No matter where you are, one item that's always essential on your desk is a pen. In the past, when letters served as meetings, every confession felt subtle and thoughtful. Each word and sentence written with a pen carried a wealth of meaning and intention.

Since the Middle Ages, quill pens have been a staple in European life, with every letter and poem crafted from these elegant feathers.

Quills are typically made from the feathers of large birds. Historically, most quills were crafted from goose feathers, with the nib being cut after the feather had been degreased and hardened.

Step 1: Find a suitable feather. You can use feathers from ostriches, turkeys, pheasants, or geese.

Step 2: Soak the feathers in water, then heat them using hot sand. Heat only the quill section of the feather for about one minute—avoid heating the feather itself to prevent burning. Once the feathers have changed from a translucent milky white to a transparent color, remove them and let them cool naturally to room temperature. This process cleans the feathers and makes them more rigid.

Step 3: Sharpen the feathers. First, use a knife to scrape off the outer layer of the feather stem. Then, cut a small diagonal section from the tip of the feather to create a pointed end. Insert the knife into the hollow part of the feather and make a small cut at the pointed end. Polish the nib with a tool, testing its flexibility as you grind. After polishing, dip the nib in ink and write on a piece of paper to test its performance. If the nib allows for smooth writing and suits your writing habits, it is ready to use.

If you plan to use a quill for an extended period and want it to be more durable, you can purchase a nib to mount on the feather tube. Follow the same process as described earlier, but in the end, hollow out a section of the quill barrel to fit the nib. If needed, use a small amount of glue to secure the nib in place. It may take several adjustments to position the nib correctly for comfortable writing.