One of the real pleasures with the dozen-or-so Esterbrooks I own and use is their completely untemperamental behavior with different inks. In fact, I haven't found a brand that didn't work like a charm in mine. Different experiences?

I agree - I have a bunch of Private Reserve ink colors that give other pens fits, and the Esties work great with them. Regardless of nib.

The few times I've had problems with flow in an Estie, it was due to an obstructed nib/feed, not the ink. I suspect the nib "unit" helps Estie nibs stay in proper alignment with the feed. Poorly set/aligned nibs are one of the most common causes of poor flow in other pens, in my experience.
Best regards, greg

My Snorkels with drier XF nibs dislike Noodlers immensely - all ink flow has almost ceased after only two days.

My Esterbrooks are a different story, they all have Fine and Extra Fine nibs and they kick along great for weeks.

I have a few tight-slitted vintage nibs that refuse to write with Noodler's (especially the Boston blue), but my snorkel pens don't seem to have any allergy to it...some of my 60s through 80s Pilot pens are balky using various Noodler's colors, but of course the Esterbrooks I have used it in wrote just fine!

I love my Esties, but I can't say I've never had an ink flow problem. Usually, I do not have a problem. I didn't vote because it's not as though I have to use a certain brand (or 2) of inks.

For preferred brands I'd say: Rohrer & Klingner, Waterman, Pelikan, Montblanc, Levenger & Omas.

Best, Ann

I currently have a couple of Estie J's w/2668 nibs inked and writing well - one even has the "nasty" Parker Quink Black ink currently loaded and is working like a champ. They both can set for days with no starting problems.

To be fair - I do have most of my inked pens in a horizontal orientation unless they're in my pocket or in my hand.

My Esties will dry out if not used for a couple weeks, but when they aren't dry they write with anything. In fact, I've had to adjust almost all of them drier to keep them from flooding!

They are far from finicky pens.

Peter

No problems as well. An old grey SJ with 2556 and a recently acquired green SJ with 2668 nib from mmoncur are filled with Private Reserve inks (Midnight Blues and Black cherry) and both perform very well. Prior to my recent foray into other inks, the grey SJ did equally well with Aurora black. The SJs now join the Safari and the 45 in rotation.

My first Esterbrook was a Copper J. The first ink that I tried in the pen was Private Reserve Copper Burst. The Estie loves the ink and the ink matches the color of the pen so well that everytime I have even thought about putting in another color the little Estie clamps her little lever close to her body and refuses to even consider another ink. My latest Estie is a Red J that is on her first fill, with Noodlers Widow Maker. This pen loves this ink. You don't think . . . imposible . . . it couldn't be happening again . . .