The Esterbrook Forum Estie Loaner Program

[OcalaFlGuy]

Esterbrook Loaners Available as of 12/3/13

Blue SJ, Medium 2668 nib
Green SJ, Medium 2668 nib
Blue LJ, 9556 F or 9550 XF nib (Borrower to specify which nib)
Blue SJ, 1550 XF, 2556 F, 2284 S (Borrower to specify which nib)
Copper J, 2556 F nib and a 2668 M
Copper J, 9556 F or 9668 M or 9048 whichever the Borrower desires ON LOAN
Green J, 9788 M
Red SJ, 9461 F-M
Turquoise M2, Red SJ, Green SJ, Blue J, Gray Deluxe, or light blue purse pen
(Borrower to select nib from; 2668 M, 2556 F, 2460 M, 1551 M, 9450 F, 9460 M, 2314-B, 9314-F, 9550 F, 9556 F, 2284 B stub

Silver J, 2668, or Osmiroid: one italic, broad, and one rolatip broad. (This pen will come from Curacao, it's postage may be slightly higher and postage delay a bit longer, it's Loaner Outter has more info on this.)

Pens residing overseas for in country loan only; Postage for these pens may be
noticeably lower than pens sent from the U.S.A.

Australia-Silver SJ, with either a 1551 M or 2668 M

The United Kingdom-Green J 2556, Copper SJ 2668 (Either can come with a 1555 or 2314 B too) NO LOANER POSTAGE FEE on these two UK only pens!

The subject of a few Estie Borrowers not fulfilling their part of the postal reimbursement has been discussed among the Estie Loaner Outters. They are those most immediately impacted.

As a result, there is a PENDING change to at least the order of how things happen in the Loaner Program.

The change is simply that the Borrower will Paypal Gift the agreed on postage to them to their Lender Outter, either $3.00 or the amount they agree to with the Lender Outter, BEFORE the Estie is placed into the mail to the Borrower.

This eliminates the After borrowing postage issue thusly solving it.

This change Will Remain *A PENDING Change* to the point at which Another Borrower than the ones currently known of, fails to keep their end of the Loan Out agreement up. At that point it changes from Pending to In Force.

The decision of when or if that ever occurs lies solely in the hands of those borrowing the Esties.

Keep your eyes peeled here in the Estie forum for an upcoming new and FUN opportunity for everyone and for One Special Someone to take home their own very nice Red Estie J.

Bruce in Ocala, FL and The Esterbrook Forum

[rtruslow]

Hi!

This is a wonderful thread and the conversation very appealing. I would like to toss my hat in the ring to request the loan of the Copper J with the 9556 F nib. This is a tough choice because I really want to also try the 9668 M too. I saw that Rabbit is just in the process of getting this pen, so am content to wait my turn. I am happy to pay the shipping costs in advance and think that is the way it should be for such a generous lending of a pen to a stranger.

 

I am new to writing with a fountain pen, again, after using them in grade school and high school. Though not a collector, this forum makes me want to own an Estie. Some of them are so beautiful! The loaner program takes away so much anxiety about what pen to buy. Can't wait to try it out. I am saving my Noodler's Army Green ink just for this tryout.

 

Thanks y'all!

Rob

[OcalaFlGuy]

Rob,

 

If you'll notice, there is another Copper J available with both a 2xxx series F or M nib directly above the one you are looking at. Perhaps you could get the Loaner Outter to tell you how to change the nibs and let you borrow both.

 

The 2xxx should write very similarly to the 9xxx

 

Or if you'd rather wait that's fine also.

 

PS Rob have you seen the Win Yourself a Esterbrook Contest thread in the First things first forum. Speaking of nice pens. I think it's sunk down to page two now.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

Edited December 11, 2013 by OcalaFlGuy

[migo984]

 

I am new to writing with a fountain pen, again, after using them in grade school and high school. Though not a collector, this forum makes me want to own an Estie. Some of them are so beautiful! The loaner program takes away so much anxiety about what pen to buy. Can't wait to try it out. I am saving my Noodler's Army Green ink just for this tryout.

 

Thanks y'all!

Rob

 

Hi Rob

 

I have 3 Esties, all in very good condition, with a selection of nibs and I'm happy to loan to you (one or more pens/nibs).

 

Available:

 

Copper SJ #9461 Rigid Fine Manifold

Red LJ Icicle #2314 Relief Fine Oblique

Green SJ #2668 Firm, Med, General Writing

plus #1550 (Extra Firm Fine, Bookkeeping), 2556, (Firm Fine General Writing) 9048 (Semi-flexible Fine / "Shaded" writing)

 

Marie

 

 

Bruce - is it OK for me to make this offer as part of this thread? Many apologies if it's not. I'll make contact with Rob via PM if a problem.

Edited December 11, 2013 by migo984

[pajaro]

I have the following pens available to lend:

 

Blue LJ, 2312 italic

Green LJ 9048 extra flexible fine

Green Transitional J 2284 broad stub

Green Transitional J 9556

Red J 9314-B broad relief (oblique) stub

Blue J 9314-F fine relief (oblique) stub

Green J 9460 manifold medium

Red SJ 9550

Red SJ 9460

Turquoise M2 2284 broad stub

Turquoise M2 2312 italic

SJ Nurse Pen Red Jewels Sonnet 18K medium nib (if you have a taste to try the bizarre)

[rtruslow]

migo 984 -

Copper SJ #9461 Rigid Fine Manifold

Red LJ Icicle #2314 Relief Fine Oblique

Green SJ #2668 Firm, Med, General Writing plus #1550 (Extra Firm Fine, Bookkeeping), 2556, (Firm Fine General Writing) 9048 (Semi-flexible Fine / "Shaded" writing)

 

Thank you very much for your generous offer. You just jumped way beyond my knowledge base! Is there a table or list somewhere so I can look up the difference between a "Manifold" and "Relief" style nib?

 

The 9048 (Semi-flexible Fine) sounds particularly interesting to me and would be fun to compare it to a different style Fine nib; one not having the flex feature. As far as pens goes, I would most likely purchase the J size due to diameter, so would prefer to borrow the LJ if that suits you. You might tell me how to switch the nibs correctly. I would be cautious to protect them for you.

 

Oh, please do not rush to send them. I will not have much time to play with them until after the holiday anyway. -Thanks again so much!

 

OcalaFlGuy - It seems I have an unseen benefactor in migo984 and would be happy to accept her offer if this does not disrupt the loaner program too much. Your thoughts?

And, yes, I did see the "Win Yourself a Esterbrook" contest and have entered last night. The contest reminded me I had forgotten to actually register for the loaner program! For some reason I thought I had to be an FPN member for at least 30 days in addition to the 30 posts.

 

Happy Holidays to all!

Rob

[migo984]

migo 984 -
Copper SJ #9461 Rigid Fine Manifold
Red LJ Icicle #2314 Relief Fine Oblique
Green SJ #2668 Firm, Med, General Writing plus #1550 (Extra Firm Fine, Bookkeeping), 2556, (Firm Fine General Writing) 9048 (Semi-flexible Fine / "Shaded" writing)

Thank you very much for your generous offer. You just jumped way beyond my knowledge base! Is there a table or list somewhere so I can look up the difference between a "Manifold" and "Relief" style nib?

The 9048 (Semi-flexible Fine) sounds particularly interesting to me and would be fun to compare it to a different style Fine nib; one not having the flex feature. As far as pens goes, I would most likely purchase the J size due to diameter, so would prefer to borrow the LJ if that suits you. You might tell me how to switch the nibs correctly. I would be cautious to protect them for you.

Oh, please do not rush to send them. I will not have much time to play with them until after the holiday anyway. -Thanks again so much!

 

Rob

Link for Estie information http://www.esterbrook.net/nibs.shtml

I'll wait till we get the go-ahead from OcalaFlGuy (don't want to compromise the Loaner Programme), then I'll contact you via PM if it's a go-er.

Marie

[OcalaFlGuy]

Marie, I don't see you as compromising the Loaner Program at all.

 

I can understand someone wanting to help out with a specific loaning situation while perhaps maybe NOT wanting to remain a perpetual Loaner Outter. Your offer also negates a probable more expensive overseas Loan Out (for multiple pens).

 

Your offer here certainly seems "in the same vein" as the Loaner Program to me.

 

Rock On!

 

Paul, I will edit your new list into the standard one here sometime today, Thank you as always for your awesome help.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

[migo984]

Marie, I don't see you as compromising the Loaner Program at all.

 

I can understand someone wanting to help out with a specific loaning situation while perhaps maybe NOT wanting to remain a perpetual Loaner Outter. Your offer also negates a probable more expensive overseas Loan Out (for multiple pens).

 

Your offer here certainly seems "in the same vein" as the Loaner Program to me.

 

Rock On!

 

 

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

 

Thanks Bruce. I'll make arrangements with Rob

Marie

[rtruslow]

Marie,

 

Thanks for the link to Estie nibs information. Let the learning begin!

 

Rob

[RustyEnglish]

I would love to join this when I meet the requirements. Is there a specific shipping method we have to use?

[OcalaFlGuy]

Rusty, I'd like to think that the Loaner Program is of the members, for the members.

 

We tried for there to be as few requirements and restrictions as possible. They aren't many of either.

 

The general packing idea is to pack the pen as securely as it can be sent for as close to the minimum postage amount possible. While the program has existed there has already been one increase in U.S. postage for overseas. It is very easy to safely send a pen within the U.S. for about $2.70 each way. Overseas raises that to around $3.70. Remember that the borrower pays the postage both ways as their "donation" for borrowing the pen. Once you start getting near say $5.00 each way you are closing in on what you can Buy a SJ on Ebay for for keeps, not just trying one out. Try to safely pack the pen in order to be charged the cheapest package rate possible for your country. We also don't insure the pens to keep the costs down. So far the Postal Gods have smiled upon us with no lost pens.

 

If you will check the beginning of this thread on posts 30 and 69 (pages 1 and 3) there is some more helpful information on how to safely pack a pen and mail if for Cheap, Cheap, Cheap. Actually this Whole Thread is a pretty fun one to read All of.

 

I do believe unless I am mistaken that postal charges from Oz overseas were stiff. If that's so, we could always keep your Estie for in country (Australia) loan outs only, that would I think dramatically lower the rate. (Unless or course, your Estie is so cool all the rest of us want to play with it too! )

 

Thanks for your good question and we await your participation and

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl and the Esterbrook Loaner's Program

[OcalaFlGuy]

Pens available for borrowing as of 12/18/13.

Blue SJ, Medium 2668 nib
Green SJ, Medium 2668 nib
Blue LJ, 9556 F or 9550 XF nib (Borrower to specify which nib)
Blue SJ, 1550 XF, 2556 F, 2284 S (Borrower to specify which nib)
Copper J, 2556 F nib and a 2668 M
Copper J, 9556 F or 9668 M or 9048 whichever the Borrower desires ON LOAN
Green J, 9788 M
Red SJ, 9461 F-M

Blue LJ, 2312 italic

Green LJ 9048 extra flexible fine

Green Transitional J 2284 broad stub

Green Transitional J 9556

Red J 9314-B broad relief (oblique) stub

Blue J 9314-F fine relief (oblique) stub

Green J 9460 manifold medium

Red SJ 9550

Red SJ 9460

Turquoise M2 2284 broad stub

Turquoise M2 2312 italic

SJ Nurse Pen Red Jewels Sonnet 18K medium nib (if you have a taste to try the bizarre)

Silver J, 2668, or Osmiroid: one italic, broad, and one rolatip broad. (This pen will come from Curacao, it's postage may be slightly higher and postage delay a bit longer, it's Loaner Outter has more info on this.)

Pens residing overseas for in country loan only; Postage for these pens may be
noticeably lower than pens sent from the U.S.A.

Australia-Silver SJ, with either a 1551 M or 2668 M

The United Kingdom-Green J 2556, Copper SJ 2668 (Either can come with a 1555 or 2314 B too) NO LOANER POSTAGE FEE on these two UK only pens!

The subject of a few Estie Borrowers not fulfilling their part of the postal reimbursement has been discussed among the Estie Loaner Outters. They are those most immediately impacted.

As a result, there is a *PENDING* change to at least the order of how things happen in the Loaner Program.

The change is simply that the Borrower will Paypal Gift the agreed on postage to them to their Lender Outter, either $3.00 or the amount they agree to with the Lender Outter, BEFORE the Estie is placed into the mail to the Borrower.

This eliminates the After borrowing postage issue thusly solving it.

This change Will Remain *A PENDING Change* to the point at which Another Borrower than the ones currently known of, fails to keep their end of the Loan Out agreement up. At that point it changes from Pending to In Force.

The decision of when or if that ever occurs lies solely in the hands of those borrowing the Esties.

Keep your eyes peeled here in the Estie forum for an upcoming new and FUN opportunity for everyone and for One Special Someone to take home their own very nice Red Estie J.

Bruce in Ocala, FL and The Esterbrook Forum

Edited December 19, 2013 by OcalaFlGuy

[OcalaFlGuy]

Important Change to the Esterbrook Loaner Program;

We will no longer be able to send pens from Within the U.S.A. to borrowers residing overseas. There has been a somewhat recent United States Postal Service rate increase that more than doubled the prior reasonable rate of around $3.00 to ship a pen overseas to $7.35. It therefore is unreasonable to expect overseas members to pay the approximate $15.00 in postage to borrow a pen when they can BUY their Own Estie for about that same amount.

There are NO changes to the Loaner Program for pens borrowed within the Untied States or within Other countries where the Loaner Program has pens available.

IF you happen to be a prospective overseas borrower and you ARE willing to pay that near $15.00 postage to borrow an Estie, you are still welcomed of course to post your request to borrow a pen and we'll be glad to set you up.

We DO have a Very Limited number of pens listed for In Country loan outs Only in England/Europe, Australia, and on the island of Curcaco.

If you are a FPNer residing outside the U.S. that owns a good condition, nice writing Esterbrook and would like to help us spread the Estie joy, we would Greatly Appreciate you allowing us to add your pen(s) to the list of In Country loan outs available for Your country.

Pens available for borrowing Within the United States as of 01/01/14.

Black Transitional, 2442 Falcon nib

Blue SJ, Medium 2668 nib
Red J, 2668 nib
Blue LJ, 9556 F or 9550 XF nib (Borrower to specify which nib)
Blue SJ, 1550 XF, 2556 F, 2284 S (Borrower to specify which nib)
Copper J, 2556 F nib and a 2668 M
Copper J, 9556 F or 9668 M or 9048 whichever the Borrower desires ON LOAN
Green J, 9788 M
Red SJ, 9461 F-M

Blue LJ, 2312 italic

Green LJ 9048 extra flexible fine

Green Transitional J 2284 broad stub

Green Transitional J 9556

Red J 9314-B broad relief (oblique) stub

Blue J 9314-F fine relief (oblique) stub

Green J 9460 manifold medium

Red SJ 9550

Red SJ 9460

Turquoise M2 2284 broad stub

Turquoise M2 2312 italic

SJ Nurse Pen Red Jewels Sonnet 18K medium nib (if you have a taste to try the bizarre)

Silver J, 2668, or Osmiroid: one italic, broad, and one rolatip broad. (This pen will come from Curacao, it's postage may be slightly higher and postage delay a bit longer, it's Loaner Outter has more info on this.)

Pens residing overseas for in country loan only;

Australia-Silver SJ, with either a 1551 M or 2668 M

The United Kingdom/ OTHER countries within Europe-Green J 2556, Copper SJ 2668 (Either can come with a 1555 or 2314 B too) NO LOANER POSTAGE FEE on these two pens Within the UK! Other European country members can discuss/agree on the postage costs with this Loaner Outter.

The subject of a few Estie Borrowers not fulfilling their part of the postal reimbursement has been discussed among the Estie Loaner Outters. They are those most immediately impacted.

As a result, there is a *PENDING* change to at least the order of how things happen in the Loaner Program.

The change is simply that the Borrower will Paypal Gift the agreed on postage to them to their Lender Outter, either $3.00 or the amount they agree to with the Lender Outter, BEFORE the Estie is placed into the mail to the Borrower.

This eliminates the After borrowing postage issue thusly solving it.

This change Will Remain *A PENDING Change* to the point at which Another Borrower than the ones currently known of, fails to keep their end of the Loan Out agreement up. At that point it changes from Pending to In Force.

The decision of when or if that ever occurs lies solely in the hands of those borrowing the Esties.

Bruce in Ocala, FL and The Esterbrook Forum

Edited January 2, 2014 by OcalaFlGuy

[alc3261]

Hi Bruce

I can loan to anywhere in Europe if this helps?

[OcalaFlGuy]

ALC,

 

I haven't a clue in the world what the postal costs are within the EU.

 

If a borrower is willing to pay the To them and back amount, I would be hard pressed to say it's not a good idea.

 

The way things were originally intended, we were striving for $3 or less postage each way. A pen Can still be sent anywhere in the U.S. With tracking for $2.97. This was having the borrowers best interest in mind. $6 to borrow an Estie for a couple weeks is one thing. But, once you get to a total of say $10, you are getting to the area where one can Buy their OWN Estie for on Fleabay. (Though granted, that lower priced Fleabay pen isn't likely to be as nice as the one they'd borrow from the program.)

 

The past recent Esties I've mailed were 1.3 oz shipped. I am very sure you can't send a pen safely for less weight than that.

 

ALC perhaps you could do some "legwork" on how much it would cost you to send a pen as You would pack it to some various EU countries.

 

Hopefully those postal amounts will be in line with what has worked for us so far.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

 

 

 

 

[alc3261]

The postage cost within Europe isn't huge - £2.90 if you keep the package quite light.

I've sent pens to Greece & Spain for this. So it isn't" a problem.

[OcalaFlGuy]

The proper amendments for ALC's pens have been made.

 

Thanks! ALC.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

[discopig]

How could I borrow the "Green LJ 9048 extra flexible fine"? I'm pretty interested in trying that pen out. I live in Canada and I can cover the shipping costs.

Edited January 17, 2014 by discopig

[OcalaFlGuy]

Disco,

 

I've emailed the pen's owner.

 

Standby.

 

[EDIT] Oops Disco, I messaged the wrong owner.

 

Please continue to stand by.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

Edited January 18, 2014 by OcalaFlGuy