2442 Falcon Stub (Backhand Writing)?

[DrCodfish]

So I have stumbled across a 2242 nib for sale, I looked on the chart I have which describes it as a "Falcon Stub (backhand writing)". I have no idea what a falcon stub is ,nor do I understand "backhand writing" . Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[dgturner]

The Esterbrook 2442 nib is a fine stub (mine definitely is a relief stub at that). The falcon - refers to the shape of the nib - it has "wings". Backhand writing is writing sloping to the left rather than the right.

I absolutely love mine.

[pajaro]

It has been my experience that these sold for about $20 to $25 or so NOS in recent years.

 

I am a left handed backhand writer some of the time. I read the descriptions and tried this nib NOS a few times over a few years. I am supposing the those who wrote the descriptions were not left handed. It's a decent fine nib, but I think the 2314-F fine left oblique stub is a better stub.

 

I think $12.99 free shipping is the most that the 2442 NOS is worth, except if you are just collecting and not going to use it.

[DrCodfish]

I didn't win the auction. I think it finally sold for $31.00 or so.

[pajaro]

I didn't win the auction. I think it finally sold for $31.00 or so.

 

Yes, they were about $20 when I first bought one, and the price has been going up. There's been inflation in the last several years, and the price of everything has been going up. The descriptions of the 2442 led me to expect too much of it, to expect too much stubby benefit, and it seemed in each one I tried that it was a good, fine nib. Perhaps I just wasn't able to perceive the stubby quality in the ones I tried.

[DrCodfish]

Thanks, that's good to know. I believe that words on paper can only go so afar in an adequate description, and people writing of their experiences helps a lot, of course more is better than fewer but one testimonial is a great addition to a written description.

 

I have not yet used a 9XXX series nib, so I am focusing my attention on the 9314's. I'll also watch for the 2314's for now.'

[pajaro]

You haven't yet used a 9XXX nib? That's an great tribute to the 1XXX and 2XXX series nibs. 2314 or 9314, both pretty good in -F, -M or -B sizes. 2284 or 9284 is a tossup, as is 2312 or 9312 italics. Sometimes the price differences are not so large either. I don't write enough to wear the nibs down.

 

Early on I bought a bunch of NOS 9314-F and 9314-B nibs in a lot for $39.95, so I had more of those than 2314s.

[DrCodfish]

"You haven't yet used a 9XXX nib?"

 

Not by design. Keep in mind I am green as frog feathers when it comes to Estieworld. I have 3 pens and three nibs; a gray double jewel (J?) w/2668 nib and Copper and Red J's both with 2284 nibs. I don't want go deep into Esterbrooks (I don't plan to eat the whole pizza?) I'd like to acquire a green, a blue, and maybe a black J with either 2312, 2314, or 9312 and 14 nibs. I wasn't on fire for that 2442, I made a run at it just because it was there so was not compelled to 'buy at any cost'.

 

I am trying to approach this in a thoughtful way, which would be a departure from how I have gone about rolling up Sheaffers, Parkers, and Pelikans. I figured that would be an easy get, but I know the more specific my intersts are the longer it takes to fill the order. Are blue J's a little more scarce or more popular right now than the other colors?

[pajaro]

Those nibs are going to cost you unless you are patient and pick off bargains. I recommend being patient. This plan of yours should leave you with pens you want and nibs worth having without wasting money and acquiring a lot of clutter. Good plan.

[gweimer1]

It must be my lucky day. I just bid on a pen that didn't describe the nib, but the shape in the blurry photo caught my interest. I was expecting a 946X nib, but the seller just informed me that I have a 2442 Falcon nib coming. And there's a pen attached to it.

[DrCodfish]

It must be my lucky day. I just bid on a pen that didn't describe the nib, but the shape in the blurry photo caught my interest. I was expecting a 946X nib, but the seller just informed me that I have a 2442 Falcon nib coming. And there's a pen attached to it.

"Luck" has a way of finding those who prepare for it. You are always on the lookout for Esterbrook pens, when you see them you pay close attention to details. If it were a pen you were not so interested in this pen you probably would not have given a poor photo even a second look. Luck may play into this, but your actions had a hand in turning luck your way.

[JonSzanto]

I'm not sure if you guys are still on to this, but the "rumors of my price have been highly overstated" (to turn a phrase). I just did a quick search on eBay and found:

 

• a black Dollar pen with a 2442 for $25.00
• a 2442 nib by itself for $14.99
• 3 nibs - a 2442 and (2) 2668 - for $19.20

I see them pretty often for these lower prices. I happened upon the thread because I've picked up three or four of these, as I've found them routinely a very nice writer with just a hint more character than a plain, 'round' medium nib (like a 2668 or 9668). The weird thing is I, too, didn't know what the "backhand" thing was all about, just that I liked them.

 

And I'm left-handed. How about that!

[pajaro]

I am left handed, and I sometimes write backhand if I feel like it. I have tried several 2442 nibs and my personal experience shows that a 2314-F or a 9314-F is a more interesting stub. I thought the 2442 was an okay fine nib. Try it, though. This 2442 nib gets talked up again and again. I don't think it helps backhand writing better than a fine nib. See for yourself, though. It's a lot of fun trying all this stuff.

 

I am not much for subtle line variation or subtle stubbiness. I want more impact, like a 2284 stub or 2312 italic. This might not be politically correct, but the 2284 and 2314 are like a beautiful woman wearing six inch pumps instead of flats.

[JonSzanto]

Well, Pajaro, maybe I wasn't clear: I *do* use 2442 nibs, frequently as a standard nib. I also have the three variations (F,M, in both 2314 and 9314. I'm quite fond of them, except for maybe the B size. They all are good for different things.

 

My left-handed manner is as an underwriter, so I never am using these nibs like a backhander or hooker or overwriter. Just laying it down, left to right. I should also add that, in addition to writing well, I like the look of the 2442, quite distinct from most of the Estie nibs (courtesy the Falcon "wings").

 

Anyway, the thread just caught my attention while doing some research. Cheers!

[ScienceChick]

Anderson's usually has the 2442s for $25: the 2314s are usually there, too.

 

Quite a few of us posted nib comparisons in a thread with that title.

[JonSzanto]

Thanks, SC, I'll look for it. I don't get around here that much anymore...