Make a Quill Pen out of a Feather

Have you ever found a feather and felt you just had to make it in to a quill pen? If so, this article is for you!

Steps

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.
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.
Leave your feather in water overnight. This is optional, but makes it soft and more easily bent, you will see why later.
Heat some sand to {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} and leave the feather in the sand, on a heat-proof surface, until cool. This, too, is optional; it hardens the feather so you don't have to resharpen it as often.
Cut your feather at forty-five degrees then make a cut that is opposite the first one at about five degrees (Steepen if necessary). This cut should make two horns. Note: The following prioritizes step three if it isn't done yet!
Bend the two horns together. This should create a cracking sound and a pretty central slit at the horns.
Shave off the horns to a not-really-pointy-or-flat point so you don't splatter ink.
If you want to, you can dye the feather by mixing a hair dye in a clear plastic tub, repeatedly dipping the end of the feather into the dye and gently working through before washing.
Finished.

If you don't want to heat your feather just leave it in hot water.
Don't forget to clean and wash the feather thoroughly if you got it outside.
Cut the nib (the writing point) blunt(er) to make a calligraphy pen.
Some feathers have a membrane that must be removed after the second cut.
Instead of leaving the feather in room temp. water overnight, dip it in hot water repeatedly until soft to save time
The feather doesn't need to be perfect.

If you live in the United States, most bird feathers you find on the ground are illegal according to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Make sure you use feathers from legal birds (chickens, domestic geese, invasive birds, etc.) before you attempt this project. You could get hit with a hefty fine or even jail time!
You will be using sharp and hot objects, adult supervision/help recommended.