Replacing Esterbrook sacs

June 1

Greetings. Off of ebay I've recently bought a several vintage Esterbrooks of which a couple pens most likely need new sacs. Unlike the other penss with good sacs, they don't ink up properly. One makes some crunchy noises and the other doesn't have a smooth lever. Neither produces air bubbles in the ink or droplets from the nib, as the others do. So, I've read several articles, postings, and seen several videos on repairing the pens. I'm not very handy with repairs. Are there places or individuals who could do the repairs for me for a reasonable sum? Or is it work it for me to buy fully functioning pens, since they're not very expensive? Best regards, AG

June 1

There are definitely repair people out there. I don't know how close you are to any pen shows, or repair people but the shows I've been to in the past (DCSS, OPS, Commonwealth, Chicago, and B/W) almost always have repair people at them, if you don't have anyone near you. And I'm sure that there are people on here who can walk you through the process if you want to try doing it yourself (you might want to post your question in the Repair Q&A Forum).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

June 1

I can recommend Danny Fudge (The Write Pen) and Ron Zorn (Main Street Pens) for mail-in repairs.

June 1

1 hour ago, HotAtlanta30307 said:

Greetings. Off of ebay I've recently bought a several vintage Esterbrooks of which a couple pens most likely need new sacs. Unlike the other penss with good sacs, they don't ink up properly. One makes some crunchy noises and the other doesn't have a smooth lever. Neither produces air bubbles in the ink or droplets from the nib, as the others do. So, I've read several articles, postings, and seen several videos on repairing the pens. I'm not very handy with repairs. Are there places or individuals who could do the repairs for me for a reasonable sum? Or is it work it for me to buy fully functioning pens, since they're not very expensive? Best regards, AG

The ink in the sacks can harden over time. I've discovered rust and sacs in pieces when taken apart. I few times the "j bar", that the external lever depresses against the sack, needs to be replaced. I used to purchase the sacks, j bars, shellac, and talc from Anderson Pen's. I discovered that the talc is unhealthy to use and would use corn starch now.

@gweimer1 restores and sells Esterbrook Pens/parts And of course @Ron Z

I used this video for sac replacement,

June 1

3 hours ago, HotAtlanta30307 said:

Are there places or individuals who could do the repairs for me for a reasonable sum? Or is it work it for me to buy fully functioning pens, since they're not very expensive? Best regards, AG

As noted in a previous response, there are a number of talented pen restorers who can help you get your Esterbrooks into good working condition. I'm not sure what you believe to be a "reasonable" sum for repair (cost varies by the restorer and the work being done), but for common Esterbrooks it is probably going to cost less to buy a fully restored and working pen, than to buy a non-working pen and send it away for repairs.

June 1

June 2

14 hours ago, fullfederhalter said:

As noted in a previous response, there are a number of talented pen restorers who can help you get your Esterbrooks into good working condition. I'm not sure what you believe to be a "reasonable" sum for repair (cost varies by the restorer and the work being done), but for common Esterbrooks it is probably going to cost less to buy a fully restored and working pen, than to buy a non-working pen and send it away for repairs.

It would depend on the actual pen. Some pens just catch your eye...that's usually my benchmark for buying or passing. It also depends on who/when the pen might have actually been restored.

June 2

14 hours ago, FarmBoy said:

You know I like those...

June 2

A couple of things that I also do when restoring pens, and adding to the above video.

A round chopstick, or even a coffee stirrer, can be used to measure inside the barrel when determining sac length.
Measure twice. First to cut the sac, then I also put the sac on (without shellac) and use my guide to measure the barrel and the sac as it sits on the section.
I usually take the nib out before putting a new sac on.
I also clean out the barrel, and check the pressure bar (they are sometimes bent). A test tube brush is handy for cleaning barrels.

June 2

On 6/1/2025 at 3:56 PM, HotAtlanta30307 said:

Greetings. Off of ebay I've recently bought a several vintage Esterbrooks of which a couple pens most likely need new sacs. Unlike the other penss with good sacs, they don't ink up properly. One makes some crunchy noises and the other doesn't have a smooth lever. Neither produces air bubbles in the ink or droplets from the nib, as the others do. So, I've read several articles, postings, and seen several videos on repairing the pens. I'm not very handy with repairs. Are there places or individuals who could do the repairs for me for a reasonable sum? Or is it work it for me to buy fully functioning pens, since they're not very expensive? Best regards, AG

I can do them, and my turnaround is pretty quick.

Midnight Pens - restoration service

June 3

$20 is a more than fair price @gweimer1.

June 3

Thank you so much for the overwhelming support and information, as I'm a newbie to

pen collecting. Of my six Esterbrook pens, four work fine and two need new sacs and reconditioning. I'm really impressed how well they are made and write smoother than most of my other pens. Best regards, AG

June 4

Oh, I quite agree. I was surprised to learn that some people consider Esterbrook to have been a "3rd tier" brand, back in the day -- I would definitely consider them a 2nd tier brand at worst, given the huge range of nibs that Esterbrook made, and easily how interchangeable the nib units are between pens. And even the "student grade" nibs (which just have folded over tines with no tipping on them, can be good writers -- I have a couple with 1555 Gregg shorthand nibs on them and was surprised at how well they write (although I could see that if they were constantly used, the folded over part could wear down over the long run).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

June 5

@AAAndrew continues to provide excellent historical information for the Esterbrook brand. I consider the pre 1955 Esterbrook nibs to be among the finest writings experiences that I have been able to acquire. The ease, with some practice of course, to restore these pens make them just that more valuable for those who enjoy using a fountain pen. The plastics are durable, for the most part for pens 70-90 years old.

One observation has been that the popular 2556 nibs are not all the same. Some provide a more fine script that others.

Esterbrook Nib Chart