Where to start?

[countrydirt]

Hi all, I am just about to jump off the edge and into the Esterbrook J world. Where would you suggest I start? I have sent emails to a seller over on the FPB but have not received a response and am following a couple of pens on ebay. What ought I expect to pay for a run of the mill functional J?

[KrazyIvan]

When I started in 2010, you could get them for as low as $8 on eBay. It is getting harder to find those deals. I just purchased on a month ago for $18 but it needed a new sac. I have seen fully restored pens go from $25 to over $50.

[DanDeM]

This should help.

http://andersonpens.net/pens/esterbrook

[countrydirt]

Well, I just purchased a J off ebay. I paid $17 plus shipping. It has been restored with a new bladder (is that what they are called?) and has a 2668 nib. I assume it is a J from the photos as the cap jewel looks quite a bit larger than the barrel jewel.

Oh Lord, what have I done?

[dgator]

This should help.

http://andersonpens.net/pens/esterbrook

+1

I purchased 2 Esterbrook J's from the Andersons. I would certainly make this your first stop. Brian and Lisa are great people! (No affiliation, just a happy customer.)

[carlos.q]

This should help.

http://andersonpens.net/pens/esterbrook

+1

I purchased 2 Esterbrook J's from the Andersons. I would certainly make this your first stop. Brian and Lisa are great people! (No affiliation, just a happy customer.)

+2

I bought a very nice red Esterbrook J from them. They are not only helpful but friendly as well.

[jor412]

Well, I just purchased a J off ebay. I paid $17 plus shipping. It has been restored with a new bladder (is that what they are called?) and has a 2668 nib. I assume it is a J from the photos as the cap jewel looks quite a bit larger than the barrel jewel.

Oh Lord, what have I done?

Bladder or sac. That's a good price. What color is it? When are you getting it?

[countrydirt]

It is a blue. I hope to see it by the end of the week or early the next.

[Jon Szanto]

It is a blue. I hope to see it by the end of the week or early the next.

You've gotten yourself one of the best pens to start with if you like older pens, and if you like being "hands-on". The most major thing you're likely to encounter is needing to replace the sac, and of all the pen restoration projects this is about the easiest. Plenty of resources to show you how, and just a couple of dollars to make it happen.

Besides that, the great part about the Esterbrooks is the ability to try different nibs. The 2668 nib you got is a very dependable medium-width nib, and if you want to go to a finer point, or some kind of italic, or a little flex, or broad, well, you just hunt down another nib, screw that one out and screw the new one in.

Though it is a lot more fun to buy a second pen.

And a third...

[countrydirt]

No, I must show some restraint! Seriously...

I'm struck by the similarity to the anxiety I felt 8 years ago when I bought the first charcoal Safari. Did I do the right thing? Well, I did with the Lamy, so I expect that I did with this pen as well. I just wonder if the Safaris will still be around in 75 years!

[jor412]

It gets easier :P

[cedargirl]

Welcome to the world of vintage pens.
You're off to a good start.

[Frank]

Welcome to the addiction!

Welcome here as well!

Frank

[countrydirt]

Tracking says "out for delivery"! Wow, I am excited. Come on mail carrier!

[countrydirt]

image.jpg
I love it! 2668 nib is capable of italic style lines depending upon how I hold the pen

[countrydirt]

Attached is a short handwritten review. I'm really sorry about the crappy photos. I am struggling with my Apple MacBook Air and iPad and Picasa for editing.

Short story, I'm really glad I purchased this pen!

[Adunaye]

I just purchased 2 Esterbrooks J's on eBay. One of them is fully functional the other needs a new sac. I am excited to get working on it. I am a newb at buying and using fountain pens but I have jumped off the deep end listening to every podcast I can find and spending every extra penny I have on fountain pens. I like taking things apart so I am confident I can figure out how to get the one in working order. I'll post pics when they arrive.

[chad.trent]

I've recently jumped off the deep end too. Bought to Esterbrooks (a J and an SJ) at a local antique mall over the weekend to add to the one J I already had (which was also my first sac replacement). Bought three off Ebay since then, and currently watching a boatload of them.

I got it bad...

[countrydirt]

I added an SJ this week as well. I think, perhaps, I like the size of the SJ just a little better. It fits in the loop of my Franklin binder and with the Scribal Workshop inks and Monticello paper, I can use a fountain pen with my planner. Paper pen planning geekery recommences!

[jacksterp]

countrydirt - you've got that nib singing!

Very nice!