My Crappy Black J Gets Noticed

February 22, 2005

I decided last night I'd start the week out with 2 black Esterbrook J's in my pen case. I haven't used a J pen in so long, I can't even guess how long it's been. So, I took out two J's, practically identical (One with a spade style lever, the other spoon style), both with 9668 nibs, loaded one up with Rubinato blue, the other with a Rubinato Green/Skrip Black concoction.

Now, I always use a fountain pen. It's really no secret at work. Very rarely anymore do people comment on whatever pen I'm using. So today I'm sitting down for a meeting with one of the owners, get out my notebook and open my J.

"WOW, I didn't think anyone used those anymore!!"

Now don't get me wrong. I like Esterbrook, I mean I REALLY like Esterbrook, but this was an ordinary J, not particularly in good shape, a little rough around the edges and it got that kind of reaction. I can use a $200 pen and nobody notices it. Why is that?

The J's performed extremely well, and aside from a minor clogging issue on one, they were a pleasure to use. I think I'll use them more often.

Best-

Brian

February 22, 2005

I don't know about the black pens (have them, don't use them much), but the red and copper always get attention. The finish is just so nice.

Elaine

February 22, 2005

because the J's have a look that isn't often seen in modern BPs or RBs? So many of the expensive pens have RB and BP counterparts that people see fairly often even if they don't know the brands. People seem to notice levers and such, but not so much the nib unless they're close by.

Most folks don't notice my Pelikans, but they do notice my Phileas because of the Art Deco look. One little girl noticed a Reflex once and was just fascinated with it and I tried to encourage her to try it but she shook her head with a shy sort of awe. She was Asian and I got the feeling she'd seen a few FPs in her young life. I don't think most American kids (I'd guess she was about 10) have ever seen such a thing and wouldn't even notice it. Had she been less afraid of the crazy woman in the ER waiting room, I'd have just given her the pen then and there. There were numerous other little ones in the room, none paid any attention to the pen except her. It was a strange moment - a little wordless connection that has stuck with me.

February 22, 2005

I had to sign some papers at the bank (no carbons) and pulled out a black Pelican Ibis and was quite casual about it. The lady (must be in her late '40s) looked at the writing and then looked at the pen.

She asked just what kind of pen was that anyway? I explained that it was a German pen manufactured about 1938 and showed her the Dutch name engraved.

She was simply amazed. Couldn't conceive that such a thing existed, and couldn't comphrehend that it still worked after all these years...

February 25, 2005

Well, it happened again a couple days ago, another person noticed and commented on my Black J. I don't get it. Oh well, no worry, just interesting what people notice. What we perceive as being an interesting pen is not perceived as such by non-pen people.

It's been performing marvelously though, and I don't have to worry about banging it around and damaging it.

Best-

Brian

February 25, 2005

esterbrooks tend to get noticed because they were the common pen of the 40s and 50s. most peole, if they had a fountain pen, it was an esterbrook. it has a familiar look. they have stood the test of time and still look as if they were bought yesterday. i love my esterbrooks!!!

September 1, 2006

I have two J Esterbrooks and love them. People do ask if it is a real fountain pen. I have five SJ pens and the J's are my best to write with everyday. Wish I had more of them.

HB

September 9, 2006

I think Aunt Rebecca's got it right.

Anybody who went to grammar school and suffered through Palmer method penmanship sooner or later had an Esterbrook J or a Parker 45 (or both). Now add to that the fact that nothing I know looks quite like an old Esterbrook J and you have what is possibly one of the most universally recognized fountain pens (for non fountain pen devotees) on earth.

My own J is a Dubonnet Red with a 2314-B Broad Relief nib that I originally bought from Alexander's Department Store in NYC while in grammar school 50+ years ago. After that it was the pen I used for all my personal correspondance in high school, summer camps, college, med school and the Air Force. It has been lovingly cared for all these years and still functions perfectly with the original sac (an endorsement I think for the practice of rinsing a pen out with water every time you lay it up for a while). There's a lot of personal history tied up it that pen and, as a result, just the sight of somebody else using one brings it all up front. Judging from the respose you've been getting, I suspect my feelings are not atypical.

Regards