Bamboo reed pens date back to the ancient Egyptians and were made by cutting and shaping a single reed of bamboo. They were also said to have been the most common writing tool when the New Testament of the Bible was written. Even now, bamboo reed pens remain an important tool in calligraphy, as they are known to produce scratchy and expressive lines. Using a bamboo reed pen is not difficult, and you can sharpen it according to your drawing or writing preferences.