Esterbrook Brand Being Revived This December?

[ANM]

To be fair though, that's just your opinion (which others happen to share). Personally I love the late-80s and newer Duofolds and don't much care for the vintage ones. Neither of us are wrong, we just have different tastes. For what it's worth the redesign last year killed it for me, so in another 20 years I might be saying the same thing you did.

 

I agree with you too. Personal opinions are what count for each individual. I get the impression though that you are commenting mostly about looks, and I agree the new ones look great, while was thinking more about build and performance.

Edited January 20, 2015 by ANM

[EclecticCollector]

I agree with you too. Personal opinions are what count for each individual. I get the impression though that you are commenting mostly about looks, and I agree the new ones look great, while was thinking more about build and performance.

Yes, I was commenting on looks. I've never used a vintage Duofold but my modern ones perform just fine. I thought we were discussing aesthetics since, as far as I know, we don't have any reviews of the writing performance of these new pens yet.

[chad.trent]

I posted on the new "Esterbrook" facebook page asking if their new "deluxe" pens were any relation to the ones on Etsy. They deleted my post without answering it.

[bluefish65]

I posted on the new "Esterbrook" facebook page asking if their new "deluxe" pens were any relation to the ones on Etsy. They deleted my post without answering it.

I wonder if the etsy sellers would comment if they made the pens for Esterbrook?

[jdllizard]

Hmm... This looks pretty familiar to me. What say you guys?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/183317292/hanmade-fountain-pen-green-resin

Now you just get a page saying it's no longer available, not the "Sold" page, but more of a "this item has been removed" page.

[prighello]

Now you just get a page saying it's no longer available, not the "Sold" page, but more of a "this item has been removed" page.

 

I wonder if they are just buying from this Etsy seller and then marking them up

[Sasha Royale]

This manufacturer covets the reputation of the Esterbrook name, of seventy years ago.

The pictured pens remind me of Jinhao pens on acid. Has anyone actually used one ?

It would have been a small effort to choose five of the more prolific reviewers at FPN,

and offer samples.

 

"It's an "Estahbooke" because we say so. Take it, or leave it."

 

I won't be in a hurry to buy any stock in this endeavor.

[chad.trent]

Now you just get a page saying it's no longer available, not the "Sold" page, but more of a "this item has been removed" page.

Here you go

 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/PensItaly?ref=s2-header-shopname

[NinthSphere]

Meh. They could have done worse. If they're just rebranding Nero Muse/Griffos, from what I've read, they're good quality pens. I wouldn't pay NeoEstie's price for them, though.

[lestylo]

Chad’s previously cited website was removed due to an angry communication to the manufacturer of the “limited editions” in Italy.

But, before this one is removed...check out:

http://www.grifos-pens.it/en/fountain-pens/1117-penna-stilografica-argento-resina-verde.html

Thousands selling on ebay with “best offer” option (meaning they will sell it for less) under STUBNIB.

For example:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/371108076953

Grifos pens aka Nero Muse aka Nyloe aka Esterbrook Ltd. Edition. Apparently...not too limited.

I'm rather sure the non-ltd editions are made in China.

[spaceink]

Anyone have a screenshot of the removed Etsy listing? How much were they selling for there?

[chad.trent]

Anyone have a screenshot of the removed Etsy listing? How much were they selling for there?

 

Here you go

 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/PensItaly?ref=s2-header-shopname

That's to the seller's home page on Etsy

 

Just a follow-up.... The people at Esterbrook asked that I email them with any questions. I did. They never replied. But someone from the company did call me and left a message for me to call him back. Called from a number with no caller ID and didn't leave a call back number.

Edited January 21, 2015 by chad.trent

[EclecticCollector]

 

That's to the seller's home page on Etsy

 

Just a follow-up.... The people at Esterbrook asked that I email them with any questions. I did. They never replied. But someone from the company did call me and left a message for me to call him back. Called from a number with no caller ID and didn't leave a call back number.

Absolutely hilarious. My popcorn supplies are running dangerously low.

[chad.trent]

Yeah. That's as far as I'm going to take it. If what they are doing is how they want to run their business, who am I to tell them otherwise. I do think, however, that had any of us done it we would have done it differently. But, they will either see the light and start making a decent pen that the pen community wants to buy, or they will disappear. My bet is on the latter...

[Brian Anderson]

I would like to add that we saw Esterbrook at the Philadelphia Pen Show this past weekend. Word is that in the spring there will be replicas of double jewel pens as well as others. The website, I was informed, was going to see a bit of an overhaul as well. I look forward to seeing what they come up with. ;-)

[welch]

I would like to add that we saw Esterbrook at the Philadelphia Pen Show this past weekend. Word is that in the spring there will be replicas of double jewel pens as well as others. The website, I was informed, was going to see a bit of an overhaul as well. I look forward to seeing what they come up with. ;-)

 

Hmmm...do I sense some suspicion, Brian?

 

I still believe that the Levenger True-Writer is closest to a modern revival of the Estie...wild colors, black jewels, interchangeable nibs, and sold by someone who mentions the original Estie. Remembers when his father taught cursive writing and would get Esterbrook samples.

[Brian Anderson]

Hmmm...do I sense some suspicion, Brian?

I got no more information than that, so we'll see what happens.

[chad.trent]

I would like to add that we saw Esterbrook at the Philadelphia Pen Show this past weekend. Word is that in the spring there will be replicas of double jewel pens as well as others. The website, I was informed, was going to see a bit of an overhaul as well. I look forward to seeing what they come up with. ;-)

How can their web site get an overhaul if it has never been finished in the first place?

 

Sorry. When you're in the business, you tend to be overly critical about such things...

[lestylo]

By the way, converting from Euros the price in $US is $215:

http://www.grifos-pe...sina-verde.html

 

This is less than half of what they are claiming as list price.

[spaceink]

Maybe they're realizing their mistake of putting the revered brand on such unrelated, hideous pens. Perhaps they'll do the smart thing of reaching out to existing Esterbrook fans, as most smart companies reviving heritage brands often do. We'll see, I guess?