Nib Choice?

[pajaro]

I use a DB red esterbrook with a 2668 nib for general writing. My nib came from ebay and arrived with a significant foot. I wouldn't say that it is a super hard nail nib, but it is not flexible. Overall a solid nib for general writing.

 

I agree that this a perfectly good nib that writes smoothly. It does not overwhelm me like some European mediums do. I have found a couple of these in pens I bought with the intention of putting a stub nib in each of those pens. I found the 2668s so nice that I did not change them out (pump filler and a J). I have a lot of use for fine to medium nibs that are not so wet as to bleed through cheap paper. The 2668 (and 9668 also) works well in this role. Another is the 9460 medium manifold, with well controlled flow.

 

I think that as you gain experience and understanding of nibs Esterbrook offered a variety of nib types that will allow you to explore the types without having to go to another pen brand and without the need to resort to a nib specialist for a special grind to a nib, because Esterbrook made so many nibs. This makes Esties a very special and versatile type of pen for what was an economy product. I wish I had discovered these pens earlier.

[raigne]

I prefer very fine points on my pens (EF or finer). I have a few different Estie nibs, but the used 2556 it came with always finds its way back onto my pen, despite the fact that it writes like the average western medium. Buy some 2000 series nibs to try (they tend to be less expensive) and then if you want to upgrade to a 9000 series nib you know what to look for. Do keep in mind though, the nibs were hand finished, so they can have their own character, even if the number on them is the same.

[Harlequin]

I tried the 9556 nib (which is a fine) and I thought it was actually closer to an extra fine myself. I can't imagine what the 9550 (or any series) extra fines are like,.

[kathleen]

For everyday general writing I keep a 9668 nib in my Esties. The 9668 is best suited to my penmanship; I have a bit of a heavy hand from too many years spent using ballpoints, finer nibs, even 9xxx series, feel scratchy to me unless I make a conscious effort to lighten my touch.

 

If I want to produce and elegant personal note I switch to the 9788 nib, a medium flex, with just enough flex to achieve a slight line-width variation.

 

[Harlequin]

I am trying a 9788 right now, courtesy of the Esterbrook Loaner program. It's the first flex nib I've ever used and I am finding it hard to get to flex without consciously adding pressure, which is all but impossible for me to do in normal writing.

[raigne]

I tried the 9556 nib (which is a fine) and I thought it was actually closer to an extra fine myself. I can't imagine what the 9550 (or any series) extra fines are like,.

 

Like I said, mine's used. I offered it more as an example of thinking you know what you might like doesn't always translate to what you actually do, and experimenting is the best advice I have. Seems like you're already doing that though

[Harlequin]

Like I said, mine's used. I offered it more as an example of thinking you know what you might like doesn't always translate to what you actually do, and experimenting is the best advice I have. Seems like you're already doing that though

Don't I know it! As a matter of fact, I'm finding that out more and more as I learn more about and use different FPs.

[pajaro]

Like I said, mine's used. I offered it more as an example of thinking you know what you might like doesn't always translate to what you actually do, and experimenting is the best advice I have. Seems like you're already doing that though

Don't I know it! As a matter of fact, I'm finding that out more and more as I learn more about and use different FPs.

 

Each one develops their own intuitive sense of the best, yesterday's Pelikan M1000 with O3B becomes today's Esterbrook M2 with 9284 broad stub, yielding to tomorrow's red J with 2312 italic medium, and on and on until some day's Scarlett O'hara Unterseeschwartz (pistonfiller, you know) with 4.2 mm CI is pulled from one's cold, dead hand, the recently discarded Visumaster with 9048 extra flexible fine lying on the desk. Would that there might be pens in Valhala!

[Harlequin]

Each one develops their own intuitive sense of the best, yesterday's Pelikan M1000 with O3B becomes today's Esterbrook M2 with 9284 broad stub, yielding to tomorrow's red J with 2312 italic medium, and on and on until some day's Scarlett O'hara Unterseeschwartz (pistonfiller, you know) with 4.2 mm CI is pulled from one's cold, dead hand, the recently discarded Visumaster with 9048 extra flexible fine lying on the desk. Would that there might be pens in Valhala!

LOL, not sure I can picture that! As far as I've heard, those Viking chaps weren't really known for their fondness of elegant writing instruments! ^_~

[pajaro]

Each one develops their own intuitive sense of the best, yesterday's Pelikan M1000 with O3B becomes today's Esterbrook M2 with 9284 broad stub, yielding to tomorrow's red J with 2312 italic medium, and on and on until some day's Scarlett O'hara Unterseeschwartz (pistonfiller, you know) with 4.2 mm CI is pulled from one's cold, dead hand, the recently discarded Visumaster with 9048 extra flexible fine lying on the desk. Would that there might be pens in Valhala!

LOL, not sure I can picture that! As far as I've heard, those Viking chaps weren't really known for their fondness of elegant writing instruments! ^_~

 

They might have used the IBM System/360 Autochisel, printing the runes on continuous-form stone tablets. The fine writing instruments would have come in later, as the languages evolved.

[Harlequin]

They might have used the IBM System/360 Autochisel, printing the runes on continuous-form stone tablets. The fine writing instruments would have come in later, as the languages evolved.

 

But what did they do with the edges of the stone tables, the parts that fit over the sprockets?

[raigne]

Each one develops their own intuitive sense of the best, yesterday's Pelikan M1000 with O3B becomes today's Esterbrook M2 with 9284 broad stub, yielding to tomorrow's red J with 2312 italic medium, and on and on until some day's Scarlett O'hara Unterseeschwartz (pistonfiller, you know) with 4.2 mm CI is pulled from one's cold, dead hand, the recently discarded Visumaster with 9048 extra flexible fine lying on the desk. Would that there might be pens in Valhala!

LOL, not sure I can picture that! As far as I've heard, those Viking chaps weren't really known for their fondness of elegant writing instruments! ^_~

 

 

At least you can be sure there will be plenty of alcohol to drown your misery if there aren't any.

[WOBentley]

Just to throw in my 2 cents...I have many of these nibs, (don't have the solid gold relief...but I keep looking )

Anyway, My personal favorite is the 9668. Smooth, slightly juicy, just a wonderful nib...for me. I have the relief nibs, stub nib, signature nib, italic (that one took a while to find) many of the fine and medium nibs) and they all have their place, but for everyday writing, the 9668 is my favorite.

I also have some 2xxx nibs and they can write just as nicely as some of the 9xxx nibs so a 2668 may also be a good place to start.

[skysora]

I'm so very glad I followed everyone's advice here and got the 9668. Ink flow is consistent and lays down nice dark lines.

 

I'm also fond of the 2556, my first Estie nib. The way it touches the paper was a new sensation for me and I'm quite hooked. It seems a bit dry writing compared to the 9550 I have, but I love it nonetheless. I thought about putting it away since I didn't want to wear it out, but after some reading in this forum it sounds like the nib is pretty sturdy, so I'm enjoying it. (I may have to pick up another one in case...)

 

My 9550 seems to be a bit selective of inks. Perhaps a bit of tweaking is in order.

 

And what a bonus that you can also use Osmiroid nibs! They are springy and fun to write with.

[Sasha Royale]

They might have used the IBM System/360 Autochisel, printing the runes on continuous-form stone tablets. The fine writing instruments would have come in later, as the languages evolved.

 

But what did they do with the edges of the stone tables, the parts that fit over the sprockets?

 

I came across this chart of Esterbrook nibs, a few days ago. I couldn't

remember where to find this discussion. I found this to be very informative;

I hope you will save it for future reference.

 

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

[pajaro]

They might have used the IBM System/360 Autochisel, printing the runes on continuous-form stone tablets. The fine writing instruments would have come in later, as the languages evolved.

 

But what did they do with the edges of the stone tables, the parts that fit over the sprockets?

The burster slices all the tracks off and saves it in a cannister so you can put it in your garden for drainage under your plants. Keeps them from being overwatered. So we recycle and are green.

[pajaro]

I'm so very glad I followed everyone's advice here and got the 9668. Ink flow is consistent and lays down nice dark lines.

 

I'm also fond of the 2556, my first Estie nib. The way it touches the paper was a new sensation for me and I'm quite hooked. It seems a bit dry writing compared to the 9550 I have, but I love it nonetheless. I thought about putting it away since I didn't want to wear it out, but after some reading in this forum it sounds like the nib is pretty sturdy, so I'm enjoying it. (I may have to pick up another one in case...)

 

My 9550 seems to be a bit selective of inks. Perhaps a bit of tweaking is in order.

 

And what a bonus that you can also use Osmiroid nibs! They are springy and fun to write with.

The 9668 is probably the smoothest of the mediums. A really good choice among the Esties.

[pajaro]

Nothing going on here, might as well stir the pot.

 

If you are a writer who likes medium nibs in other makers' pens, the 9668 might do perfectly for you.

 

If you like something in a fine to medium, the 9460 is more like that. It's more rigid to make carbon copies, something not much done anymore.

 

If you like a fine, there are fines in the 955X range. I like the 9048 extra flexible fine for a fine. The flex is there but does take pressure on all these flex Esties.

 

I have tried a lot of the 9xxx nibs, and conclude that each NOS nib was helped by a gentle smoothing before use. These are not modern steel nibs. If you try out more modern steel nibs, especially Pelikan, Sonnet, Waterman et alia, You will find them smoother from the getgo.

 

As far as the 1xxx and 2xxx nibs are concerned, many are serviceable. They are not in the same class as properly tipped nibs. They are not made the same, regardless of the merits of rolling steel.

 

As far as all the Esties go, I have fallen for a Sonnet with 18K stub. It is smooth. It gives line variation. Who needs a 9312 italic? I have found the one pen.

 

Edited to change 9030 to the 9048 nib, bad memory.

Fixed poor sentence construction: "if you something like" GAH!

Edited May 6, 2013 by pajaro

[Harlequin]

I still wish I could find one that is a "wide fine" or "narrow medium", without it just being a happenstance variation in manufacturing. And of course, if it wasn't a super nail (like the rigids), that would be ok too.

 

In a slightly different vein, has anyone ever used a 9650? I've seen it referred to as a "medium". Not a firm or rigid medium, just a medium. I'd love it if anyone could provide more info or insight on it.

[pajaro]

 

I still wish I could find one that is a "wide fine" or "narrow medium", without it just being a happenstance variation in manufacturing. And of course, if it wasn't a super nail (like the rigids), that would be ok too.

 

In a slightly different vein, has anyone ever used a 9650? I've seen it referred to as a "medium". Not a firm or rigid medium, just a medium. I'd love it if anyone could provide more info or insight on it.

Did you mean a 9560? I have that in a pump filler now, and it's a decent fine side of medium. As you pointed out, though, there are production oddities. I have one 9460 medium that writes very dry and fine. I have left it alone, not trying to adjust it. I do not do well with wet English-type mediums. I think the 9668 tends that way, Esterbrook's other mediums a bit less so.