Looking For A Desk Pen

[scully012]

As the title says, I'm looking for an Esterbrook desk pen and I was wondering what everyone's opinion was on the various dipless sets vs the "8-ball" holders with a dedicated fountain pen. Which is your favorite and why? I am leaning towards the dipless inkwells just because the concept seems great to me but I wonder if I really write enough to warrant that over the "8-ball" holder. What are the pros and cons of each?

 

Thanks for the help

[Ernst Bitterman]

The 404 base holds a LOT of ink, but is also perilous to attempt to re-fill before it is empty. The 444 holds not quite so much (a regular Herbin bottle as opposed to a whole Diamine bottle for the other), but is a lot less drama to transport and reload. I think unless you've got a serious used for a dedicated ink, the 444 is a better Dipless bet.

 

Looking at the difference between the Dipless and the Model W (whichever base it may find itself in), there's a trade-off. The former absolutely are ready to write with when withdrawn from the socket, unless they aren't set in properly, and even then a quick reinsertion is all it takes, while a poor seal on fountain pen's socket can lead to several minutes of coaxing. The latter, though, are not victim to lurking ink-creep; you will find ink on all parts of the pen that go inside the socket, and running your finger too close to the bottom of the textured gripper is apt to find some colour.

 

I used a 444 on my desk at work for a couple of years, because I wanted a pen for red ink and it ALWAYS clogs an FP because I only get about two linear inches of writing out of it on any given day-- I switched to a 404 out of curiosity, and I think I'll be going back when the remaining 15ml of ink in it is finally gone. I don't think not doing a LOT of writing on a given day is a drawback to the dip pens, because evaporation is a minor issue while the pen is in the socket; as I say, I hardly use mine, and I was giving the 444 a re-fill at roughly six-month intervals. I actually think if you're doing not a lot of writing, the dip-well is a better way to go for a desk pen, because even if it dries right out, there's not interior channels on the feed to clean out. The FP will want regular use and regular filling, while the dip pen will enjoy a dabble in water every couple of months but otherwise is fairly maintenance free.

[scully012]

Thanks for the info! In that case I think I'll start looking for a 444 dipless set. For my use, which is usually a few pages at a time but may sit for several days, it sounds like that is a much better fit. I appreciate the response.

[PaFitch]

I like my 444 sets. The ink does evaporate but very slowly. If you run a search on the Esterbrook forum you will find a number of fans of the 444.

[blazingthrough]

You might be able to find them off ebay.

[jdllizard]

I've actually got a couple extras I've been thinking about liquidating. Any particular color 444 you have in mind?

[scully012]

I'm not too attached to one color, but I think the green and gray ones look nicest

Edited April 10, 2015 by scully012

[jdllizard]

I have a green one I'd be willing to give you as a friendly gesture, but it has a small chip in the glass base (just turn it so it's in the back and you'd never see it), plus the bakelite top has been broken and repaired, though you can't tell until you look at the underside of it.

 

You would just need to pay shipping and find a pen you like to go with it. Otherwise it's in working order and ready for ink.

 

PM me if youre interested.

[ac12]

go for it scully

[scully012]

PM has been sent

[Cryptos]

I have an Esterbrook pen thingy with an acrylic "tail" and an exposed nib and feed but no cap. Is this the kind of pen that needs one of these dipless bases? Sorry, I know next to nothing about Esterbrook pens in general.

 

EDIT: never mind. Just had a look on eBay and see that this is the kind of base this pen goes in... but the shipping kind of kills it for me. Not sure what to do with the pen now. Hmmm...

Edited April 12, 2015 by Cardboard_Tube

[00Photo]

I like this Bell System lever filler.

[jdllizard]

I think you'll really like the green, it's my favorite color 444.