Straight Pen or Qalam Set: 3, 5 and 7 mm

For Manuscript Kufic and Latin calligraphy (round hands, e.g. Italic). If you're left-handed, avoid straight pens and see my angled pens listing instead.

The pens are cut in bamboo to a very thin nib to allow sharp corners and fine details. I make each pen myself and test each one for line quality. The pen number indicates the nib size in millimeters.

You can add 60ml of ink to your order at a reduced price, but note the difference between the two options:

• Black ink: Tannine ink (ḥibr حبر) from gallnuts or similar, prepared from a historical recipe. The ink appears pale at first but darkens to deep black over afew hours. (If it doesn't darken, you need to work a little more wet).
• Practice ink: Also ḥibr, from alternative plant sources (such as sumac or pomegranate), but that will dry to greys rather than deep black.

Pens are cut to order so please allow a few days before dispatch.

Mediums: Bamboo pens can be used with all inks, but also with suitably diluted watercolour and gouache. NOT recommended for use with acrylics.

Care: You can extend the life of your pen by preventing pigment from accreting on the nib: after each work session, twirl briefly in water and wipe carefully. When it starts to lose its edge, you can use a small piece of fine sandpaper to refresh it (the nib needs to be dry before it can be sanded). By these methods it can go a long way before it has to be cut again.