[ANSTHRLD] Eldwin's Submission 1

[Diane Rudin]

Daniel of the Many Spellings of Lincoln wrote:

> E.g., I think period  quill

> pens had most of the feathering removed, but I'm not  sure.

Period (and post-period) quill pens are stripped of barbs all along the area 
that will be held by and/or rest against the fingers & hand.  Sometimes a tuft 
of feathers is left at the end, sometimes not -- this isn't something you do 
slowly and carefully. 


One other thing: Hollywood prop people are fools -- ostrich feathers are 
incapable of being made into working quill pens, along with the feathers of any 
other flightless birds.  Not enough strength in the shaft to stand up to use.  
That's the reason that quill pens are made from flight feathers, preferably 
goose or swan.

--Serena, Blanc Gryffon, "Argent ermined a quill pen within a bordure azure", 
taking more barbs off the pen every year to prevent confusion with a certain 
badge....