The New M-2!

[trdsf]

If you’re gonna do something “Esterbrook”, you need to understand (or at least have a good idea of) what the “Esterbrook experience” is all about. We know what it is, but from a strictly personal viewpoint. A cold business-like approach to the subject requires, IMO, a different look. Could one boil down the whole Esterbrook experience into a few words that would say it all?

What I came up with were three words: Original, Innovative and Unique. And a cursory look at the Company's history would easily reveal it.

 

Truth.

 

I would also add Reliable and Affordable. Esterbrook pens were not designed to be high end luxury pens, even though IMO they well outperform some of those.

 

Were I behind a relaunch of Esterbrooks, there would first need to be something probobly stylistically reminiscent of the J/LJ/SJs and definitely compatible with existing Esterbrook nibs regardless of the final design of the pen. I can't think of any other line of pen that was designed to swap nibs like the Esties were, a quality that I think falls under all three of the ones you listed.

 

Then and only then, after establishing the line, would it be worth exploring a midrange/high range line. I don't see anything impossible in the idea of higher-end Esterbrooks -- they themselves tried to take a step in that direction with the Phætons. But the foundation for doing that needs to be laid first.

 

What I wouldn't do is pick an existing pen and contract to slap a name on it. I mean, I could put a Fender logo on my guitar, but that doesn't magically turn it into one.

[alc3261]

Esterbrook tried to get Massdrop to censor the discussion and they refused.

Based on the comments Massdrop pulled the drop and refunded the money of anyone who had signed up.

[ScienceChick]

Yay, Massdrop!

[inkstainedruth]

I saw whoever made these pen-shaped plastics at last D.C. pen show... They were strangely unenthusiastic about their products. I don't even understand why, but their attitude and the table set-up just did not fit the atmosphere of the show. (Except the box.)

 

I'm just sad. That's all.

 

I actually was polite and looked at the pens at their table. The one I picked up was obviously a metal body, because it was heavy for its length and girth -- too heavy for my hand.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[inkstainedruth]

This is STUNNING.

Now on a related linkedin site:

 

"The New Esterbrook M2 Series, a modern remake of an Esterbrook Classic."

"Mar 31, 2016 The New Esterbrook M2 , a modern remake of am Esterbrook Classic is now available at authorized Esterbrook retailers. Available in six stunning colors, Canary Yellow, Fire Engine Red, Spring Green, Midnight Black Navy Blue and Pink. Available as both a Fountain Pen and Roller Ball. Visit www.esterbroopens.com for additional information on this stunning new Esterbrook Series." Apparently there is a new pen called Esterbroo.

Here is the link:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/new-esterbrook-m2-series-modern-remake-classic-robert-e-rosenberg

There are so many Authorized Esterbrook Retailers that I can't keep up with the list. And will someone please explain to him the meaning of the word "stunning".

 

You would think that the CEO would check for spelling on his own brand's weblink. (BTW -- I tried it just for giggles and got an error link to Verizon's page....

Actually, I skimmed the linkedin posting by Mr. R. The pink one was kind of amusing (we could all chip in and buy one for Charles Rice, given his opinion of the color pink in general.... But I still don't think of it as an Esterbrook (with or without the "k").

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[sd10521]

If they keep this up we will need a new sub category in this forum titled ENTERTAINMENT.

Too bad Massdrop pulled the whole offer, I would have enjoyed reading the snarky comments over there.

[Katduffy]

If they keep this up we will need a new sub category in this forum titled ENTERTAINMENT.

Too bad Massdrop pulled the whole offer, I would have enjoyed reading the snarky comments over there.

I wanted to read them too.

[pajaro]

 

Truth.

 

I would also add Reliable and Affordable. Esterbrook pens were not designed to be high end luxury pens, even though IMO they well outperform some of those.

 

Were I behind a relaunch of Esterbrooks, there would first need to be something probobly stylistically reminiscent of the J/LJ/SJs and definitely compatible with existing Esterbrook nibs regardless of the final design of the pen. I can't think of any other line of pen that was designed to swap nibs like the Esties were, a quality that I think falls under all three of the ones you listed.

 

Then and only then, after establishing the line, would it be worth exploring a midrange/high range line. I don't see anything impossible in the idea of higher-end Esterbrooks -- they themselves tried to take a step in that direction with the Phætons. But the foundation for doing that needs to be laid first.

 

What I wouldn't do is pick an existing pen and contract to slap a name on it. I mean, I could put a Fender logo on my guitar, but that doesn't magically turn it into one.

 

I think Esterbrook was a thing of its time. The price and value, the plastics used, particularly on the J series, were all sort of 1930s to 1950s. I don't think you can really capture that essence in a modern pen, not with these materials. You will not get the same experience. Not the materials, not the variety of nibs, really the heart of Esterbrook.

 

They are gone, but fortunately enough were made and saved, intentionally or accidentally, that there is a good market in Esterbrook vintage today at more favorable prices than the new stuff. It's a monumental challenge to resurrect Esterbrook and do it for a price competitive with the vintage items.

[benbot517]

I wanted to read them too.

 

They were wonderfully snarky. I didn't think the project would be removed or I would have taken screenshots.

[mmg122]

Agree with Brian...the pens being produced by the new "Esterbrook Company" don't even come close to the classiness of the original Esterbrook Pens. I never liked what he did with the Conklins either. The only rebirth with any class is Syd's Wahl Eversharp Company. He's a real class guy producing beautiful pens which pay honest homage to the original W-E brand.

[lestylo]

Take a look at the description for the black pens before it is deleted or changed:

http://us12.campaign-archive1.com/?u=8e9057bfaca6141885a079e79&id=7d2265afb5

And there seems to be an “exclusive offer” pretty much every day on the website and facebook page. Usually 30% off and other times 25% off. The only thing it excludes is quality. Why is Fahrney’s carrying them?????

I will buy them when they are dumped at ebay for $10 each...oh wait, no I will NOT!

But maybe I will buy a few of the boxes.

[trdsf]

Well, here it is a week and a half later, and the desc is still there, typos and all. If they can't even be bothered to spellcheck their ads, why should I have any confidence in their quality control?

[gregamckinney]

Even better, the promotion is already over.

 

greg

[pajaro]

Why bother at all with this? It's too much money for something which doesn't follow from the originals.

[Ernst Bitterman]

I'm awaiting cans of Estrbroo at the store (with the tagline "Made from Girdles!").

 

A joke that will play best to a UK audience....

[Uncial]

I always feel rather sad reading these threads. When I first heard of the Esterbrook revival I thought that the person who bought up the name was really on to a winner. All they had to do was make lightweight plastic pens with coveters in the same sizes as the Esterbrook series (the J etc) with that distinctive clip and a set of interchangeable nibs and they would be raking it in selling at roughly $40-50 a pop. I imagined they would do this for about a year and then every year thereafter they would release a special edition in different and unusual acrylics. I don't think it would ever have made them a huge fortune, but it would certainly afford a comfortable living.

 

What we have instead are unattractive, fairly badly made pens that aren't exactly what you could call 'value for money' and that's just rather sad really. I do hope that in time they might be able to pull it around to something decent, otherwise it will sink and the brand name might disappear for a very long time.

[trdsf]

Couldn't agree more, Uncial. What we have is someone who bought a name and figured that would be all they needed, they didn't have to live up to the reputation that made it a name in the first place.

[Joe in Seattle]

Reminds me of the old Schaeffer school pens, but they look better looking.

[pajaro]

I always feel rather sad reading these threads. When I first heard of the Esterbrook revival I thought that the person who bought up the name was really on to a winner. All they had to do was make lightweight plastic pens with coveters in the same sizes as the Esterbrook series (the J etc) with that distinctive clip and a set of interchangeable nibs and they would be raking it in selling at roughly $40-50 a pop. I imagined they would do this for about a year and then every year thereafter they would release a special edition in different and unusual acrylics. I don't think it would ever have made them a huge fortune, but it would certainly afford a comfortable living.

 

What we have instead are unattractive, fairly badly made pens that aren't exactly what you could call 'value for money' and that's just rather sad really. I do hope that in time they might be able to pull it around to something decent, otherwise it will sink and the brand name might disappear for a very long time.

 

Nice post. Good ideas. Yes, too bad.