I just got a copper Esterbrook SJ and it is a very pretty pen. The nib is very scratchy. After cleaning and flushing the pen it took ink pretty well but when I tested it I ended up with ink on the tip of my index finger. There was ink on threads but I have not noticed it since then. The ink flow could be better. I was doing circles on a brown paper bag to see if that would smooth the nib and it really grabbed the paper when I went from left to right. The ink flow was very inconsistent. I started hearing some clicking and discovered the feed section is a little loose. I do not have magnifying glass to look at the nibs.

What's the first step? I've been reading about replacing the sac and I think I can do that but the scratching and the loose feed have me concerned.

Thanks for your help,

Matt

Matt,

On an esterbrook the nib and feed assembly is called a Renew Point. It screws into the section. Give it a twist and take it out. Wash it out with a little water and perhaps a toothbrush and dish soap. After it is clean screw the point back in and give it another try.

Todd

hello matt, if after tweaking the nib you still don't like the way it writes, but you wanna keep the pen, just buy the renew point. you can find them at ebay... i know you gotta spend more... but if you like the pen so much it might be worth.

try this site: http://stores.ebay.com/The-Pen-Shop-of-Mem...Z16803413QQtZkm

if you don't wanna go thru all that... PM me and sell me the pen

The feed section should not be loose. In a Renew Point, the nib and feed should be securely attached. That would be one possible explanation for the inconsistent ink flow. You may have a bad Renew Point, that needs to be replaced.

Your nib may be scratchy because the tines are misaligned. Additionally, there are a few Renew Points that are scratchy by nature, because the tip is flat rather than being rolled over (for example, 1550, 1554, and 2550). What is the model number on your nib?

I suggest replacing the nib before you try replacing the sac. In the 1000 and 2000 series, I suggest 1551, 1555, 2556 and 2668. In my opinion, 2668 is the best of these nibs. In the 9000 series, I prefer 9450, 9460, 9550, 9555, 9556, and 9668. 9668 is my favorite in the 9000 series.

you can also try the venus nibs they fit esties, but i never tried them, so i can't vouch for them

venus points: http://cgi.ebay.com/Venus-NEW-OLD-STOCK-re...1742.m153.l1262

Thank you for the great advice. I have a 1550 nib. This seems to scratchy as it grabs the paper on a left to right stroke vs. a right to left stroke. I'll start looking for a new nib. Is there anything specal about how the nib is attached to the feed section?

Matt

I love Estie nibs, but the 1550 nib is very, very scratchy. I have three, just to remind me how scratchy they are, and not to buy any more.

Estie Renew Point nibs and feeds are permanently attached by a plastic band that wraps around them. Possibly, the band on your nib has been cracked. Alternatively, perhaps the feed itself has been cracked at or close to the band.

Someone is selling a bunch of unused 1551 nibs on eBay for $5.00 apiece, and very reasonable shipping. Excellent price. You can buy one or more. I've purchased nibs from this seller in the past, and been very satisfied. Check out the link below.

Estie Nibs 1551

The same seller is selling 9460 nibs for $10.00 apiece. Again, an excellent price. Check out the following link.

Estie Nibs 9460

Richard Binder also sells NOS Renew-Point nibs for $6 to $10.

richarspens.com

(not affiliated, &c.)

WHAT! i didn't know this...!!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to everyone who offered me advice. I found a nos 9550 nib on ebay and it writes like a dream. This is like getting a new pen when you switch the nibs. I cleaned out the old ink and the nib screwed out just like it was supposed to. The new nib went in just as smooth. I've got Omas Blue in it now and life is good.
The best part is I barely got any ink on my hands.

Sweet! Enjoy your "new" pen!