Comparing two Esterbrook 9128 nib renew points and some history on the nib.

The Esterbrook 9128 renew point nib is direct descendant of the earlier 128 dip nib. Below you will find some images from vintage catalogs.

The two 9128 I have been testing have different amounts of flex. I have noticed that the England version of these nibs are more flexible than American cousins.

 

 

NOS nib

The NOS nib is quite stiff but after drawing some figure eights it is no longer scratchy and shows a little bit of line variation.

Used nib

The other nib, with a green mark on the screw section, is a lot nicer to the touch and is quite a sweet nib when writing and drawing. Looking at the boxes more line variations are visible on it. The descending “L”s are more fluent on the used nib when comparing the two.

Comparing the two I prefer the old nib but suspect that the NOS with use will show more character.

Esterbrook 2048 Renew Point “Flexible Fine Shaded Writing Falcon”

The 2048 nib by Esterbrook is a nice writing nib which flexes from a fine to broad with normal use. This nib can be used for drawing and lays down a nice line. Esterbrook based the 2048 renew point on the Falcon No. 048 dip pen nib which was one of their popular nibs.

As you can see looking at them the dip pen has a longer point and larger breathing hole which shows that this will flex wider than the 2048 renew nib.

Esterbrook Pens and What they Do, by Zaner (p10)

This nib is comfortable to write with and lays a nice line. I find the 2048 a fun nib to draw and write with and with more practice I would be able to do some good flourishes with it. The line goes from a fine to a broad to my eye. Below are some writing and drawing samples of the 2048 nib:

 

 

1Esterbrook Pens and What they Do, by Zaner

Below is a sample of a popular Falcon pen which is a small version of the 048.

4 Esterbrook Pens and What they Do, by Zaner (p7)

Jade senior streamline Parker pen found in the wild

Found a nice Parker pen on Sunday. It just needs to be resacced and tidied up. Some discoloration to the plastic but is great for a 90 year pen. The nib is fine / medium with light flex.

Jade Senior Streamline Duofold

5.5 inches / 135mm

Nib: Parker Duofold Canada B

Cap Clip: Loose. Imprint: Pat Sep 5 -16

Cap: Two gold bands. Flat top / base.

Body imprint: Geo S Parker / Parker Duofold / Made in Canada

c.1928-35?

 

No Name 1930s Fountain Pen

This a unknown make of pen from c.1930. The nib flexes nicely but haven’t done a writing test to photograph. The barrel has a pattern on it and a black space for branding which is empty but I think could be a Blackbird. This is a button filler. If anyone can identify this pen please comment.

Carboot Pen Finds 03/06/2018

Found some nice pens and pencils at the local carboot today.

First up is an Universal pen all the way from the USA that dates back to the c.1960s. This has a black plastic body and a chrome top. The original “cartridge” inside looks usable but will get changed to a sac if leaky. (FPN has info about these.)

Second up is a ‘no name’ pen from prior to the c.1990s – clue “West Germany” on nib and OXO or OSA – made out of heavy metal and is black and gold stripes .

Lastly, is a Papermate ballpoint (not pictured) from the c.1980s with a nice green marble and chromed body. Along with the Papermate were a load of glass marker pens and sticky tape (I’ll probably sell these) plus five Berol Cardinal pencils in HB. These appeared to come from a closed shop as a pricing gun was in the next box.

Doodles using an Esterbrook holder with a Burnham B45 nib.

The following was drawn using a vintage Burnham B45 Italic Straight nib in an Esterbrook CX100 holder using an Esterbrook washable blue ink cartridge reactivated using a water syringe. I got five A4 pages out of the Esterbrook cartridge and was quite generous in layering with it. The nib does not allow the cap to go on fully due to the shoulders.

At the moment this is my favourite italic nib and I prefer it to the 2312 or 9312 as this is so smooth and the feedback is nice when touching the paper.

Esterbrook Relief Stub Nib Family: 314, 1314, 2314, 3314, 9314.

When playing about with dip pens and fountain pens one of the best nibs I have come across is the 314 made by Esterbrook from c1870 through to the early 20^th Century in the USA and England. As these nibs were very popular they are still quite easy to get hold of today (I have at least 200 in my nib box). The 314 dip nib is an oblique nib with a 15° slant that gives nice line variations without having to use a flexible nib. I have some images of blotters, boxes, and bags, and other ephemera that were sold with advertising on them. I have successfully put a dip nib on a Jinhao X450 fountain and just have to keep it upright to prevent rusting. I have included some writing samples and first thoughts on some of the nibs in my handwriting.

• Original dip pen nib

  
  

• This evolved into an eyedropper pen.
• Different English pen makers competed to make the best 314 fountain pen. (I’m guessing “competed” as more than one company made them for Esterbrook.) There are some lovely examples which can sell for silly money out there. Two examples are the Relief 2-L with a number 1 or 2 nib.

  

• 
• 
• When Esterbrook released their Relief Renew points they came in several variations:
  • 1314 – Cheapest nib and not many come up for sale these days down to popularity and wear and tear on them. Good review here.
  • 2314B/9314B – Relief Broads nibs that give off a nice deep line. The 2 series was made of a cheaper material than the 9s.
  • 
  • 2314F/9314F – Relief Fine nibs that give a light line. Review of 9314-F.
  • 2134M/9314M – Relief Medium nibs that give a medium line

    
    
    .

  • 3314 Sunburst USA – popular model pretty design.
  • 3314 14K Gold English for later cartridge pens but the same design.
    
    

    

  • 14K Made in England
  • Osmiridium Medium Relief
    
    
  • Osmiridium Fine

Going through my 314 nibs my favourite goes down to 2314-B for variation, and the 3314 for everyday writing. The worst nib was the Osmiridum Medium Relief which is down to the wear on this nib.

 

Sorry about my bad handwriting but that is what it is.

 

-Have a nice day. IDS.

Review: Mobie Todd Blackbird Self Filling Fountain Pen

I recently purchased a Blackbird hard rubber fountain pen made by Mabi Todd in around 1930. Some history can be found here and here, plus a timeline of the Company.

This pen was in quite good condition with some colour wear; it has changed from the original black to a dark brown. The pens ink sac was perished so with the help of my desk lamps bulb (heat source) removed the section from the body and changed the ossified ink sac for a new one. The lever is in good condition and did not need work. Before reassembly the pen was given a wash with a clean rag and then polished with a clean microfiber duster.

There is no clip on the cap and no marks to show the removal of one. So did it have one?

The pen nib was in the worst condition as it has a bend to it as the nib writes well it will not be tampered with. The pen is a nice medium width which flexes to a broad. It is a slow starter so either a wipe on a sponge or wet paper wakes it up. The first picture is two photos that I joined together by eye.

Below are some doodles and writing samples that were drawn with this pen.

To conclude: A nice pen that I shall be put to good use for drawing and writing in my journal.

 

Good night.

 

Ian.

First Thoughts: Sailor Desk Pen 0073-120 and Platinum Carbon Black Desk Pen

I ordered two Desk Pens for my birthday a Sailor Desk Pen (0073-120), from Andy’s Pens for £8.00, and a Platinum Carbon Black (DP-800S), from Cult Pens for £8.50, to use for doodling and sketching.

They both came with Extra Fine nibs and are both smooth to use. The pens are ‘cigar’ shaped similar to a brush or old style dip pen (quite close to the 1950s Esterbrook 447 dipless pen) and an inkwell which fits both is available from Platinum.

Sailor Desk pen 0073-120.

The Sailor has a silver steel nib which does not give any bad feedback when drawing and is comfortable in the hand and will be used frequently. The supplied ink cartridge is a nice grey black and I will replace it when used up with either a blue-black or different black cartridge.

Carbon Desk Pen.