Esterbrook Brand Being Revived This December?

[KBeezie]

What I would like to know is why the new owners of the trademark are keeping their cards so close to their chests about this on this forum. As others have already pointed out, one would think they would try to curry the favor of the enthusiasts by involving them in the lead-up to the grand opening. We don't even know who the retailers will be…except that they will not be the main Esterbrook experts out there.

 

For what it's worth, the photos I have seen so far do not impress me at all. This resembles a kit pen with the Esterbrook name and a nib that is too unclear for me to decipher. I am as curious as the next guy or gal, and I love my Esties, but this is ridiculous.

 

I almost feel like the Ricardos and the Mertzes in an episode of I Love Lucy driving along some country road and looking at the signs leading them to a cafe…10 miles ahead….5 miles ahead…2 miles ahead….1 mile ahead….100 feet ahead…50 feet ahead, only to see the final sign "you just passed the cafe." Or something like that...

Maybe because they don't want any bad publicity before trying to build it up a little, and then sell it off to Yafa like they did with other brands.

[FarmBoy]

What I would like to know is why the new owners of the trademark are keeping their cards so close to their chests about this on this forum. As others have already pointed out, one would think they would try to curry the favor of the enthusiasts by involving them in the lead-up to the grand opening. We don't even know who the retailers will be…except that they will not be the main Esterbrook experts out there.

 

For what it's worth, the photos I have seen so far do not impress me at all. This resembles a kit pen with the Esterbrook name and a nib that is too unclear for me to decipher. I am as curious as the next guy or gal, and I love my Esties, but this is ridiculous.

 

I almost feel like the Ricardos and the Mertzes in an episode of I Love Lucy driving along some country road and looking at the signs leading them to a cafe…10 miles ahead….5 miles ahead…2 miles ahead….1 mile ahead….100 feet ahead…50 feet ahead, only to see the final sign "you just passed the cafe." Or something like that...

 

Maybe because they don't want any bad publicity before trying to build it up a little, and then sell it off to Yafa like they did with other brands.

It is not so complicated.

 

They have no cards.

[sirgilbert357]

All I know is if January 1, 2015 comes and goes and there is still no forward progress, details, better pictures, etc, then I will cease to care. Being more than a month late to your own "grand opening" or "launch party" or whatever is just ridiculous...

 

So I'll sit back and watch...let's just see what happens. In a way, though, I feel bad for the new owner because he is already very much behind the 8 ball with what *should have been* a core group of customers...not good for business.

[daoud62]

The latest message on Facebook from the owner shows that he cannot reveal who the manufacturer of the nibs is (just that they are being sourced from Germany, which probably means Bock, less likely JoWo). Of course, I am not familiar with the terms of the deal to purchase the trademark, but I assume that it it was intended to be released on 1 December 2014, there should be no problem with saying who is making the nibs and where the pens are being manufactured.

 

Information was provided, however, on price point: the regular line will start at $65 to 85 per pen, and the limited editions will go up to $450.

 

I assume from what I have read that it will not be possible to use vintage Esterbrook nibs in these new pens.

 

EDIT: I just read on FB that the problem in revealing retailers is indeed a legal matter between the company and its suppliers.

Edited December 2, 2014 by daoud62

[daoud62]

I agree. We are the core customers, and the new company should be reaching out to us and answering our questions.

All I know is if January 1, 2015 comes and goes and there is still no forward progress, details, better pictures, etc, then I will cease to care. Being more than a month late to your own "grand opening" or "launch party" or whatever is just ridiculous...

 

So I'll sit back and watch...let's just see what happens. In a way, though, I feel bad for the new owner because he is already very much behind the 8 ball with what *should have been* a core group of customers...not good for business.

[daoud62]

Brian, The fact that you were not one of the first retailers to be signed up worries me somewhat.

Edited December 2, 2014 by daoud62

[Brian Anderson]

The latest message on Facebook from the owner shows that he cannot reveal who the manufacturer of the nibs is (just that they are being sourced from Germany, which probably means Bock, less likely JoWo). Of course, I am not familiar with the terms of the deal to purchase the trademark, but I assume that it it was intended to be released on 1 December 2014, there should be no problem with saying who is making the nibs and where the pens are being manufactured.

 

Information was provided, however, on price point: the regular line will start at $65 to 85 per pen, and the limited editions will go up to $450.

 

I assume from what I have read that it will not be possible to use vintage Esterbrook nibs in these new pens.

$450? wow, better be one amazing pen. for that kind of money one approaches a Visconti Homo Sapiens or a used MB 149. My guess is $65 for rollerball, $85 for fountain pen.

 

If these were intended to be able to use vintage nibs, they would have mentioned that from the very beginning. Don't discount Schmidt as a manufacturer of the nibs, probably cheaper than Bock.

[Brian Anderson]

Brian, The fact that you were not one of the first retailers to be signed up worries me somewhat.

Not everyone knows who I am or what I collect. I am just an average Joe who has a fair share of Esterbrook pens in my collection.

[Sandy1]

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2014/SantaEstie.jpg

 

Hmmm...

[JonSzanto]

Not everyone knows who I am or what I collect. I am just an average Joe who has a fair share of Esterbrook pens in my collection.

 

And a domain name that includes the word "Esterbrook". One would think common biz practice these days is to search for all your naming potentials.

 

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2014/SantaEstie.jpg

 

Hmmm...

 

Brilliant.

[OcalaFlGuy]

I don't officially know Jack about retailing.

 

But I DO know Most companies strive mightily to have new products available for Christmas delivery.

 

Were I reintroducing a vintage pen company with a new product, a slippage from 12/1 to the middle of the month would be a disaster in my bidness book.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

Edited December 2, 2014 by OcalaFlGuy

[FarmBoy]

Some random thoughts...

I know Jack.

 

Should I start caring?

 

Original run Esterbrooks still available for around 10 each but they need a little work.

 

Renew Points still interchange relatively easy.

 

Say away from grease.

 

Someone rearranged the board.

[JonSzanto]

http://www.aifactory.co.uk/images/moveit_anim_01.gif

[KBeezie]

On facebook they stated the price as :

 

Our regular collection "J" series will retail at $75.00 FP and $65.00 RB. The Esterbrook "Deluxe" Limited Edition FP will retail at $400.00

Available at retailers beginning next week.

 

Those Acrylic J's are probably worth no more than 20. Can get a similar looking Ranga Acrylic for cheaper.

Edited December 3, 2014 by KBeezie

[amberleadavis]

Interesting.

[mike.jane]

Well of course 75 quid for the FP is MSRP (as it indeed right now suggested to us by the manufacturer), so probably you won't actually have to pay more than 50-ish.

However even that is a bit steep IMO for a bland acrylic color selection of 3. I'm not saying they look particularly horrendous (to soon to tell with these photos), but there's (maybe) only these colors and they are kinda boring.

Anyway, point being, I can think of hundreds of things that I'd rather spend 50-75 dollars on (and dozens of these things are pens).

[NinthSphere]

Some random thoughts...

I know Jack.

 

Should I start caring?

 

Original run Esterbrooks still available for around 10 each but they need a little work.

 

Renew Points still interchange relatively easy.

 

Say away from grease.

 

Someone rearranged the board.

 

I know a couple of Jacks.

 

Yep, & as far as I'm concerned, swappable nib units are what Esterbrook is about. I'm still curious to see their big reveal, but I don't see myself caring after that.

 

...

 

I'd just gotten used to the old board orientation.

[2GreyCats]

I can't tell you specifically Why but I have to think replacement jewels are on the horizon.

 

3D printing. It's got "Estie jewel" written all over it.

 

It won't be long until someone With the equipment And the ability gets bored and curious enough to print some out.

 

Then Katie bar the jewel door.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

My husband has a 3D printer... and I have several Estie Js now. Hmmmm...

[Anabasis]

This whole thing has a bad vibe to it. The pens do look like cheap kit pens with zero charm or personality - though I suppose this matches the manner in which they are being marketed. Poor Esterbrook.

[greensparcs]

I felt my question of "So these are much nicer than the original Js" was a very valid question since I could get 2 original restored ones for that price. Or a few nibs to go with one