Calligraphy is an English word based on two Greek words which, put together, mean "beautiful writing." Unlike a ballpoint pen, a calligraphy pen allows the user to create a variety of line widths and lettering styles. Art, craft and office supply stores carry a wide variety of calligraphy pens.
The handle of a calligraphy pen is what allows the user to easily hold and manipulate it. Many calligraphy pens are slightly thicker at one end, making them more comfortable to hold. Often this end of the pen contains a circular grove into which various sizes of nibs may be fitted and interchanged.
The nib of the pen is the part that controls the width of the line. A narrow, more pointed nib will produce a thinner line, and a wider, more flat nib will produce a thicker line. The angle at which the pen is held will also change the thickness of the line; however, a 45-degree angle to the paper is the standard position. Metal is the most commonly used material for nibs, although they may also be made from glass or even the hollow quills of feathers.
One popular type of calligraphy pen is the glass dip pen. As the name implies, these pens are made of glass -- generally decorative colored glass. The nib is built into a dip pen, so it is not interchangeable with other sizes of nib. Calligraphy markers are inexpensive pens made with a hard plastic or felt nib. They are not refillable, and the nibs are not interchangeable. They are available in several ink colors. Calligraphy markers are a good choice for a beginning calligrapher.