipping and nib maintenance requirements. Modern calligraphy pens may even come equipped with their own built-in ink cartridge for easier use for beginners.

Nib

Quill pens feature a central slit which directs ink through capillary action directly to their tip, typically formed into tines or a broad nib. Certain nibs also contain breather holes of various sizes which act as stress relievers and prevent the slit from cracking longitudinally from its tip.

Quills were the primary writing tools of Europe between 500 and 1800, typically composed of goose feathers but sometimes also made of crow or swan feathers. Quills made excellent picks for string instruments like harpsichords.

Before the advent of metal pen with nibs, quill pens were the predominant writing instrument worldwide. At the Supreme Court of the United States, 20 goose-quill pens are placed on its tables each day of meetings for writing purposes.

Shaft

Quill pens require a delicate touch when using them; too much pressure could break or tear paper, or cause ink blobs on the page. Therefore, beginners are advised to start on thicker paper such as construction or textured printing paper until they become familiar with how much pressure should be applied when producing fine lines.

Quill pens were widely used until the advent of modern dip pens with metal nibs around 1820, at which point they began being considered more of a hobby or special occasion writing tool than an everyday one. Beginners may find calligraphy pens easier as an entryway into calligraphy as these offer similar experiences but require less frequent ink dipping and maintenance compared to feather pens[2. These calligraphy pens typically feature metal nibs instead.]