Dip pen

Common card · No. 214967

A dip pen is a writing instrument used to apply ink to paper by dipping into an inkwell. Dip pens usually consist of a metal nib with a central slit that acts as a capillary channel like those of fountain pen nibs, mounted in a handle or holder, usually made of wood. Other materials can be used for the holder, including bone, horn, metal and plastic, with some dip pens being made entirely of glass. Generally dip pens have no ink reservoir except for a small hole, indent, or pocket where a drop of ink is held by capillary action, so the user must frequently refill the ink from an inkwell or bottle to continue drawing or writing. Sometimes a simple metal reservoir can be clipped to the top of the pen, allowing for several sentences of uninterrupted use. While refilling can be done by dipping into an inkwell, it is also possible to charge the pen with an eyedropper or a brush, which gives more control over the amount of ink applied. Thus, "dip pens" are not necessarily dipped; many illustrators...

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