Esterbrook Brand Being Revived This December?

[gweimer1]

Nope. Esterbrooks are everywhere. I have heard about the bag in Ohio. Someone should have grabbed it-less than a ten-spot a pen!

 

If I hadn't just gotten the Dollar pens the day before, I'd have done it. I just couldn't afford it. I got some good deals, though - like a Dollar 3550 for $12.

[KBeezie]

Well they got some preview pictures up on their facebook page... I'm not really impressed, and the nib engraving looks really lazy, it's like they super-imposed the logo a little.

 

Definitely not what I expected if the idea was to bring back the brand.

 

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=816407845098190&id=153384988067149

 

 

 

They look like the ones Duke/Uranus makes (they deleted the entire comment thread when someone mentioned that on the facebook link above).

Edited November 12, 2014 by KBeezie

[jkbd52]

It should be noted that I asked a few questions about their pens on Facebook. I stated in one of my questions. 'Where are these made?' These look like Chinese pens I've seen on eBay. Are these just going to be re-branded pens from China with the Esterbrook name or are they custom made for you? What nibs will be offered?'

 

They've deleted all my questions and I haven't heard a response.

[maksim]

Was just going to push the facebook page here. It is interesting. Registered at a residential address, not too far from me.... but not going to bother the man at home.

 

Maybe just a play to make in china? who knows. I doubt he will be making the pens out of his house.

[KBeezie]

It should be noted that I asked a few questions about their pens on Facebook. I stated in one of my questions. 'Where are these made?' These look like Chinese pens I've seen on eBay. Are these just going to be re-branded pens from China with the Esterbrook name or are they custom made for you? What nibs will be offered?'

 

They've deleted all my questions and I haven't heard a response.

They've deleted my comment as well after I noticed yours was gone, and they disabled the ability to comment on their page.

 

By the way if you look up the Indian made Ranga Acrylic pens they're very similar, except no metal band and I think they're using a metal section on the new "J".

Edited November 12, 2014 by KBeezie

[Helen350]

Understand, this is just my opinion and my opinion is not worth any more than anyone else's opinion, maybe even worth less. Now, Esterbrook did not go out of business because they made poor pens. In my opinion, at least through the fifties, they made great pens. They did not go out of business because they charged too much for their pens. But, go out of business they did. The brand was sold to one or two different corporations that produced disgraceful objects with the name Esterbrook on them.

 

Now there is a new entity that is going to make Esterbrook pens. Wonderful! I hope they are successful beyond their wildest dreams and that the new Esterbrook fountain pens are admired and desired by the whole world of pen using people.

 

But I doubt that I will ever own one. I don't think there is a fountain pen manufacturer anywhere in the world producing a fountain pen today that can compare favorably with an old Esterbrook J in quality of materials, in quality of workmanship, and in price.

 

I hope that I have to eat my words and have trouble buying enough ink to keep all of my new Esterbrook fountain pens filled, but . . .

 

-David.

 

Well they got some preview pictures up on their facebook page... I'm not really impressed, and the nib engraving looks really lazy, it's like they super-imposed the logo a little.

 

Definitely not what I expected if the idea was to bring back the brand.

 

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=816407845098190&id=153384988067149

 

 

 

They look like the ones Duke/Uranus makes (they deleted the entire comment thread when someone mentioned that on the facebook link above).

I could not agree more. These do not remind me of Esterbrooks. If I'm looking for some beautiful acrylics, I will stick with Nooder's Konrad Acrylics. Once I swap the nib for a 1.1 Goulet, I am extremely satisfied. I'll continue to add a few more vintage Esties to my collection. By the way what material is the section made of?? Not the same material that Esterbrooks were made with.

[KBeezie]

I could not agree more. These do not remind me of Esterbrooks. If I'm looking for some beautiful acrylics, I will stick with Nooder's Konrad Acrylics. Once I swap the nib for a 1.1 Goulet, I am extremely satisfied. I'll continue to add a few more vintage Esties to my collection. By the way what material is the section made of?? Not the same material that Esterbrooks were made with.

You could ask them... but then they turned off the commenting ability. (and when could comment they were deleting them). Not the best way to handle public relations.

 

But then again they're probably targeting users who know next to nothing about the pens if that's how they want to behave.

 

but yea they don't seem a lick like any of the oldest Esties. And when they showed those ugly ones in their profile picture their excuse was that was the "limited" edition. The normal edition doesn't seem any better.

Edited November 12, 2014 by KBeezie

[Helen350]

This is an additional picture they had on Facebook as Estie models. From what I can read they are: Esterbrook Deluxe. It appears that they bought the right to use the Esterbrook name, however, Harpen Brand Holdings, LLC has some very different ideas about reintroducing Esties. It is going to be interesting to see how much they are planning to charge for these pens.

 

Edited November 12, 2014 by Helen350

[KBeezie]

This is an additional picture they had on Facebook as Estie models. From what I can read they are: Esterbrook Deluxe. It appears that they bought the right to use the Esterbrook name, however, Harpen Brand Holdings, LLC has some very different ideas about reintroducing Esties. It is going to be interesting to see how much they are planning to charge for these pens.

Not to mention, for something they're pitching as the new "J", they're lacking some "J"ewels on either end.

 

PS: I usually save the image and then upload onto FPN, so that if they change their image or remove it, it still shows here historically accurate and all.

[Helen350]

Not to mention, for something they're pitching as the new "J", they're lacking some "J"ewels on either end.

 

PS: I usually save the image and then upload onto FPN, so that if they change their image or remove it, it still shows here historically accurate and all.

Just saw that the Deluxe is a Limited Edition pen of 150 pens made per color. I don't believe we need to look for any double jewels--there will not be any (not on this run). They bought the name, however, they had another agenda. Not like the Wahl-Eversharp Skyline--at least it looks like one with just a bit of updating. These 'rebirthed' Esties have no resemblance whatsoever. Forget J, SJ, Safari, M2, Dollar Pen, etc, etc,. If we want the real, we will have to buy vintage.

[cleosmama]

They look like kit pens to me. I wouldn't want one. I would just buy a real Esterbrook.

[Helen350]

Just saw that the Deluxe is a Limited Edition pen of 150 pens made per color. I don't believe we need to look for any double jewels--there will not be any (not on this run). They bought the name, however, they had another agenda. Not like the Wahl-Eversharp Skyline--at least it looks like one with just a bit of updating. These 'rebirthed' Esties have no resemblance whatsoever. Forget J, SJ, Safari, M2, Dollar Pen, etc, etc,. If we want the real, we will have to buy vintage.

Went to Facebook and left this response in reply to a someone who made the comment that the new Esterbrooks do not look anything like the vintage. If they delete this comment, at least it is on record:

 

Pastor Helen Kelley Jon you are correct. They do NOT look anything like the Esties. At least the people who are remaking the Wahl-Eversharp Skyline stuck close to the original pen design. The name Esterbrook will draw people, and the hope appears to be about making a "deal" off of those who show up. Good sales technique. The true Estie diehards will probably pass. I hope they realize how huge an audience there is with vintage Esterbrook and realize that if they do not reach that audience, their success will be limited. When a person starts off with Limited Edition, the aim is to sell to the monied folks, which means the pen will not be inexpensive. As for the acrylic Esterbrooks, I think I would rather stick with the Noodler's Konrad Acrylics--better acrylic selection--more nib options.

[KBeezie]

Robert made one response in Pentrace group on FB. (Edit: He removed his comment below about 5 mins ago, so there's no visible comments from him on Pentrace now)

 

With all due respect I have been reading all of your comments and feel I should comment just to get your facts straight. I am the president of Harpen Brand Holdings LLC the owner of the Esterbrook trademark and brand which we are reviving this month. I am also the former founder and owner of the Conklin Pen Co which was sold in 2009. We will be incorporating the legacy and hhistory of the iconic Esterbrook brand into our new offerings. PPlease wait to see and write with our products before making assumptions that are not factual . Thank you

He did respond again with

 

Karl , leigh Kestrt

but then it was deleted (probably hit enter too soon, Leigh is another person asking questions in that thread).

Edited November 12, 2014 by KBeezie

[mike.jane]

From what I can see here: Unappealing laser-engraved nibs. Those bother me the most I think, nothing screams cheap louder than that 'laser-stamp'

Then there's these acrylics, which are exactly as appealing as those <12$ acrylics you can buy from India. That maybe floats some guys' boat, but certainly not mine.

The 'deluxe' looks not at all deluxe, but I feel that would be appealing enough to some people (who know next to nothing about pens and brands)

It's like when a product has to write 'professional' on the box. If it says 'professional' on the box it's not professional.

 

Seriously, how much the laser engraving bothers me is beyond reason.

[jdllizard]

I got into Esterbrooks for their coloring, ability to switch nibs in seconds, and their ease of repair and maintenance. If the new Esties don't have those attributes, then I have zero interest.

 

Wait and see I guess.

[berlinairlift]

Those pens looks gawdy.

 

I agree. Looks like a play on the old colors with modern styling.

[OcalaFlGuy]

Generally speaking, for me anyway, Net content owners with products who censor out legitimate questions about their new product can sod right off.

 

Homie don't play that.

 

I hadn't seen KB's pics. KB, you owe me a sicksack.

 

The second set look nicer, they do have a kit pen look to them and meta-BARF! (excuse me) sections.

 

It doth befuddle me how a resurging old pen company like this Doesn't get with it's fanboys for it. Like the Twsbi-wan. THAT'S how you introduce new pens. (And I don't even own one.)

 

When Kawasaki made the 2nd generation Concours, they first came to the Concours Owners Group and ask what we wanted in the new bike. We got 95% of what we asked for.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

 

 

[Mr. JW]

QUOTE: It doth befuddle me how a resurging old pen company like this Doesn't get with it's fanboys for it. Like the Twsbi-wan. THAT'S how you introduce new pens. (And I don't even own one.)

 

 

I think you got it spot on, Bruce. There are many places and and many ways that the new owners of "Esterbrook" could have reached out to the die hard Estie fans and gotten our feedback. But, as the censoring of the Facebook comments shows, they are not interested in appealing to Esterbrook's history or its fans. It's a cheap ploy to capitalize on the Esterbrook name and the cache it has within the fountain pen community.

 

 

Edited November 12, 2014 by Mr. JW

[cellardoor04]

First reaction when I saw these pens: BLEH!!!

 

These don't look like Esterbrook pens, they're random pens using the Esterbrook name to generate buzz.

[Veltri]

Well they got some preview pictures up on their facebook page... I'm not really impressed, and the nib engraving looks really lazy, it's like they super-imposed the logo a little.

 

 

I agree, and the Esterbrook on the clip and cap look like something you'd have cheaply engraved at a department store around xmas.