Esterbrook Era Fine Nibs vs Modern Fine Nibs

[jgrasty]

Y'all:

 

I received my first Esterbrook pen today, a double jewel J satin blue pen in mint condition with a 1555 "Gregg" nib. The pen has a rather ragged sticker that says "DURA 1555 Fine Firm". I've put my favorite dark blue ink in it (PR Electric DC Blue), and the pen writes perfectly with what I would call an extra fine line that is actually much finer than any of my EF nib pens (Lamy and Pelikan). It writes more like a Japanese EF that I've got on a Sailor or Pilot pen. My question is this: Has the definition of a fine nib changed over time?

 

The other curiosity I have is this nib chart from esterbrook.net that shows the 1555 nib as being a firm medium for Gregg shorthand, yet this contradicts the sticker on the pen.

 

http://www.esterbrook.net/images/ephemera/bback.jpg

 

Fun stuff, these Esterbrook pens. I love being able to change the nibs, thus my interest in Esterbrooks, Lamys and Pelikans.

[OcalaFlGuy]

I don't mean to insult your intelligence but the answer isn't completely obvious from your post.

 

Is the number actually on the top of the nib also 1555 (not just what the sticker on the pen says)?

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

Edited November 3, 2009 by OcalaFlGuy

[Artie]

It isn't a question of whether the definition of fine has changed over the years. The fact is there never seemed to be a mutually agreed upon definition of what made a nib fine or extra fine.. or flexible for that matter.

[jgrasty]

I don't mean to insult your intelligence but the answer isn't completely obvious from your post.

 

Is the number actually on the top of the nib also 1555 (not just what the sticker on the pen says)?

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

 

Yes, the nib is marked "1555 Gregg".

[jgrasty]

It isn't a question of whether the definition of fine has changed over the years. The fact is there never seemed to be a mutually agreed upon definition of what made a nib fine or extra fine.. or flexible for that matter.

 

I agree completely that there's no agreed on definition of fine, extra fine, medium, etc. I'm just curious if the trend from vintage to modern, the definitions have tended to get wider over the years.