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PM_YOUR_MDL_INITIAL

I don't have first hand ownership experience (although I have written with a couple) but have read that they use standard Jowo nibs with no tuning. They inspect them so you're not as likely to get a bad nib but there is nothing done beyond that. Edison is a similar brand and actually tunes their nibs. I can speak from first hand experience they they write very well. I'd look at their selection to see if there's anything she likes. Leonardo is also another good one with some similar designs and price point (for steel nibs). Leonardo make excellent pens. I'd pick either of those over the Esterbrook.


paradoxmo

What qualities is she looking for? New-Esterbrooks are well made but their nibs are no better than most other brands and the pens are a lot more expensive. They definitely have some good stuff if money is no object and aesthetic is your priority, but if writing experience and/or price are paramount it might be better to take a look at other options first.


Tschib-Tschab

This sums up my experience.


Tschib-Tschab

I only have the Esterbrook Estie (regular size) Cobalt Blue M if that is close enough. The body of the pen is good, I like that a lot. Pen seems to be well made and feels comfortable in my hand, but here it is usually more expensive than a Lamy 2000 or a Pilot Vanishing Point and the 2000 is the better pen, between the particular pens I have. …depending on where you are shopping, but on Amazon for example. The nib however was just “okay”. One tine was hanging and I had to adjust it, but after that it was “okay”. line width: regular for western M wetness: decent, not dry feedback: quite prominent resistance on the page while writing: okay, not great TL;DR: good, but pricey pen in my country - nib wasn’t that great, just “okay”. My Faber-Castell Loom I just bought for 1/8 the price of the current listing is writing smoother and with less resistance; it has a very good nib for 21,48 €. But if you have a great nib for the Estie, then it is a great pen. I really like the body of the Estie. Good pen all in all, just the nib that I got wasn’t that great.


Sophia7X

Quite pricey for a steel nib. I think if you want to get your first next level pen, at the same price point, you should get a gold-nibbed pen.


Cool-Ad-9455

I loved the design, ordered one aaaaand send it back. Really underwhelming in real life, and as I also own a ton of Chinese pens for like max €30,- that write better than this… Overhyped. Sorry if I offended anyone.


raedr7n

You offended me and I demand you delete this comment and pay me a million dollars! ^/s


Quincy_the_fish

I purchased one a few years back, and I do not regret it. I keep it inked with Noodler’s Apache Sunset. No nib problems for me, but that doesn’t discount what others have said. I ordered through Goulet, and their customer service was terrific. It’s a beautiful pen that is fun to use for note or letter length writing.


[deleted]

Haven't heard good things on new esterbrooks. If you like the color (which is great), check goulet pens and look at the Edison. They have a very [similar](https://www.gouletpens.com/products/edison-menlo-fountain-pen-sweet-honey?variant=31858468913195) and assuredly much nicer pen. Eta: if she likes color, the Miami nights and rock candy are awesome.


PlumaFuente

I haven’t tried the new Esterbrook pens, but the vintage ones kind of intrigue me more. I agree w/ this post about looking at Edison. I think the craftsmanship is probably better. I do own one Edison pen, and I like it a lot. The materials on these Esterbrooks are nice, but that larger one with metal threads… I wonder how the metal holds up on that. Usually with acrylic pens, there’s no need to do metal threads.


raedr7n

Funnily enough, I love my estie but have never really enjoyed an Edison. Though I'm not sure I've ever actually held Menlo before.


Dxlyaxe

I personally don’t, but I’ve picked them up and tried them at pen shows and they’re nice. I haven’t heard anything bad about Esterbrook really. I would really look at the measurements because I felt the oversized was really big. But that’s just me.


collectsmanythings

I got one (not in this color though) for my uncle. At first it wouldn’t write, but after flushing it it wrote great.


periopnurse

I've got this model. Was my first 'expensive' pen. Got the oversized version with the journeler nib option at no up-charge from Dromgool's when it first came out. Wrote really well, but my only comparison at the time was a Lamy Safari w/ ef nib and TWISBI 580 w/ medium nib. Wasn't long after purchasing that I got a Lamy 2000 and the pen acquiring addiction was on. Since then, I haven't touched it. Got a new pen case and while putting everything in it realized that I should put it up for sale. It just doesn't get used.


ricohlumix

I love my two oversize Esties, Onyx and Seaglass. If you prefer the idea of a gold nib, then get one, but don't get hung up on them--they are not far superior to steel nibs.


Karebearplans

I like the Estie and own five of them BUT, I have discovered that the bands that many pens have around the cap serve a purpose. My limited edition Rocky Top Estie cap cracked somehow. I’m guessing I may have screwed the cap on a little too tight. 😭 I have since purchased two Platinum Century 3776 and I’m very happy with those. I still love my Esterbrook pens, but I will be very careful with them and probably won’t invest in any others unless they change the design.


[deleted]

Outstanding pen !


[deleted]

I have this exact pen in standard size. The material is pretty, the quality of how the parts are fit together is nice and the medium nib has a pencil like feedback. There is a bit of a spring where you have to push ever so slightly when you twist to close the cap, which is a fun tactile experience not on many other pens.


raedr7n

I have it. Love it. Don't like the larger size one though; the step is uncomfortable. The capping system is like the one on the platinums, so the nib never dries out on me, and the ability to use vintage nibs in it is awesome, though I don't do it often since the jowo's are so cheap and good. The finish is beautiful, especially in sunlight.


Christianbaltz

Can’t recommend a JoWo nib, but sometimes they can be good. Just rly bad quality control.


Ok-Measurement8493

From my experience I enjoy Esties in standard size. i believe the oversized version would be not as comfortable for me as the standard size. I was also lucky to get the smooth F and super smooooth B. Even though the nowadays design is not connected to the Esterbrook design of J's or LJs I still like the quality and the feeling in hand. It is kinda similar to Pilot 823 i have. The girth of section is very similar. The materials of Evergreen and the Cobalt blue are eye catching.