Ink Recommendation For A Turkey Feather Quill?

[TSherbs]

Hi folks,

 

I made a pen by trimming a turkey feather that a bird recently deposited in my yard. What kind of ink is best for this kind of writing? My fp inks tend to pour off the nib onto the paper and run out quickly. Is there something better?

 

Thanks.

[AL01]

Use india ink. That ink will kill your fp but will work great with quills or dip pens... I know Walmart has 'em, if that helps ya out...

[TSherbs]

Thanks, AL01

[AAAndrew]

Also, you may want to let the feather dry out a bit. What they used to do is put the feather in hot sand for a while. I believe that technique was called "dutching" as it was invented by the Dutch. The alternative is to let the feather dry out for a couple of years. The drying both stiffens the feather to make it possible to write with, as well as dry out the pith of the feather so it can easily be pulled out. There are instructions online for how to prepare a quill for writing.

 

I would use walnut ink, but then I have it. Iron gall inks should also work. Some fountain pen inks may be a bit too free-flowing, as you've found, but experimentation will tell you what works.

 

Also, drying out the quill will also help a bit with the ink running off the end.

[sidthecat]

They're tricky to use, and I suspect a non-absorbent paper - real parchment if you can find it - would probably work best.

[TSherbs]

thanks to both of you

 

I'll likely look for the cheapest starting point cuz I don't want to get into this for much money

[Fabienne]

They're tricky to use, and I suspect a non-absorbent paper - real parchment if you can find it - would probably work best.

 

Go out and find a sheep... Just joking. Enjoy your quill.

[Larry Barrieau]

A flock of turkeys went through my woods last week and left a couple of primary feathers. I made this pen and used 20 lb laser paper and regular R + K Morinda ink. I followed these directions for the pen. https://vimeo.com/68078367

 

 

 

 

[AAAndrew]

Interesting. Definitely on my "someday" list. My fear is that as my progress has been continuously backward (mechanical pencils, fountain pens, steel dip pens) I will actually really get into quill pens. At least there aren't hundreds of different vintage quills available to collect.

 

Nice trimming, by the way.

[TSherbs]

nice!

 

your nib looks better than mine

[rwilsonedn]

Interesting. Definitely on my "someday" list. My fear is that as my progress has been continuously backward (mechanical pencils, fountain pens, steel dip pens) I will actually really get into quill pens. At least there aren't hundreds of different vintage quills available to collect.

 

 

But you could find yourself raising geese. And about the time you mastered that, you would discover reed pens ...

ron

[AAAndrew]

Where will it end? Stylus in wet clay? Blowing powdered ocher over my hand deep in a cave?

 

Reed pens. That's the end. No more back from there. Ok. Line in the sand. I feel better now.

[TSherbs]

 

But you could find yourself raising geese. And about the time you mastered that, you would discover reed pens ...

ron

ha!

[Sasha Royale]

Sorry, but I have no experience. So, I can offer my "ONE" cent.

The cheap writing fluid of the period was water and lamp soot. Maybe you can mix something.

[scrivelry]

Also, remember that a plain dip pen will work fine, but it will not carry as much ink as one which has an ink reservoir. That is not a problem with the pen - it is just the nature of the beast.

[TSherbs]

roger roger