They're breeding like rabbits

[InkyProf]

So there was this copper SJ at a local secondhand store. Sure, there was a 1cm hole in the cap, and a tiny, rough burn mark in the barrel, near the imprint, but I thought: hey, since I've never tried restoring a pen before, and Esterbrook J series are apparently pretty straightforward, and they're selling this for peanuts, I'll buy it and use it for practice. Sacs and talc and shellac acquired, sac replaced, easy as pie. But then I just HAD to go looking online for a cheapo SJ or LJ from which to harvest a cap. A couple of weeks later, through a series of amusing incidents that I won't recount in detail, I've come back out of that rabbit hole with, in addition to the first pen, a complete copper J, and ANOTHER complete copper SJ, and some leftover bits from a grey J, all for less than the cost of a replacement toner cartridge for a laser printer. But somehow that original pen still needs a new cap.

 

This is how it starts, isn't it?

 

(If you have a copper SJ or LJ cap without an extra hole in it gathering dust in your parts box, and you'd like to trade it for an grey J cap (also sans extra hole), do let me know; otherwise I'm apparently gonna have to build a hutch.)

 

[AAAndrew]

I can see the slope is well-greased and you've given yourself a short, sharp, shove. 

 

Congratulations!  All that's left is to say, "Weeeeeee!!!!" and enjoy the ride. 

[FarmBoy]

What if I said I had a grey barrel?

[jchch1950]

It will be a never-ending story, but a happy one. Your number of Esterbrook pens will increase as it will your spare parts box.

[InkyProf]

5 hours ago, FarmBoy said:

What if I said I had a grey barrel?

 

Careful, I might mail you a cap!

[Estycollector]

Congratulations on your Esterbrook path. I use one most all the time. 

[InkyProf]

Thanks, all! I now have two inked — a transitional grey J, professionally restored, with a 9128 nib, and a DIY Waterman Blue-Black (4:1), and the new copper J, with a 2442 nib and Aurora Black — but I’m going to swap out that nib for a fine or ef with the black ink, and use the 2442, which writes more like a broad than a fine stub, with more interesting inks.

 

Relatedly, how rigorous are you all about sticking with a narrow band of vintage-friendly inks and colors for Esterbrooks? (Setting aside Noodler’s and shimmer inks, neither of which I own. But I love reds…)

[Estycollector]

After reading an article recommending wet inks for vintage fountain pens, I use only Waterman. My favorite is Serenity Blue. 

[gweimer1]

On 2/24/2025 at 7:39 PM, InkyProf said:

(If you have a copper SJ or LJ cap without an extra hole in it gathering dust in your parts box, and you'd like to trade it for an grey J cap (also sans extra hole), do let me know; otherwise I'm apparently gonna have to build a hutch.)

 

I could probably find just about any of those parts in my stuff...including the gray barrel.

[InkyProf]

On 2/28/2025 at 8:29 AM, gweimer1 said:

 

I could probably find just about any of those parts in my stuff...including the gray barrel.

 

Well, if you'd like a gray J cap to go with your gray barrel, let me know! Likewise if you do have a copper SJ or LJ cap you'd be willing to part with. I'd love to finish this Frankenpen without keeping myself on the treadmill -- as @AAAndrew says, I'm already on the slippery slope, but I'm also pulled in so many different directions that I can't let one brand, much less one or two colors, take up too much space in the tray.

 

[inkstainedruth]

Yup.  Breeding like rabbits around here, too....  Just picked up a blue mackerel SJ at an estate sale this morning (the estate sale people came down on the price because there is some sort of black gunk on the nib and feed, which I fear might be India ink.  But if worst comes to worst, I can hopefully replace the nib unit, since I have a few spares kicking around.  
I'll probably shop it around to various repair/nib people at B/W next weekend for advice as to whether Rapidoeze (which I may have somewhere in the house) is a good idea.  Haven't tested the pen yet (I only got it about 7 :30 AM today) but the lever seems to be moving so hopefully the sac is okay.  But will have to remember to toss in a spare nib when I'm packing for the show, dating from back when I was on the hunt to get at LEAST one of every 9xxx nib ever made, and also picked up a number of 2xxx nib units in the process.

Now, did I REALLY need YET ANOTHER™ blue mackerel J series pen?  Maybe.... 

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[InkyProf]

Thank you, @inkstainedruth, for prompting me to learn what "mackerel" means in this context! (I think one of my SJs might qualify.) And icicles and streakers and bears, oh my...

[Ron Z]

2 hours ago, inkstainedruth said:

Just picked up a blue mackerel SJ at an estate sale this morning

 

And if they had used it for a demonstrator with cutouts it would be a holy makerel.

[inkstainedruth]

Groan....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[AceNinja]

On 2/25/2025 at 8:39 AM, InkyProf said:

and some leftover bits from a grey J

and now you've to get back to the rabbit hole to search for parts to make it a complete grey J.