Making Quills

[kvka]

My friend and I are planning to give making quills a shot over the summer, but we've never done anything like it before. We won't be doing this till June, and I thought it would be best to do some research about it beforehand.

 

So, does anybody here have any experience with making quills and quill maintenance in general? Any handy tips would be appreciated. Also, how are quills as writing tools? Would making them be worth more than just the experience? When it comes to using our quills, what inks would be the best for us to try out? Any that we'd be ill-advised to write with?

 

If any of the Singaporeans here have used or made quills, could you please recommend shops where we can find any necessary materials and/or equipment?

 

Thanks in advance for your help here.

Edited May 4, 2009 by kvka

[ZeissIkon]

For a start, look at the following three pages for information on the traditional methods of converting a feather into a quill pen:

 

Quills Page

Regia Anglorum

Cutting quill pens

 

I haven't done it yet, but I bookmarked those last time I ran across this question...

[wykpenguin]

I have made quills with canadian geese feathers which were easy to come by when I was living there some time ago. Curing the feather by dipping in hot sand is a must otherwise not only will the nib not last as long, the flexibility of the feather will also make it a poor writer.

 

I learned how to do it from this site: http://www.flick.com/~liralen/quills/quills.html

 

So surprising that they are still around after so many years [at least 10]. Things don't usually last so long on the web.

 

My quills will write for a least a line after a dip in normal FP ink. It is said that they ought to be able to write more but I didn't have big wing tip feathers the thickness of pencils to use, my feathers were only about 4mm across.

[Paddler]

I make quill pens for writing in my journal during 18th Century historical reenactments. Preparing the quills and cutting the nibs is an art. Some would say it is a black art. The points you make wear out quickly. You may write a page or so with a given nib. Then you must stop and whittle on the point to renew it. It is OK to learn this as a novelty, but you will soon find out why nearly everyone switched over to steel nibs when they became available.

 

Regular fountain pen ink will work. Drawing ink and calligraphy ink are a little easier to use because they are thicker.

 

You don't have to temper a quill, but the points last longer if you do so.

 

Before you try cutting quill pens, first learn to sharpen your pen knife. It needs to be exquisitely sharp.

 

Paddler

 

[ZeissIkon]

Before you try cutting quill pens, first learn to sharpen your pen knife. It needs to be exquisitely sharp.

 

No doubt about this. A very fine stone and a strip of leather to use as a strop will help; once the knife is sharp, a few swipes on the strop before each use will keep it that way for an amazingly long time.

[Randal6393]

Writing with quills is something most "into it" calligraphers seem to get around to eventually. It is a lot of fun but don't trade off all of your fountain pens yet.

 

First, need a really sharp knife to use as a quill knife. Xacto's work well if you don't sharpen your own knives. If you sharpen your own knives, start with a 2 to 3 inch knife and put a good edge on it. Look to the left and you will see my crafty old quill knife. Made it some twenty years ago and have kept it with my writing tools ever since. Look up how to sharpen a quill knife on the Internet and how to cut a quill. There are lots of well-written articles on both subjects.

 

Then go find or buy some good goose or turkey wing feathers and start practicing. Remember to heat and cure the quill so that it writes properly. Edward Johnston's Writing and Illuminating and Lettering is the standard source for how to cut and cure quills. A used copy can be had off the Internet for $10 to $20 US. An important step that most seem to miss is how to use a small piece of clock-steel (copper or bronze works as well) to make a reservoir that fits inside the quill. That allows you to write a full paragraph on one filling. I regularly fill either dip-pens or quills with a small artists round brush, say size 3. It makes life a lot nicer.

 

Best of luck to you and enjoy,

[eilu]

I made one from a macaw feather once (a friend's pet was molting). They're quite fun, but remember to soak in warm water (or hot sand) or else it just ends up frayed out.

[Ernst Bitterman]

An important step that most seem to miss is how to use a small piece of clock-steel (copper or bronze works as well) to make a reservoir that fits inside the quill. That allows you to write a full paragraph on one filling.

 

This can also be fashioned from an untempered feather (makes it easier to curl into an appropriate shape).

[Sailor Kenshin]

My friend and I are planning to give making quills a shot over the summer, but we've never done anything like it before. We won't be doing this till June, and I thought it would be best to do some research about it beforehand.

 

So, does anybody here have any experience with making quills and quill maintenance in general? Any handy tips would be appreciated. Also, how are quills as writing tools? Would making them be worth more than just the experience? When it comes to using our quills, what inks would be the best for us to try out? Any that we'd be ill-advised to write with?

 

If any of the Singaporeans here have used or made quills, could you please recommend shops where we can find any necessary materials and/or equipment?

 

Thanks in advance for your help here.

 

The bird makes the actual quills.

 

I've tried my hand at quill-cutting, and though my results were pretty bad, I still enjoy writing with the quill---it's got a really interesting kind of flex and tensile strength.

 

I still have some uncut quills. What's the easiest way to heat them or temper them?

 

[TarpAsAShack]

I actually have this copy of George Washington's "Pen Knife". Most gentlemen carried one for this very purpose.

 

[wykpenguin]

My friend and I are planning to give making quills a shot over the summer, but we've never done anything like it before. We won't be doing this till June, and I thought it would be best to do some research about it beforehand.

 

So, does anybody here have any experience with making quills and quill maintenance in general? Any handy tips would be appreciated. Also, how are quills as writing tools? Would making them be worth more than just the experience? When it comes to using our quills, what inks would be the best for us to try out? Any that we'd be ill-advised to write with?

 

If any of the Singaporeans here have used or made quills, could you please recommend shops where we can find any necessary materials and/or equipment?

 

Thanks in advance for your help here.

 

The bird makes the actual quills.

 

I've tried my hand at quill-cutting, and though my results were pretty bad, I still enjoy writing with the quill---it's got a really interesting kind of flex and tensile strength.

 

I still have some uncut quills. What's the easiest way to heat them or temper them?

 

My way is to soak the feathers overnight. Pop a can full of sand into the over and heat it up really hot. Take it out and stab the feather into the sand. Leave everything there until it's cold and you're done.

 

I used brand new xacto knife blades. They do have to be brand new otherwise you won't get a clean cut, esp on tempered feathers. Untempered ones are easier to cut but won't last very long. You will have to reshape the tip every once in a while depending on how broad you cut it and how heavily you write.

 

[Sailor Kenshin]

Hey! I have cans! I have sand!

[Randal6393]

Hey! I have cans! I have sand!

 

Now all you need is feathers and permission to play with the oven.

 

Go for it!

[Randal6393]

I actually have this copy of George Washington's "Pen Knife". Most gentlemen carried one for this very purpose.

 

Hey, TarpAsAShack,

 

I hadn't seen that one before. It's a real beauty.

 

Is it sharpened flat on one side? Or standard knife wedge? Doesn't make a great lot of difference, just want to know.

 

Enjoy,

[Randal6393]

An important step that most seem to miss is how to use a small piece of clock-steel (copper or bronze works as well) to make a reservoir that fits inside the quill. That allows you to write a full paragraph on one filling.

 

This can also be fashioned from an untempered feather (makes it easier to curl into an appropriate shape).

 

Hi, Ernst,

 

Hmmmm ... :hmm1:

 

I wondered where Johnston had his ideas from. The feather would be a bit easier to cut as well. Although not as long-lasting as the metal piece. Knowledge keeps on accumulating.

 

Enjoy,

[TarpAsAShack]

I actually have this copy of George Washington's "Pen Knife". Most gentlemen carried one for this very purpose.

 

Hey, TarpAsAShack,

 

I hadn't seen that one before. It's a real beauty.

 

Is it sharpened flat on one side? Or standard knife wedge? Doesn't make a great lot of difference, just want to know.

 

Enjoy,

 

Sharpened on both sides.

[Gran]

Here's a nice little video of someone at a living history museum making a quill pen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1wyYh97LDk

 

A google search of "how to make a quill pen" brought up other videos, as well.

[Sailor Kenshin]

Here's a nice little video of someone at a living history museum making a quill pen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1wyYh97LDk

 

A google search of "how to make a quill pen" brought up other videos, as well.

 

TEH KEWL!!!!!

 

Love the handwriting---would've been nice if they actually had the procedure in focus.

 

[Titivillus]

I actually have this copy of George Washington's "Pen Knife". Most gentlemen carried one for this very purpose.

 

Hey, TarpAsAShack,

 

I hadn't seen that one before. It's a real beauty.

 

Is it sharpened flat on one side? Or standard knife wedge? Doesn't make a great lot of difference, just want to know.

 

Enjoy,

 

Have one of those as well- use it to open letters.

 

K

 

[FrankB]

I also have a lovely "pen knife." It is hand made of lovely Damascus steel with a hand turned wood handle. But I can't do squat with it! My attempts at making quill pens were (ahem!) "not useful." I open mail with mine, too, Kurt.