Quill vs. Shaft — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 7, 2024
Quill pens are traditional writing instruments made from bird feathers, notable for their historical use; shafts are elongated structures or components found in various contexts like tools, machinery, and anatomy, serving as supportive parts.
Difference Between Quill and Shaft
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Quill pens are crafted from the flight feathers of large birds, primarily used for writing and calligraphy due to their flexible tips which allow for distinctive ink flow and stroke variation. In contrast, shafts refer to the long, cylindrical parts of various objects or mechanisms, such as the shaft of an arrow, the drive shaft in machinery, or the shaft of a golf club, which are essential for their overall function and structural integrity.
Quills have a historical significance, being the primary writing tool in the western world until the 19th century, appreciated for their ability to produce elegant script. Whereas shafts are crucial in the design of various mechanical and structural systems, providing the necessary leverage, rotation, or support depending on their specific application.
The preparation of a quill involves curing, hardening, and cutting the feather to create a pointed tip capable of holding ink, a process that showcases the artisanal craftsmanship of earlier times. On the other hand, manufacturing shafts typically involves materials like metal or plastic and processes such as extrusion or machining, highlighting industrial advancements.
Quill pens offer a unique aesthetic that has been romanticized in literature and art, symbolizing classical literacy and historical documentation. Meanwhile, shafts are often associated with efficiency and modern engineering, embodying the practical aspects of contemporary design and function.
While quill pens have mostly become obsolete, replaced by modern pens, they are still used by calligraphers and enthusiasts who cherish their traditional feel and the unique character they lend to handwriting. Conversely, shafts continue to be integral components in various mechanical and structural applications, evolving with technological progress to meet modern demands.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A writing tool made from a bird feather.
A long, cylindrical part of any object.
Material
Bird feathers.
Metal, plastic, wood.
Usage
Writing, calligraphy.
Structural support, transmission of power.
Manufacturing Process
Handcrafted.
Machined, extruded.
Historical Context
Used until the 19th century.
Used widely in various forms today.
Compare with Definitions
Quill
An old or literary term for a pen.
He dipped the quill in ink and began to write.
Shaft
A narrow, vertical passage, such as in a building or the ground.
The elevator moved smoothly up the shaft.
Quill
A writing instrument made from the flight feather of a large bird.
The founding documents were penned with a quill.
Shaft
The long, narrow part of a tool or weapon.
The shaft of the spear was made from sturdy oak.
Quill
The hollow, spine-like part of a feather.
She gently extracted the quill from the feather to examine it.
Shaft
A rod forming part of a machine or vehicle, transmitting mechanical power.
The drive shaft of the car needed replacement.
Quill
A historical artifact.
The museum displayed ancient quills in its medieval exhibit.
Shaft
The handle of a tool.
He gripped the shaft of the hammer tightly.
Quill
A tool used in calligraphy.
Her favorite quill had a fine tip perfect for intricate letters.
Shaft
Part of an arrow.
The arrow's shaft was perfectly straight and balanced.
Quill
A quill is a writing tool made from a moulted flight feather (preferably a primary wing-feather) of a large bird. Quills were used for writing with ink before the invention of the dip pen, the metal-nibbed pen, the fountain pen, and, eventually, the ballpoint pen.
Shaft
The long narrow stem or body of a spear or arrow.
Quill
The hollow stemlike main shaft of a feather. Also called calamus.
Shaft
A spear or arrow.
Quill
Any of the larger wing or tail feathers of a bird.
Shaft
The handle of any of various tools or implements.
Quill
A writing pen made from the shaft of a feather.
Shaft
One of two parallel poles between which an animal is harnessed to a vehicle.
Quill
A plectrum for a stringed instrument of the clavichord type.
Shaft
A long, generally cylindrical bar that rotates and transmits power, as the drive shaft of an engine.
Quill
A pipe having a hollow stem.
Shaft
(Zoology) The main axis of a feather, especially its distal portion.
Quill
A toothpick made from the stem of a feather.
Shaft
The midsection of a long bone; the diaphysis.
Quill
One of the sharp hollow spines of a porcupine or hedgehog.
Shaft
The section of a hair projecting from the surface of the body.
Quill
A spindle or bobbin around which yarn is wound in weaving.
Shaft
The body of the clitoris, extending from the root to the glans.
Quill
A hollow shaft that rotates on a solid shaft when gears are engaged.
Shaft
A column or obelisk.
Quill
To wind (thread or yarn) onto a quill.
Shaft
The principal portion of a column, between the capital and the base.
Quill
To make or press small ridges in (fabric).
Shaft
A ray or beam of light.
Quill
To practice the art or craft of quilling.
Shaft
A bolt of lightning.
Quill
The lower shaft of a feather, specifically the region lacking barbs.
Shaft
A long, narrow, often vertical passage sunk into the earth, as for mining ore; a tunnel.
Quill
A pen made from a feather.
Shaft
A vertical passage housing an elevator.
Quill
(by extension) Any pen.
He picked up his quill and wrote a poem.
Shaft
A duct or conduit for the passage of air, as for ventilation or heating.
Quill
A sharply pointed, barbed, and easily detached needle-like structure that grows on the skin of a porcupine or hedgehog as a defense against predators.
Shaft
The upright portion of a boot that covers the leg.
Quill
A thin piece of bark, especially of cinnamon or cinchona, curled up into a tube.
Shaft
A scornful or sarcastic remark; a barb.
Quill
The pen of a squid.
Shaft
(Slang) Harsh, unfair treatment. Often used with the
The management gave the unions the shaft.
Quill
(music) The plectrum with which musicians strike the strings of certain instruments.
Shaft
To equip with a shaft.
Quill
(music) The tube of a musical instrument.
Shaft
(Slang) To treat in a harsh, unfair way
"He had been shafted by the press quite a bit" (Frank Deford).
Quill
Something having the form of a quill, such as the fold or plain of a ruff, or (weaving) a spindle, or spool, upon which the thread for the woof is wound in a shuttle.
Shaft
(obsolete) The entire body of a long weapon, such as an arrow.
Quill
To pierce or be pierced with quills.
Shaft
The long, narrow, central body of a spear, arrow, or javelin.
Her hand slipped off the javelin's shaft towards the spearpoint and that's why her score was lowered.
Quill
(figuratively) To write.
Shaft
(by extension) Anything cast or thrown as a spear or javelin.
Quill
To form fabric into small, rounded folds.
Shaft
Any long thin object, such as the handle of a tool, one of the poles between which an animal is harnessed to a vehicle, the driveshaft of a motorized vehicle with rear-wheel drive, an axle, etc.
Quill
To decorate with quillwork.
Shaft
A beam or ray of light.
Isn't that shaft of light from that opening in the cave beautiful?
Quill
To subject (a woman who is giving birth) to the practice of quilling (blowing pepper into her nose to induce or hasten labor).
Shaft
The main axis of a feather.
I had no idea that they removed the feathers' shafts to make the pillows softer!
Quill
One of the large feathers of a bird's wing, or one of the rectrices of the tail; also, the stock of such a feather.
Shaft
(lacrosse) The long narrow body of a lacrosse stick.
Sarah, if you wear gloves your hands might not slip on your shaft and you can up your game, girl!
Quill
A pen for writing made by sharpening and splitting the point or nib of the stock of a feather; as, history is the proper subject of his quill.
Shaft
A vertical or inclined passage sunk into the earth as part of a mine
Your grandfather used to work with a crane hauling ore out of the gold mine's shafts.
Quill
A spine of the hedgehog or porcupine.
Shaft
A vertical passage housing a lift or elevator; a liftshaft.
Darn it, my keys fell through the gap and into the elevator shaft.
Quill
The plectrum with which musicians strike the strings of certain instruments.
He touched the tender stops of various quills.
Shaft
A ventilation or heating conduit; an air duct.
Our parrot flew into the air duct and got stuck in the shaft.
Quill
Something having the form of a quill
Shaft
(architecture) Any column or pillar, particularly the body of a column between its capital and pedestal.
Quill
A roll of dried bark; as, a quill of cinnamon or of cinchona.
Shaft
The chamber of a blast furnace.
Quill
To plaint in small cylindrical ridges, called quillings; as, to quill a ruffle.
His cravat seemed quilled into a ruff.
Shaft
(weather) A relatively small area of precipitation that an onlook can discern from the dry surrounding area.
Quill
To wind on a quill, as thread or yarn.
Shaft
To fuck over; to cause harm to, especially through deceit or treachery.
Your boss really shafted you by stealing your idea like that.
Quill
Pen made from a bird's feather
Shaft
(transitive) To equip with a shaft.
Quill
A stiff hollow protective spine on a porcupine or hedgehog
Shaft
The slender, smooth stem of an arrow; hence, an arrow.
His sleep, his meat, his drink, is him bereft,That lean he wax, and dry as is a shaft.
A shaft hath three principal parts, the stele [stale], the feathers, and the head.
Quill
Any of the larger wing or tail feathers of a bird
Shaft
The long handle of a spear or similar weapon; hence, the weapon itself; (Fig.) anything regarded as a shaft to be thrown or darted; as, shafts of light.
And the thunder,Winged with red lightning and impetuous rage,Perhaps hath spent his shafts.
Some kinds of literary pursuits . . . have been attacked with all the shafts of ridicule.
Quill
The hollow shaft of a feather
Shaft
That which resembles in some degree the stem or handle of an arrow or a spear; a long, slender part, especially when cylindrical.
Thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold . . . his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same.
Shaft
The handle or helve of certain tools, instruments, etc., as a hammer, a whip, etc.
Bid time and nature gently spareThe shaft we raise to thee.
Shaft
A humming bird (Thaumastura cora) having two of the tail feathers next to the middle ones very long in the male; - called also cora humming bird.
Shaft
A rod at the end of a heddle.
Shaft
A well-like excavation in the earth, perpendicular or nearly so, made for reaching and raising ore, for raising water, etc.
Shaft
A long passage for the admission or outlet of air; an air shaft.
Shaft
The chamber of a blast furnace.
Shaft
A line that forms the length of an arrow pointer
Shaft
A long rod or pole (especially the handle of an implement or the body of a weapon like a spear or arrow)
Shaft
A column of light (as from a beacon)
Shaft
The main (mid) section of a long bone
Shaft
A long pointed rod used as a weapon
Shaft
A vertical passageway through a building (as for an elevator)
Shaft
(architecture) upright consisting of the vertical part of a column
Shaft
A vertical passage into a mine
Shaft
A revolving rod that transmits power or motion
Shaft
The hollow shaft of a feather
Shaft
Equip with a shaft
Shaft
Defeat someone in an expectation through trickery or deceit
Common Curiosities
How is a quill prepared for writing?
A quill is prepared by hardening, tempering, and cutting the feather to make a nib.
What is the significance of shafts in construction?
In construction, shafts are essential for structural integrity and for housing utilities like elevators.
How do quills affect handwriting?
Quills can create unique flourishes and variations in handwriting due to their flexible tips.
What are common uses of shafts in machinery?
Shafts are used to transmit power in machinery, like in engines or turbines.
Why have quills been replaced by modern pens?
Quills have been largely replaced due to the convenience, consistency, and durability of modern pens.
Can quills still be used for everyday writing?
While not practical for everyday use, quills are still favored for calligraphy and artistic writing.
What maintenance does a quill require?
Quills require regular cleaning and re-cutting of the nib to maintain their writing quality.
What materials are used to make quills?
Quills are made from the feathers of large birds such as geese or swans.
What types of shafts are found in vehicles?
Vehicles typically use drive shafts and axle shafts to transmit torque.
What industries rely heavily on shafts?
Industries such as automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing rely heavily on shafts for various machinery.
What is the difference between the quill of a pen and the quill of a porcupine?
The quill of a pen refers to a feather used for writing, whereas a porcupine's quill is a sharp, protective spine.
Are all shafts cylindrical?
While most shafts are cylindrical for strength and ease of manufacture, some may have different shapes depending on their function.
Can shafts be made from materials other than metal?
Yes, shafts can also be made from materials like plastic, wood, or composite materials, depending on the requirements.
How do material choices affect the function of a shaft?
The material of a shaft affects its strength, flexibility, and suitability for specific applications.
What are the advantages of using a quill for calligraphy?
Quills provide a level of control and authenticity in calligraphy that is cherished by enthusiasts.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
