FP Newbie

One of the things that I’ve observed in the short time that I’ve been a Fountain Pen Newbie is that there was a golden age for pens manufactured in the United States. That golden age ended in the 1960’s and 1970’s for most of these American manufacturers. In the early 21st century, many of these brand names have been purchased. However, as we learned with Conklin, the pen may say Toledo, OH on the nib, but Conklin pens are manufactured in the “Far East” and use third party nib manufacturers. Esterbrook is technically an American company, owned by Kenro Industries, it operates out of Mineola, New York. It is unknown whether the pens are manufactured in the US, or of they are designed here and manufactured elsewhere. The nibs are manufactured by a third party nib provider, they use #6 JoWo nibs.

All of this being said, there is a definite step-up in the quality of the Esterbrook pens I own versus other “golden years” revived fountain pens, specifically the Conklin and Sheaffer brands. This pen is a fabtastic writer – one of the best steel nibs I have. And the sea glass version of the pen is really stunning. These pens really stand out and get attention. I recommend getting a fine point, which writes very wet and somewhere in between a fine and medium European nib. Buy Here