My first Estie

[psrivats]

Got my first Esterbrook today - a (close to NOS) blue celluloid J model (double jewels) with the 2668 nib. I LOVE the pen and how well it writes - it writes atleast as well (if not better) than my (binderized) Pilot custom 74 with the F nib. I've loaded the estie with waterman florida blue and this pen is replacing the custom 74 in my pocket. The estie addiction begins!

 

Here's a photo:

 

http://i.imgur.com/eirU4.jpg

Edited August 2, 2011 by psrivats

[GhostShip Blue]

Looks like I just stumbled into an Esterbrook J Visumaster 3 (at least based on what I;ve found at esterbrook.net). Needs a new sac, but otherwise seems in very nice shape and sporting a 2314-F nib. Pretty spiffy for $13.50 (with shipping) and 4 other pens (a couple of Wearevers, a Welsharp and a mystery "TRAVE" and then the clip is snapped off).

 

Anyone have the direct link to the Esterbrook Sac Replacement size chart in the Repair threads?

[ticoun]

Looks like I just stumbled into an Esterbrook J Visumaster 3 (at least based on what I;ve found at esterbrook.net). Needs a new sac, but otherwise seems in very nice shape and sporting a 2314-F nib. Pretty spiffy for $13.50 (with shipping) and 4 other pens (a couple of Wearevers, a Welsharp and a mystery "TRAVE" and then the clip is snapped off).

 

Anyone have the direct link to the Esterbrook Sac Replacement size chart in the Repair threads?

13$ for a visumaster? now that's sumgai!

[GhostShip Blue]

Got my first Esterbrook today - a (close to NOS) blue celluloid J model (double jewels) with the 2668 nib. I LOVE the pen and how well it writes - it writes atleast as well (if not better) than my (binderized) Pilot custom 74 with the F nib. I've loaded the estie with waterman florida blue and this pen is replacing the custom 74 in my pocket. The estie addiction begins!

 

Here's a photo:

 

http://i.imgur.com/eirU4.jpg

 

The one I got looks a LOT like this with the following differences: No "Esterbrook" on the nib, it's on the barrel. No metal jewel on the barrel end, but otherwise, they're the same pen (at least by coarse visual inspection of a pen and a photograph...)

[Ted Andkilde]

Picked up a couple of Esterbrooks on eBay, managed to make one work with a bit of flushing and renewpoint swapping, pulled the section and removed the crusty bits with a bamboo skewer while I'm waiting for some sacs, talc and shellac to arrive in the mail. Crude first review attached.

 

Cheers, Ted

[Blooze]

Received my first real fountain pens today in the post. The J has a 1554 Gregg firm fine nib and the SJ has a 1461 rigid medium nib. No idea what the lead size is for the pencil yet. I don't have any ink or paper yet either, as I'll have to order ink online. Traded a couple of duplicate safety razors I had for them.

[Ted Andkilde]

Received my first real fountain pens today in the post. The J has a 1554 Gregg firm fine nib and the SJ has a 1461 rigid medium nib. No idea what the lead size is for the pencil yet. I don't have any ink or paper yet either, as I'll have to order ink online. Traded a couple of duplicate safety razors I had for them.

 

Stunning colour, I've got a 'gregg' nib in one of my pens, I'm finding it a bit stiff and scratchy, luckily these guys are easy to swap around.

 

Cheers, Ted

[ticoun]

my copper SJ arrived monday! here are pics:

 

i don't find the gregg nib scratchy, but it does have a good amount of feedback. it's inked with Noodler's Navy right now, and i just love the combo!

[shakin_jake]

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6210/6105523274_f9e57b1749_b.jpgJake here, new to fountain pens=:-) I guess I had to post, now that I actually own an Estie=:-) (J series) purchased from a member here who kindly cleaned it up and fitted a new sac...I've yet to ink it, and admittedly, I'm not sure how. Did I mention I'm new to fountain pens?=:-)

 

 

Best,

 

 

Jake

Reddick Fla.

[Ted Andkilde]

I've yet to ink it, and admittedly, I'm not sure how. Did I mention I'm new to fountain pens?=:-)

 

 

Best,

 

 

Jake

Reddick Fla.

 

Hey Jake

 

Dunk the entire nib and feed (the black "plastic" piece beneath the nib) so they're fully submerged in ink (don't be afraid to get ink on the section -- the black bit of plastic where you grip the pen, it wipes off easily), lift the silver lever so that is fully perpendicular to the pen body, hold it there for a few seconds, slowly close it back flush with the body (keeping the nib and feed submerged throughout the process) and keep your pen in the ink for ten or fifteen seconds to allow the ink time to be drawn into the sac. You can repeat the process a couple of times, you'll know you pen is completely full when you don't see any little air bubbles expelled into the ink bottle as you lift the lever. After you've given plenty of time for the ink to draw up, carefully draw your pen out of the ink, wipe any excess off the nib/feed/section with a lint-free paper towel or tissue and write away.

 

Cheers, Ted

Edited September 2, 2011 by Ted Andkilde

[shakin_jake]

Thanks for the advice on how to fill this lever pen Ted! Admittedly I haven't filled it yet. Guess you could say I have been busy with my other pens but I will fill it soon, I promise=:-)

 

 

Best,

 

 

Jake

Reddick Fla.

[shakin_jake]

just inked the Estie J up...easy peasy...it writes beautifully...<YAY!> <LOL>

 

 

Best,

 

 

Jake

Reddick Fla.

[79spitfire]

Looks like I just stumbled into an Esterbrook J Visumaster 3 (at least based on what I;ve found at esterbrook.net). Needs a new sac, but otherwise seems in very nice shape and sporting a 2314-F nib. Pretty spiffy for $13.50 (with shipping) and 4 other pens (a couple of Wearevers, a Welsharp and a mystery "TRAVE" and then the clip is snapped off).

 

Anyone have the direct link to the Esterbrook Sac Replacement size chart in the Repair threads?

Pictures??

[christhawk]

Oh, happy day for my tiny handwriting! Just got my copper Esterbrook SJ with 1555 nib off Ebay in the mail yesterday, and it writes like a dream just as small as my 0.3 mm rollerball pens that I love so well. And unlike the rollerballs, it doesn't pick up paper lint and jam. Even if it did, I can clean the FP nib. I love my Lamy Al-Star and Hero 1017, but for tiny notes, this is fantastic!

[shaylenwilliams]

Add me to the ranks of vintage converts! I pulled my first Esterbrook off the 'bay today, and PRAYING that it doesn't need a new sac, it could certainly use a good cleaning. I'm aware of how to get the old gal to write (mostly anyway), but how about how to get her looking good? Are there any common household items I can use to shine her up and maybe get rid of the appearance of some of the surface scuffs and scratches?

[Ted Andkilde]

Add me to the ranks of vintage converts! I pulled my first Esterbrook off the 'bay today, and PRAYING that it doesn't need a new sac, it could certainly use a good cleaning. I'm aware of how to get the old gal to write (mostly anyway), but how about how to get her looking good? Are there any common household items I can use to shine her up and maybe get rid of the appearance of some of the surface scuffs and scratches?

 

The consensus seems to be on Simichrome polish which is should be available from your local motorcycle shop. I haven't tried it yet, I've tried some super fine automotive rubbing compound, it wouldn't take deep scratches out but did add a nice shine.

 

Re-sacing is pretty easy, I believe all the supplies you'd need are on Richard Binder's website, or I could do a driveby while I'm visiting the Ford truck plant in Louisville, I seem to be through there once a month these days.

 

Cheers, Ted

[shaylenwilliams]

Add me to the ranks of vintage converts! I pulled my first Esterbrook off the 'bay today, and PRAYING that it doesn't need a new sac, it could certainly use a good cleaning. I'm aware of how to get the old gal to write (mostly anyway), but how about how to get her looking good? Are there any common household items I can use to shine her up and maybe get rid of the appearance of some of the surface scuffs and scratches?

 

The consensus seems to be on Simichrome polish which is should be available from your local motorcycle shop. I haven't tried it yet, I've tried some super fine automotive rubbing compound, it wouldn't take deep scratches out but did add a nice shine.

 

Re-sacing is pretty easy, I believe all the supplies you'd need are on Richard Binder's website, or I could do a driveby while I'm visiting the Ford truck plant in Louisville, I seem to be through there once a month these days.

 

Cheers, Ted

 

Thanks for the info Ted! I just won the auction today, so I've no idea what she needs as of yet, I'm pretty darn new to vintage on the whole, and it seems to be snowballing fast! First a NOS Eversharp, then a kind of sumgai Sheaffer, now an Estie... I've got a certain pen pal who is quite the enabler, too. Ha! Nevertheless, I may be able to come by some Simichrome. My dad used to work at a Honda shop and had several bikes, he may have some of this stuff. If not, there are a few shops locally.

[JonSzanto]

Re-sacing is pretty easy, I believe all the supplies you'd need are on Richard Binder's website...

I'm about ready to place my order with Mr. Binder, to take care of restoring about 3 Esties and a Touchdown Tuckaway. The only drag is the one item missing:

 

Talc.

 

I'd love to have all the stuff in one order, but he doesn't seem to carry it. Anybody know an easy place to get plain, quality, unscented talc? The worst part is that I'll need so very little of it.

[mccluskeybw]

Re-sacing is pretty easy, I believe all the supplies you'd need are on Richard Binder's website...

I'm about ready to place my order with Mr. Binder, to take care of restoring about 3 Esties and a Touchdown Tuckaway. The only drag is the one item missing:

 

Talc.

 

I'd love to have all the stuff in one order, but he doesn't seem to carry it. Anybody know an easy place to get plain, quality, unscented talc? The worst part is that I'll need so very little of it.

 

Jon,

I bought a bottle of talc exactly like this at a local billiard supply shop.

Bill

 

http://www.amazon.com/Billiards-Silver-Cup-Powder-Chalk/dp/B000645ELU/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1317138036&sr=8-6

[JonSzanto]

Bill, thanks for the tip. I feel like such a dimwit - I should have searched the Classifieds here. There are a couple guys that are selling small amounts of talc (which is all I need). If I don't happen to bump into something local I'll just shoot one of them an order.