Hello, everyone. I used fountain pens all my growing up years into my mid-20's. Alas, the lure of interesting and very pretty ballpoints purloined my interests in their direction and I laid my wonderful fountain pens aside. So, after many years away from them I am bringing them back out and (with a few needed repairs) using them again with relish. I am also looking for more pens to add to my now small collection. I sincerely hope that I don't bore you and/or drive you absolutely up the wall crazy with my questions but my interest has grown so strong in the last few weeks that I want to learn all I can about restoring my old, beloved Esterbrooks and Sheaffers. I also want to know which inks and ink colors work best for me and will be user friendly for my pens. I am absolutely green about all these things other than the fact that I am the proud original owner of 3 wonderful Esterbrooks that I used (loved and still love) in college and I know how to fill them with ink (IF their ink sacs are in good shape) and write with them. I hope that you will all please bear this in mind and be as patient as possible with me in my endeavor to learn more.
-- Edited by ladyinthemists on Monday 7th of September 2009 08:55:40 AM
I know that my original Esties' sacs are long gone and I will need to replace them in order to be able to use them again. One of them has a broken j-bar which will also need to be replaced. I am now in the process of adding to my Esties and just bought a truly beautiful Copper Dollar pen which is in excellent working condition. I have J. Herbin's beautiful "Rose Cyclamin" ink in it and it writes like a dream.
Can you tell me the proper method of flushing ink out of a pen (any pen) in order to change inks / ink colors / etc.?
I know that my original Esties' sacs are long gone and I will need to replace them in order to be able to use them again. One of them has a broken j-bar which will also need to be replaced. I am now in the process of adding to my Esties and just bought a truly beautiful Copper Dollar pen which is in excellent working condition. I have J. Herbin's beautiful "Rose Cyclamin" ink in it and it writes like a dream.
Can you tell me the proper method of flushing ink out of a pen (any pen) in order to change inks / ink colors / etc.?
Sounds like the "bug" has really bit you back into FP's! Copper Estie's are also my favorite!
For parts (J-Bar), I would recommend Todd E ("Farmboy"). Sacs are available from many sources. PenSac company from CA is where many retailers/dealers get their sacs from.
As for cleaning, Esties are among the easier pens, as you can unscrew the nib to let it soak alone after you have flushed the pen! You flush the pen with cold water after using it. Use the lever to fill/flush until the water is pretty clear (It is hard to get it totally clear with a sac filled pen!). Then unscrew the Estie nib, and let that sit for a little bit in a plastic cup of water. You do want to see this water pretty clear before putting the nib away. You may want to soak it in clean water again after the water stains from the ink in the nib/feed!
I flush my pens after every use. I usually do not fill them again right away, as I am rotating about 20-30 FP's. If you are using the same ink, in the same pen, it may not require as much cleaning. You can never have them "too clean" though!
Frank
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Thanks, Frank, great info and much appreciated. And YES! The "fountain pen bug" has definitely given me a new and very compelling bite. I have always been a self-proclaimed "pen freak" and it just gets worse the longer I'm around this ol' world...LoL!
Nah, I never throw away a decent pen whether it be fountain pen or ballpoint. I've still got the wonderful Esterbrook pens I used in college in the early-mid '60's and I intend to restore them to working condition again with new ink sacs and j-bars as needed. I love my dear pens and hang on to all of them.
Nah, I never throw away a decent pen whether it be fountain pen or ballpoint. I've still got the wonderful Esterbrook pens I used in college in the early-mid '60's and I intend to restore them to working condition again with new ink sacs and j-bars as needed. I love my dear pens and hang on to all of them.
Welcome to the community, lunacy & general pen addiction. trust me my dear, your in good company...lol. There are several sick collectors that hang out 'round these parts. The first that comes to mind after my obsessive Wearever thing is jacks disturbing fetish for all pens yellow. lol
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My own particular favorites are Esterbrooks. I love them, particularly the double jewel J-models. I own one pastel but would like to add more to it. The 3 Esties of which I am the proud original owner are in need of repairs....one of them needs a new j-bar and all three need new ink sacs. I'm trying to learn how to do these repairs myself. I have also bought a couple of "new" Esties and I'm still looking around for more.
I also like Sheaffer pens although the Esties are still my first love. I have a Sheaffer Lady Scripsert (I believe that is the correct term) that I cannot manage to get to write no matter how long I soak the nib. Another of my Sheaffers has had the cap covered in clear nail polish which I have no clue as to how to remove. I'm definitely open to suggestions.
I agree Esties are simply the Sherman tank of the pen world. Tough as nails, incredibly versatile and have a charm like no other pens. FWIW & IMHO, Esterbrooks are one of the easiest pens to learn repairs on. I'll reclaim the web cam from the boychild later today and shoot a quickie how to get your estie back in the game. For supplies talk to Giovanni & Sylvia at Tryphon.it. (click the pens link & then you'll find ALL of the tools & repair supplies you'll ever need. They are great people to work with.
If you have any 3rd tier beater pens that are just lying around, you can harvest the j bar from them and use it as a replacement.
Regarding the skripset, have you tried using an ultrasonic cleaner? If you don't have one go to harborfreight.com (or a local outlet) & grab a US cleaner for $30 or so. They are invaluable in repairs. If you cant get there a small jewelry cleaner will work in a pinch.
What material is the nail polish covered cap made of?
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Tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito ~Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them