My first Lever fill pen

[the_edski]

Been a while since I started a thread here, glad to see everything is still the same

I know I could go to FPN for this info, but I'd rather get it from guys I trust. I did a quick search and couldn't find anything recent, so I felt this was OK to ask.

I'm going to have my first Esterbrook, which is also my first lever fill, on the way care of one of Dave's awesome pop-up auctions. Any tips, tricks, play by play help I should know for a lever fill? Or am I totally over-thinking this and it's the easiest thing in the world?

 

[andrew98]

It's the easiest thing in the world. Insert nib in bottle of ink. Pull lever to near 90 degrees to pen barrel. Release lever. Allow bladder to fill. Wipe ink off section with paper towel/tissue. Enjoy pen.

Congrats on the pick up! Lovely looking pen!

-Andy

 

[DevinLT1966]

Hi Ed,
I too recently got my first Esterbrook. In fact it was my first FP. Filing it is a piece of cake. Just make sure the nib is in the ink all the way up to the section, if it isn't you will suck a bunch of air and not get a good fill. Then just pull down on the lever and bring it back up, wait a second or two and repeat three times. I give the last a few extra seconds to finish filling. The biggest problem I found is filling from a sample. I have started to remove the nib and fill with a syringe. Which I'm sure someone will say not to do because the sac is just thin latex. But I had to replace it when I got it, so I will take my chances.

Enjoy you pen, I really like mine..

Oh, what nib is on yours. I would like to hear what you think of it.

 

[the_edski]

Oh, what nib is on yours. I would like to hear what you think of it.

Thanks, Andy and Devin! It's a 2668 nib. I'll be sure and post my thoughts once it arrives and I ink it up!

 

[andrew98]

Thanks, Andy and Devin! It's a 2668 nib. I'll be sure and post my thoughts once it arrives and I ink it up!

That's a good nib. I hope you like it, Ed!

-Andy

 

[Katia]

2668 is my favorite so far (I have a thing for Esterbrooks...).

Biggest tip that I hear most people emphasizing is make sure you leave it in the ink long enough to give it time to fill. Apparently a common mistake is sticking it in and taking it right back out, expecting the fill to be instantaneous and then wondering why it runs out so soon. Count to ten, at least.

 

[Slivovitz]

I generally work the lever at least twice. May not be necessary, but I figure after the first time the feed is saturated, and a little more may go into the sac the next time. Doesn't hurt anyway.

Not likely to be a problem with an Esterbrook, but just be aware of the possibility of the lever getting snagged on something like a thread and getting pulled accidentally while there's ink in the pen. Even with the end of the lever sunk in the barrel, it's not impossible. A little care reduces the slim chance to an even slimmer one, but it did happen to me once with an Eversharp Skyline. Luckily the spill in that case was minimal.

 

[syngent]

I find them to be a pain to flush, unless its on a pen the nib can easily be taken off. Keep an ink you'll likely run dry in it

 

[jzuzphreek]

Hi Ed,
I too recently got my first Esterbrook. In fact it was my first FP. Filing it is a piece of cake. Just make sure the nib is in the ink all the way up to the section, if it isn't you will suck a bunch of air and not get a good fill. Then just pull down on the lever and bring it back up, wait a second or two and repeat three times. I give the last a few extra seconds to finish filling. The biggest problem I found is filling from a sample. I have started to remove the nib and fill with a syringe. Which I'm sure someone will say not to do because the sac is just thin latex. But I had to replace it when I got it, so I will take my chances.

Enjoy you pen, I really like mine..

Oh, what nib is on yours. I would like to hear what you think of it.

Nothing wrong with filling with a syringe at all. No need, obviously, to stick the needle in very far. I've emptied a few samples this way.

To James' point... they CAN be a pain to flush... however, removing the nib unit and flushing that way (and soaking the nib) is the most painless way.

My Estie is my designated Black ink pen, to avoid issues with flushing.

 

[mdove47]

An Estie was the pen I used way back when I learned to print and write. And yes, we had inkwells in our desks.

 

[celestino]

Congratulations on the purchase and I hope you enjoy the pen.

 

[Dave258]

I find them to be a pain to flush, unless its on a pen the nib can easily be taken off. Keep an ink you'll likely run dry in it

Esterbrook nibs do unscrew easily. Another thing I do when flushing is give it a bit of a shake when it is filled with water.

The Green Esterbrook actually came from Boris, I just installed a new ink sac in it.

 

[the_edski]

I'm giddy with delight. USPS says package out for delivery!!!!

 

[syngent]

I have packages all over the place I need the out for delivery notice dang nabit.... eieio

 

[coyotewhisper]

Congratulations on your pen purchase. Esterbrooks are great pens to introduce you to lever fillers.

Enjoy your pen.

 

[andrew98]

I have packages all over the place I need the out for delivery notice dang nabit.... eieio

Same here.

-Andy