Tools & Techniques of Calligraphy - Quills Part 1

[MizuPsi]

I find that it's better to pull the barbs out. It is easier, leaves a smoother finish, and I don't have to worry about cutting. Is it just preference that you shave them, or is there a practical reason?

[busybuzzbuzz]

Didn't average people, not scribes, write with quills? What script did the use in Europe?

[vetwannabe8ball]

will a normal Swiss army pocket knife work if it is sharp.

[BirdValiant]

@vetwannabe8ball The small blade is called a "pen knife" for that very reason.

[pfraterdeus]

Certainly. I expect that you'd probably want to make a pretty steep angle on the nib, so instead of cutting the "chisel" straight across, you might cut a slant to the left (maybe 20 degrees) which will tend to make the vertical stroke thinner than the horzontal. I'm sure there are plenty of examples of arabic calligraphy on YouTube. Take a look at how their pens are shaped (if it's possible to see!)

Thanks for the note!

[TonyDent84]

How do you cure a feather for cutting?

[pfraterdeus]

Note that this was shot with a static camera on a tripod. Ideally, there would be a camera person there to keep the thing focussed and pointed at the work at hand! Thanks for your patience!

[lampp]

Having trouble with the bamboo pen.

I have the perfect nib, but it seems like the "woody" inner part soaks up the ink. '

Having trouble with ink flow, any tips?

[pfraterdeus]

I'd suggest just letting the bamboo soak in water a while before you use it. The fibers will become saturated, and this will also allow the ink to flow nicely out of the pen!

Thanks for watching!

[09j03r94]

I have a couple of questions about the knife: is it sharp on both edges or is it dull in one?Because you used your finger as to guide and aply more strength to the cut. and why is the curve so important? I didnt get that

[pfraterdeus]

The knife is only sharp on the 'bottom" the top is quite flat.

The curve is important to be able to get the right shape in the 'shoulders' of the pen. A straight beveled knife always tries to cut in a straight line, while this knife will allow you to shape the curve! Good luck!

[PyroFenix69]

You can make a chip carving knife by breaking a small barber's scissor or manicure scissor in two parts. Would ostrich or emu feather's make good quills? Imagine one made of an extinct moa or that of the sacred quetzal? Your video was interesting. Handwriting is a magical & entertaining activity. Well keep busy.

[kangahmtl2n]

i think its helpfull, but i dont see very much thats the problem

[nintendowns]

what is the difference with a broad head and pointed nib? which do you use?

[nintendowns]

what is the difference with a broad head and pointed nib? which do you use?

[Shamusique]

Your video is very helpful. Can you suggest where to order or buy penknives?

[pfraterdeus]

Hmm. I'm sure I answered this once before, but I can't find the comment!

try googling "chip carving knife" and see if there's one that looks like the knive I'm using. The important thing is that you need to shape the edge, so that instead of being beveled with an angle on each side, one side becomes completely flat, and the other is rounded down to the edge.

Which side is rounded depends on whether you are left or right handed. Mine curves on the right side when the blade's away from me and down

[hrmfaeryqueen]

Again, thank your for the visual assistance. These things are often so difficult to imagine in book explanations. One small well-intended criticism... please remember to keep the area where you are working in the middle of the screen. I lost you a couple of times in the very important parts of the finer cuts.

[pfraterdeus]

Indeed, it's tricky to maintain position!