Did I Get A Good Esterbrook...?

[Darkbulb]

I am very much a newbie to this pen-thing but I have already become 'smitten' by the Esterbrook pens...their history and look.

 

So...I decided I really wanted to try one out but since I am not very well versed in pens and restorations I wanted one that I could use 'out of the box'.

 

I paid $40 for this Esterbrook J model.

It comes with a 9556 (fine) nib and looks like it's in great condition.

 

Seller's description:

"This Esterbrook fountain pen is an unusually deep, rich shade of green.

This pen has been cleaned, polished, and fitted with a new j-bar (internal spring) and a new, talced sac.
This pen has no nicks, cracks, dings, or bite marks. It is truly a beautiful pen."

 

I really like that it seems to be fully restored - both spring and sac - as I'm hoping that will mean years of use for me

 

Some photos below - but also, will this be a good entry point for me into getting a good experience of what the Esterbrook pens are all about? Any issues or concerns?

 

(Sorry for the many photos - I'm rather excited to get it ).

 

http://i66.tinypic.com/301ebti.jpg

 

http://i67.tinypic.com/ohocye.jpg

 

http://i64.tinypic.com/24fi9w8.jpg

 

http://i68.tinypic.com/10mpfyb.jpg

 

http://i67.tinypic.com/2dwb51f.jpg

 

[Hobiwan]

Very nice color and polish. From the pictures, the nib looks a bit "sprung" (tines out of alignment). May need a bit of straightening ....

[Darkbulb]

Very nice color and polish. From the pictures, the nib looks a bit "sprung" (tines out of alignment). May need a bit of straightening ....

 

Thanks! I've just asked the seller to check it before it gets sent out. Hopefully either 1) easy to fix...or 2) just a photo 'lllusion' as I'd love to be able to use the pen right away when I get it

Edited March 29, 2016 by Darkbulb

[Darkbulb]

Additional photos posted here: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/306326-does-this-pen-have-a-nib-alignment-issue/

[Charles Rice]

Nib looks fine on the added photos. But if there is a problem and while tying to "fix" it and you mess it up, extra Esterbrook nibs are cheap and abundant

[Darkbulb]

Nib looks fine on the added photos. But if there is a problem and while tying to "fix" it and you mess it up, extra Esterbrook nibs are cheap and abundant

 

Thanks!

I know I'm probably over analyzing it...but as newbie I want my struggles at this point to be with my handwriting and not technical issues with a pen

 

I do love the look of the pen and the seller is extremely helpful in making me feel comfortable about the purchase.

[bfg]

The pen looks fine. It's hard to judge the nib because of the reflections which can, as you suggest, create the illusion of a misalignment. The 9XXX nibs were the top of the line. The 9556 is a firm fine. You can easily swap this out if you want a different type of nib. There's a nib chart available at http://www.snyderfamily.com/current/estienibs.htm.

[gweimer1]

A good Esterbrook is one that:

 

• You love the look
• You're happy with the price you paid
• You love how it feels
• You love how it writes