My first FP in many, many years, a freshly restored Pearl Gray SJ along
with a 4 ink sampler from Pear Tree is enroute to me.

Anything in particular I should know about filling the SJ from one of those
vials? I see there's only 1cc of ink in them, (hence the term "sample") will
that work out to a full or partial fill?

Thank you in advance.

Bruce in Ocala

The ink isn't very deep. I doubt you will be able to draw more than about half through any nib. I usually use it on pens with converters. I remove the converter and fill it from the vial. That lets me draw up most of the ink.

I'd remove the nib unit and use syringe or eye dropper to fill the sac.

Hah. Beat me to it.

Do what Taki says.

Todd

Yep, that should work. An Estie sac holds about 1cc, so overfilling shouldn't be a problem.

Might be a little messy with an eye dropper as the opening isn't much wider than a large drop of ink and the ink might dam up in the section. Syringe would be my choice - if you use a sharp one, don't put the point down too deep into the section as you will risk poking a hole in the sac.

Also, keep in mind that after filling your pen this way, the nib and feed will still be dry and won't want to write immediately. You could either lay the pen on its side for awhile or expel a drop or two back into the bottle through the nib using the fill lever.

Todd - ie: the other Todd

Yeah, this Todd stuff is getting confusing.

Good thing there are a lot of Esterbrooks out there for both of us!

Todd

That is how I fill my Esterbrooks and Pelikans.
waste less ink that way, and much cleaner too.

And since a good portion of what I know I learned from you .. we make a good team.

Todd

With a "clean / dry nib" once it is placed back on the pen, use the needle or eye-dropper and put a drop of ink onto the feed to start the pen working. Little less ink loss than with the lever.

Thank yall so much for your help.

I don't really have a line on a syringe, I guess I could go into
a pharmacy and plead my case for one.

I DO have a very small eye dropper I think might work, actually
it's an "ear" dropper, very small with a pointy end. Hopefully not
TOO small as the dropper part is only 1 5/8" long, hope that will
make it far enough into the vial to get most of the ink out.

While I'm here, I WOULD like to think BOTH of the Todds here.
I've read countless pages of this forum and have learned
alot from not only the rest of yall, but BOTH of them.

A very, Very Special thank you to "Toulouse" Todd.

After being WOWED by the Dawn Gray SJ he had for sale last
weekend (and being a bit slow on the keyboard trying to get it)
he has worked with me offlist this week and restored the Pearl
Gray SJ that is currently on it's way to me. He's also spent alot
of time this week answering questions for me that I was unable
to find the answers for myself elsewhere.

Again, thank yall very much, especially BOTH Todds and Most
Especially to Toulouse.

Bruce in Ocala, FL

Of course you should keep in mind the type of ink you're using. Esterbrook's warranty may be voided if you fill it with a non-approved ink. You wouldn't want to void the warranty on your Estie, now would you?

Your problem can be solved in two easy steps:

1.) Send me the inks.
2.) I send you scans.

Sarcasm aside, all's been good advice so far. A syringe works great for me.