Considering my first Esterbrook

[HesNot]

Hi all! First time post from a long time fountain pen user. I've gone through some different pens and most recently culled my collection extensively (too much probably, which I had that Vac Junior back, oh well...). Anyway, I have the bug for a new pen but not the budget and have been thinking about adding an Esterbrook to the collection to appease my appetite without putting my wife and son on the street.

 

My only real concern is the nibs, which some report to be glass smooth and some report to need some work, and some report are fine but only at a specific angle. I'm the first to say that I use my pens everyday and don't need a perfect nib but definitely can't handle a finicky one when I'm reviewing documents. Sooo, how would you compare say a 2550 nib to other stainless nibs, like a Parker Vector or perhaps a Tombow Object (ones that I've used recently)?

 

Should I take the plunge? As small background I am particularly a fan of products, whatever they are, that in their design, execution and function demonstrate a reliability/value/performance "sweet spot", which is why I drive japanese cars and have 4 Seiko automatic watches... if that is any help. Esterbrooks seem to embody this but I definitely want a pen that I can use happily every day.

 

Thanks for your advice!

[KendallJ]

I have a red SJ that will be coming up on the marketplace soon.

 

As ot nibs. I prefer the medium nibs. a 2668 M is a great nib, but it does have a sweet spot becuase of the way it is mfg. The XF series nibs (1550, 2550, etc) are IMO always scratchy and tough to get smooth. I have had luck grinding a 1550 into a Fine stub nib which is smooth. Once smooth I think the esterbrook are as good as any steel nibbed pen, but the nibs you find in the wild are hit and miss as to wether you can get a smooth one.

[southpaw]

Nice things about Esties is the interchangeability of the nibs. Get one and, if the nib doesn't suit, you can get another usually for a reasonable price. I have a few - they're rugged, reliable, and easy to work on.

[Blackhill]

The 1551 nib has become one of my favorites. It is a medium nib that lays down a smooth line.

 

Laura

[Ann Finley]

My favorite "regular" Esterbrook nib since my 1st one in 1953 has always been the 2556. It is called a fine, but lays down what some might call a med-fine line. I've never had scratchy one with this number on it. (That's not to say there is none, but I've had good luck with these.)

 

Hope that helps--and welcome to FPN!

 

Best, Ann