Posts filed under Esterbrook

Esterbrook “The Journaler” Nib Review

It’s rare when I review a stand-alone nib product on The Pen Addict, but in the case of The Journaler, I think that it is more than worthwhile to discuss.

The Journaler is a collaboration between Esterbrook and Gena Salorino, of Custom Nib Studio. The idea behind this product was to create a nib grind that would mimic the experience of a vintage Esterbrook nib. In this case, the 9314M - a classic medium stub grind.

So to get us all on the same page here: A pen company I like is working with a nibmeister I like to create a modern version of a vintage nib style that will work perfectly my handwriting.

You had me at hello.

Before I get into the performance of this nib (Spoiler: It’s great.) I want to discuss the idea of this nib. Pen companies that go out into the community to work with other creators will always get my attention, and support. It’s a sign to me that these companies get it. I love to see it, and I will love seeing this continue, not only with Esterbrook, but with other brands who do the same.

To quote from Esterbrooks product page for The Journaler:

“The idea is that it’s smooth and friendly enough for everyday use, gives your writing some flair, all without being too huge for practical writing.”

I think this description is exactly right. I’ve been able to use The Journaler regularly over the past month, and it gives a perfect medium stub line. Being a steel nib it is firm, and the line variation is moderate. Vertical strokes are wide - I’m guessing somewhere around 1.0 mm - and horizontal strokes cut the line width approximately in half to give your letters a great look.

While this nib grind is tailor-made for my block printing handwriting style, cursive writers will enjoy smooth lines and good variation as well. All in all, it’s a complete joy to write with.

*The Journaler, top, vs. TWSBI 1.5 mm Stub.*

I chose Robert Oster Blue Water Ice to use with this nib to see what shading I could get out of it, and it was a solid choice for that. The way stub nibs work is that the wide part of the nib on the downstroke pulls the ink down, giving the top of the line a lighter color than the bottom, where the nib lifts up and the ink pools. Shading is the best feature of fountain pen inks, in my opinion.

The Journaler has been a great nib for me, and I think many of you would like this as an option if you are looking at picking up a new Esterbrook Pen. This nib isn’t available separately, but is available as a $50 upgraded nib choice (check the dropdown) when buying a Standard or Oversized Esterbrook Estie. That puts it in line with getting a custom grind on your nib at any pen show.

I love this product, and I love this concept even more. I can’t wait to see what’s next from Esterbrook, and from other brands who are looking to work with other makers in our community.

(Kenro Industries provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Posted on June 29, 2020 by Brad Dowdy and filed under Esterbrook, Nibs, Nib Grind, Pen Reviews.

Esterbrook Camden Composition Fountain Pen Giveaway

We have a good one today readers, courtesy of my friends at Kenro Industries. They just released the Esterbrook Camden Composition Fountain Pen, which is a fun throwback in style to the composition notebooks of my youth. So here is the deal: They sent me two pens - one in Back to School Black, one in Spring Break Fluorescent Green. The winner will get to pick the barrel color of their choice, and I will keep and review the one not picked in the future. So, read the rules below, and enter away!

If you would like to check out the Esterbrook Camden Composition, you can see them at site sponsors Goldspot and Pen Chalet.

Posted on May 5, 2020 by Brad Dowdy and filed under Esterbrook, Giveaways.

Esterbrook Estie Lilac Fountain Pen Review

There is a style of pen that I have been enjoying immensely over the past year or two. I don’t know if this particular grouping has a name, but they share the same style of design, and fall in the same general price point. Leonardo Officiana and Montegrappa make pens that meet whatever this artificial criteria is, as does Esterbrook, which I am finally getting around to reviewing.

I know, I’m a little late to the new Esterbrook party, but I’m here now. And the Esterbrook Estie in Lilac has been proven to be worth the wait.

The story of Esterbrook is a long one, primarily as one of the great American writing brands for a period of over 100 years. It saw a small, yet ultimately failed, reappearance in 2014, prior to being bought out by US luxury goods distributor Kenro Industries in 2018. And from what I’ve seen so far, Kenro has Esterbrook on the right track as a new representation of the brand, not a direct throwback to history.

Any expectation that Kenro would mimic the past was thrown out quickly with the release of the flagship pen in the lineup, the appropriately named Estie. It is a traditional cigar-shaped pen, made in various acrylics from basic Black, to Tortoise Shell, to the Lilac I am currently using, and many more in between - including some limited editions.

The barrel sizes offer range as well, with a Slim model, a Standard, such as this one, and a few Oversized models mixed in for good measure.

While they may not look like your grandparents Esterbrook pens, Kenro did make sure that you could use your vintage Esterbrook nibs with these new pens by creating the MV Nib Adapter. It’s an add-on, but well-worth it if you have a hoard of vintage Esterbrook nibs laying around (I know who you are!) It’s a great way for the brand to be able to discuss the wonderful history of the product while bringing in a group of new users, like myself.

So let’s get into why I like it, and why I think this range of pens in the overall market is as strong as its been in years. First off, the Lilac acrylic is stunning. That’s what caught my eye originally, but there were plenty that came before it, such as Honeycomb and Blueberry, and hopefully many more to come after.

Secondly, the build quality is excellent. This is not an inexpensive pen at $156, nor is it a budget-breaker in the grand scheme of fountain pens. It uses Esterbrook-stamped Jowo Steel nibs, fills by standard international cartridge or converter, and has a cushion cap to keep the nib from drying out when closed.

Finally, the Esterbrook Estie feels wonderful to write with. It’s a large pen which you won’t want to post, but not too large or weighted poorly to make it uncomfortable to use. The acrylic has some density to it, and even my preferred Extra Fine nib glides across the page. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed using it since Kenro provided it to me at the Philadelphia Pen Show in January, and I can see more Esterbrooks in my future.

The one thing I can’t figure out about the Esterbrook Estie - and Leonardo Momento Zero and Montegrappa Elmo that I mentioned above - is why this section of the market is popping off, at least in my eyes. You can buy gold-nibbed pens for cheaper, and you can buy small-batch custom poured and machined acrylic pens for around the same price. And many of the existing designs in the $150-$200 range are considered all-time classics.

Is it that we like the new shiny materials of the pens? I know I do. The louder the material the better as far as I am concerned. And we already have the inks to match. I talk about fountain pens as being the most customizable writing instruments on the market, and these are prime examples. Are manufacturers now willing to break the black and gold mold of yesteryear into more modern styles? And have them perform as well, if not better? Is the modern fountain pen market separating itself from a sometimes stodgy history?

I don’t know what it is, but as a fountain pen fan, I like it. And I want more of it. Show us what you got in 2020, Esterbrook. I’m here for it.

(Kenro Industries provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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