Yes Or No To A Quill

[Paddler]

I did, probably 25 years ago. I also cut reed pens. In my opinion, you're all wet. Having the plume (if one leaves part of the vane on the shaft) waving around in the field of vision is an unnecessary distraction. As I hold the quill conventionally and don't try to use it as if it were a ball point pen, I don't have any problem with part of the shaft contacting my index finger. (BTW, the business about fletching is just another red herring, just like the shoulder writing nonsense. It's not relevant.)

The right wing quill curves to the left and down, away from your hand. It obscures nothing and is not distracting. You have never had a quill in your hand, have you?

[Mickey]

The right wing quill curves to the left and down, away from your hand. It obscures nothing and is not distracting. You have never had a quill in your hand, have you?

You bet I have. Have you ever seen a feather still attached to a wing? Look, you have your opinion and I have the opinion of several experts and my own experience. So far, you've only offered your personal taste, "Chacun son goût."

 

http://wiesenfeuer.ansteorra.org/links/artsandsciences/useofquillpensbyisaacbane.pdf

 

This is the second source I've offered. Notice the caption on figure 10 "figuring out the curve of the quill." Please note the direction in which the quill curves: back over the hand. Please, if you have an expert source suggesting the quill should curve away from the hand, please post it. I'm always willing to learn something.

[Gloucesterman]

An excellent resource for calligraphy and illumination is Edward Johnston's book -

Writing & Illuminating & Lettering first published in 1906 and reprinted several times since. My copy, a paperback edition, is copyright 1978.

 

it gives detailed instructions and with diagrams, if I recall correctly for cutting quills. The person who spoke about baking the quills in hot sand was in fact speeding up the natural drying out/seasoning process. Again, this process has to be done for the quill to be effective. There is also a "secret" way to create an artificial ink reservoir inside the stalk of the quill and eliminate the need for constant dipping of the quill every few letters.

 

I believe I may still have some old turkey quills from when I was doing the cutting and writing quite a while ago. If you are interested, I will do some digging to determine if they are available and usable. If they are, I would be happy to send them to you. As you are in the U.K. the only cost might be the postage.

 

Please let me know if you would like me to "start digging".

 

also, as for the book, my copy says that it was published simultaneously in the U.S. under agreement with:

Pitman Publishing Limited

19 Parker Street

London, WC2B 5PB

 

Personally, I am unaware or which side, or where on the bird the quills come from. I just know they: worked well, were fun to learn to cut and use and I also have no idea about writing from the shoulder or the hip or underhand. I just did it.

 

Feel free to PM me with additional issues, etc.

[Mickey]

An excellent resource for calligraphy and illumination is Edward Johnston's book -

Writing & Illuminating & Lettering first published in 1906 and reprinted several times since. My copy, a paperback edition, is copyright 1978.

 

it gives detailed instructions and with diagrams, if I recall correctly for cutting quills. The person who spoke about baking the quills in hot sand was in fact speeding up the natural drying out/seasoning process. Again, this process has to be done for the quill to be effective. There is also a "secret" way to create an artificial ink reservoir inside the stalk of the quill and eliminate the need for constant dipping of the quill every few letters.

 

I believe I may still have some old turkey quills from when I was doing the cutting and writing quite a while ago. If you are interested, I will do some digging to determine if they are available and usable. If they are, I would be happy to send them to you. As you are in the U.K. the only cost might be the postage.

 

Please let me know if you would like me to "start digging".

 

also, as for the book, my copy says that it was published simultaneously in the U.S. under agreement with:

Pitman Publishing Limited

19 Parker Street

London, WC2B 5PB

 

Personally, I am unaware or which side, or where on the bird the quills come from. I just know they: worked well, were fun to learn to cut and use and I also have no idea about writing from the shoulder or the hip or underhand. I just did it.

 

Feel free to PM me with additional issues, etc.

Thanks for the hint. I bought my copy of WIL in 1981 or 1982, probably the same edition as your copy. It's an excellent practical reference and it was probably that book that got me interested in calligraphy. (I was at the time more interested in book binding.)

[Paddler]

You bet I have. Have you ever seen a feather still attached to a wing? Look, you have your opinion and I have the opinion of several experts and my own experience. So far, you've only offered your personal taste, "Chacun son goût."

 

http://wiesenfeuer.ansteorra.org/links/artsandsciences/useofquillpensbyisaacbane.pdf

 

This is the second source I've offered. Notice the caption on figure 10 "figuring out the curve of the quill." Please note the direction in which the quill curves: back over the hand. Please, if you have an expert source suggesting the quill should curve away from the hand, please post it. I'm always willing to learn something.

I have looked at feathers still attached to the wing. If you look at the back of the bird, with the bird facing away from you, stretch out the right wing. The feathers will extend down and to the left - just the way a right handed writer needs it. The Canada goose and the wild turkey both grow their feathers this way, at least during hunting season in my part of the world. I think you are a crummy kid out for a troll.

[Mickey]

You might consult Ken, Salman, or any number of folks in the Penmanship sub-forum. I believe they will inform you that you are exactly as incorrect thinking me a youthful troll as you are about feathers. As for me being crummy: at the moment, that's true. I just ate a rice cake without a napkin.

[elysee]

I had a quill -- feather and all -- when I was a child. I enjoyed using it at the time. However, since my writing tastes have changed and I now prefer heavy pens, using a quill is no longer an option.

[Mickey]

Anyone interested in watching an expert (and a rather charming one) cut a quill should go to

 

 

It's brief and very much to the point.

[Paddler]

Good video.

One aspect of nib cutting that you seldom see mentioned is that you don't actually need to make a slit in the nib. If you don't need the flexibility provided by the slit, you can score the nib, top and bottom surfaces, with the back side of the knife point, just where the slit would normally be. The score lines will conduct ink to the point. The advantage is a more durable nib and one that doesn't require a very light touch.

[Mickey]

Good video.

One aspect of nib cutting that you seldom see mentioned is that you don't actually need to make a slit in the nib. If you don't need the flexibility provided by the slit, you can score the nib, top and bottom surfaces, with the back side of the knife point, just where the slit would normally be. The score lines will conduct ink to the point. The advantage is a more durable nib and one that doesn't require a very light touch.

Yes, good point. (I heard the same advice in another video.) It only makes sense. You don't need a slit unless you're doing round hand or one its kin, like Spencerian, which was developed with quills.