Esterbrook Brand Being Revived This December?

[KBeezie]

Their lack of answers speaks volumes.

 

I don't even like the shape of the new pens, they are just trying to cash in on an old and collectible name. Sadly I don't think the new pens have anything in common with any of the original Esterbrooks.

 

These pens, from what I can see, are Esterbrook in name only. Just another cheap Chinese pen built by someone who happened to buy the Esterbrook name.

I wonder if they're just hoping with all the suggestions of an "Esterbrook J" as a good first vintage pen, that they'll show up on google and ebay searches from people who don't know better. Kinda like a parent getting their kid a Kindle when they requested an iPad.

Edited November 25, 2014 by KBeezie

[FarmBoy]

These pens, from what I can see, are Esterbrook in name only. Just another cheap Chinese pen built by someone who happened to buy the Esterbrook name.

 

http://youtu.be/j9PoUsRibtE

[KBeezie]

[spaceink]

The thing is, with this misstep of not tying much back to the original Esterbrooks beyond the name, there's not much that they can do to control the discontent elsewhere beyond their measly FB page. That dissatisfaction will show in Google search results and for anyone looking to learn more about the new Esterbrook pens, will be very apparent.

 

And I don't think people here are as mad about the pen being made in China--that is the global economic reality and America's decline in manufacturing, which will take more time to correct. It's the disregard for the lineage that comes with the name. If you look at these pens and then look at the new Skylines, the difference is clear.

 

Not too late for Zombie Esterbrook to follow the path of those New Wahl-Eversharp guys as a model of a revival done right.

Edited November 25, 2014 by spaceink

[JonSzanto]

So, in contrast to 'that' photo that was on Facebook, Sam from Pendemonium posted the other day:

 

"One of our current projects is a big batch of Esterbrooks. After some work, they'll be coming your way."

 

[KBeezie]

So, in contrast to 'that' photo that was on Facebook, Sam from Pendemonium posted the other day:

 

"One of our current projects is a big batch of Esterbrooks. After some work, they'll be coming your way."[/size]

 

It amuses me because when the 'new' esties go on sale after dec 1st, it won't be long after that they may instead seek out a "Real" estie in disappointment of the 'new' one. I have little doubt that when those esties are restored they're still going to be more reliable than what we will see out of the new company, especially if they decide to price their 'new J' in the 50+ price range.

[greensparcs]

Should be a Dollar pen since they are the look of the hero/wing sungs that I can find for a buck and I pay shipping

[JonSzanto]

estercap.JPG

all that time to type that out when they could have answered my question and not tried to make me email them so they could tell me

 

I'll say this: you could have phrased your questions in both a more courteous and cogent manner. One can often get a response when the request is done with the utmost of care. Just my $0.02, and I'm *not* defending their marketing acumen, by any means.

[KBeezie]

I'll say this: you could have phrased your questions in both a more courteous and cogent manner. One can often get a response when the request is done with the utmost of care. Just my $0.02, and I'm *not* defending their marketing acumen, by any means.

"Kill them with kindness".

[Lyander0012]

Have to agree with Mr. Szanto above. My current line of work involves social media and the like, and I've noticed that any number of irate people are more than willing to speak politely if addressed with politeness. Firm politeness.

That aside, I've been hearing nothing but great things about Esties since I first got into fountain pens not all that long ago. I'll probably just follow through with my initial plan of finding a nice condition vintage model if these newer models turn out to meet everyone's expectations


Cheers,

Kevin

[dlfarage]

Go for a vintage Estie first. They're out there on eBay and still not too pricey

[EclecticCollector]

Vintage J prices will surely skyrocket when Esterbrook discontinues them after releasing the New J model.

[sirgilbert357]

They've noted that they are working on the new Js, and for us to hold our opinions until then. I believe that they recognize the strong feelings of the Esterbrook community, so let's give them a chance.

 

I agree....sort of.

 

As a past founder and owner of a pen company, one would hope that this guy knows how to appeal to pen aficionados, but the bottom line is this: he is either a business man, a pen lover or both. The direction of the company will CLEARLY show which. Its not off to a good start in my opinion, since I would expect a pen lover to honor the original look and feel of the Esterbrooks that are still creating buzz to this day...and the business man in him should see that could be profitable. He could make a small side business just out of introducing a host of nib options that fit the old pens for crying out loud!

 

Anyway, how I would have liked to see it done:

Revive the classic Esterbrook J, SJ and LJ models as close to exactly like the originals as possible. Name the category on the corporate website "Heritage Classics" or something that clearly points to the history of the company, but keep the model names the same. Make them lever fill, make the colors as close as possible to the originals. Carbon copy the pens of old basically!

 

Then:

Wanna play a bit and branch out? Make the J, SJ and LJ in OTHER colors...maybe have a media campaign on FB or voting or something to see which colors people would love to see. Keep the aforementioned originals though. The extra crazy non-traditional colors could be "Limited Editions" or whatever...

 

And THEN:

Only after all else is successful and profitable and you have your consumer base, then branch out and make your crazy "deluxe" pens. Sell them under the category "Modern Designs" or whatever on the corporate website.

 

Points to consider for all models: Keep the screw in, user changeable nibs. Make them durable and robust. Increase ink capacity if possible(?). Offer more nib options as time goes on...look at the nib choices Sailor has to offer...its crazy! Make them easy to service. TWSBI might be on to something here, and I would think we would all appreciate a modern Estie that was super easy to disassemble and repair.

 

Lastly, I'd like to see the sections be screw in instead of friction fit, but that's just a personal preference...

[bsenn]

Anyway, how I would have liked to see it done:

Revive the classic Esterbrook J, SJ and LJ models as close to exactly like the originals as possible. Name the category on the corporate website "Heritage Classics" or something that clearly points to the history of the company, but keep the model names the same. Make them lever fill, make the colors as close as possible to the originals. Carbon copy the pens of old basically!

 

Then:

Wanna play a bit and branch out? Make the J, SJ and LJ in OTHER colors...maybe have a media campaign on FB or voting or something to see which colors people would love to see. Keep the aforementioned originals though. The extra crazy non-traditional colors could be "Limited Editions" or whatever...

 

Anyone remember Aurora Model Motoring and A/FX slot cars from the 60's and 70's? They were brought back in the 2000's using many of the original body styles but with many more color combinations. The reproduction chassis aren't much to write home about, but the availability of the bodies in many color choices is great. Very successful as a product as they are a cheap class to race and many people collect them (gotta have two of each color - one for the display shelf and one to race...).

 

Brian (who now spends his money on pens instead of slot cars, but who still has more slot cars than pens - I think, gotta do a count)

[wastelanded]

Those are truly ugly pens. The deluxe ones remind me of those silver-needled Xmas trees so popular when I was a kid.

[spaceink]

Nice game plan for them, Sir G. Hopefully they will take note.

[Ernst Bitterman]

 

 

 

Anyway, how I would have liked to see it done:...

 

 

Looking at the economics of modern pen-making, I'd be happy to see a C/C body rather than a lever-filler because the latter is something that's too labour intensive for an affordable pen anymore (this was touched on earlier in the thread). However, I think one would be wiser to nod at the old Esterbrook lines rather than try to pretend to be them. Call it the CA201 or M22 as a nod to what Esterbrook was getting up to at the end of its fountain pen-ery; those of us who know the history would appreciate it, those who buy used pens would appreciate the lack of confusion on eBay, and those who are new come to the game would think "CA201" no less odd than "J Series", so it's a win all around.

 

It would be fantastic to have new-made point/feed units that would be compatible with the old bodies, but that's also tricky to do. If one doesn't use the sort of stock Jowo/Schmidt/Bock set-up, the feeds of which are certainly too long for the purpose and perhaps too wide, then there's custom production, and that bumps up prices again. The same objection sort of applies to getting a new section worked up which is also compatible, but I think in terms of fabrication that's an easier row to hoe; instead of a simple tube with the cartridge fitting applied to one end, it's the same thing with a bit of threads. Far easier than adapting the kind of point/feed unit found in TWSBIs and a lot of other pens (the Deltas and Montegrappas I've had to do with, for example; they're everywhere) to fit down the hole in a Series J or Model W. On the other hand, if you put in the effort and can accept a longer payback period, your fan base would be HUGE.

 

I don't think there's a lot of interchangeable parts between the old and new Skylines, either, but that's a revival that is a lot more aware of who the market is.

[sirgilbert357]

Ernst Bitterman:

 

Somehow my original reply got lost, so here it is again...

 

I missed the previous post about a modern lever filler not being economical. Sadly, I admit there is a lot of wisdom in that assessment. So, maybe just keep *most* of what I propose and make them cart/converters...but then you *have* to make the section easy to take apart, so making it screw in instead of friction fit would be necessary.

 

As for the nibs: I know very little about what goes on behind the scenes for nib parts...I guess there may be only so many makers of feeds and things might be a bit more standardized now, but I really think Esterbrook (the rebirthed one) should invest in making their nibs/feeds inhouse. Vertical integration is the way to go if you're in it for the long haul...and if you have the money to fund the upfront costs (which I HOPE this guy does, but he may not be willing to...everyone seems to think this whole rebirth is full of shoddy compromises; and it may very well be -- we shall have to wait and see). I now have three Esties and I'm thinking its a TALL order to top the original. I will be watching this launch with much interest...

[sirgilbert357]

Nice game plan for them, Sir G. Hopefully they will take note.

 

Thanks. But doubtful...lol.

[OcalaFlGuy]

 

It would be fantastic to have new-made point/feed units that would be compatible with the old bodies, but that's also tricky to do. If one doesn't use the sort of stock Jowo/Schmidt/Bock set-up, the feeds of which are certainly too long for the purpose and perhaps too wide, then there's custom production, and that bumps up prices again. The same objection sort of applies to getting a new section worked up which is also compatible, but I think in terms of fabrication that's an easier row to hoe; instead of a simple tube with the cartridge fitting applied to one end, it's the same thing with a bit of threads. Far easier than adapting the kind of point/feed unit found in TWSBIs and a lot of other pens (the Deltas and Montegrappas I've had to do with, for example; they're everywhere) to fit down the hole in a Series J or Model W. On the other hand, if you put in the effort and can accept a longer payback period, your fan base would be HUGE.

 

 

 

They could have at least winked and nodded at the original by supplying a section insert that screws into their section and allows the use of original Estie nibs.

 

They could have even had a special little tool to remove the insert with maybe the company name, initial or such on it.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl