What is a Quill Pen?

A quill pen is a writing instrument made up of large bird feathers treated and shaped into nibs to hold ink through capillary action.

Quill pens were once used to write important documents such as the Magna Carta and Declaration of Independence; however, their usage gradually diminished with the availability of metal pens.

Feathers

A quill pen uses bird feathers as its nib, often ones from primary flight feathers which have been shed when their respective birds molted. You can find these at craft stores or online. Goose or turkey feathers tend to be best for beginners.

Feathers must be cured before being used for writing. This can be accomplished by immersing them in water before microwaving, which makes them more flexible and allows for improved ink flow.

Step two in creating quill pens involves cutting a slit in a feather narrow enough to allow ink to pass freely, yet still maintain its original shape at its tip. This slit, known as the calamus, holds ink within its hollow shaft before capillary action brings it directly to its tip – quill pens were popular for centuries until metal pens became widely popular.

Nib

A nib is the part of a dip pen, fountain pens or ball points which comes into contact with paper to deposit ink. It usually features a slit cut along its center that creates tines which can be carefully aligned and adjusted together to produce different styles of writing.

A pointed nib can be used to write both thick and thin lines depending on the amount of pressure applied; more force causes its tines to flex more, creating thinner strokes; while light pressure keeps the nib pointed and produces thicker lines.

Some nibs feature breather holes of varying shapes and shoulders that affect how stiff or flexible a nib is. A scratchy nib indicates improper alignment or flexing of tines that dig into paper surface and cause ink blotches or even break in its structure; an ideal pen should never feel scratchy when writing with it, so if yours does it’s best to contact its retailer to have it checked or repaired as soon as possible.

Slit

Quill pens differ from traditional ball point or fountain pens due to their signature slit that can be altered with a knife to create an ink nib that fits your writing style and preferences.

Start with a flexible quill and cut the slit carefully, paring as necessary. Often the length is already enough; simply adjust slightly so it fits your needs.

Quill pens were traditionally fashioned out of goose or swan feathers, although turkey feathers have also been employed. Feathers are collected from living birds during their new growth phase following molting. A calamus controls how ink flows from feather to nib and back again using capillary action; quill pens thus offer very thin lines of ink output.

Ink

Quill pens were first invented around the 6th century in China, becoming popular writing tools during the Middle Ages and remaining so until 19th century America. Quill pens followed in popularity the creation of Egypt-made reed pens which first came into being around 400 BCE.

Note that quill pens require special ink for optimal functioning. This ink consists of pigments – small particles made up of color molecules – as well as solvents to dissolve and transport these pigments.

Mastering the art of using a quill pen requires some practice, but the rewards can be great once you do! Make sure that you hold it at an angle and not press too hard against paper as its pressure sensitive. Finally, dip its nib in ink before beginning writing!