The Esterbrook Estie - Journaler: A Review
I began collecting fountain pens early in the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic after years of random purchases on JetPens.com. One bottle of Pilot Iroshizuku and a Pilot Metropolitan were my starting point, and from there, I dove headfirst into the hobby. Although I haven't focused much on vintage pens, I have stayed within the realm of familiar brands like Pilot, TWSBI, and Diplomat, among others. I also ventured into Spoke Designs with the Axle, which I love.
During yet another episode of the Goulet Pencast, I discovered the Esterbrook Estie, which offers various custom grinds. Having had some custom work done before by Marc Bacas, I was intrigued by the Journaler Nib. This medium nib is ground to a stub with just enough roundness to be a versatile, everyday writer. I was sold.
The Esterbrook Pen Company traces its roots to 1858 when Richard Esterbrook emigrated from England and set up shop in Camden, New Jersey. With the mission to provide high-quality yet affordable writing instruments to a growing nation, the company quickly became one of the world's largest pen manufacturers. At its height, Esterbrook supplied millions of nibs to schools, businesses, and government offices, pioneering innovations like the famed "Durachrome" nibs. Though times and technologies evolved (and the ballpoint pen made its mark), the Esterbrook legacy continues today, renewed through an appreciation for fine writing craftsmanship.
The Look
I chose the Nouveau Bleu/Gold edition, which is simply stunning. Up to this point, I've mostly opted for basic colors, avoiding anything too extravagant. However, the design and color of this pen have quickly become a favorite in my collection, expanding my horizons to multi-colored pens.
The blend of blue and gold hues makes it visually striking, suitable for both personal journaling and professional settings.
The Experience
The Good
The Journaler Nib was the feature I was most excited about, and it did not disappoint. From the first moment I began writing, I was captivated by its performance. In fact, minutes later, I was on Gena Salorino’s website, daydreaming about future grinds.
The flow is smooth, and the medium nib lays down a wet, satisfying line. I typically prefer medium to broad nibs to highlight inks, and the Estie does a fantastic job of it. Writing with it is a joy, and the custom grind adds a distinctive flair.
The Bad
I often view new pens with rose-colored glasses, so I've incorporated a "Good and Bad" section into my reviews. After a morning of note-taking with the Estie, I noticed it began skipping and hard starting. This was disappointing, as I love the pen overall. I tried everything from cleaning it repeatedly to using brass sheets to ensure the split was even and clear, but the problem persisted. I eventually cleaned the pen and put it away for several months while considering sending it to Gena for tuning.
On a whim, I recently pulled the Estie back out, but the provided converter wouldn't draw ink. Strange, right? I realized that this issue might be related to the hard starting and skipping. I inserted a random international short cartridge, gave it a few squeezes, and to my surprise, the pen started working flawlessly.
Upon closer inspection, I found a hairline crack at the base of the provided converter. This explained the ink flow problems all along. Lesson learned: this is another area to inspect when troubleshooting ink flow issues.
Overall
After solving the mystery of the hard starts and skipping, the Estie is easily a 5 out of 5. Fountain pens inherently require more maintenance than other writing instruments, so I don't mind some upkeep, though I wish I had noticed the crack sooner. Despite this, I love the pen's look and feel. Combined with the unique Journaler Nib, it’s a winning combination that I'll reach for often. Perhaps my next stop will be one of the other unique grinds offered by Esterbrook.
This is not a promotional post, nor did I receive any product or compensation for this review.