Just Received My First Esterbrook

[jabberwock11]

I have been a fan of Esterbrook dip pen nibs for a long time now, but have avoided buying an Esetrbrook fountain pen mostly due to ignorance as to what to look for when buying a vintage pen. After ogling some Esterbrooks and doing some research I finally decided to dive in. After debating between a blue J and a copper SJ, I pulled the trigger on the SJ in copper with a 9314-M nib. I inked the pen up with some Lamy Blue-Black and have been using it all day. After some experimentation and work I have come up with a few conclusions:

 

1) The SJ is about the same length as a TWSBI Mini (one of my favorite pens), but it is much thinner...making it a bit more difficult to handle. I will probably buy a standard J next.

 

2) I have used plenty of stub, italic, and right oblique nibs without any issues, but a left foot oblique is an entirely different creature. The 9314-M is smooth as butter, but it is difficult to angle properly. I am having some trouble adapting to this nib and this in turn is causing some discomfort.

 

3) Esterbrooks are addictive. I am having some difficulty adapting to this little pen and yet I am unwilling to give up on it and am looking at getting another (albeit larger) Esterbrook soon.

 

I have a feeling that part of the issue that I am having finding the sweet spot on the 9314-M is due to the SJ's small size, so I am hopeful that this nib will be easier to use when I manage to pick up a J. I have a fine and medium Venus nib coming in the mail, so I will try those out on the SJ to see if the pen is more comfortable with a standard nib. I'll also continue to work at getting used to the 9314-M because when I do get it right it feels like I am writing on glass.

 

In any event, I like the simple, hardy design of Esterbrook pens and the tons of available nib options. I look forward to trying out more Esterbrooks and getting to know some of the different nibs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[linearM]

Congratulations! Esterbrooks are attractive, durable, and versatile with the range of nibs that can easily be used in them. I have 5 and yes I think for the average hand a J is probably the best choice.

[inkandseeds]

Congratulations! For me, Esterbrooks are like old school dependable working men and women. Nothing fancy, durable, and able to get the job done well. I have quite a few.

 

dave

[jabberwock11]

Congratulations! Esterbrooks are attractive, durable, and versatile with the range of nibs that can easily be used in them. I have 5 and yes I think for the average hand a J is probably the best choice.

 

If the barrel were thicker, the pen would be perfect. I would probably be fine with the longer, slim LJ too, but thin and short is a poor combination. I have zero problems writing with a TWSBI Mini; even though the Mini and the SJ are nearly identical in length the extra girth of the Mini makes it a much more comfortable pen. I have a feeling that a standard nib will make the SJ easier to use.

[dasXFnib]

jabberwock11....

CONGRATS on your FIRST Estie!! (It WON'T be your LAST....Consider yourself warned!!! ) There are currently 7 in my collection....and growing!!

Mr. Esterbrook wisely chose to create a wide variety of nibs and a selection of body styles for his pens, knowing that "One size fits all"

just doesn't work with writing instruments ---- of ANY kind!!

Enjoy your new-found "quest" for that PERFECT Estie!!

 

Always try to get the dibs....on fountain pens with EF nibs!!

Edited February 9, 2016 by dasXFnib

[Oldtimer]

I congratulate you and would tend to agree on the feel of the J vs SJ. I have three; two SJs and one J and I like them equally, but would rather use the J because it feels like I have a pen in my hands, which are long. I like also that it is wider and you can feel the difference. On the other hand, the SJs are so cute and equally reliable! I have 4 additional nibs for these 3 pens and all of this for the price of a $100+ (Pens and nibs) modern or vintage pen. One of many olden pens that give you pleasure (of writing) without troubles, as it is often the case in LIFE :-). LOL

Edited February 9, 2016 by Oldtimer

[Rach31]

I tend to collect LJs since they are longer than the SJ but still thin. The J is perfect if you want a thicker pen. I have found that I love the Venus nibs. The ones I have tend to allow a little variation in the line- either from the metal being thinner or the nib being well worn. Hopefully you will receive some great nibs.

[inkstainedruth]

You've gone down the rabbit hole marked "Esterbrook". They're like potato chips -- you can't have just one....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Runnin_Ute]

I haven't tried my Venus Fine in my SJ (it currently has a 9450) but the Venus in my gray J? Wonderful. My green J has a 9550 (I also have a 9461 which came with the gray J and a 1555 Gregg). My LJ? a 2464. Such a nice combo.

 

I think you will like the Venus Fine you have coming. I noticed that I can write unposted with a J - but not an SJ. And I don't have big hands.

[jabberwock11]

This pen is really growing on me. A lot of my frustration was due to the nib, but as I have started to become accustomed to a left foot oblique I find that I mind the size of the SJ less and less. It was a problem when I couldn't find the right angles (and this probably IS easier when using the larger J model), but I'm starting to get the hang of it now.

 

I'm still looking forward to trying the Venus nibs and I also have a bid in for a medium italic Osmiroid nib, but I plan to keep at it with the 9314-M too. I don't want to toss the pen away in frustration any more, I don't have as many issues with skipping, and I am starting to get the line variation that I can easily get with my standard italic nibs.

 

One thing that I have found is that jotting off a couple of diagonal lines in the margins will help the ink flow right away and will also help me place the nib at the correct angle before I start to write for real. This is a quirky little pen with a quirky nib, but I like it enough to keep at it.

 

In addition to the few nibs that I have coming my way I also have a blue J coming in the mail. I figure that the J can be my desk and longer writing sessions pen and the SJ can rotate with my TWSBI Mini as my pocket pen. I love that these pens are widely available and that they have held up so well over the years, but I do wish that someone would remake them, because eventually they will start to disappear (I do NOT consider the modern and currently available "Esterbrook" J model cartridge converter a remake of these great pens, it has nothing in common with the original lever filler models).