A Longer Lj?

[Harlequin]

I've been using this bookmarked url successfully (for the Esterbrook nibs page):

 

http://www.richardspens.com/?page=ref/nibs/renew_point.htm

 

 

[Noel249]

Hmmm .... wonder why I couldn't ...

 

I'm trying out GClef's gorgeous green J with a 9788. Great nib.

 

By the way, here's yet another: http://www.snyderfam...t/estienibs.htm

Edited December 25, 2012 by Noel249

[pal38]

Due to the Xmas holidays I've seen this thread only now but I'd like to comment on it.

 

There definitely IS a longer LJ and there are several differences to the regular one, most of them were listed here. There are however some more:

1. The long LJs I encountered are invariably Icicles in the 5 standard Estie colors, but there also is a black model!
2. Long LJs sport a much shorter filler lever with a kink (a knee).
3. The cap band is plain, flat and not ribbed
4. The Esterbrook logo is not printed along the barrel, but about 1/2" below the mounted cap lip around the barrel.
5. Finally, and for reasons I don't know your pen doesn't have this feature, they sport a much longer clip with a kink in the upper third. On the shorter upper shank there is the inscription 'USA' and on the longer lower one 'ESTERBROOK'.

Let me illustrate these facts with a few pics:

 

The 2 long LJs now in my posession, a red and a black one. A green one is actually with Farmboy in California.

 

Above you can see the regular LJ and below there is the long one. The differences are quite obvious.

 

Here you can clearly see the kink in the looong clip.

 

And here there is a clear picture of the clip inscription.

 

And here the 2 filler levers. Regular on top, long LJ bottom.

 

It is for 3 years now that I'm chasing these special pens and up to now I just could gather 3 = 50%. There must be many out there but a friend of mine reckons they're just not noticed as something special

:hmm1:

Edited December 26, 2012 by pal38

[Mags]

I never even knew to look at the lever or for the kink in the clip. Thanks for posting this.

[Noel249]

Thanks pal38. Now it all makes sense ... except for "icicles." Where did that less than flattering appellation originate from?

 

And especially thank you for posting all the helpful pics.

 

Mine is decidedly a longer LJ ... with all the attributes you mention except for a the longer clip on the cap. Maybe I chanced upon another kind of "transitional?"

 

Any idea what the appropriate color name would be?

 

best,

Noel

[mrcharlie]

Hmmm .... wonder why I couldn't ...

It is because of the way his site uses frames.

 

There definitely IS a longer LJ and there are several differences to the regular one, most of them were listed here. There are however some more:

Thanks for documenting all this. The one question I am left with is are all Icicle LJs like this, or just some of them?

[pal38]

Here is some more info on the extra long LJ:

 

Here you see my regular 5 Icicles (left) with the extra long (far right).

 

Mrcharlie, your question is answered easily: Out of a 100 Icicles, about 1 or 2 are of the long kind.

 

And here a picture of a regular (above) opposite a long (below) Icicle:

 

Some interesting things here: Cap and barrel of both pens are of the same length. The difference lies in the section! Also you notice that the thread of the long LJ is much shorter. This has the effect that the cap of either pen doesn't fit the other.

[79spitfire]

Thanks pal38. Now it all makes sense ... except for "icicles." Where did that less than flattering appellation originate from?

 

And especially thank you for posting all the helpful pics.

 

Mine is decidedly a longer LJ ... with all the attributes you mention except for a the longer clip on the cap. Maybe I chanced upon another kind of "transitional?"

 

Any idea what the appropriate color name would be?

 

best,

Noel

I have no idea why they are called 'icicles' other than icicles tend to have straighter lines than 'ripples'. Most icicles are of LJ size and shape, and the plastic is.... well more 'inexpensive' looking than the plastic used in the earlier Js. I only have one, and the plastic is a dead ringer for yours color wise. I had asked similar questions a while back and no one could pin an exact color on mine. I just assume it was marketed as 'red' but may have been a color that had been contaminated by a lighter plastic. Is your's somewhat translucent as well? Mine is 'flimsy' enough that I don't take it out of the house I typically only dip mine on occasion, as it does have the 9314-B nib (that had to be smoothed!) to write with it. The band on mine is also loose. Overall it's not the quality product many of the earlier pens were.

 

Here is a pic....

 

[Noel249]

Actually, my 5 1/4" LJ inspires more confidence than any of the other Esties I just bought. (Two Js and another LJ that's about 5 1/8")

 

It feels nicer in the hand, even though I would normally have said I only like fatter (cigar) pens. Somehow the longer shape adds a different kind of balance -- makes it easier to hold and write with.

 

I'm somewhat bothered by the location of the threads on the normal Js. This coppery brown LJ just fits me nicely.

 

(Very grateful to Pal38 for all the additional photos.)

 

************* ****************** ***************** ******************

 

O.k., just went and did a visual comparison.

 

As pal38 said: the section is longer; the threads are shorter.

 

I found one "flaw" that indicates it may have been a "less expensive" version as 79spitfire said: the fill lever does not lie flat as it does in the other models.

 

(My former feeling of full confidence is thus undermined ....)

Edited December 27, 2012 by Noel249

[pal38]

Actually, my 5 1/4" LJ inspires more confidence than any of the other Esties I just bought. (Two Js and another LJ that's about 5 1/8")

 

It feels nicer in the hand, even though I would normally have said I only like fatter (cigar) pens. Somehow the longer shape adds a different kind of balance -- makes it easier to hold and write with.

 

II found one "flaw" that indicates it may have been a "less expensive" version as 79spitfire said: the fill lever does not lie flat as it does in the other models.

(My former feeling of full confidence is thus undermined ....)

 

Funny you should say that. In my eyes the long LJ seems quite a lot more elegant than the normal LJ and certainly than the J. The long clip looks better (and holds more secure on the pocket for that) and the Icicle pattern is stylish.

 

The plastic used is perhaps not as sturdy as on the Js, but certainly superior to the plastic of the pastel pens, the 101, CX or Deluxe.

 

And to you last remark about the lever I say that the kink making the lever stand a bit out from the barrel in the middle was made to give extra strength.

 

I love this Estie model!

[79spitfire]

O.k., just went and did a visual comparison.

 

As pal38 said: the section is longer; the threads are shorter.

 

I found one "flaw" that indicates it may have been a "less expensive" version as 79spitfire said: the fill lever does not lie flat as it does in the other models.

 

(My former feeling of full confidence is thus undermined ....)

AAK! Don't let my musings, discourage you! Enjoy your pen!

[Noel249]

Thank you, pal38 and 79spitfire ... I feel better again.

[pajaro]

Due to the Xmas holidays I've seen this thread only now but I'd like to comment on it.

 

There definitely IS a longer LJ and there are several differences to the regular one, most of them were listed here. There are however some more:

1. The long LJs I encountered are invariably Icicles in the 5 standard Estie colors, but there also is a black model!
2. Long LJs sport a much shorter filler lever with a kink (a knee).
3. The cap band is plain, flat and not ribbed
4. The Esterbrook logo is not printed along the barrel, but about 1/2" below the mounted cap lip around the barrel.
5. Finally, and for reasons I don't know your pen doesn't have this feature, they sport a much longer clip with a kink in the upper third. On the shorter upper shank there is the inscription 'USA' and on the longer lower one 'ESTERBROOK'.

Let me illustrate these facts with a few pics:

 

The 2 long LJs now in my posession, a red and a black one. A green one is actually with Farmboy in California.

 

Above you can see the regular LJ and below there is the long one. The differences are quite obvious.

 

Here you can clearly see the kink in the looong clip.

 

And here there is a clear picture of the clip inscription.

 

And here the 2 filler levers. Regular on top, long LJ bottom.

 

It is for 3 years now that I'm chasing these special pens and up to now I just could gather 3 = 50%. There must be many out there but a friend of mine reckons they're just not noticed as something special

:hmm1:

 

I spotted one of these on ebay today ike the bottom pen in the second pic. It is copper and has a 9314-B nib, that odd clip and logo. I bought it for about $56 shipped, on a buy it now. Pictures when it arrives. I was going to pass it up, but the nib sucked me in.

[Noel249]

It's a nice nib. Calligraphic.

[79spitfire]

My 'icicle' came with the 9314-B nib and it's really turned out to be a sweet writer. Mine was scratchy at first, but after some tweaking and smoothing it's a joy. I may have to ink it now that I've thought about it, but I already have too many pen inked!

[pajaro]

Ebay listing:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-ESTERBROOK-FOUNTAIN-PEN-9314-B-RELIEF-BROAD-nib-COPPER-color-/230900905753?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35c2c43719&nma=true&si=Q6yhdUicbRhWxhXoza2ad2A4X0E%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

[pal38]

I also received one of these today, quite an oddity, I should say, because it consists of a blue barrel and a copper cap. I bought it for spares. http://www.ebay.com/...984.m1439.l2649

 

Edited January 5, 2013 by pal38

[Noel249]

My 'icicle' came with the 9314-B nib and it's really turned out to be a sweet writer. Mine was scratchy at first, but after some tweaking and smoothing it's a joy. I may have to ink it now that I've thought about it, but I already have too many pen inked!

 

How did you "smooth" it? I need to do that for a couple of my nibs.

[79spitfire]

My 'icicle' came with the 9314-B nib and it's really turned out to be a sweet writer. Mine was scratchy at first, but after some tweaking and smoothing it's a joy. I may have to ink it now that I've thought about it, but I already have too many pen inked!

 

How did you "smooth" it? I need to do that for a couple of my nibs.

I bought the nib smoothing kit from Richard Binder. It has some very fine sheets of abrasive in it. In this case I simply dipped the tip of the nib in water and carefully wrote across the surface, changing the angles as wrote as to not end up with sharp edges. I would write a bit, then dip and test the nib on paper until it was smooth enough for my tastes.

 

Be careful, it come off much easier than it goes back on. Practice on a 'throwaway' nib first, before you attempt a something as valuable as a 9314-B!

[Noel249]

Thanks -- very helpful.