Nib Help?

[mtbradley]

Can someone tell me which esterbrook nib (preferably 9000 series) would be best for writing in this style? Medium stub (9314), maybe? Ordinarily I would think Hebrew or Architect, but none of their nibs are described that way.

Edited September 8, 2018 by mtbradley

[mtbradley]

And in case it matters, I’m a left handed overwriter (or hooker, as some call it).

[mtbradley]

Can someone tell me which esterbrook nib (preferably 9000 series) would be best for writing in this style? Medium stub (9314), maybe? Ordinarily I would think Hebrew or Architect, but none of their nibs are described that way. And in case it matters, I'm a left handed overwriter (or hooker, as some call it). I've cross-posted this in the Esterbrook forum. I hope that's ok.

Edited September 8, 2018 by mtbradley

[Bo Bo Olson]

From memory 1xxx was the first rolled steel nib, not very lasting. The 2xxx better rolled steel nib was rated about 1 1/2 years of constant 8 hour a writing............should last decades in our now lack of real use days.

The 9XXX were the much more expensive 'iridium' tipped nibs made to last like all other brands some 7-10 years of constant full day writing.

 

The 8xxx nibs were much prettier 9xxx nibs. Pretty does cost a hell of a lot more. In Esterbrook was an Upper Lower Class to Lowest Middle Class pen, the rarer 8XXX nibs are expensive.

Back when Esties went for @ $15 and 2xxx nibs for $8; 9xx@ $12, a rare 8xxx nib alone was going for @ $20-25.

 

Having gotten rid of 10 Esties some 5-6 years ago, keeping only a Copper DJ and a blue LJ, have forgotten what nibs are what. But that can be found on the Esterbrook subsection. There they can link you to the very many Esterbrook nibs.....

[Ron Z]

IMO, cross posting is rarely helpful. It is discouraged because you end up with disconnected answers.

 

I don't know of any Esterbrook nibs that will produce the Hebrew characters. That is a rather unique nib. You might consider buying a broad nib, and then having someone like Linda Kennedy grind it to the profile you want. A 9314B or a 9284 would do the trick. Or you could buy a gold nib, have it tipped to what you want and fit it into an Esterbrook collar. Some of the Sheaffer nibs would work.

[mtbradley]

Thanks Ron. Very helpful.

[Jamerelbe]

If you're looking for a nib with a Hebrew / Architect grind - and if it doesn't *have* to be an Esterbrook - I'd recommend checking out fpnibs.com. They have a growing range of nib options (Lamy, JoWo, Kaweco, just to name a few), and are happy to custom grind any nib they sell for a *very* competitive price. Architect grinds are more challenging, because they have to conform to the way you hold your pen - but I've ordered 3 or 4 now from Pablo at fpnibs.com, and he's done a fantastic job each time [he requested, and I provided, a photograph of my hand holding a pen, to get the angle right].

[pajaro]

I am a left handed overwriter. I like the 9460 in mediums. It is a medium manifold. Writes a bit drier than other mediums, especially drier than the 9314-M Relief nib, which is a left oblique medium stubby nib. Left oblique is cut like the slant of the toes of your left foot. The 2312/9312 medium italic is another one I like. The 2312 is probably the better one to use. Not too wet, so I like it.

 

If you like mediums you might like the other Esterbrook mediums, but they are like other makers' mediums, and often too wet for me. I don't care for running my hand into a lot of wet ink. Of course, you can try to rein it in with drier inks. Pelikan 4001 inks, for example.

[RMN]

Merged the topics.

 

Hope the location is OK?

 

 

D.ick

[pajaro]

After reading through this merged thread, I don't think any economical Esterbrook nib is likely to do. If you can't find one, and have to have one made by retipping and grinding, it will be fairly expensive, so make sure you are comfortable with the pen it goes in.

[Hobiwan]

Just for chuckles, I did a search on eBay for "osmiroid esterbrook". The earlier Osmiroid nibs fit Esterbrook holders, and they're more slanted towards calligraphy writing. There were some left-oblique ones also. So, I'd say give that a try.

 

Does left-handed overwriting favor the left-oblique or the right?

[mtbradley]

Merged the topics.

 

Hope the location is OK?

 

 

D.ick

 

Yes! Thank you!

[mtbradley]

Thanks for the input, all. I've found over time that my Sailors are my favorites, but I can't bring myself to spend that kind of money on a pen dedicated to writing in Hebrew. My Esterbrooks are in regular rotation and just work so well that I thought it would be nice to have one for writing in Hebrew whenever I need to. But I don't write in Hebrew every day (but maybe if I spent the money I would? That's the kind of thinking/justifying we live on, isn't it?).

 

Anyway. Thanks again, all!