Hand-cut goose quill
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Hand-cut goose quills are most often the best feathers for use as pens because they tend not to split as badly as other feathers: the wing feathers are best. There is a difference between feathers from the left and the right side of the bird. The hollow shaft of the quill, along with a retainer insert, is used to hold the ink while writing, and capillary action allows ink to flow out smoothly.
There is an art to cutting a quill into a pen tip.