1) What's the main differences in writing characteristics between an Estie stub
nib and one of the regular ones of the same width?

2) Along the same lines, I have a M 9668 nib and have seen the writing from
a M 9314 Stub, the 9314 seems broader than mine, why is this?

3) If I wanted to experience a M nib with some more flex in it than my 9668,
which one should I look for?

4) Along the same lines, what would be the differences in writing characteristics
of say, two different "firm medium" nibs like the 1551, 2668, and my medium
9668?

(Obviously, I do have a decent Estie nib chart, I just need some more detailed
info on the differences. If someone has a link with this info, that would be nice
too.)

Thanks in advance for the education,

Bruce in Ocala, FL

1) I use this link to Richards site when I need to know something about nibs. Basically, the stub will give line variations that a regular one will not.

2) I think due to the stub design.

3) Not sure on this one but I am currently using a 2048 that (to me) seems pretty flexible.

4) Based on the ones I have and based on my writing habits, the 1551 is a little more rough (toothy) than the 2668 and the same goes for comparison of the 2668 to the 9668. Now I have only tried the 1551 nib once but I have more than a few 2668 nibs in use and two 9668's so my opinion here might be a little biased.

#3) Try a 9788. I had one, and it was a medium edging on broad, and had some spring to it. I don't recall if it had much line variation, but it was a nice writer.

Best,
Jon

The 9788 was one of the suggestions made to me by Todd (Toulouse). I'm not sure I will even like
the extra flex so his next most economical choice of polishing/smoothing a 2442 is the angle I am
leaning towards for now.

It sure would be nice to have a more complete Estie nib sheet with some writing examples and more
thorough descriptions of how they write...

Bruce in Ocala, FL

this is a list I got somewhere on the internet a while back. I don't remember where though.( smack on the head )I didn't keep that information

ESTERBROOK
Re-New-Points

1314
Flexible Stub
Social use and manuscript writing
1461
Rigid Fine*
Manifolding, carbon copies
1550
Firm Extra Fine
Accounting and Bookeeping
1551
Firm Medium
General school and clerical use, student
1554
Firm Fine
Shorthand and penmanship, clerical
1555
Firm Fine
Oficially approved for Gregg Shorthand
1556
??
 
2048
Flexible Extra Fine Falcon
For clerical and office use , shaded writing
2128
??
 
2284
Broad Stub
Bold signatures
2312
Italic Medium
 
2314F
Relief Fine Stub
Fine stub
2314M
Relief Medium Stub
Medium stub
2314B
Relief Broad Stub
Broad stub
2442
Falcon Stub
Firm smooth, popular with executives
2450
??
 
2460
Firm Fine
Reord keeping
2461
??
 
2464
Rigid Broad
Multicopy manifold
2550
Firm Extra Fine
Bookeeping
2555
??
 
2556
Firm Fine
Accounting, penmanship and fine writing
2668
Firm Medium
General writing
2788
Flexible Medium
General writing
2968
Firm Broad
General, broad writing
FINE
Firm Fine
General writing - like 2556
MEDIUM
Firm Medium
General writing - like 2668
BROAD
Firm Broad
General writing - like 2968
3312
Relief Medium Italic
Gold Plated
3314
Relief Medium Stub
Gold Plated
3550
Firm Extra Fine
 
3556
Firm Fine
 
3668
Firm Medium
 
3968
Firm Broad
 
5284
Broad Stub
Signatures
5442
Falcon Stub
Firm Stub
5460
Firm Fine
Record Keeping
5461
Rigid Medium
Manifolding
5550
Firm Extra Fine
Bookeeping
5554
Firm Fine
Secretarial Work
5556
Firm Fine
Accounting, Fine Writing
5668
Firm Medium
General Writing
5788
Flexible Medium
General Writing
5968
Firm Broad
General Writing
6668
Firm Medium Triumph Style - Prototype
General Writing
7550
Firm Extra Fine
Fine Manifold
7556
Firm Fine
General writing
7668
Firm Medium
General writing
7968
Firm Broad
Broad writing
8440
Firm Superfine
Mapmaking
8461
Firm Rigid Fine
 
8550
Firm Extra Fine
 
8556
Firm Fine
 
8668
Firm Medium
 
8968
Firm Boad
 
9048
Extra Flexible Fine
Shaded writing
9128
Extra Flexible Extra Fine
 
9284
Broad Stub
Signature stub
9312
Italic Medium
 
9314F
Relief Fine Stub
Fine stub
9314M
Relief Medium Stub
Medium stub
9314B
Relief Broad Stub
Broad stub
9450
Firm Extra Fine
Posting
9460
Manifold Medium
Carbon copies
9461
Manifold Fine
Carbon copies
9550
Firm Extra Fine
 
9555
Firm Extra Fine
Gregg shorthand
9556
Firm Fine
Fine writing
9668
Firm Medium
General writing
9788
Extra Flexible Medium
Shaded writing
9968
Firm Broad

Wow! That's great! How about pinning that to the Esterbrook Forum?

Erick

Here's the url for basically the same chart that I've seen and use.

http://www.snyderfamily.com/current/estienibs.htm

It's nice to have but for a noob like me, in some respects, it raises as many
questions as it answers.

For example, there are 8 different Firm Mediums listed, besides the basic
4 groups of Estie nibs, what makes each of these different?

There are 2 different just Mediums listed. What differentiates them from
the other mediums and where do they "fit in"?

While Richard's site info is helpful in understanding some of the general
nib terms, as I said earlier, for me, perhaps a line written with each nib
and a more thorough description of eachs characteristics would be helpful.

Bruce in Ocala, FL