Esterbrook 444 "The Hockey Puck"

[sleek_lover]

As many of you know, I work for the Recruitment Outsourced division of Spherion, Inc. on the Virtual Recruiting Team...which is a really fancy way of saying I work from my home. (Peg calls it semi-retirement...yah, right). While much of my work is Internet-based, hence I spend HOURS on line, I take lots of notes, jot down phone numbers, names of folks other folks are refering me to, etc. I got tired of capping and uncapping pens all day decided to practice what I preach...and pulled out one of my Estie 444s.

 

This particular one can be seen over at the Estie forum in one of the photos.

 

But it is the pen that is under discussion. I have a 9668 nib fitted to the holder; this is a Firm Medium "General Writing" nib and it lays down a very moderate M. And it is firm...not nail-like, there is a hint of flex, but not so much that I get all "bent out of shape" over it, since I am not a big fan of "rubber nibs."

 

The one thing that always amazes me about any Estie nib in any Estie Dip-less inkwell is the smooth write it gives. To quote "it is like buttah". And the 9668 I am using right now is no exception. There is no hesitiation, there is no feathering (Staples 100 page compostion book, MB black ink...yah, I have to get rid of the (bleep) somehow and it is lousy in every other pen...figured it couldn't screw this one up...). I have always attributed this smoothness to two things...one, there is always ink on the tip, so there is no start-up issue and second, the ink fills in whatever imperfections exist on the tip giving the nib this really smooth, glass-like surface...

 

There is a this historical sensation when I use any of my Estie desk sets...like I am joining the ranks of dip pen and desk set users from way back then to now.

 

Besides...it is more efficient...

 

Bill

Edited June 6, 2007 by paircon01

[jonro]

I've become a fan of desk pens recently, too. The long taper makes them balance very nicely in the hand.

[Hennypenny]

I recently got a 444 and set it up on my desk. I LOVE having a pen that's always ready to write!! No taking the cap off and putting it back on -- I can jot down a quick note and just stick it back in the base. Mine has a 2668 nib, and it's wonderful !! I've acquired a few Estie pens as well, and am very impressed with them. BTW, I'm using vintage Skrip black ink in my 444 for a true vintage writing experience.

[Kelly G]

I use Skrip Black in my 444 and occasionally top it off with distilled water as it tends to evaporate over the months. The dip-less is a very handy pen for the desk.

[Gran]

Thanks very much for the review! Makes the dipless even more attractive.

[Robert Hughes]

I've had my 444 filled with Skrip Blue for months and, like Kelly G, add a little water every now and then to keep it from getting too syrupy. Dip-less pens are the greatest thing since sliced bread - as long as you're writing from the desk it happens to be at.

[randyholhut]

I've tried in vain to get my wife hooked on fountain pens, until I found a 444. It now sits on her desk and it's her primary pen for any handwriting she does there. The "always ready to write" factor was a big plus and the 1950s styling appeals to her.

 

Now, if I can only keep Agatha Kitty from nibbling on the taper...

[blackranger63]

I keep mine filled with Bullet Proof Black. Great for signing official documents and other assorted stuff my Deputy brings in for my John Hancock! I also use the holder as a gas station and quick fill other pens out of it every now and then ;-)