Which Esterbrook Model Do You Favor?

[corgicoupe]

The Esterbrook forum has been grayed out for more than a month, so I decided to start a new topic.

 

I bought all six colors of the full-size J model because that's what I remember from my grade school days. All have different nibs and get used at one time or another. A neighbor offered me a nice red LJ for $15 so I bought it. I find it to be too slender in the hand. [ I offered it to my wife but she only uses her Pelikan 400. ] Then I ventured into the transitional J world, primarily because I wanted to try the nibs on them. They are every bit as comfortable to use as the Js, but there is a cleanliness about the lines of the barrel that I find attractive.

 

I have no particular intention of expanding the modest collection, but I am curious as to how others compare their various Esterbrook pens. What do you like about particular models? Do you find some designs off putting, and why?

 

Comparing nibs would also be interesting, but I think it may deserve a separate thread...

Edited July 25, 2017 by corgicoupe

[ac12]

Red LJ. The LJ fits my hand best.

Behind the LJ is/are my desk pens.

 

Let's see, there are 6 Js + 6 LJs + 6 SJs = 18 pens. This does not count the icicles.

Then there are the standard transitional and short transitional, another 12 pens

 

I use a rather interesting nib.

I get an old nib unit with a damaged nib, and take it apart.

I replace the damaged nib with a generic Chinese nib (2-tone or bare stainless).

Result is a nice F/M nib that writes smoother than many/most of the stock Esterbrook nibs.

[corgicoupe]

Red LJ. The LJ fits my hand best.

Behind the LJ is/are my desk pens.

 

Let's see, there are 6 Js + 6 LJs + 6 SJs = 18 pens. This does not count the icicles.

Then there are the standard transitional and short transitional, another 12 pens

 

I use a rather interesting nib.

I get an old nib unit with a damaged nib, and take it apart.

I replace the damaged nib with a generic Chinese nib (2-tone or bare stainless).

Result is a nice F/M nib that writes smoother than many/most of the stock Esterbrook nibs.

I do have two desk pens, one a recent purchase and one acquired from my grad school days in the 1960s. One is next to the computer and the other at the desk where mail gets addressed.

 

I think I'll pass on SJs or more LJs. I'd like to see how you disassemble a damaged nib because I have one of those and a spare Chinese nib. Might be an interesting learning experience.

 

I also have a spare section that I thought about using with a turned wood barrel, but I'd also need to make a base, since it would be a desk pen.

[ac12]

2 heat options.

 

#1 HOT water.

 

1 - Get a cup of water, stick in a wooden stick (I use a chop stick), then nuke it in the microwave for 90 sec. You want it HOT but below boiling.

2 - Get a long noise plier or hemostat to carefully grip the nib. This is simply so you do not get burnt by the hot water or hot steam.

3 - Dip the back of the nib unit into the hot water, so the entire collar is submerged.

4 - Wait about a minute

5 - Remove the nib unit from the hot water

6 - With your fingers, try to wiggle the nib out. The hot water will have softened the collar enough to release the tight grip on the nib.

7 - If you can't wiggle the nib out, repeat from step 2. Sometimes it takes a few repeats to soften the collar enough.

8 - With the nib out, rotate the collar 90 - 180 degrees. This is so that the indented notch in the collar is clear of the matching notch in the feed.

9 - Pull the feed out of the collar.

 

#2 - Dry heat. Use a hair dryer or similar.

Dry heat is usually the preferred method.

 

This method only applies to nib units where a pin is NOT used to secure the collar to the feed.

[johnboz]

Then I ventured into the transitional J world, primarily because I wanted to try the nibs on them. They are every bit as comfortable to use as the Js, but there is a cleanliness about the lines of the barrel that I find attractive.

 

I'm also partial to the transitional Js for pretty much the same reasons as you. I've got a nice red one that makes me really happy to use.

[Sandy1]

Hi,

 

I really like the Estie J, and have an array of nibs for that little darling.

 

The tenants at my house who take care of the post, gardens and livestock tell me there's a Yellow Estie awaiting my return. (A gift - not as if I need another pen.)

 

I am quite curious as to how we'll get along.

 

From what I've read Yellow Esties are rather petite, but I have made fast friends with Parker Slimfolds, so am optimistic.

 

Bye,

S1

Edited July 25, 2017 by Sandy1

[FarmBoy]

I use a rather interesting nib.

I get an old nib unit with a damaged nib, and take it apart.

I replace the damaged nib with a generic Chinese nib (2-tone or bare stainless).

Result is a nice F/M nib that writes smoother than many/most of the stock Esterbrook nibs.

Keep it up and I'll raise your prices...

[Chrissy]

Are there any gold nibs that one could fit it into an Estie? I think my one might be a J but I'm not 100% sure.

[ac12]

Are there any gold nibs that one could fit it into an Estie? I think my one might be a J but I'm not 100% sure.

 

Probably, just have to find something around a #5.

All the nib units are the same and interchange; L, LJ, SJ, transitional, pastel, desk, etc.

 

I've put the same Chinese nibs into a Parker Duofold Jr and Vacumatic that had broken/missing nibs. So it is likely that the reverse will work, and those Parker nibs will fit into an Esterbrook nib assembly.

 

Oh oh, that probably got FB upset at me

Edited July 25, 2017 by ac12

[gweimer1]

I put a Laban nib in my Mysterioso pen, which has an Esterbrook section in it. I put the nib into an Esterbrook feed/collar fairly easily.

Edited July 25, 2017 by gweimer1

[gweimer1]

I'm probably going to be labeled a heretic for this, but.....

 

My favorite Esterbrook is the Dollar B pen. It just has a look and feel that appeals to me. The transitional J uses essentially the same barrel, which I think is a bit heftier than the J pens.

My second favorite is the Deluxe LK series. The metal caps post a little more reliably, and I love the balance of them.

Finally, I'm fond of the M2 pens, which are longer, and can feel a bit like a Parker 51 when you hold them. My latest (I need pics) is a UK-made version that has a 14K Relief nib, also an Esterbrook.

[Pentode]

I've always been a fan of Js as they are of both a comfortable width and weight for me, but I recently bought several dollar pens and now I might be favoring them instead. Not because of the width or weight, which are more or less the same as a J, but because they look really cool!

 

I also have a fondness for the plunger-fill Safaris.

[Chrissy]

 

Probably, just have to find something around a #5.

All the nib units are the same and interchange; L, LJ, SJ, transitional, pastel, desk, etc.

 

 

 

Thank you for the advice.

[inkstainedruth]

I like J series pens, but only the "mackerel" ones -- I know a lot of people go "OOH AAH" over the "Icicles", but they don't do anything for me.

Not overly enamored of the Dollar pens either -- I think the clips are kinda ugly. And I've only seen a couple of colors of the Pastels that I thought were really attractive.

I keep looking for a J pen in the darker blue but haven't had luck in finding one that didn't have a nib I already have. For some reason, it's hard to find blue at all, and mostly they're the lighter blue (the only color I didn't get before getting a blue one was one of the "root beer" browns). Of the Esties I have I think the copper ones are the prettiest.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[pajaro]

Pelikan M2xx, M4xx nibs screw in, and the caps screw down.

 

Top is M2, bottom is J:

 

Edited July 25, 2017 by pajaro

[gweimer1]

Pelikan M2xx, M4xx nibs screw in, and the caps screw down.

 

Top is M2, bottom is J:

 

 

Oh, now I have to try that! I have extras of both.

[pajaro]

My favorite is the Safari pump filler, which works like a Sheaffer Touchdown filler.

 

A gold nib of the size of a Montblanc 144 nib, or like some older Waterman nib will fit into an Esterbrook sleeve. #2 nib, I think.

 

 

Oh, now I have to try that! I have extras of both.

 

I think a lot of us have. If the resulting writing angle works for you, and it works for me, this might be an interesting solution. These are steel M205 and M200 nibs. The M400 and M405 nibs fit the same. I have also put an M600 stubby broad into a J. Savage amusement.

Edited July 25, 2017 by pajaro

[Sasha Royale]

The LJ carries easily, but is too slender for prolonged use. The SJ is too small. I am most comfortable with the "J". It is the same diameter as Transitional, Dollar Pen, and V-clip models, which are fun and fascinating to use. I have a dozen different nibs. I enjoy the variety, but have no favorite.

[chad.trent]

For writing, I'll take an LJ all day long. Second would be a dollar pen I think. Although I don't really find any of them uncomfortable.

 

For collecting, right now I'm focused on bandless dollar pens and Visumasters. $1.50 pens when I can find them, but to date I only have one of those.

[pajaro]

The LJ carries easily, but is too slender for prolonged use. The SJ is too small. I am most comfortable with the "J". It is the same diameter as Transitional, Dollar Pen, and V-clip models, which are fun and fascinating to use. I have a dozen different nibs. I enjoy the variety, but have no favorite.

 

I am guessing that you think the transitionals are all Js. I thought that until I happened to get a transitional SJ in red. It has the cut off bottom of the barrel.

Edited July 26, 2017 by pajaro