Jump to content

Esterbrook SJ 9128 Nib


vermiculus

Recommended Posts

There was a request for reviews of Esterbrook renew-point nibs a while back, and now I have access to a scanner I thought I'd oblige with a review of my favouite Estie renew point - the 9128 Extra flexibile extra fine. I won't try to put numbers to it, as I find scoring pens a little worthless, but I will do my best to explain the thing.

 

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a375/Vermiculus/reviews/pen%20scans/scan0015.jpg

First Impressions

 

Everyone Loves Esterbrooks. I don't think you can see a J series in the flesh without falling in love with their looks and their somewhat dated post-war look - bubbly circles and clean lines make it as distinctive as the Parker 51. The Esterbrook Pen company is a good example of a company which survived the technology leap from dip to fountain, but unfortunately they lost out to the biro. I received this pen uninked as a lucky eBay find, and it felt just like I'd bought it from the shop in a time warp! I have now had two pens New Old Stock, and I find that I have a special affinity to them as their first user.

 

Appearance and Finish.

What a looker! The marbled finish on the J series is wonderful, but the "Dubonnet Red" must surely be the finest of them all. On top of that, I polished mine up with Renaissance Wax and it's so shiny that the magpies eye it through the window. The smallish 9128 nib suits the SJ, and when I put a 2668 into it once it looked oversized for the pen.

 

Design/size/weight.

I've tabulated the measurements in the writing sample, below. The pen is small in the hand, and very light - I think these are celluloid rather than plastic. This is the spoon-headed style of lever, and is a double-jewel type body. Even though it's small, I don't find it uncomfortable to use - and I usually shy away from smaller pens.

 

Nib

The real point of the review! (yes, pun intended).

 

The 9128 is a respectable flexi. It can do copperplate elegantly, and the steel construction means it's virtually indestructable. Mine was a little scratchy out of the box - it is very fine, after all - but soon relaxed after a bit of a flex workout. The line is medium-wet, and it doesn't deposit blobs at the flex, like some pens do. All in all, very satisfactory!

 

Here, I will post the writing sample to demonstrate performance: http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a375/Vermiculus/reviews/scan0008.jpg

 

Filling System

A Flawless lever filler. Indeed, these fillers are very robust and rarely do sacs need replacing, in my experience.

 

Cost/value

These can be had for between £10 and £20 ($20 - $40) depending on condition. I absolutely think that a good condition J series with a 9xxx nib is worth $40, though some might disagree.

 

Overall - This nib is a lot of fun to use, and was my first proper flex nib. Though I now have several Flexies, this remains one of my favourites. The pen itself is a joy to use.

 

Thanks for reading - this is my first review, so feedback is appreciated!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 28
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • vermiculus

    3

  • Gran

    3

  • Joe Beamish

    2

  • ZeissIkon

    2

Nicely done, both with the find and the review! I really like having a full review along with a scan of the pen in action. I've gotten all my birthday presents already, so I guell I'll just have to put an Estie on my X-mas list...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Cost/value

These can be had for between £10 and £20 ($20 - $40) depending on condition. I absolutely think that a good condition J series with a 9xxx nib is worth $40, though some might disagree.

 

Overall - This nib is a lot of fun to use, and was my first proper flex nib. Though I now have several Flexies, this remains one of my favourites. The pen itself is a joy to use.

 

Thanks for reading - this is my first review, so feedback is appreciated!

 

I can't find the nibs anywhere right now less than $45. :( Let alone adding a pen to that...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah, getting the nibs can be pricey. In fact, I paid about $20 for this, but it was in a bad eBay listing - I never knew I'd be getting such a goodun.

 

In fact, on eBay I find the pens go for less than the nibs! You could always try a Want-to-buy here...

 

I can't find the nibs anywhere right now less than $45. :( Let alone adding a pen to that...

 

I'll just have to put an Estie on my X-mas list

Might not fill up your stocking, but it might be the best thing in there! ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah, getting the nibs can be pricey. In fact, I paid about $20 for this, but it was in a bad eBay listing - I never knew I'd be getting such a goodun.

 

In fact, on eBay I find the pens go for less than the nibs! You could always try a Want-to-buy here...

 

I can't find the nibs anywhere right now less than $45. :( Let alone adding a pen to that...

 

I'll just have to put an Estie on my X-mas list

Might not fill up your stocking, but it might be the best thing in there! ;)

 

Do you have a 9028 for comparison sake? I have 4 9028 with one of them coming back from Pendemonium after smoothing and I'd love to know how this nib stacks up...

 

Great Review! Thank you

 

Adam

[size=4][size=3]I Buy, Restore & Sell Esterbrook Pens, Desk Sets & Pencils[/size][/size]

Currently on the hunt for:

Soennecken especially model 111 or matching pencils 11
Soennecken "Tower" sub-brand
Esterbrook or Waterman "Clergy" models with engraved crosses

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Do you have a 9028 for comparison sake? I have 4 9028 with one of them coming back from Pendemonium after smoothing and I'd love to know how this nib stacks up...

 

Great Review! Thank you

 

Adam

'fraid not - Wish I did! I should imagine that instead of just under 0.5mm to 1.1mm, it will be maybe 0.7 to 1.5mm - but that's a complete guess. I would also expect it to be easier to flex, too.

 

The only nibs I have tried are 9550, 9128 and 2668.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Whee! What fun! I really need to get a flexible nib.

:happycloud9:

 

Cathy L. Carter

 

Live. Love. Write.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

i bought that same exact pen a few months ago for only $10 USD... alas! no flex nib :crybaby:

 

Reginleif is right. those nibs go for about $45-50, so i think you got it for a very good price!

 

nice review... enjoy your pen!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 8 months later...

Thanks very much for the review. A lovely pen and a fascinating flex nib. Good thing Easter is coming.... :)

May you have pens you enjoy, with plenty of paper and ink. :)

Please use only my FPN name "Gran" in your posts. Thanks very much!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

excellent review-liked that you defined ladies size.

what is the ink? great choice for the pen;)

want an estie with flex nib :sick: <not sure what this emoticon means-using it for pea-green with envy.

p2p muttering ..budgetbudgetbudget donotcovetdncdnc bbb

Edited by pen2paper
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the review... it shows how much I need to dust of my 9128 and spend some time practicing. I think I just need to develop some patience and find some time. I paid about £ 20 for mine, NOS in the box.

 

Love the Dubonnet Red in the Esterbrooks, still hunting for a J in that colour - but I really like the ink you used. Couldn't find the name/brand of it though... did I just miss it?

"I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by."

- Douglas Adams

 

SnailBadge.jpg      PostcardBadge.jpg      InkExchange.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It is a lovely ink, isn't it?

Edited by Gran

May you have pens you enjoy, with plenty of paper and ink. :)

Please use only my FPN name "Gran" in your posts. Thanks very much!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The 9128 is truly a fine nib (both in size and quality). I was writing with mine the other day and found it to be a very similar to the 9048, except that it writes a finer line. The amount of flex seems to be about the same.

 

A word of caution... the 9128 (at least mine) is very pointy for a fountain pen nib. I was cleaning it before I used it, got a little distracted and stabbed my finger with it. It actually drew blood. That was a first for me, but it couldn't have happened with a better nib.

I've got a blog!

Fountain Pen Love

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the review... it shows how much I need to dust of my 9128 and spend some time practicing. I think I just need to develop some patience and find some time. I paid about £ 20 for mine, NOS in the box.

 

Love the Dubonnet Red in the Esterbrooks, still hunting for a J in that colour - but I really like the ink you used. Couldn't find the name/brand of it though... did I just miss it?

 

Yes! Please tell us the ink you used. Looks great. I just got a 9128 too and my regular handwriting already looks better!

I subscribe to The Rule of 10 (pens, that is)

1) Parker Sonnet 1st gen 2) Pelikan 200 yellow 3) Parker 51 vac 4) Esterbrook trans J 5) Esterbrook LJ "Bell System Property" 6) Sheaffer Snorkel Valiant fern green 7) Waterman 52.5V 8) Parker 75 cisele 9) open 10) open (I'm hankering for a Doric)

 

<img src="http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/606/letterji9.png" border="0" class="linked-sig-image" />

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Am now the delighted owner of an SJ. It is a very pretty pen. Lightweight, slender, and most enjoyable to write with. I've a 9550 nib in it, and it's grand writing! I highly recommend these in the slender, ultra-light pen category.

May you have pens you enjoy, with plenty of paper and ink. :)

Please use only my FPN name "Gran" in your posts. Thanks very much!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I absolutely think that a good condition J series with a 9xxx nib is worth $40...

 

I could not agree more. Show me another pen that lasts as long, is as reliable, has as many interchangeable nib choices, and looks that good for less than $40.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I had a 9128 nib come my way quite by accident. I bought a copper SJ at an antique mall for $16. The poor light in the store kept me from clearly seeing the nib number other than it was a 9xxx series. Once I got outside into the sunlight I saw it was a 9128. Once I got home again I found out just how big a score that was. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There are a couple of eBay sellers who have them.

 

I only got my SJ four days ago, with a 1550 nib. This morning I ordered a 9128 for three times what the pen cost. But, hey, since they're not made anymore, it's a seller's market, so what's a body to do?

 

I figure on getting a 9550, as well, so I'll have one soft and one rigid EF. Then, of course, I'll have to get another pen body because I'll want them both available. And then I'll require a third one, for a stub. And then, after that ...

 

 

Rob G

 

"Sacred cows make the best hamburger." - Mark Twain

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There are a couple of eBay sellers who have them.

 

I only got my SJ four days ago, with a 1550 nib. This morning I ordered a 9128 for three times what the pen cost. But, hey, since they're not made anymore, it's a seller's market, so what's a body to do?

 

I figure on getting a 9550, as well, so I'll have one soft and one rigid EF. Then, of course, I'll have to get another pen body because I'll want them both available. And then I'll require a third one, for a stub. And then, after that ...

Rob,

There's about 33 nibs.... so you should start planning now :D

 

"I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by."

- Douglas Adams

 

SnailBadge.jpg      PostcardBadge.jpg      InkExchange.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Most Contributions

    1. amberleadavis
      amberleadavis
      43844
    2. PAKMAN
      PAKMAN
      33501
    3. Ghost Plane
      Ghost Plane
      28220
    4. inkstainedruth
      inkstainedruth
      26627
    5. jar
      jar
      26101
  • Upcoming Events

  • Blog Comments

    • Shanghai Knife Dude
      I have the Sailor Naginata and some fancy blade nibs coming after 2022 by a number of new workshop from China.  With all my respect, IMHO, they are all (bleep) in doing chinese characters.  Go use a bush, or at least a bush pen. 
    • A Smug Dill
      It is the reason why I'm so keen on the idea of a personal library — of pens, nibs, inks, paper products, etc. — and spent so much money, as well as time and effort, to “build” it for myself (because I can't simply remember everything, especially as I'm getting older fast) and my wife, so that we can “know”; and, instead of just disposing of what displeased us, or even just not good enough to be “given the time of day” against competition from >500 other pens and >500 other inks for our at
    • adamselene
      Agreed.  And I think it’s good to be aware of this early on and think about at the point of buying rather than rationalizing a purchase..
    • A Smug Dill
      Alas, one cannot know “good” without some idea of “bad” against which to contrast; and, as one of my former bosses (back when I was in my twenties) used to say, “on the scale of good to bad…”, it's a spectrum, not a dichotomy. Whereas subjectively acceptable (or tolerable) and unacceptable may well be a dichotomy to someone, and finding whether the threshold or cusp between them lies takes experiencing many degrees of less-than-ideal, especially if the decision is somehow influenced by factors o
    • adamselene
      I got my first real fountain pen on my 60th birthday and many hundreds of pens later I’ve often thought of what I should’ve known in the beginning. I have many pens, the majority of which have some objectionable feature. If they are too delicate, or can’t be posted, or they are too precious to face losing , still they are users, but only in very limited environments..  I have a big disliking for pens that have the cap jump into the air and fly off. I object to Pens that dry out, or leave blobs o
  • Chatbox

    You don't have permission to chat.
    Load More
  • Files






×
×
  • Create New...