I recently acquired a restored sj but everytime I cap the 2668 nib and then remove the pen the nib is smeared with ink. I've tried rinsing out the cap and swabbing the inner cap but it still happens. I've also noticed that when writing some ink appears on the line between the tines on the nib as well.
any Ideas?

Thanks,
Mike S.

I'd love to hear more about this, too. I have an Estie J that looks & writes absolutely beautifully, but that nib gets splattered with ink like you wouldn't believe! No matter how clean I get the pen, the ink returns. It's been driving me crazy. I have an LJ that used to do that, but it mysteriously stopped; I don't know what I did differently with it.

Well, the problem could stem from multiple sources. First off, I will say I've seen caps with enough dried ink to constitute seemingly days if not weeks of writing. Dried ink leaking into the cap over 30-40 years can easily build up under the inner cap and be a real pain to clean out. Short soaks and q-tips aren't likely to clean it out sufficiently. You may need to soak the cap for an extended period of time (a day or two) in a partial ammonia solution. I don't generally recommend immersing caps, but on esterbrook J pens they seem to be resilient to prolonged soaking. I have done it many times without incident. After soaking it is very important to let the cap dry thoroughly. If you have an air compressor, that might speed things up, otherwise roll up a tissue and shove it inside the cap to absorb some water. Then let it dry for several days. Try to get as much out as possible by shaking, hair dryer, etc. first, which will speed things up a bit. Again, there's no substitute for prolonged drying time here. If you had an inner cap puller, it would be much, much easier, but not everyone has one.

If the cap is indeed clean, then the problem could lie with the sac length or size. If the sac is too large (should only be a 16 on a J pen), or too long (they should be cut almost deceptively short) it will give you problems. If you didn't put it in yourself, you might want to check. If the sac is bunching up in the end of the barrel, it will leak. If there is a pinhole in the sac, it will also leak.

Also, this time of year with changing temperatures, it is easy for ink to expand/contract when switching from a warm house to a cold car, etc. I always let my pens acclimate to my office for a few minutes before using them. This may not be your issue either.

Also, check to make sure the nib is screwed in tightly. Doesn't sound like you have that problem, but never hurts to check.

Best-
Brian

My Esterbrook "J" also has a fine splattering of ink on the nib but I have always assumed that it was evaporation. I have a 1551 Student Nib. It really doesn't bother me too much.

Sir Agravain

The sac should be 1 15/16" long from tip to tip. All double jewel Js use the same sac. The sac protector and the barrel stuffing (little eraser like item) set the position of the J-bar and make the internals all appear the same. Esterbrook clearly did this to reduce the number of sacs and J-bars needed to assemble pens.

Todd

I'll definitely check the sac length in this pen. I may also give the cap a good water/ammonia bath.

Thanks Brian! I will try soaking the cap first. I have a feeling that dried ink is the culprit

I have the same problem. Someone, I can't remember who, said it might help if the pen is not completely full. For some reason they said it might keep the pen from puking up ink.