History
Reed
A reed pen has a nib consisting of a slit, tines and breathing hole. A reed pen is created by cutting the shape of the nib point in the end of a piece of reed or bamboo. The reed or bamboo can then be cut to a suitable length and held and used very much like any other dip pens. However, reed pens are not very durable, as the relatively soft tip wears quickly.
Quill
In Europe by the early medieval era, the quill replaced the reed pen. They were fashioned by cutting a nib into the end of a suitable feather obtained from a fairly large bird such as a crow, but more often a goose. A quill has the advantage of being much more durable than a reed pen and more flexible, and it can retain ink in the hollow shaft of the feather, known as the calamus, giving more time to write without dipping the pen in ink. The quill was in common use until the early 19th century with the advent of the metal nib. For business purposes, the quill was fairly quickly overtaken; however, it remained popular for personal use and for artistic work.
Metal
The metal nib is believed to have its origins as far back as ancient Egypt and was made of metals like copper and bronze; however the quality of writing that could be achieved was inferior to that of reed pens. It was not until 1822 when John Mitchell set up a factory in the city of Birmingham in the United Kingdom to manufacture steel nibs that their popularity took off. Although the best steel nibs do not write as well as quills they have several major advantages.[dubious – discuss] The metal nib does not wear out easily so it retains a sharp point or edge; this contrasts with a quill which wears out more quickly and requires a lot of skill to sharpen. Steel nibs are also easily manufactured to have different properties for different purposes, such as being broad edged, pointed, stiff or flexible. This, coupled with the fact that metal nibs can be removed from holders, means that many different types of nib can be attached and removed and used in a short period of time.
Reed
A reed pen has a nib consisting of a slit, tines and breathing hole. A reed pen is created by cutting the shape of the nib point in the end of a piece of reed or bamboo. The reed or bamboo can then be cut to a suitable length and held and used very much like any other dip pens. However, reed pens are not very durable, as the relatively soft tip wears quickly.
Quill
In Europe by the early medieval era, the quill replaced the reed pen. They were fashioned by cutting a nib into the end of a suitable feather obtained from a fairly large bird such as a crow, but more often a goose. A quill has the advantage of being much more durable than a reed pen and more flexible, and it can retain ink in the hollow shaft of the feather, known as the calamus, giving more time to write without dipping the pen in ink. The quill was in common use until the early 19th century with the advent of the metal nib. For business purposes, the quill was fairly quickly overtaken; however, it remained popular for personal use and for artistic work.
Metal
The metal nib is believed to have its origins as far back as ancient Egypt and was made of metals like copper and bronze; however the quality of writing that could be achieved was inferior to that of reed pens. It was not until 1822 when John Mitchell set up a factory in the city of Birmingham in the United Kingdom to manufacture steel nibs that their popularity took off. Although the best steel nibs do not write as well as quills they have several major advantages.[dubious – discuss] The metal nib does not wear out easily so it retains a sharp point or edge; this contrasts with a quill which wears out more quickly and requires a lot of skill to sharpen. Steel nibs are also easily manufactured to have different properties for different purposes, such as being broad edged, pointed, stiff or flexible. This, coupled with the fact that metal nibs can be removed from holders, means that many different types of nib can be attached and removed and used in a short period of time.
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