Hi, all.

My Estie was delivered today. It's a red J Series DJ with a 9556 that I got for a $20 spot (along with a NOS 9788 on the side for a little more). I was interested in it mostly because of the renew point system, and because I saw a pic of a red one and just had to have it. The red of my delivered pen is a bit less brilliant than I had anticipated, but these pens are kind of old, as I understand it, so I have to give it a little leeway I guess. Overall, from an Estie neophyte's point of view, I'd say this pen was restored very well. It fills and writes, and I have no issues getting the nib off. This is also my first lever fill, so thank goodness for Richard Binder's site! I wanted to make sure I was filling it correctly.

Here's my question. I read that the 9556 is "Firm Fine" which is what I had wanted. I put some Mont Blanc Bordeaux in it to give it a test drive, and it is not as buttery smooth as my Pelikan F or my Waterman F. Is this just the nature of an Esterbrook F nib, or does it have a little "tooth" to it? I am fortunate to have never had a scratchy nib, so I am a bit embarrassed to say that I'm not quite sure what the feedback from this nib is telling me. It does seem a little "dry" to be honest, so perhaps that's why I'm feeling friction against the paper? This pen came from someone who restores and sells pens online, so I am assuming that it's just the nature of a dry F nib and this is my first experience with it. It's not unpleasant... just different.

Lastly, do I clean this like I would fill it? That is, do I expel the ink with the lever pulled to 90 degrees (without forcing, of course) then just fill with water and expel until it runs clear, or is there a better/safer way to do this? Pistons, and C/C pens I think I am old hat at flushing, now... but, again, this is different to me.

I'm excited to get to use this pen and get to know it. It arrived along with my Cedar Blue 1945 Parker 51 with the refinished cap... but that is a story for the proper forum.

Most of the 9556 and 2556 nibs I have used have a bit of tooth to them, not scratchy per say but just a very consistent subtle, drag on the paper. I actually rather like this in a fine nib but I can understand where some people are put off by it. If it bugs you, it can be adjusted to put down more ink and that will probably go a long way toward fixing the problem. Obviously it can also be smoothed through regrinding as well but I'm assuming that its not really rough just a bit toothy.

As to flushing, yes you are exactly write plus, an added benefit to the Esterbrook Re-new points is the ability to unscrew the nib and clean the pen that way.

Hope this helps

Adam

Best way I have found to clean them for sure. While the nib is off run it under the water too so the next load of ink (if different) doesn't change color on you.

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I never would have thought to rinse it out by taking off the nib! (Then again, I haven't had my coffee this morning.)

As for the "dry" writing, I think I'll just leave it. It gives it character and it's different from my other pens. From what you described, Adam, that's precisely how mine feels.

If I were changing inks I was also thinking of a couple light water flushes of the bladder (nib off) using a syringe.

Any reason I wouldn't want to do that?


Bruce in Ocala, FL

That's what I do, I always have a teeny little 2 ml glass syringe with my traveling ink bottles and one at home for just this purpose....

Adam

Just be carefull that you do not "poke" the ink sac with a needle as you could poke a hole in it. Try not to put the needle way inside the pen when you do this. Also, make sure you flush the nib itself or you will draw all the ink from the feed into the pen when re-filling the pen.

Most of the Estie nibs I've used provide a significant amount of feedback. For me, that's a good thing. On the other hand, unless they are damaged in some fashion, they should not be scratchy. The exceptions are 1550, 1554, and 2550, which do not have either rolled tips or tipping material, and they are downright scratchy.

If you want to try what I believe are the smoothest Estie nibs, I recommend 2668 and 9668.

I had the same nib in mine & yes its toothy but mine also skipped on the top arc of a circle so I smoothed it a little until it wrote a full circle.
Its also lost most of its toothiness on smooth paper & is one of my favourite nibs at the moment.
I don't get any dryness in any pen I have but I use either quink or watermans