The Esterbrook Forum Estie Loaner Program

[OcalaFlGuy]

Not to mention that our Forum Moderator was there with 2 Metric Buttloads of Esties for sale (the pics of his sale table in the Pic forum are pretty impressive). You could have just about had your pick of any color/size of the usual models.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

[mhguda]

My loan pen arrived today. A green SJ 9048. The first Esterbrook I saw in the flesh, so to speak.

A nice small pen with a relatively large nib. I filled it up and tried it immediately. Very nice to write with! I found a nice smooth paper to use it on, too. Thanks to all involved, especially Hex, and Bruce in Ocala. Now I'm going to play with this pen...

[bphollin]

So what's the word around the campfire? Is this loaner project working out? Loanees, how you doing?

[mhguda]

Here is a sample of my writing with the green SJ 9048. Great pen, and a pleasure to put to paper. I hope everyone can read my handwriting...

[OcalaFlGuy]

So what's the word around the campfire? Is this loaner project working out? Loanees, how you doing?

 

There are several pens that are still out, yet to return. If it were to end today, we'd already have about 5 members who've gotten to or are test flying Esties that might not otherwise have done so. THAT'S a good thing in my book.

 

We've had one Borrower stiff his Loaner for a whole $2 or so postage (and yes, even After a friendly reminder... ) but the worst impact of that is probably their own permanent exclusion from any further loaner activity (FWTW).

 

The best answer I have so far is there hasn't been anything yet that has me rethinking the whole idea...

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

[alc3261]

I checked UK postage and provided you keep the parcel under 1" thick, it's £0.90 to send. Totally OK to me. Overseas it would be £3.30 ($5.14) which is a bit steep I think.

[OcalaFlGuy]

That's why you and others volunteering for overseas, in-country loan outs is such a great idea.

 

Obviously, it would have just been a lot easier to say U.S.A. only especially with the unrealized postal increase here but that didn't hardly seem to mesh with the usual gracious goodness of The Esterbrook forum to me.

 

You've got to roll with the flow. It is appearing heightened communication between Loaner and Borrower Pre-Send will be a workable solution. Certainly a better one than a cessation of overseas loan outs...

 

Mhguda, Even if your 1st language is English, your handwriting looks fine to me. If English Isn't your first language, for me, it's exceptional. You certainly write English much nicer than I could ever write Dutch. Pretty ink too and that pen looks like it's laying down a nice consistent line even with a MB ink.

 

And, Thank YOU! for being one of Estieville's Loaner Program participants. :clap1:

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

[Nolan613]

Bruce. . . Will be going to Paris for two weeks the first of October. If we have someone in the area who would be willing be a contact point I can take another Esti along for them to watch over. This would at least eliminate the delay of international shipping.

[mhguda]

Bruce,

My first language is indeed Dutch, and I guess English is a second - and I won't continue...

I am enjoying how the pen writes, and the Montblanc inks work fine for me (I have experience with two). Maybe it's the tropical climate?

Anyhow the MB ran out on me this afternoon at work while I was using it, so I rinsed it out and filled with Waterman Florida blue, and that's just as good. I was doing work writing, trying to keep up with my thoughts while fleshing out a proposal, and the pen was fine with pretty rapid writing as well.

I did notice something though.

I had found a nice thin paper, 60g/m2, BlueLine, I found three 240 sheets filler paper packs in a supermarket. It seemed very fountain pen friendly, but the Esterbrook occasionally seems to almost catch in ... something... on that paper. I also had a pack of Mead lined filler paper from at least three years ago, that I'm now using, and on that it's like butter. So smooth. This is made in USA paper, wide lined, sold in 500 sheet packages, I think it's 70g/m2.

So, the adventure continues...

Thanks for the compliment for my handwriting, BTW, I'm mostly glad it's legible.

 

Have a good weekend, and happy writing!

[OcalaFlGuy]

Esterbrook Loaners Available as of 8/23/12

 

Green SJ, Medium 2668 nib *On Loan*

Blue LJ, 9556 F or 9550 XF nib (Borrower to specify which nib)

Copper J, 2556 F nib *On Loan*

Esterbrook M2 with either a 9284 or 9550 XF nib

Copper J, 9556 F *On Loan*

Green J, 9788 M

Red J, 2668

 

Pens residing overseas for in country loan only; Postage for these pens may be

noticeably lower than pens sent from the U.S.A.

 

Austrailia-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 Esterbrook Forum

[melissa59]

Here is a sample of my writing with the green SJ 9048. Great pen, and a pleasure to put to paper. I hope everyone can read my handwriting...

 

Oooohhhhh...I do LOVE that ink shade!

I'm a purple gal but most purples I've tried are either way to blue or way too red. That looks like the perfect shade!

I was going to get a bottle of lilac (can't remember brand) but now I'll have to see if Goulet or isellpens has that montblack lavender.

[mhguda]

Actually, it looks more bluish than in the "flesh" so to speak - it looks more like the Waterman purple I also have. The Montblanc Lavender Purple in reality looks more reddish than how my writing scanned.

I like both purples, and I've also mixed up a batch that is darker and has a little more blue.

And of course I can't find the original so that I could scan it again and see if the color changed since I first uploaded it... isn't that always how those things go?

[revdrjaydwright]

Hey guys,

 

 

 

This is a fantastic opportunity! Thanks for your generosity which I'm sure will make many Estie users. I've heard of the brand since I first began using FPs about four years ago. But, I've never even held an Estie much less written with one.

 

 

May I request the green J with M nib if it's still available? PM me and I'll get my address and any other credentials to you.

 

 

Thanks!

 

 

Jay

Edited August 26, 2012 by revdrjaydwright

[whitedot]

Hi Melissa,

 

I've sent you a PM. Regrettably I find oversea postage costs would set me back a bit too much. Perhaps if I waited and saved up instead I might find an affordable J to purchase.

 

When you get your Estie, and the next one after that, we would certainly love to have you as an in-country Estie Loaner person for Hong Kong/China.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

 

Hi Bruce,

 

I have done a lot of research since I last stopped by.

 

It will be a long while before I save up enough to purchase the Estie which I would like to own.

 

However, if an Estie owner is willing, I am happy to pen sit any Estie(s). Why? Hong Kong Postage is very reasonable, to a local or international address. And, I am often within walking distance of a local post office.

 

Assuming 100g,

 

Local US$0.4

 

China/Taiwan/Macau/Singapore/India/Indonesia/Korea/Malaysia/Pakistan/Philippines/Thailand etc. USD$1.12

 

Anywhere Else USD$1.43

 

I am not looking to pen sit an Estie which I would like to own or try, but any Estie.

 

There are no Esties over here to my knowledge. Let me know!

Edited August 27, 2012 by whitedot

[OcalaFlGuy]

WD-

 

While there may be no Esties available locally in Hong Kong, there are certainly a multitude of sellers on Ebay and here on FPN that would gladly ship there for a fair postage amount.

 

If you would like someone here to assist you in finding an especially economical Estie on The Bay, I'm sure someone here would be happy to help you do that.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

[whitedot]

WD-

 

While there may be no Esties available locally in Hong Kong, there are certainly a multitude of sellers on Ebay and here on FPN that would gladly ship there for a fair postage amount.

 

If you would like someone here to assist you in finding an especially economical Estie on The Bay, I'm sure someone here would be happy to help you do that.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

 

Hi Bruce,

 

Of course.

 

I am looking for a 9312/9048 to add to my collection, ideally on a Red or Blue J. These nibs as you know will set me back more than others, but I would rather wait and purchase my first choice.

 

In the meantime, my offer to pen sit for this part of the world still stands.

Edited August 28, 2012 by whitedot

[Nolan613]

My Copper J as been returned to me in excellent condition.

 

I am including both a 2556 Firm Fine and a 2668 Firm Medium nib with the pen when I send it out. This allows the new user to try which ever nib that suits them best.

 

So Bruce, next time you update the list you can show the Copper J as available.

[OcalaFlGuy]

Esterbrook Loaners Available as of 8/30/12

 

Green SJ, Medium 2668 nib *On Loan*

Blue LJ, 9556 F or 9550 XF nib (Borrower to specify which nib)

Copper J, 2556 F nib and a 2668 M

Esterbrook M2 with either a 9284 or 9550 XF nib

Copper J, 9556 F *On Loan*

Green J, 9788 M *On Loan*

Red J, 2668

 

Pens residing overseas for in country loan only; Postage for these pens may be

noticeably lower than pens sent from the U.S.A.

 

Austrailia-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 Esterbrook Forum

Edited August 31, 2012 by OcalaFlGuy

[GClef]

The green J w/the 9788 is currently out on loan.

[revdrjaydwright]

http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s458/liturgicsjay/3F60B5BB-A8EA-4EAA-9873-7914191CCC86-275-000000F54BE709B0.jpg