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Esterbrook SJ w/ 2668 nib

gillyohan

By gillyohan
in Fountain Pen Reviews

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gillyohan Extremely Rare

gillyohan

Posted
Posted (edited)

I received an Esterbrook SJ w/ 2668 nib from Fountain Pen Geeks about a week ago. It's my first and only vintage pen at the moment, and it's been fun writing with it.

 

Appearance, Design, Size:

This pen is very light and pretty small. It is shorter than my Pelikan m205 and thinner than my Sailor Sapporo. The shape, though, isn't unpleasant, so it's nice to hold. So far, it's not a very comfortable size for long writing sessions, but it's great for shorter sessions. Daniel polished it, so it's very smooth. The cap screws on and posts well.

 

Filling System:

It's a lever fill. It's my first one, and I don't much about them. It seems to be working fine, and holds ink well. It has a new sac, so I'm expecting to last a good while.

 

Nib:

The 2668 nib is a steel medium nib. Not much flex, but it's a bit springy. The tines are misaligned, causing some scratchiness on the left stroke. Fortunately, replacement nibs are pretty cheap and easy to find.

 

Conclusion:

I was always afraid that vintage pens would be super fragile, but this pen is pretty sturdy-feeling. It really has a lot of character. I think I may look for this pen in a J size, which is supposed to be a bit larger all around. It would definitely make a good pocket pen, since it fits even in shallow shirt pockets.

 

Thank you, Fountain Pen Geeks!

 

Pen shots:

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/2360/201004150126.jpg

 

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/2127/201004150128.jpg

 

http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/5673/201004150129.jpg

 

Pen in hand:

http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/1134/201004150134.jpg

 

Compared to Pelikan m205 and Sailor Sapporo capped and uncapped:

http://img541.imageshack.us/img541/6266/201004150138.jpg

 

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/3568/201004150139.jpg

 

Lame writing sample:

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/7710/201004150150.jpg

Edited by gillyohan

Inked:

Pelikan m205 black 0.9ci/F Italifine (Diamine Damson);

Aurora 88 nikargenta (Iroshizuku Kon-Peki);

Pelikan 140 Steno (J Herbin Lie de Thé)

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lovemy51 Antique

lovemy51

Posted
Posted

i have one like it myself fitted with a 2314F nib (not the nib it came with). picked it up for $10 a while back on ebay. not too bad considering the small size, tho' i prefer the full size J better.

 

congrats!

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Juicyjones Extremely Rare

Juicyjones

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Nice. You don't see too many of those 2668 nibs (you got the title turned around btw :), firm medium. I have the exact same color Estie J with the 2968, firm broad. Great pen and great nibs! -E

"If we faked going to the Moon, why did we fake it nine times?" -- Apollo 16 astronaut Charlie Duke

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4447835438_d7314170bf_o.png

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gillyohan Extremely Rare

gillyohan

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Nice. You don't see too many of those 2668 nibs (you got the title turned around btw :), firm medium. I have the exact same color Estie J with the 2968, firm broad. Great pen and great nibs! -E

 

Hah! shouldn't have tried to put the nib size in the title...

 

Have you held the SJ before? If so, how would you compare their sizes (mainly width)? A big difference?

Inked:

Pelikan m205 black 0.9ci/F Italifine (Diamine Damson);

Aurora 88 nikargenta (Iroshizuku Kon-Peki);

Pelikan 140 Steno (J Herbin Lie de Thé)

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pmsalty Vintage

pmsalty

Posted
Posted

I have one also, I replaced the 2668 nib with a 1555 and like it much better. Nice pens, I love the red!

PMS

When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty -Thomas Jefferson

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Juicyjones Extremely Rare

Juicyjones

Posted
Posted

Nice. You don't see too many of those 2668 nibs (you got the title turned around btw :), firm medium. I have the exact same color Estie J with the 2968, firm broad. Great pen and great nibs! -E

 

Hah! shouldn't have tried to put the nib size in the title...

 

Have you held the SJ before? If so, how would you compare their sizes (mainly width)? A big difference?

 

Yes I've owned more than a few in the past, but I've gradually given away all the SJs because I like the size of the J better. It's size is great for my big hands, especially posted.

"If we faked going to the Moon, why did we fake it nine times?" -- Apollo 16 astronaut Charlie Duke

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4447835438_d7314170bf_o.png

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Ed Ronax Collectors Item

Ed Ronax

Posted
Posted

Thanks for the review. I too have my first vintage in the mail at present, an Estie J so it was with great interest I read your review.

To be honest I cant wait till it arrives.

And how can this be, because he is the Kwisatz Haderach.

 

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Bo Bo Olson Ancient Artifact

Bo Bo Olson

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I am missing both reds. A touch of envy has been had.

 

The Double J is a bit bigger.

I have DJ's, SJ, and LJ, unfortunately. I kept buying on Ebay and not buying the ten sac's I need.

My Grey from 1950 works just fine still, with original sac.

 

Take the nib and press it on your thumb nail it might straighten it out.

 

Otherwise you can buy nibs of your choice, the nib screws out. I've seen them advertised from $8-40. Nibs that were twenty dollars last year are now going for forty, so buy now.

Edited by Bo Bo Olson

In reference to P. T. Barnum; to advise for free is foolish, ........busybodies are ill liked by both factions.

 

 

The cheapest lessons are from those who learned expensive lessons. Ignorance is best for learning expensive lessons.

 

 

 

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redranger Dipped Only

redranger

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Nice review, and great pics to go with it! I have a fondness for these little SJ devils myself. I started out with green, just recieved my red, and have a copper one in the mail as we speak. I haven't held any of the other sizes yet, as I am new to the obsession. Also, thank you for the photo comparing the relative sizes of the SJ to the Sapporo and the Pelikan, two pens I have on my shortlist for consideration. Enjoy your Estie!

Edited by redranger
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WillSW Vintage

WillSW

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I love my Esties, though the SJ is too small for me, I prefer the J and LJ. Misaligned tines, while it may seem daunting, are actually very easy to fix. I'd suggest you look it up.

paintings

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wheezur Rare

wheezur

Posted
Posted

I love my Esties, though the SJ is too small for me, I prefer the J and LJ. Misaligned tines, while it may seem daunting, are actually very easy to fix. I'd suggest you look it up.

+2 I too prefer the size of the J and agree that aligning the tines is easier than you think. That is a beautiful pen you have and great pics.

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Twoodi Extremely Rare

Twoodi

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I love my SJ but I only have little hands so it fits me perfectly unposted - I couldn't go any smaller though. Your red is just beautiful and congrats on fantastic photos :)

I'm in a constant state of cat-like readiness!!!

"What do we live for if not to make life less difficult for each other" George Elliot

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