My First Is On Its Way To The Newbie.

[Oldtimer]

Finally, I decided on my next pen and it is going to be a blue Esterbrook. Just a notch higher above my first acquisitions. The lure of thsi pen is remmebering it was coming when I was growing up, the nostalgia of it.

 

The seller says says that the sac was replaced and the buyer has 100% good feedback (EB) in thousands of transactions so I expect I will not be disappointed.

 

I read a little and I am also interested in the Osmiroid sketch nib. Hope there are some samples around here I can see and evaluate for the next move. Wish me luck and many writings! Now, what will be the next?

Edited June 24, 2014 by Oldtimer

[kidde]

Next? After the onslaught of Esties? These aren't actual pens, more like writing potato chips : You can't have just one!

Do a search for "alternative nibs for Esterbrook". It really expands your choices. Enjoy and keep us informed!

 

Paul

[Oldtimer]

I have been looking... I love the size of my LJ, so cute and light. I was hoping to find better prices but it is exhausting to search. Anyway, price is determined by demand. I ordered a Linton for $4 (try out). Since I want it for sketching need not be so expensive. But writing with a medium or stub would be a rewarding experience.

 

The e-store that sold me the LJ included a chart with price and had ALL the Master Points at $1.20 each.... When I asked what did they have available and what prices...., no answer. The Durachrome appearded at $0.60 on their list.... I guess that was the list of 1947 (48?) or whatever. Stupid me!

[inkstainedruth]

With Esties it's all about the nib hunt. That's how I ended up with a dozen in different sizes and colors of J pens -- mostly gotten last year. A lot of the ones I've seen on Ebay that were blue had boring nibs: had to break down and go for one with a 2668 (medium) -- a nib I already had, in addition to having a pen with a 9668(a better grade nib with tipping, but also a M) just to get my first blue one. I just got a second blue (also a full J) -- an antique store find. The one I found last week has a 9556 (EF). Again, not one of the more exotic nibs, but is a 9xxx series. And this way I have one for myself (the other 9556 -- or possibly the 2556 I got as just a nib unit) are going to my husband once I finally getting around to re-saccing a red J that was his birthday present. Over a year ago.

The nice thing about Esterbrooks is that the nib units are interchangeable. So once I get the stash up and running, I can play around and see what nibs I like and swap out the ones I don't on other pens. I may keep the nib on my original black SJ intact, though, just for sentimental reasons (it was a 1555 Gregg, and didn't write too badly for being a student grade nib when I put distilled water in it to see if it worked.

I keep hoping that someday I'll get one in the darker blue mackerel body.... I almost bought one a couple of years ago (think it was a J or an LJ) but didn't know enough about vintage pens back then -- and of course when I went back to the antiques mall where I spotted it a few months later it was long gone....

Prices on Esties on Ebay are all over the map. Nearly all the ones I have I've gotten for between $10 and $30 US -- even the two with flexible nibs (a 9128 and a 9788). The scary thing is that I've seen NOS 9788 nib units listed for more than twice what I paid -- even with shipping -- for just ONE of those (green SJ and copper J). Mine are all pretty much user grade -- some have cracked jewels -- and they probably mostly all need new sacs, but sacs are a couple of bucks. I'm not a C-word collector wanting NOS Minty minty, though, so user grade works for me.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

Edited June 28, 2014 by inkstainedruth

[Runnin_Ute]

I made a post about my first Estie too. A green J with 9550 EF nib. I paid $39 shipped (restored). Since I have picked up a Venus Fine and a 1555 Gregg. So even if you can not buy additional Estie's- the nibs suck you in.

[pajaro]

It isn't entirely about the nib hunt, unless the only pen you want is a J. There are the pump fillers that work like a Sheaffer Touchdown, squeeze filling pens, view masters, deluxes, nurse pens, purse pens and more. I like the pens beyond the J. The nibs beyond the italics and stubs are pretty ordinary and the flexes take a bit of effort. Sing the praises of the flexes until you run into something like a Conway Stewart or Waterman flex.

[Oldtimer]

As a newbie I was confused. My Estie was an SJ (not an LJ) and I think I will stay with them and buy different colors and nibs (so far, blue and red). I have also expanded laterally by ordering Osmiroid nibs and a pen, so i will have lots to experiment with. For me, apart from those exotic pens with lots of colors and fancy nibs, the Esterbrook is elegant, durable and simply designed to work. That is saying a lot for something made at the time I was born. Is part of my era.

Edited June 29, 2014 by Oldtimer

[plikmuny]

@Oldtimer: How much did you for that ? And would you mind sharing a link where i can buy it online for cheap price & of course reliable one pls...

 

thanks in advance. i own a Lamy safari just 4 days old. I am somehow feeling like i need more than that & it is not satisfying me completely as far as the writing pleasure is concerned.... i hope you understand my restlessness...

 

And above all, i must admit that it is truly a great site. I never knew that a forum for pen also existed. only after i was searching for a good Fountain pen, i came across this wonderful forum.... man i was astonished. it was just a week back. till then i had no idea....

 

Sorry for being off topic.... pls bear with me... First timer here