Esterbrook and Custom Nib Studio have collaborated to bring us a special nib by Gena: the Journaler.
In 1858, when Richard Esterbrook was still in the business of making dip pens and co-owner of the United States Steel Pen Manufacturing Company, he was making nibs by hand using special tool and machines, which he often had to invent. Nibs were a central feature of his business. His were revered for being versatile, long-lasting and available in many different models to fit the many styles of writing found in the general public.
As the company moved away from dip pens to fountain pens, the newly minted Esterbrook Pen Company, solely owned by Richard Esterbrook, maintained that the grinding of nibs should remain artful in nature and the company created an interchangeable nib system that offered variety and flexibility to its growing clientele.
As we continue to tell the Esterbrook story, we wanted to continue Esterbrook’s tradition of focusing on specialized nibs.
The Esterbrook Custom Nib Program is our way to highlight exceptional American nibmeisters and we’ve asked some of the most prominent and exceptional nibmeisters in our community to create nibs to be a part of Esterbrook’s storied legacy. Gena Salorino of the Custom Nib Studio in Los Angeles has created the first edition.
An apprentice to nibmeister John Mottishaw of Nibs.com for nearly four years, Gena’s nib work is derived from his style, but as she’s established Custom Nib Studio, her signature nibs have become well-known in the marketplace for her own trademark style and beautiful handmade quality.
In her own words, the custom nib Gena is grinding for Esterbrook is a “medium stub grind, based on the vintage Esterbrook 9314M nib. The idea is that it’s smooth and friendly enough for everyday use, gives your writing some flair, all without being too huge for practical writing”.
Available for the Standard and Oversized Esties as well as the new Camden, Gena’s custom nib has an MSRP of $50 and your pen will come with this nib. Esterbrook Pens
I have to agree - it adds some flair but it is absolutely friendly enough for every day use. It feels like a cursive italic that leans to the stubby side, so it's easy to write quickly and it's quite forgiving. The Journaler is a great name for it. If you purchase your pen with the nib, you will get a custom ground nib without having to part with your new baby!
You can see the transitions in the loops are thinner than the downstrokes but there are no catches because the corners of the nib are not sharp, thus the do not catch on the page. I wrote those loops quickly and still it was forgiving enough not to have this issue. The downstroke is broad enough that, with inks that show some shading, you will get the benefit of that characteristic. You can see it with this turquoise ink.
It isn't a gusher and that is appropriate for a nib that is intended to be for journaling as you don't want to be waiting for it to dry or smearing the ink everywhere.
Would it really be a journaling nib if I didn’t journal with it? This is how I journal and this quote rings true, especially now. “I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
I used a few inks: Waterman Obsession Blue, PW Akkerman Gourmet Pens Pink (that's mine!), and Sailor Shikiori Yozakura.
Which one would suit your writing best?
Esterbrook Estie Lilac + The Journaler nib - the easiest to write with of the bunch here. Very forgiving, still offers line variation to add some pizzazz to your handwriting. Feels something like a cursive italic. A great starting point if you're not sure if your writing is too big or too small to manage.
Sailor 1911S Royal Amethyst + music nib - quite a stubby square music nib. Fair amount of line variation. Totally usable on the daily. Obviously it will be a wide writer, but it is pretty forgiving and if you have larger handwriting, it is not an issue. If you don't, then perhaps this is not the ideal option.
Aurora 88 Satin Rose + stub nib - surprisingly sharp for a stub, so lots of line variation here.
Franklin-Christoph Pocket 66 Antique Glass + music nib - the widest of the bunch so not necessarily a writer for every day. No tipping so you cannot modify it further - it is what it is (personally I love it). Great for lots of line variation between downstrokes and cross strokes!
More weekend reminders from YOU! It's a great practice, to prepare the mind for goodness ahead. Thank you @writeunafraid @maassteven @notsimar for the mind candy, and everyone, please do feel free to add more below. I read them and appreciate them, and then I get to write them!
Get Your Esterbrook!
La Couronne du Comte
Discount code: GOURMET10
Appelboom
Discount code: friend
Pen Chalet
Discount code: GOURMET2020
Goldspot Pens
PW Akkerman Gourmet Pens Pink
Akkerman (PWA has have provided a discount code - 10% off using GOURMET10 (excludes Montblanc, sadly, their Akkerman inks, discounted products, unfortunately) )
Vanness Pens
Lemur Ink
Bookbinders Design
Laywine's
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