Esterbrook lever fill works, but not with nib installed

[Worldtenor]

Having trouble figuring this out. I recently had the sac replaced in this esterbrook. After inking for the first time I realized it was not drawing in ink, so I thought there might be a problem with the new sac, but when I unscrewed the nib unit and used the lever fill with just an open hole at the end of the section, it sucked up ink (water in my tests) just fine with no issues. Why might the nib being installed inhibit this? I tried blowing on both the feed and the nib ends separately and air moves freely in both directions, so it isn’t clogged. I’m kind of at a loss. I’d love to hear your ideas!

[Ron Z]

As Sherlock Holmes said, "When everything else has been eliminated whatever remains, however improbable, must be the answer.

 

If the only thing that you're changing is removing or installing is the nib unit, and the pen won't fill with the nib in place, then the problem is that the nib unit is clogged.  You may have to knock the nib and feed out, but start with running a very thin guitar string down the slits, turning like a roto-rooter to cut through the dried whatever.  An ultrasonic can help too.  Use a bulb to flush the feed.

[joss]

That is indeed confusing. Does the pen emit air through the nib breather hole when the lever is moved upwards (and the nib unit is installed of course)?

[Worldtenor]

7 hours ago, Ron Z said:

As Sherlock Holmes said, "When everything else has been eliminated whatever remains, however improbable, must be the answer.

 

If the only thing that you're changing is removing or installing is the nib unit, and the pen won't fill with the nib in place, then the problem is that the nib unit is clogged.  You may have to knock the nib and feed out, but start with running a very thin guitar string down the slits, turning like a roto-rooter to cut through the dried whatever.  An ultrasonic can help too.  Use a bulb to flush the feed.

Haha! I like the SH reference. I’ll certainly give it a shot. I don’t have an ultrasonic yet, but I’m thinking it might not be bad to have around. Certainly makes for an easier cleaning process!

[Worldtenor]

7 hours ago, joss said:

That is indeed confusing. Does the pen emit air through the nib breather hole when the lever is moved upwards (and the nib unit is installed of course)?

Honestly, it’s kind of hard to tell. I can hear some gurgling from water remnant the first time and then after that I don’t really hear any air, just the lever and the sac.

[FarmBoy]

As a first approximation an ultrasonic cleaner can be made from a barrel and a sledge hammer.  The frequency is a bit low to be really effective but it’s a start. 

[joss]

On 7/15/2025 at 12:32 AM, Worldtenor said:

Honestly, it’s kind of hard to tell. I can hear some gurgling from water remnant the first time and then after that I don’t really hear any air, just the lever and the sac.

 

ah, I did not consider the pen's acoustics, but rather whether the nib would emit air bubbles when the lever is moved upwards if the pen point is placed in water.

[Worldtenor]

UPDATE: I was able to get it working. Thanks for the tip on the guitar string @Ron Z. Did that and then soaked in some homemade pen flush and bingo bango. It fills and writes like a dream now. Since it's a cheaper Esterbrook that I picked up for next to nothing, I might try my hand at a deeper polish just to hone my skills! Y'all are great on here.