I'm in deep.

I won a Red Estie (not sure if it will be a J or LJ from picture) on ebay, and then practically by mistake won a Blue J and a Grey J and Grey SJ all at the same time. So now I have four coming in the mail. Time to lay off the sauce a little!

I have yet to win one of System of Adam's, but will keep eyes on next one up on Classifieds.

Hey, if I buy enough of them now, can I put my kids through college later on the proceeds?

Best,
Mars

Only four pens today? No need to worry, I think I hit double digits in a buying frenzy this weekend...

Todd

That's the problem with eBay! I have two Esties en route (green ? and brown J), and I just got my blue J in the mail yesterday. $14 total, there was no description at all, bought it on the chance it would be salvagable. It has a chipped jewel, the nib ain't perfect, and it it has some dried-on gunk and no shine. It's been used well! Took a bit of flannel and opened up my new tube of Simichrome, and viola! the blue started to shine through. Lots potential. I"m looking for some beat-up pens to use for parts, but it's hard to find them. I bid on a set today of not so perfect ones, I"ll probably lose, but it's fun to try!

That'll be four esties for me! Yahoo!

Did anyone see the auction for new old stock Estie jewels? $35 for three tiny pieces of plastic! Ack! If I won the lottery, they would be mine.

I've got a red J and a blue SJ on route too......

Just buy a parts pen with good jewels. If you need help changing the jewel let us know.

If you really need one there are several options. Several people can make you one (both plastic AND metal) and several people have spares from time to time.

Todd

Boy if this doesn't sound like a bunch of Esties "crack pen" addicts...(see my contest submission)

Hi, my name is Bruce and I'm a Esterbrook addict!



Bruce in Ocala, FL

Esties are not crack pens. They are not addictive and not problematic.

They are the methadone treatment of pens. Think of it this way--you can get a single fix and buy a DJ 51 or a dozen Estie fixes and have some left over for ink and supplies.

I once worried what would happen when I had one of each of the Js. Now I LOOK for variants and I'm still happy.

See no problem.....

Todd

You know, I bet we all recognize the pens that we are getting, since we are all doing the same searches on ebay!
Mars

I can stop whenever I want to....

So you're the people who've been outbidding me!

Let me enable your addiction, just PM me, as I've got a couple in need of a loving home.

what is simichrome? just got a black set that needs to be polished.

It's a german metal polish that does pretty well on plastic/enamel pens.

Somewhat abrasive so take it in steps and watch it around gold plated stuff.
It should take out small scratches in Esties just fine. Then hit them with some
Carnauba wax.

You'll find it at most motorcycle shops/dealerships. If they don't have it,
they'll know what you are talking about anyway.

Bruce in Ocala, FL

Yep, we're probably all outbidding each other!!

I haven't looked in any local antique stores for any pens, maybe I"ll try that this weekend before going to Indianapolis to look.

Farmboy, thanks for the info...if I get desperate, I"ll post on the WTB thread...right now I need to order pen sacs!


I'd like to ask you 'addicts' a question...have you bid on any on ebay 'blind', that is, an auction that has a generic listing 'one red esterbrook, for sale now", just in the wild chance it might be good?

The ones for sale by people who aren't pen people aren't very verbose about how beat-up they are. I got a pristine grey SJ that way, still has its original (pliable!) sac! I also got a green canadian estie on a generic auction, both for less than $15 apiece. Cool!

Update: They all arrived within to days of each other.

First batch:
1 Dark (Dawn) Grey J with a good 2668 nib and no sac, but in good condition.
1 Dark (Dawn) Grey SJ with a 2556 nib that is bent back from hard pressing. Writes smoothly, but like an American medium. A loose lever and some rust.
These definitely came from someone who could have been more verbose about the details of their condition.

Second batch:
1 Red LJ with a good 9550 nib. Good condition, but nib too fine for me. Nice shiny red.

Third Batch:
1 silvery (Pearl) Grey SJ in good condition, but 1550 nib is definitely too fine for me.

Puttzed around all late evening while my wife gave me bemused/amused looks.

Verdict: Off to get some wider or more flexible nibs. Too many Grey pens now, and I like the wider J better than the others.

You know you went a little overboard when you get three Greys all at once a couple of days after you bought one already. On to Transitionals and Dollars next, eh?

Best,
Mars

Final Update!

Went to Fountain Pen Shop, replaced a 1550 nib with a 9668, and exchanged a broken mechanism SJ for a new sac in my new J purchasing a very nice Copper Transitional, my first Transitional! Very nice pen.

I ended up buying another pen not belonging to this Forum, so I will leave you in suspense.

Best,
Mars