Esterbrook Estie Overview
Established in 1858, Esterbrook has a long history of creating some of the most recognizable and revered pens from the golden age of fountain pens. But this isn't a nostalgic trip down memory lane; we’re focusing on the present. Yes, the “golden age” of fountain pens is over, but that doesn’t mean they’re out of style! The Esterbrook of today is not what it once was, and that's a good thing. Why? Because the people who use fountain pens have changed, and so has Esterbrook.
That’s why we're going to dive into the story of Esterbrook, focusing on the Esterbrook Estie, and discovering what makes both so unique.
Esterbrook Origin
Through the decades, many major American fountain pen brands of the 20th century have been sold, purchased, relocated, sold again, and eventually disappeared. Esterbrook was no exception to this cycle. But in 2018, New York-based fountain pen distributor Kenro Industries bought the brand and began a slow, methodical revival. What sets Kenro's resurrection of Esterbrook apart from other legacy brands like Parker or Waterman is their focus on the fountain pen hobbyist community.
Introducing the Esterbrook Estie
After Kenro’s acquisition of Esterbrook, the Estie model quickly became their flagship pen. They have plenty of other models, but the Estie is the best representation of what the modern Esterbrook stands for. At first glance, the Esterbrook Estie is a standard cigar-shaped fountain pen with a classic design. The only exterior trim is the clip, with an engraved and filled Esterbrook logo at the base of the cap. Unscrewing the cap reveals one of my favorite features: a spring-loaded inner cap that ensures an airtight seal, preventing the pen from drying out too quickly. You'll also find a pair of trim rings at the grip and some unassuming threads.
This pen fills using either a cartridge or converter, but there’s also a piston version available. It features a German-made #6 JoWo steel nib, and Esterbrook also offers 18k gold nib options on their website for those looking to upgrade.
Another unique feature is the MV Adapter, a separate grip section compatible with vintage Esterbrook nibs from the 50s and 60s. These vintage nibs can still be found relatively easily and can be used in the modern Estie with this adapter, showing Esterbrook's commitment to the community.
Noteworthy Nib Technicians
You may or may not know this, but there are people across the world who offer professional nib customization and repair services. These nib technicians were once incredibly rare, but in the last 10 years, the pen community has been fortunate enough to see an incredible rise in the number of talented professionals who both operate and manage web-based commissions and/or perform on-site nib work at Pen Shows.
So what does the Estie have to do with any of this? Well, apparently creating a grip section that fits 60-year-old nibs wasn’t enough of a challenge; Esterbrook has taken a bold step by partnering with four renowned nib technicians to craft their own specialty nibs for the Estie. This collaboration is a huge undertaking, as most independent nib workers do not work full-time and coordinate their efforts online or at pen shows. That’s why I want to introduce you to the technicians Esterbrook has teamed up with and show you how cool their nibs are:
- Gena Salorino of Custom Nib Studio (Los Angeles): Gena’s “Journaler” nib is a medium stub grind inspired by the vintage Esterbrook 9314M nib. It’s smooth enough for everyday use and adds flair to your writing, all without being too huge for practical writing.
- Josh Lax (New York): Up in New York, Josh brings the “Scribe” nib to the community. This Scribe is an architect nib delivering a wider side-to-side stroke and a narrower up-and-down stroke. It’s designed to be smooth for a wide variety of users.
- Kirk Speer of Pen Realm (Colorado): The “Needlepoint” nib,created by Kirk Speer, is perfect for writing small with a line even finer than an extra-fine nib.
- CY of Tokyo Station Pens (Japan): CY’s “Techo” nib is a miniaturized adaptation of Sailor’s Naginata Togi, offering both thick and thin lines depending on the writing angle.
Aesthetic Appeal
The Estie isn’t just about functionality; it’s also about style. One standout model is the “Sweet Dreams.” This entire setup is yet another example of the team over at Esterbrook being courageously creative and delivering something completely original with a fun and intentional theme. Not only do you have the airy pastel resin blending perfectly with all the naptime accessories, but once again Esterbrook has chosen to tap into the fountain pen community and use “Diamondcast” resin, which sparkles because of natural diamond dust, and is made here in the US in small batches by Tim McKensie.
Esterbrook has also introduced a button-piston filling mechanism, offering a smooth and easy filling experience. Currently, we're offering the “Custom Nib Program” nibs on the Botanical Gardens, Nouveau Bleu, and Back to the Lands Esties, while the button piston can be found on the Raven and the Winter White models.
Conclusion
I hope this blog has piqued your curiosity about the Esterbrook Estie. It's a pen that continually strives to outdo itself, making it worth checking up on from time to time just to see what new adventures it embarks on.
For more information, contact our Customer Care team, who will be happy to answer any questions or provide any recommendations. Write on!
