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Esterbrook 3556


Estycollector

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I have acquired an Esterbrook 3556 nib. The sell was from an estate sale and included a later Dollar Pen. Does anyone have experience with this nib?

 

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Nice find. The ones I have are usually a little rough compared to 9000 series nibs. I think that though they are tipped, the metal of the nib isn't quite as good as the 9000 series are.

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Thank you. I have several of the 9000 series so Ill have something of which to compare. Just liked the look and history more than anything. Also, attached to an old dollar design.

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My 3556 is also mounted in a Dollar B pen. It's a very fine, stiff nib, which I think will be good for pen and ink sketching [a new venture].

Baptiste knew how to make a short job long

For love of it. And yet not waste time either.

Robert Frost

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That's interesting that Ron has found them to be rougher than the 9xxx series. I have found all the 3xxx series nibs, 4-5 so far, to be the smoothest nibs that Esterbrook has made. They are my favorite renew point series by a long shot, and just below the 14kt Relief nibs overall.....

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My 3556 is also mounted in a Dollar B pen. It's a very fine, stiff nib, which I think will be good for pen and ink sketching [a new venture].

 

Thank you for the term Dollar B. I had not read that before. Best thing about this find is that it was an estate sale. I suspect all original.

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That's interesting that Ron has found them to be rougher than the 9xxx series. I have found all the 3xxx series nibs, 4-5 so far, to be the smoothest nibs that Esterbrook has made. They are my favorite renew point series by a long shot, and just below the 14kt Relief nibs overall.....

 

I have a few examples of the common 2556, which I love but find that vary.

"Respect science, respect nature, respect all people (s),"

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I have a really nice sunburst nib in a $1.50 pen in Moroccan Red. Out of all the nibs, the sunburst ones are my favorite.

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That's interesting that Ron has found them to be rougher than the 9xxx series. I have found all the 3xxx series nibs, 4-5 so far, to be the smoothest nibs that Esterbrook has made. They are my favorite renew point series by a long shot, and just below the 14kt Relief nibs overall.....

Not smoothness, overall condition of the nib.

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I have a really nice sunburst nib in a $1.50 pen in Moroccan Red. Out of all the nibs, the sunburst ones are my favorite.

 

I love hearing this @goldennibs. :)

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The 556 pen it was modeled on was an all-around medium nib, and a top seller. Esterbrook considered it a good, basic, workhorse of a pen. It seems that the 1556 was a standard nib included with a lot of Dipless pens, or at least I see them a lot with these sets.

 

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The 556 pen it was modeled on was an all-around medium nib, and a top seller. Esterbrook considered it a good, basic, workhorse of a pen. It seems that the 1556 was a standard nib included with a lot of Dipless pens, or at least I see them a lot with these sets.

 

I've read one of my favorite FP nibs, the 2556 was also modeled after the 556. Perhaps I should try to find one. Thank you as always, Andrew. I've been practicing. :)

"Respect science, respect nature, respect all people (s),"

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I am waiting on a new sac to restore the little blue Dollar that came with the 3556 nib. In the meantime I wanted to try out the nib. I attached it to the '32 era Dollar and Tender Purple Waterman ink. It is probably the most smooth nib to date. It is also a larger sized nib.

 

 

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I am waiting on a new sac to restore the little blue Dollar that came with the 3556 nib. In the meantime I wanted to try out the nib. I attached it to the '32 era Dollar and Tender Purple Waterman ink. It is probably the most smooth nib to date. It is also a larger sized nib.

 

 

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"Respect science, respect nature, respect all people (s),"

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Very nice! I love the 3000-series nibs. They are iridium-tipped, if memory serves. They are quite smooth and you can't beat the sunburst pattern.

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  • 1 month later...

I was following an auction for a 3556 last night that sold for $47. I had paid $27 with a grey dollar pen attached. These are rare birds.

"Respect science, respect nature, respect all people (s),"

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As with all things Esterbrook, prices go all over. A couple years back, I picked up a few NOS 3xxx nibs, in the boxes, for probably about $25 each, and maybe less. You just have to keep a constant watch.

The 3xxx nibs aren't particularly rare, but finding a nice one can take time. I have a harder time finding the 8xxx nibs in either condition.

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I agree with the constant searching. I have move on a bit to Autopoint mechanical pencils and other FP's that tend to fall under the radar. I've gotten some nice finds.

"Respect science, respect nature, respect all people (s),"

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I agree with the constant searching. I have move on a bit to Autopoint mechanical pencils and other FP's that tend to fall under the radar. I've gotten some nice finds.

 

My flea market guy had a few boxed Autopoint pencils earlier this year, so I grabbed them. Slowly, I seem to be starting a pencil collection. I have a really fun Moore in my pocket today.

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