Esterbrook-Compatible Nib Units

[esterbrookj]

I've been looking into getting a new nib unit for my Estie, as it is an untipped model, as best I can tell, and seems to be wearing. I know that a number of manufacturers are making replaceable nib units; do any of them fit in an Esterbrook, or must I use only original Esterbrook nib units?

I also gathered from this thread that the nib can be removed from the Esterbrook unit and replaced with another. Has anyone done this on their own, or is it a task for a nibmeister?

Thanks!

 

- Evan

[chad.trent]

One of the great things about Esterbrooks is that nibs can be easily swapped. In fact, that was one of Esterbrook's big selling points when they were new. They had the "renew-point" so you could swap them out when they got worn out, or if you wanted something different. I believe when you bought a new Esterbrook you could also choose which nib you wanted.

 

Take a look at http://www.esterbrook.net/nibs.shtml for a list of the nibs made. 9000 series have osmiridium tips and seem to be more sought after as they don't wear down as quickly as 1000 and 2000 series nibs.

 

You can also look for Venus and Osmiroid nibs as they fit Esterbrooks as well.

Edited December 6, 2013 by chad.trent

[josephchow42]

If you are not looking for a nib with "fancy" characteristics (flex, stub, etc). Then just buy an original Esterbrook nib unit. It costs under $10 and writes very well.

[WirsPlm]

You can buy Esterbrook nib units, or you can get compatible Venus units often (these aren't being made any more, but there are a bunch around), unfortunately the modern replaceable nibs don't really work with Esterbrooks as far as I know.

[pajaro]

I have installed Pelikan M2xx/M4xx nib units in Esties. The collar protrudes. This works fine, if you don't mind spending more on a nib than the pen is worth. A Pelikan 14K OM nib resides in one of my blue J series pens now, mimicking a Relief at higher cost.

 

You can tap the feed and nib out of the Esterbrook collar. It is helpful to have a block with at least one hole that will retain the nib collar while you tap out the nib and feed with a punch.

 

Then you might fit a nib like a 14K Montblanc 144 fine or something similarly inappropriate. I find this to be an enjoyable activity.

[chad.trent]

I'd love to see pics of that Esterbrook with a Pelikan nib. Now you've got my wheels turning....

[Scribblesoften]

Unless i misread here, the OP is not only asking about other screw in units that will fit his pen. He is also asking about removing and swapping the nib in a single unit. I personally have not done this and so do not know what other nibs would fit the unit. I have some 1551's with unusable nibs, I might investigate this further as I have a bunch of loose nibs.

Edited December 7, 2013 by Scribblesoften

[esterbrookj]

Thanks for tips(no pun intended), guys. I'm not really looking for specialty nib, as it seems like everyone and their brother wants a flex nib, and that makes them pretty expensive. I would prefer a tipped nib, however.

As far as replacing the nib in a screw-in unit goes, I really don't know much. Are the nib and feed press fit in the collar, or are they shellacked into place? I would assume a simple press fit, but I don't really know.

 

- Evan

[Scribblesoften]

I too believe they are press fit. If I get a chance this evening I will investigate further.

[mark e]

Thanks for tips(no pun intended), guys. I'm not really looking for specialty nib, as it seems like everyone and their brother wants a flex nib, and that makes them pretty expensive. I would prefer a tipped nib, however.

As far as replacing the nib in a screw-in unit goes, I really don't know much. Are the nib and feed press fit in the collar, or are they shellacked into place? I would assume a simple press fit, but I don't really know.

 

- Evan

they are a press fit

i needed a replacement nib for another inexpensive pen a couple of winters ago, i was bored and decided to remove the nib from an extra screw-in estie unit to see if it was worth the hassle...it wasnt, and i probably wouldnt do it again

[northlodge]

Thanks for tips(no pun intended), guys. I'm not really looking for specialty nib, as it seems like everyone and their brother wants a flex nib, and that makes them pretty expensive. I would prefer a tipped nib, however.

As far as replacing the nib in a screw-in unit goes, I really don't know much. Are the nib and feed press fit in the collar, or are they shellacked into place? I would assume a simple press fit, but I don't really know.

 

- Evan

 

Hi

Here is an ebay item I have listed:

 

221328550528

 

I am not showing this with the intention of trying to make a sale, but to highlight that it contains pictures of additional nibs, and a nib removed from the section. You can see how it fits together.

 

Also Burnham & Osmiroid made nibs that would fit Esterbrook

Edited December 7, 2013 by northlodge

[pajaro]

Sheaffer Cadet steel nib units screw into the Cadet sections. I have found out accidentally on purpose that the Cadet nib units will screw into Estie sections. These nibs come in extra fine, fine, medium, broad and stub.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sheaffer-Screw-in-Nib-S-1-STUB-NIB-NEW-OLD-STOCK-/350929370672?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51b5053e30#ht_330wt_662

 

After firing up the NOS Cadet pen with medium nib I bought for $22 on ebay, I think if you put any of these nibs in your Estie you might have a Damascene conversion.

Edited January 18, 2014 by pajaro

[ac12]

The feed could be pinned into the collar, which would make removal of the feed difficult.

Most of mine have a crimp, which I understand will/should return to normal after the feed has been punched out.

If you are lucky, yours will have neither the pin nor a crimp.

 

I was advised to heat the collar first, to soften it and reduce the chance of breaking the collar when you punch out the feed.

You will need to have a spare section to screw the nib assembly into, so that you can punch out the feed.

[pajaro]

I have one old nib unit with a pin into the collar and feed. I knocked out the pin, and the nib and feed came out of the collar. Then I put them back in.

 

On units without a pin you need a knock-out block, or you can make one.

 

Put the nib unit into a spare section.

 

Make the hole in the knock-out block of a size that is smaller than the section but larger diameter than the nib or feed. You want to put the section + nib unit over the hole and tap a small rod through the rear of the section against the back of the feed, knocking the feed out of the collar and the nib will follow. Make sure the knock-out block is tall enough that the nib and feed will drop, and not be mashed into the surface below.

[ac12]

And hold on to the rod, you don't want it following the feed and nib down to crush it. oops