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Thread: Levers? Sacs?? ~Again? ~Really? -Help please...

  1. #21
    Senior Member Ron Z's Avatar
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    Default Re: Levers? Sacs?? ~Again? ~Really? -Help please...

    But so far I've only been able to easily find Ron Zorn's website and he currently doesn't have listed quite what I'm looking for. (-Yet?)
    I have a bunch of restored Esterbrooks to list. I just haven't had a chance to do it... I guess I need to do that soon, don't I?

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    Default Re: Levers? Sacs?? ~Again? ~Really? -Help please...

    Quote Originally Posted by Ron Z View Post
    But so far I've only been able to easily find Ron Zorn's website and he currently doesn't have listed quite what I'm looking for. (-Yet?)
    I have a bunch of restored Esterbrooks to list. I just haven't had a chance to do it... I guess I need to do that soon, don't I?

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    Senior Member Kaputnik's Avatar
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    Default Re: Levers? Sacs?? ~Again? ~Really? -Help please...

    I bought one or two Esterbrooks already restored, but put new sacs in the rest myself. Put new sacs in a bunch of other vintage pens from different makers. That's years ago, though. I really should try inking some of these again and reminding myself how they write.

    A few weeks ago, I put a new sac in a Waltham pen-pencil combo, the first I'd done in a long time. I mentioned that repair in another thread a while back. I just wanted to get it working again, but I find that I like how it writes, and have been keeping it inked as a desk pen.

    On the other hand, some years ago, I destroyed a Sheaffer Balance trying to replace the sac. I've stopped kicking myself by now, and I did get a different Balance restored by someone who was better at working on them. But I could have had two of them. At least I was able to salvage the nib from the one I broke and put it in something else.
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    Senior Member Ron Z's Avatar
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    Default Re: Levers? Sacs?? ~Again? ~Really? -Help please...

    Esterbrooks are up.

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    Default Re: Levers? Sacs?? ~Again? ~Really? -Help please...

    ~Nice looking Esterbrooks! ~And they've already been recommended to me by a friend here...
    However I'm currently waiting on sampling a very nice Estie coming from another friendly FPG'er with an option to buy.
    So I'll have to pass on these Main Streeters for now...
    I need to first find out how me and Esterbrook (or any vintage) pens get along together?
    Last edited by Skip; January 23rd, 2025 at 11:03 AM.

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    Default Re: Levers? Sacs?? ~Again? ~Really? -Help please...

    Speaking of Esterbrooks…

    I found the ESTERBROOK stamp that made the sacs from the White Rubber Co last forever. Now to find the yellow ink…

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    Default Re: Levers? Sacs?? ~Again? ~Really? -Help please...

    (You do, & sounds like you might'a found your own l'il gold mine!) LOL

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    Default Re: Levers? Sacs?? ~Again? ~Really? -Help please...

    A slight word of caution: some Esterbrook nibs, especially very fine ones, tend toward being scratchy, sometimes VERY scratchy. The relief nibs (oblique stubs), especially the 9314, and even 2314, M and B are usually wonderful, although I have a 9214-B that needed a wee bit of smoothing, but is now sheer perfection. However, my very favorite lever-fillers are Sheaffer Balances.
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    Default Re: Levers? Sacs?? ~Again? ~Really? -Help please...

    Quote Originally Posted by calamus View Post
    A slight word of caution: some Esterbrook nibs, especially very fine ones, tend toward being scratchy, sometimes VERY scratchy. The relief nibs (oblique stubs), especially the 9314, and even 2314, M and B are usually wonderful, although I have a 9214-B that needed a wee bit of smoothing, but is now sheer perfection. However, my very favorite lever-fillers are Sheaffer Balances.
    Then again, many if not most EF nibs (don't tie it to Esties alone!) are notorious for having a very narrow 'sweet spot, which finding & holding as you write can be a chore, & make them unpleasant to use. Especially on less refined papers (ie everyday use [eg 'copy paper]. I have one needle point nib which I can't write across a single word without it digging in. I want to like it, & have tried really hard to, but....

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    Default Re: Levers? Sacs?? ~Again? ~Really? -Help please...

    I haven't been able to find a sweet spot of any size on the scratchy Esterbrook nibs I've run across, and I've looked hard. On the other hand, and this may be a coincidence, I have an oversized Sheaffer Balance from the mid-1930s with a needle point that glides effortlessly across even cheap copy paper. I think someone did some work on it, though, so to be fair it's probably comparing apples and oranges.
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    Default Re: Levers? Sacs?? ~Again? ~Really? -Help please...

    You've got me intrigued by your note above, re Sheaffer Balances being your "...very favorite lever-fillers."
    What is it about them that places them in such high esteem, if you don't mind my asking?
    I've tried to limit my vintage forays from within the early 40's & forward for fear of some older jewel being too age-fragile for my heavy-handedness. That, & knowing how my luck tends to run in such matters!

  18. #32
    Senior Member calamus's Avatar
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    Default Re: Levers? Sacs?? ~Again? ~Really? -Help please...

    The "white dot" Sheaffers (pre-"Made in China" era) have a lifetime guarantee, and they are built to last, and last, and last. Even the ones without the white dot hold up quite well, for that matter. Some of the older Parkers have problems with fragile resin or whatever the heck it was they used, but I've never heard of that being the case with Sheaffers. The ones from the '30s are "golden age" classics. I've heard that the feeds on some of the Balances from the early '30s weren't as good as those introduced later in the '30s. I'm not sure what year the improved feeds were introduced, but I think FredRydr could tell you. He's a big fan of vintage Sheaffers, and helped me find my Oversized Balance, which is possibly my favorite pen. BUT ANYWAY, besides how well they work and how reliable they are, the main reason I love Sheaffers so much is because their nibs are exquisite, among the best I've ever used. It's a sheer joy to write with them.
    Last edited by calamus; February 1st, 2025 at 08:40 PM.
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    Senior Member Jon Szanto's Avatar
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    Default Re: Levers? Sacs?? ~Again? ~Really? -Help please...

    Quote Originally Posted by calamus View Post
    The "white dot" Sheaffers (pre-made in China era) have a lifetime guarantee, and they are built to last, and last, and last. Even the ones without the white dot hold up quite well, for that matter. Some of the older Parkers have problems with fragile resin or whatever the heck it was they used, but I've never heard of that being the case with Sheaffers. The ones from the '30s are "golden age" classics. I've heard that the feeds on some of the Balances from the early '30s weren't as good as those introduced later in the '30s. I'm not sure what year the improved feeds were introduced, but I think FredRydr could tell you. He's a big fan of vintage Sheaffers, and helped me find my Oversized Balance, which is possibly my favorite pen. BUT ANYWAY, besides how well they work and how reliable they are, the main reason I love Sheaffers so much is because their nibs are exquisite, among the best I've ever used. It's a sheer joy to write with them.
    Yes to all the above, with the caveat that some of the Marine Green and Red Veined Grey Pearl will occasionally go south with crystalization.

    The early OS, either Balance or Flattop, are the premiere pens in my collection, for both iconic style and writing excellence. I'm two pens away from a complete set of OS Balances in all the materials, all in lever fill. The latter choice is because I can restore them, and I prefer the look of the barrel without the interruption of the plunger cap ("But Jon, the lever breaks the surface, too!" "Yeah, but you can turn it to the other side..." )
    Last edited by Jon Szanto; February 1st, 2025 at 10:34 PM. Reason: Typo
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    Default Re: Levers? Sacs?? ~Again? ~Really? -Help please...

    I have quite a few vintage sheaffers. Mostly snorkels. But a few lever fillers and I agree. The nibs are overwhelmingly amazing. I’ve had a couple truly piss me off. But most are just amazing. And the pens feel nice to write with and look great.

  22. #35
    Senior Member calamus's Avatar
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    Default Re: Levers? Sacs?? ~Again? ~Really? -Help please...

    I can't believe I forgot to mention that they're gorgeous. Oops. My bad.
    They're gorgeous!!
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    Default Re: Levers? Sacs?? ~Again? ~Really? -Help please...

    And the last 3 - make that, 4 responses are exactly why I luv being a member here! Thank you, gents, one and all!
    Now for reciprocation, may I kindly offer you some fine tea, a cigar & porno hut teat coin?

    (No association, just a very satisfied customer. Very very!)
    ~_/.

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    Default Re: Levers? Sacs?? ~Again? ~Really? -Help please...

    Hey, anybody got a good working Balance you might let go? I've been looking around a bit (mostly eBuy) & kinda stymied by the variety available, many "needing work", & beyond Jon's notes above, no real idea of where/what I should be looking for. I'm not too wild about appearance so much - hell, it's for writing, not for showing, far's my needs. I prefer solid black with gold furnishing, & as long as it's not too hacked up, I'll take a look!

    Oh and, I'll hopefully be able to compare to a modern version soon -- based on everyone's crows of excellence I snagged one of these this weekend:

    (put on your headphones & hang on! LOL) [That nib fly-thru scene is just DELICIOUS!!]

  27. #38
    Senior Member Ron Z's Avatar
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    Default Re: Levers? Sacs?? ~Again? ~Really? -Help please...

    Hey, anybody got a good working Balance you might let go?
    There's one on my website. I was looking at it this morning when I put the Skyline in the slotter box of pens that are listed.

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    Default Re: Levers? Sacs?? ~Again? ~Really? -Help please...

    I might. I’ll have to check

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    Default Re: Levers? Sacs?? ~Again? ~Really? -Help please...

    Well, i don’t own a black balance. Sorry. I have three balances, none are black :/

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