How to Make a Quill Pen out of a Feather

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Find your feather.

   You can use just any feather that fits comfortably in your hand (i.e. like a pencil), but a long tail feather is best.
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   Step 2: Shave off the fibers closest to where the fibers end.

   You may leave them if you prefer, but this makes it easier to work with and easier to hold. , This is optional, but makes it soft and more easily bent, you will see why later. , This, too, is optional; it hardens the feather so you don't have to resharpen it as often. , This cut should make two horns.
   
   Note:
   The following prioritizes step three if it isn't done yet! , This should create a cracking sound and a pretty central slit at the horns. ,,,
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   Step 3: Leave your feather in water overnight.

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   Step 4: Heat some sand to 350 °F (177 °C) and leave the feather in the sand

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   Step 5: on a heat-proof surface

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   Step 6: until cool.

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   Step 7: Cut your feather at forty-five degrees then make a cut that is opposite the first one at about five degrees (Steepen if necessary).

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   Step 8: Bend the two horns together.

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   Step 9: Shave off the horns to a not-really-pointy-or-flat point so you don't splatter ink.

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    Step 10: If you want to

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    Step 11: you can dye the feather by mixing a hair dye in a clear plastic tub

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    Step 12: repeatedly dipping the end of the feather into the dye and gently working through before washing.

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    Step 13: Finished.

Detailed Guide

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