Help Finding A Pen For My Esterbrook Nibs

[jccjr]

Just bought a bunch of NOS Esterbrook #819 nibs with the idea that I would find a suitable holder/pen (not sure what is the real term here???) for them. (Actually I bought them also for the cool Bakelite case). Any suggestions for a starter holder/pen? I want to try my hand at dipping.

 

Thanks in advance!

John

 

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Lot-20-NEW-Vintage-Esterbrook-School-Pen-Nibs-819-With-Bakelite-Case-/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/4vwAAOxyhSBSARaP/$T2eC16R,%21ykE9s7t%29btTBS%21R,Osvdg~~60_57.JPG

Edited September 1, 2013 by jccjr

[Horseknitter]

JBB on FPN has sold dip pen holders with and without nibs.

 

Pendemonium.com often advertises dip pen holders and nibs.

 

Check FPN classifieds and even post a 'want to buy'

 

Good Luck!

 

Edited for spelling

Edited September 2, 2013 by Horseknitter

[jccjr]

Thanks so much. Still so much to learn, but I'm enjoying getting back into pens again.

 

JBB on FPN has sold dip pen holders with and without nibs.

Pendemonium.com often advertises dip pen holders and nibs.

Check FPN classifieds and even post a 'want to buy'

Good Luck!

Edited for spelling

[smk]

These look like Esterbrook 357 (the ones without the ridge) and 358 (with the ridge) to me. If so, these are very nice vintage nibs. The 357 is quite flexible and has a sharp point. The 358 is as sharp but doesn't flex as much which makes it a bit easier to use than the 357.

 

If these are indeed the nibs I think they are, you will get the best use out of them with an oblique holder (like these, or these, or these - the Century Oblique is an excellent holder for the money). You can also use them with a straight holder (like these or these - the Mahogany wood holder for $2.99 does the job as well as any holder).

 

Salman

[jccjr]

Salman, that is great info. Thanks for the references to the holders. I'll do some investigations.

 

Turns out these are indeed Esterbrook nibs but most are 818's and there are a couple of 556's. I guess it's going to be about experimenting! Here';s a quick photo:

 

[smk]

Ah - indeed. These are still flexible, the one with the ridge will be stiffer than the one without. Being school pens (nibs to us) they are probably not as fine as the 357/358s but still quite serviceable.

 

Do let us see a sample of how they write when you get a holder for them.

 

Salman

 

ETA: I just noticed that the 556 is a firm nib while the 819 is flexible.

Edited September 4, 2013 by smk