Hello from another Connecticut-ian (lived here all my life and never did figure out what we're called, other than "nutmeggers").

I stumbled here after searching online for some information. I'd used fountain pens on and off since high school in the '70s. Somewhere, if I can find it, I have the cheap little cartridge Schaeffer I had back then.

Getting more interested in fountain pens now was a combination of a few things. One is that I discovered, as I spend more of my life in front of a computer screen, that as my typing skill have improved, my penmanship has suffered. It seems I never actually sit down and write a letter anymore, and I wanted to get back to that. I don't even have a desk to sit at right now that isn't covered with computer gear. I also have been researching my family history and have been impressed by some of the handwriting in ship's manifests and family records from Italy. I wish I could write like that. (I hope to be able to get a flexible nib for my Esterbrooks to try to emulate some of that style.)

The second thing that nudged me back is a thread that appeared on another forum I frequent that focuses on cane fly rods. Someone asked if others were interested in fountain pens, which led to an interesting discussion. I remembered my grandfather's old Esterbrook (marked BELL SYSTEM PROPERTY; he worked for SNET), found it, and cleaned it up. Fortunately the sac is in good shape, but the J-bar is broken at the hook end (I have a replacement on the way from Wood Bin). It still will fill, but probably not as well as it will when the new bar is installed. I've been using it.

I also bought a Parker Vector of recent manufacture, but don't like it nearly as well as the Esterbrook. It might be the washed-out-looking ink they supply with it (washable blue). I'll get an ink converter and try something else.

Researching the Esterbrook showed me how many very pretty Esterbrooks there are. I know they were the inexpensive workhorse pen of their day, but I like the colored marbled plastic. I bought a blue one and a green one on eBay. They need new sacs (also on their way from Wood Bin), and one needs a new nib. I've been keeping my eye on other Esties in red, grey, and copper . . . the illness has taken hold.

I found a Moore I had forgotten about that had been in my grandparents' house. It's probably not worth fixing, as part of one tine has broken off, the clip is not tight to the body, the body is worn, and the sac needs to be replaced. Maybe someday, but seems like a lot of work for what will still be a worn-looking pen.

Then yesterday I was in a thrift shop (looking for a desk) and found a Pelikan 120 for the princely sum of twenty-five cents. (I also got a full bottle of Quink for a buck, a Koh-i-noor Rapidograph SL for a quarter, and a box of Rapidograph tips, a Parker ink cartridge, and a bunch of Schaeffer ink cartridges for fifty cents. Not bad for a total outlay of $2. I'll probably get rid of the Rapidograph stuff, as I've got a set of Faber-Castells I've used for years.) The Pelikan had dried ink in the chamber, the piston was moving but resisted being removed from the barrel, the nib had a downward curved bend to it, and it couldn't be removed from the section. The cap has some minor cracking. After running some water through it, with some gentle persuasion I was able to get the piston assembly out, then I worked the nib out and finally the feed came loose. I cleaned things up as well as I could (I don't have a brush to get to all the nooks and crannies in the barrel), straightened the nib as best I could (it's not quite straight but it's workable), reassembled everything, and loaded some ink into it. It works!

So that's where I'm at. Next step is to find a nice desk so I'm not trying to write in a cramped space in front of the computer monitor. And keeping my eyes open for whatever else I come across (especially more Esterbrooks and nibs).

Now to go post a general repair question and an Esterbrook question . . .

--Bob Farace

Welcome!

Welcome to the forum - you'll love it here!

You are one of the lost souls who reside here at FPN, welcome. Sounds as if the bug has hold of you.

Another Texas welcome--and hello from a fellow Estie-fan. Sounds like you're already on the road so many of us travel. Good luck!

Welcome! It's good to see that you not only have the pen monkey on your back, but you like to take them apart to see what makes them tick, and get them back into working order. Which means, you've got it bad. You are doomed to a life of pen-ury. Oh, well, the journey into the FP financial abyss is fun, and, as yet, still not illegal. Enjoy!!!

Welcome from a Nutmegger! The pickings here are a little slim, but it makes the hunt better! Glad to have you aboard