Writing with quills: tips and tricks

Writing with quills

quills

Goose quills with cut nibs are available from:

• Nicholas Yeager at https://motoscribendi.com/
• Dennis Ruud at http://dennisruud.com/quill-pens/
• Lucas at Scribal Workshop (https://www.scribalworkshop.com/shop/iron-gall-ink
• Update, Jan 2023: I have been very pleased with the quills purchased from https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/living.history_1645.

paper

Chancery paper made by the University of Iowa's Center for the Book (based on Tim Barrett's research) is/was available through Talas, although it seems to be rarely in stock. You can also use any other laid, lightweight paper made from cotton and/or hemp (linen/flax is very hard to find). We have used paper from The Paper Foundation, in Burneside, Cumbria. Always ask if seconds are available since handmade paper is expensive. John Neal Books also has some good paper choices, including Frankfurt and Arches Wove (Arches Text Wove is available at many retailers; it is not laid but that's okay for the purpose of a student's first encounter!). The Folger usually buys full sheets which students then fold into bifolia.

iron gall ink

Lucas at Scribal Workshop makes good iron gall ink in 1 oz and 4 oz sizes. A little bit goes a long way. You can parcel it out in disposable shot/communion cups, and then refill the bottle with unused ink when done.

You can make your own by ordering ingredients from Kremer Pigments (or elsewhere):

• gall nuts: https://shop.kremerpigments.com/en/dyes-und-vegetable-color-paints/natural-organic-dyes-und-vegetable-color-paints/4968/oak-apples
• iron sulfate (green copperas): (https://shop.kremerpigments.com/en/solvents-chemicals-und-additives/chemicals/inorganic-substances/5771/iron-ii-sulphate
• gum arabic: https://shop.kremerpigments.com/en/mediums-binders-und-glues/water-soluble-binders/mediums-und-natural-gums/7815/gum-arabic-pale-pieces

Or you can get a DIY iron gall ink kit from Lucas at Scribal Workshop.

other supplies

writing supports so you can write at 45 degree angle (you can use library book cradles with stiff mat board on top)

paper towels / Kraft butcher paper to protect table-tops

pencils

a ruler or straight-edge for writers to line their sheets

if making ink, a spice or coffee grinder or mortar and pestle and sack (so the items don't jump out of the mortar), small scale, water, wine/vinegar, a couple of pint size glasses or vases, spoons, coffee filters, nitrile gloves. IMPORTANT: if you are using a recipe from a recipe book, make sure to greatly reduce the volume! Plan ahead if you want your ink to sit in the sun or to be heated and cooled. The ink works fine if you use it immediately, however.

If you are interested in buying a writing kit for each student which includes a sheet of paper, a quill pen, and a 1/4 oz. bottle of iron gall ink, they are available from Lucas at Scribal Workshop. He can customize the kits and will send them to each student for an extra fee if you are teaching a class remotely.