Just bought an SJ (?) set tonight from the local antique shop...

In the plastic bag, there was the pen (in red), tipped with what appears to be a very nice 9550 that I'm looking forward to writing with. The pencil is all full of lead, and if I was much of a pencil guy, I'd probably use it happily. I'll probably throw it in the briefbag and keep it as a spare.

However, and this is what I think is the interesting part...there was a 2668 box in there too...with a 2442 in it.

Someone tell me about this nib. Rare? I've seen a little bit on it from Brian's site and a listing of it from Richard's site, but as this is my first dive into the Esterbrook side, I'm not entirely sure.

A quick site search here didn't amount to much.

The Estie 2442 nib is a "Falcon Stub" for backhand writing. I've never seen one, but that doesn't mean it's rare. Others here will probably be more helpful. I'm curious how it writes though, so please post a short review and/or handwriting sample when you ink it!

well, they certainly aren't *common* even if rare is too strong a term...not that this means much, but I have yet to lay eyes (or hands) on one aside from pictures on the web

is the 2442 an untipped (flat/chisel that is, rather than roll-tipped like other non 9000 series nibs) nib like the 2048 or 2550? I own both of those, but find them frustratingly similar to dip nibs in their tendency to be "catchy" on the upstroke.

Rather than try to describe them, I'll take some macro shots tonight when I'm home from the office and post them so you can take a look.

I haven't written a lick with 'em, but I'm very much looking forward to doing so. Soaked both nibs overnight, so I'm hoping that they're clean now. I'll flush 'em this morning and cross my fingers that there's no problems with the sac.

Here's a little photo-ey goodness for you.

Here's the pen...

Here's the 2442. Not a great picture, but it'll give you a reasonable idea of what it looks like.

My carry pen today was an SJ in Dubonet Red with the 2442 nib.
No Kiddin'.

Here is the discussion when I found the nib on a copper Dollar pen.

My early attempts to irritate never cease to amaze me...
2442 Discussion

Jack

FYI - If anyone is interested in this 2442 nib, please send me a back-channel message and we'll talk. I'm not getting rid of the 9550, but the 2442 is potentially up for grabs.

I don't know that I'd call the 2442 a rare nib. You see them often enough if you look for them on ebay. They're probably in the middle range between common and rare, leaning more on the common side.

I've found them to not be as nice as a 2668 or other medium nib. They have a bit of tooth if you don't hold the pen and nib just right.

just my $.02-
Brian

I've got a 2442 in front of me now, in a late transitional red Estie. Kiowa Pecan Noodler's ink. I'm left handed & when I use this pen, I write with a hooked hand from above the line. I find the nib smooth and it writes well when used this way. No flex and not an exciting line, but a great pen for jotting quick notes. Lots of other nibs just don't work 'upside down'.

I tried it the other day, too, and wasn't terribly impressed with the line. The nib is smooth as butter, but I had to hold the pen sort of cockeyed to get it to write. Not the nib for me...I'll stick with the 9550.

By the way, is a 155x Gregg finer than a 9550?