The handle often was flattened to help smooth the fibers of the paper before applying ink again ... hundreds of pen nibs, and most wholesalers offered as many as 400 styles.

The hüsn-i hat is the centuries-old Turkish calligraphy art. Traditional tools include a glazed paper, a reed pen, pen knives and soot ink. Many calligraphers, or hattats, make their own tools and ...