Jump to content

What's Your Favorite Vintage Esterbrook Nib?

donnweinberg

By donnweinberg
in Esterbrook

 Share

Recommended Posts

gweimer1 Antique

gweimer1

Posted
Posted

Okay, so if I want to try a flexy nib - as broad as possible, what is the recommendation? (I have more pens around here then I am comfortable mentioning, lest my children discover)... :)

 

You are talking about Esterbrook, right? The renew nibs are really not flex. The only nibs I find with any real flex are the wartime "teardrop" nibs. The profile is much longer, so they have some wiggle. I would look for a 9048 from that era, if you can find one. They aren't easy to find.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • Replies 96
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • Estycollector

    16

  • corgicoupe

    13

  • gweimer1

    12

  • pajaro

    7

Popular Days

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Posted Images

Rav_LandE NOS (New Old Stock)

Rav_LandE

Posted
Posted

For me it’s the 9460. I’ve been using it exclusively for a while now. I was going to buy a couple more but the usual places are sold out.

 

I should try out a 9668, but for now my favourite is the 9460.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
pajaro Museum Piece

pajaro

Posted
Posted

 

You are talking about Esterbrook, right? The renew nibs are really not flex. The only nibs I find with any real flex are the wartime "teardrop" nibs. The profile is much longer, so they have some wiggle. I would look for a 9048 from that era, if you can find one. They aren't easy to find.

 

You would recognize a wartime 9048 by longer tines?

"Don't hurry, don't worry. It's better to be late at the Golden Gate than to arrive in Hell on time."
--Sign in a bar and grill, Ormond Beach, Florida, 1960.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
gweimer1 Antique

gweimer1

Posted
Posted

I believe so, yes. The teardrop breather hole is a dead giveaway. Even the 9668 in this photo has some flex to it.
fpn_1498613141__esterbrook_nibs_5.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites
pajaro Museum Piece

pajaro

Posted
Posted

I believe so, yes. The teardrop breather hole is a dead giveaway. Even the 9668 in this photo has some flex to it.

fpn_1498613141__esterbrook_nibs_5.jpg

 

Thanks very much for this picture. That makes it apparent that the tines of the left nib are longer and will be more flexible. Thanks again! Now I'll know what to look for. I do find Wartime pens interesting. My parents' war and their time, which fascinates me. Thanks for the pic..

"Don't hurry, don't worry. It's better to be late at the Golden Gate than to arrive in Hell on time."
--Sign in a bar and grill, Ormond Beach, Florida, 1960.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 1 month later...
corgicoupe Collectors Item

corgicoupe

Posted
Posted
On 10/6/2020 at 7:47 PM, gweimer1 said:

 

You are talking about Esterbrook, right? The renew nibs are really not flex. The only nibs I find with any real flex are the wartime "teardrop" nibs. The profile is much longer, so they have some wiggle. I would look for a 9048 from that era, if you can find one. They aren't easy to find.

I really dislike disagreeing with Gary, but I find my 2048 to be more flexible than my 9048 [both obtained from Gary with pens attached].

Baptiste knew how to make a short job long

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

Robert Frost

Link to comment
Share on other sites
gweimer1 Antique

gweimer1

Posted
Posted
20 hours ago, corgicoupe said:

I really dislike disagreeing with Gary, but I find my 2048 to be more flexible than my 9048 [both obtained from Gary with pens attached].

 

The 2048 nib is more like the original dip pen nib than one of the fountain pen nibs.  There is a world of difference between the 2048 and 9048.  So, you're not exactly disagreeing with me.  Outside of that one nib, I will stand by what I stated before.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
corgicoupe Collectors Item

corgicoupe

Posted
Posted

Agreed... Even the shape of the 2048 mimics the shape of the 048 dip pen, whereas the 9048 does not.

Baptiste knew how to make a short job long

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

Robert Frost

Link to comment
Share on other sites
MKeith Vintage

MKeith

Posted
Posted

A 2668 that has an easy to find sweet spot. Ridiculously smooth writer, and even smoother than any of my Binderized nibs.

"Are we at last brought to such humiliating and debasing degradation that we cannot be trusted with arms for our defense? Where is the difference between having our arms in possession and under our direction, and having them under the management of Congress? If our defense be the real object of having those arms, in whose hands can they be trusted with more propriety, or equal safety to us, as in our own hands?" Patrick Henry

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Estycollector Collectors Item

Estycollector

Posted
Posted

Not sure I can distinguish a favorite. I love them all. :)

"Moral goodness is not a hardy plant, nor one that easily propagates itself" Dallas Willard, PhD

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Mags Vintage

Mags

Posted
Posted

I have a 9788 nib in one and a 2668 and 9668 in the others. I think the 9788 gets more use. 

Rob Maguire (Plse call me "M or Mags" like my friends do...)I use a Tablet, Apple Pencil and a fountain pen. Targas, Sailor, MB, Visconti, Aurora, vintage Parkers, all wonderful.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
shalitha33 Collectors Item

shalitha33

Posted
Posted

I currently have 2442, 2550, 2556, 3668, 9128, 9550, 9668, 9668 dip pen, 9668 desk pen. 

 

Currently the nib I like most out of the lot is  2556. Its nothing special, but is a good writing nib for me.

Most disappointing nib for me out of the lot was 9128. I guess I expected too much form that one :(.

 

3668 is also a nice nib.

 

458730859_IMG_20201214_130432(1).thumb.jpg.305640594718bd4f7a617d86debb8506.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites
corgicoupe Collectors Item

corgicoupe

Posted
Posted

I have found that, for me, the best way to use my 9128 is to treat it as an extra fine and not make any attempt to flex the nib.

 

Two that you might enjoy are the 9314-F or -M, and the 2048 or 9048.

 

I have all of the ones you've listed except the 3550 & 3668, and find them all very nice to use.

Baptiste knew how to make a short job long

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

Robert Frost

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 2 weeks later...
Shnurben New

Shnurben

Posted
Posted

Thanks for the education all of you, i just inked w Quink a transitional J  And 9556. I am a newbie w all of this. I love my Nib. But as Sgt. Schultz says "I Know Nothing ".

  

Link to comment
Share on other sites
shalitha33 Collectors Item

shalitha33

Posted
Posted

If you want a fairly cheap, non-flexy pen for daily use either with a fine or medium line, vintage esterbrook is the way to go. They are almost unbreakable, can take a lot of abuse and still work. No need to worry about dropping or even accidentally stepping on them (don't try though :P ). Barrels are also very easy to polish. There is no plating to worry about. Also very easy to clean.

 

If you are after flex then easerbrook is not the way to go. I would go with any pre 1900 flex nib. But they need to be looked after and is not suitable for daily use.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Estycollector Collectors Item

Estycollector

Posted
Posted
On 12/13/2020 at 6:13 PM, shalitha33 said:

I currently have 2442, 2550, 2556, 3668, 9128, 9550, 9668, 9668 dip pen, 9668 desk pen. 

 

Currently the nib I like most out of the lot is  2556. Its nothing special, but is a good writing nib for me.

Most disappointing nib for me out of the lot was 9128. I guess I expected too much form that one :(.

 

3668 is also a nice nib.

 

458730859_IMG_20201214_130432(1).thumb.jpg.305640594718bd4f7a617d86debb8506.jpg

I do agree regarding the 2556. 

"Moral goodness is not a hardy plant, nor one that easily propagates itself" Dallas Willard, PhD

Link to comment
Share on other sites
JakobS Collectors Item

JakobS

Posted
Posted

The medium left oblique on my 2-L is my favorite overall.

As far as renew points: 2668, 3556, 3968,9450, and 9668 are in my top five, though 9460 could be interchanged with the 9668....

FP Ink Orphanage-Is an ink not working with your pens, not the color you're looking for, is never to see the light of day again?!! If this is you, and the ink is in fine condition otherwise, don't dump it down the sink, or throw it into the trash, send it to me (payment can be negotiated), and I will provide it a nice safe home with love, and a decent meal of paper! Please PM me!<span style='color: #000080'>For Sale:</span> TBA

Link to comment
Share on other sites
corgicoupe Collectors Item

corgicoupe

Posted
Posted

I like the left oblique on my Relief 2-L as well, but I think mine is a Fine.

Baptiste knew how to make a short job long

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

Robert Frost

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 2 weeks later...
Shnurben New

Shnurben

Posted
Posted

So do we usually clean a NOS that has been in a little cardboard case somewhere. Renew point 2668 i cleaned a gtt. Of Dawn then ultrasound. And thoroughly cleaning w tap water. Then drying. Theb bacj in did i do this correctly the Nib unit seems better vis a vis before where i had gook and nonstarting. Time will tell. Thanks for telling me what y'all do 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Most Contributions

    1. amberleadavis
      amberleadavis
      43972
    2. PAKMAN
      PAKMAN
      35666
    3. inkstainedruth
      inkstainedruth
      31684
    4. Ghost Plane
      Ghost Plane
      28220
    5. Bo Bo Olson
      Bo Bo Olson
      27747

  • Upcoming Events

  • Blog Comments

    • Misfit
      On my second trip to Japan in seven months, while the going is good

      By Misfit · Posted

      Oh to have that translucent pink Prera! @migo984 has the Oeste series named after birds. There is a pink one, so I’m assuming Este is the same pen as Oeste.    Excellent haul. I have some Uniball One P pens. Do you like to use them? I like them enough, but don’t use them too much yet.    Do you or your wife use Travelers Notebooks? Seeing you were at Kyoto, I thought of them as there is a store there. 
    • A Smug Dill
      On my second trip to Japan in seven months, while the going is good

      By A Smug Dill · Posted

      It's not nearly so thick that I feel it comprises my fine-grained control, the way I feel about the Cross Peerless 125 or some of the high-end TACCIA Urushi pens with cigar-shaped bodies and 18K gold nibs. Why would you expect me or anyone else to make explicit mention of it, if it isn't a travesty or such a disappointment that an owner of the pen would want to bring it to the attention of his/her peers so that they could “learn from his/her mistake” without paying the price?
    • szlovak
      On my second trip to Japan in seven months, while the going is good

      By szlovak · Posted

      Why nobody says that the section of Tuzu besides triangular shape is quite thick. Honestly it’s the thickest one among my many pens, other thick I own is Noodler’s Ahab. Because of that fat section I feel more control and my handwriting has improved. I can’t say it’s comfortable or uncomfortable, but needs a moment to accommodate. It’s funny because my school years are long over. Besides this pen had horrible F nib. Tines were perfectly aligned but it was so scratchy on left stroke that collecte
    • stylographile
      Bits and bobs to bring with me to in-person meets

      By stylographile · Posted

      Awesome! I'm in the process of preparing my bag for our pen meet this weekend and I literally have none of the items you mention!! I'll see if I can find one or two!
    • inkstainedruth
      My notes and advice on fountain pen cleaning

      By inkstainedruth · Posted

      @asota -- Yeah, I think I have a few rolls in my fridge that are probably 20-30 years old at this point (don't remember now if they are B&W or color film) and don't even really know where to get the film processed, once the drive through kiosks went away....  I just did a quick Google search and (in theory) there was a place the next town over from me -- but got a 404 error message when I tried to click on the link....  Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth 

  • Chatbox

    You don't have permission to chat.
    Load More

  • Files






×
×
  • Create New...