sulkakynän

Sulkakynä, also known as a quill pen, is a writing instrument made from a bird's feather. The shaft of the feather is shaped and split to form a nib that can hold and dispense ink. Historically, sulkakynät were the primary writing tools before the invention of the metal-nibbed pen and the ballpoint pen.

The most commonly used feathers for sulkakynät came from large birds such as geese, swans, and turkeys. The primary flight feathers were preferred due to their strength and length. To prepare a feather for use, it was typically hardened through a process of heating or soaking in hot sand, which made the quill less brittle. The tip was then cut and sharpened to create a nib. The angle and shape of the cut determined the thickness of the lines the pen could produce.

Sulkakynät required regular dipping into an inkwell, as they had a limited ink-holding capacity. The ink flowed from the inkwell, through the split nib, and onto the writing surface. Despite their limitations, sulkakynät were used for centuries for a wide range of purposes, including personal correspondence, official documents, and artistic endeavors. Their use declined significantly in the 19th century with the advent of more convenient and efficient writing instruments, though they are still used today by calligraphers and enthusiasts for their aesthetic and historical appeal.