Tips On Getting Into Lever Fillers?

[Sasha Royale]

An Esterbrook, restored with a new ink sac, can be a very good writing experience. Quality has always been good, and there is a large following of Esterbrook lovers to help. I do not know of any current production lever-fill pens.

 

Lever-fill technology was prevalent from the mid-1930's into the late 1950's. It proved to be an simple, reliable, inexpensive, and easily-maintained way to "squeeze the ink sac". In the first two decades, some of the best quality pen used the lever. There were also many, many mid-level and

"dirt-cheap" pens using this simple, inexpensive system. There are dozen of names most have never heard. Many pens survive to this day, and can be restored. Often, the nibs are "on their last legs".. I have a lot of fun using vintage lever-fillers because they are often challenging.

 

Above are names of some very good lever pens. Some challenging brands follow:

Wearever, American, Superior, Elgin, Supreme, Stedham, Tuckersharpe, Arnold, Writefine,

Stratford, Venus, Salz, and more. (Did I say they are fun?)

Edited April 4, 2017 by Sasha Royale

[Arkamas]

It's actually a bit of a shame that lever filler types aren't more common as a modern pen type.

[cleosmama]

 

And, more importantly, that the nib units are interchangeable between models (and IIRC, Venus and Osmiroid nibs will also fit).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

Oh, yes! I forgot to mention that.

[siamackz]

Eaterbrook is a cheap introduction to learning how to simply change sacs and pressure bars. Waterman 52s and the 'ideal' gang would be a good next step if you want to graduate to the level of learning how to fix lever boxes too.

 

I'm not talking about the pen's writing characteristics here, just the lever filling aspect as that is what you asked. I don't enjoy writing with my Esties. I'd take a Sheaffer balance, or Waterman's any day (but these are more expensive).

Edited April 4, 2017 by siamackz

[Drone]

Speaking of Waterman lever-fillers. Here's a nice Waterman 52 in Red Ripple with a flex #5 Ideal nib that just went up for sale. Teri wants $475 for it (Ouch!) In any case, the photos are beautiful. Take a look:

 

http://www.peytonstreetpens.com/waterman-55-fountain-pen-red-ripple-gold-trim-fine-flexible-5-nib-superior-restored.html

[Arkamas]

Eaterbrook is a cheap introduction to learning how to simply change sacs and pressure bars. Waterman 52s and the 'ideal' gang would be a good next step if you want to graduate to the level of learning how to fix lever boxes too.

 

I'm not talking about the pen's writing characteristics here, just the lever filling aspect as that is what you asked. I don't enjoy writing with my Esties. I'd take a Sheaffer balance, or Waterman's any day (but these are more expensive).

 

I looked into the Sheaffer Balance and it's very close to what I like in a pen design. It's nice. Sheaffer seems to make some unique and interesting pens. I've become really interested in the Snorkle as well.

[siamackz]

 

I looked into the Sheaffer Balance and it's very close to what I like in a pen design. It's nice. Sheaffer seems to make some unique and interesting pens. I've become really interested in the Snorkle as well.

They are lovely writers! I have a Balance and it writes a very smooth and rigid. And, I have a snorkel triumph nib (conical upturned nib), and its one of the most interesting nibs I have ever used - the smoothest by far.

[jar]

When restoring lever fillers resist trying to line up the lever and clip. That is a mistake all too often made. When the clip and lever are lined up it is far too easy to catch the lever when putting the pen back in your pocket which leads to interesting results.

[Arkamas]

I've been doing a lot of looking around on ebay but are there other sites to check as well?

 

They are lovely writers! I have a Balance and it writes a very smooth and rigid. And, I have a snorkel triumph nib (conical upturned nib), and its one of the most interesting nibs I have ever used - the smoothest by far.

 

If I could get my hands on a couple of nice restored ones for not too much, they would make for a very nice unique filler set in my collection.

[siamackz]

I've been doing a lot of looking around on ebay but are there other sites to check as well?

 

 

If I could get my hands on a couple of nice restored ones for not too much, they would make for a very nice unique filler set in my collection.

Yup! The snorkels are a little more expensive - I see them around the $100 range, while a nicely restored Balance can be found for around $75. All the best!

[Kelly G]

If you really want to have some fun, learn to restore Snorkles! An amazing filling system. Perhaps pen engineering gone wild, but fun!

[Drone]

When restoring lever fillers resist trying to line up the lever and clip. That is a mistake all too often made. When the clip and lever are lined up it is far too easy to catch the lever when putting the pen back in your pocket which leads to interesting results.

 

I respectfully disagree. If there is any reasonable chance that the lever will snag your pocket, then there is something wrong with it.

 

A properly designed and functioning lever is recessed into the barrel and spring loaded to keep it there. This is specifically meant to prevent the lever from being pulled accidentally.

 

I would much rather have the lever pointing up - aligned with the nib. That way if the sac leaks, ink won't come gushing out of the lever box.

Edited April 7, 2017 by Drone

[praxim]

Aligning the lever with the top centreline of the nib (as I do also) while ensuring it is not aligned with the clip of a tightened cap is simple. Not every one of my levers remains completely recessed, and I can not be changing all of them.

[Arkamas]

This does lead into a restoration question: Can pen bodies be smoothed out in any way to make them like new again? I've noticed some of the pens I've seen look surprisingly good for their era.

[Arkamas]

Yup! The snorkels are a little more expensive - I see them around the $100 range, while a nicely restored Balance can be found for around $75. All the best!

I've seen a nice looking balance but it's about $130...

[siamackz]

This does lead into a restoration question: Can pen bodies be smoothed out in any way to make them like new again? I've noticed some of the pens I've seen look surprisingly good for their era.

Sure there is. You can use micromesh to polish the bodies, and use a liquid abrasive polish at the end for shine. There's m articles and videos on it. Simple to do.

[Drone]

This does lead into a restoration question: Can pen bodies be smoothed out in any way to make them like new again? I've noticed some of the pens I've seen look surprisingly good for their era.

 

Esterbrook pens are known to polish-up quite well and can look as good as new afterwards. Look at this Esterbrook repair index thread under the "Polishing" section for more about this subject.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/192086-esterbrook-repair-index/

 

Unfortunately, polishing a pen does remove material. One downside of this is that eventually, you polish away the manufacturer's lettering (a.k.a. marks) on the barrel. You see this a lot with not only Esterbrooks, but models like the Parker Vacuumatic.

Edited April 8, 2017 by Drone

[siamackz]

 

One downside of this is that eventually, you polish away the manufacturer's lettering (a.k.a. marks) on the barrel. You see this a lot with not only Esterbrooks, but models like the Parker Vacuumatic.

I put a small piece of tape on the engraving portion and then polish carefully around it. Works well enough

[Arkamas]

Lot of great info. Thanks for the advice everyone!