Esterbrook fountain pens are beloved by many for different reasons, but one of their most unique features is the interchangeable nib system, or Renew Points. There are a variety of different nibs available to match almost any writing style. Unfortunately, figuring out which is which can be a bit of a challenge. Fear not, dear reader. I have a bunch of information and writing samples to help you figure out which nibs are the best for you.
Esterbrook Numbering System
At first glance, Esterbrook’s nib numbering system may seem random and overwhelming. Luckily, with a little information it starts to reveal itself and become less mysterious. If you start down the path of collecting Esterbrooks, you’ll quickly begin to recognize which nibs are more or less desirable to collectors. Let’s take a look at how it all started.
Dip Pens
Prior to making fountain pens, Esterbrook was a well known manufacturer of steel dip pen nibs. Before they ever made a single fountain pen, they had over 250 different nib styles to choose from. With that many different nibs, they needed a numbering system to differentiate between them. Each nib had a number, and sometimes a description, stamped directly into the steel. Depending on your needs, you could easily find and choose the correct nib.
This Esterbrook dip pen nib is marked “442, Jackson Stub”
- #048 – Falcon Pen
- #128 – Extra Fine Elastic Pen
- #442 – Jackson Stub
- #461 – Manifold Pen
The Esterbrook Project has a very comprehensive listing of dip pen nibs and numbers if you’re interested.
Renew Points
Since Esterbrook already had a history of making nibs, when they started making fountain pens they carried over many of the same naming conventions that they already had in place. The numbers I chose above weren’t random. Take a look at these Renew Point numbers:
- 2048 – Falcon Pen
- 9128 – Extra Fine Flexible
- 2442 – Fine Stub
- 1461 – Fine Manifold
See any similarities? Notice that the last three numbers of each nib type are the same as their dip pen counterpart. Esterbrook took their previous numbering system and applied it to many of their new nibs. If you’ve ever wondered where the numbers come from, now you know!
There were different qualities of each fountain pen nib as well. This is denoted by the first number, which is most commonly a 1, 2 or 9. You will occasionally find a 3, 5 or 8 as the first number, but these are less common. You will generally see references to “1xxx” or “9xxx” Esterbrook nibs, where, for lack of a better description, the first number is the make and the next three numbers are the model. So what do these numbers mean?
1xxx Nibs
These are the most basic and inexpensive Esterbrook nibs you’ll find and were branded on the nib box as Durachrome. The tip is typically smooth, unfolded steel. Over time, it can wear and become uneven. I have seen many that are bent or have been ground to a completely different shape than they should be. In general, these are the least desirable of the Esterbrook Renew Points.
This is a 1xxx series Esterbrook nib
2xxx Nibs
Whereas the 1xxx nibs were straight steel, most of the 2xxx nibs have a folded steel tip and were also branded on the nib box as Durachrome. This folded tip gives them both a smoother and more durable writing surface. There are also more models available in the 2xxx line than in the 1xxx line. While many people prefer the 9xxx nibs to the 2xxx nibs, I have had many enjoyable writing experiences with a 2xxx nib attached to my pen.
This 2xxx series Esterbrook nib has a more unique shape than most other nibs.
9xxx Nibs
Considered to be the best Esterbrook nibs around, the 9xxx nibs were branded as Master Durachrome and were tipped with iridium. This gives them an extremely smooth feel and has allowed them to age very gracefully, generally with no perceptible wear. The 9xxx series also has the most available nib models.
This is a 9xxx series Esterbrook nib. The collars on them are typically, but not always, green.
3xxx/8xxx Nibs
Both the 3xxx and 8xxx nib models are highly sought after. They were only made for a short period of time (during WWII) and are much less common than the other Esterbrook nibs. In addition to their rarity, they were also tipped with osmiridium (a material similar to iridium), giving them a quality similar to the 9xxx nibs.
Perhaps the more desirable of the two is the 3xxx series, often referred to as “Sunburst” nibs. This name refers to the beautiful pattern that was stamped onto each nib.
Here’s an 8xxx Esterbrook nib. The metal is a bit darker and less shiny than other nibs.
Here’s a 3xxx Esterbrook nib. Notice the beautiful “sunburst” pattern.
5xxx Nibs
While you may find a 5xxx nib every now and then, they were not made for fountain pens. These are actually dip pen nibs and were made for the Dip-Less line of desk pens.
Other Nibs
There are a few other types of Esterbrook nibs out there, some more common than others. The more common include nibs that are simply marked “Fine”, “Medium” or “Broad” and are comparable to 2xxx series nibs. The more uncommon include nibs numbered 6xxx or 7xxx. I have never seen one of these, but they are mentioned on Brian Anderson’s Esterbrook site, so I’m sure they exist.
Some later Esterbrook nibs are simply marked with a nib size. This one is a Medium.
This is a 3xxx nib, but is newer than the sunburst nibs and was made in England.
Writing Samples
I often receive blog post requests and one that I have received multiple times is a writing comparison of the different Esterbrook nibs. I figure it’s about time I sit down and do it. Not only is it something that I’ve never done before, but I’m also genuinely curious to see them all in once place.
I will say that I don’t have every single Esterbrook nib, but I do have enough to show you what pretty much every style of nib looks like. I’m also including a few writing samples from nibs that have been modified, either through excessive use or modification at some point in time. This is mainly to make you aware of what is out there in the wild.
Since Esterbrook nibs are easily swapped out, each writing sample is done with the same pen/ink and only the nib was switched. This will give you a true idea of how the nib writes with a normal ink supply instead of being dipped, which usually gives a much wetter line. The paper is Midori MD with a 5mm grid.
Whenever I have multiple series of a nib, for example 1xxx, 2xxx and 9xxx, all will appear together. I’ll also try to share a brief description and my thoughts on each nib. Sound good? Let’s get to the nibs!
Nibs are listed from lowest to highest based on the last three digits in each number:
2048, 9048 – Flexible Fine
Great flex and variation, my 9048 is almost too fragile to be unscrewed. I noticed the tines are a little misaligned and they flex sideways when I insert/remove the nib. The 2048 is not tipped and is a little sharp. This is not the best nib for beginners.
X048 Writing Sample
9128 – Flexible Writing
Incredibly smooth for such a fine nib. Not as much flex as other flex nibs but very easy to write with.
X128 Writing Sample
2284, 9284 – Broad Stub
Both appear to be slightly oblique, both are nice and smooth. The 9284 appears to have more of a difference between vertical and horizontal strokes.
x284 Writing Sample
2312, 3312, 9312 – Italic Medium
Sharper to write with than the stub nibs. I wonder if my 9312 has been tweaked a bit, as it is putting down a very wet and slightly broader line than the other two?
X312 Writing Sample
1314, 2314F, 9314F – Relief Fine Stub
The “Relief” means these nibs have a left-foot oblique grind to them. For the fine nibs, there is almost too little line variation to bother with, but 9314F appears to be the best choice.
X314F Writing Samples
2314M, 3314M 9314M – Relief Medium Stub
The “Relief” means these nibs have a left-foot oblique grind to them. The 3314 is much more of an italic nib and is very sharp on the horizontal and upstroke. Otherwise, the 9314M has the most line variation.
X314M Writing Samples
2314B – Relief Broad Stub
The “Relief” means these nibs have a left-foot oblique grind to them. This nib may have been modified at some point. It is very sharp if held at the wrong angle.
X314B Writing Sample
2442 – Fine Stub
Doesn’t appear to be very fine or very stubby. Still, it’s nice and smooth and a great nib for everyday use.
X442 Writing Sample
9450 – Extra Firm Posting
As the name says, this is one firm nib. My version has a sharp edge to it that was catching on the paper as I wrote. I doubt that every version is like this.
X450 Writing Sample
2460, 9460 – Rigid Medium Manifold
The 2460 has been modified. The 9460 has a very square tip and almost writes like a stub. Nice and smooth. Very stiff.
X460 Writing Sample
1461, 9461 – Rigid Fine Manifold
Not exciting but solid nibs for regular writing.
X461 Writing Samples
1550, 2550, 3550, 8550, 9550 – Firm Extra Fine
Quite fine and scratchy, except for the 9550 which is a pleasure to write with.
X550 writing samples
1551 – Firm Medium School
Very nice writer for a 1xxx nib. I guess this makes sense if it was made for school work.
X551 Writing Sample
1554 – Firm Fine
Very scratchy, miserable to use.
X554 Writing Sample
1555, 9555 – Firm Fine Gregg
My 9555 has been modified. The 1555 is nice and smooth, which makes sense for shorthand use.
X555 Writing Sample
2556, 3556, 9556 – Firm Fine
All are fairly nice, but not as fine as a Japanese fine.
X556 Writing Sample
2668, 3668, 8668, 9668 – Firm Medium
Great medium nib, almost has stub properties due to the nib tipping. All of these are nice to write with.
X668 Writing Sample
9788 – Flexible Medium
Nice writer, but harder to flex than the other flex nibs Esterbrook made. I don’t see as much line variation as I’d like from a flex nib.
X788 Writing Sample
2968, 9968 – Firm Broad
Great broad nibs that write nice and wet.
X968 Writing Sample
Medium
Very nice writer. Quite smooth. Writes almost as good as a 9xxx nib.
Medium Writing Sample
Nibs Not Listed Above
Here are the models of nibs that Esterbrook made that I don’t have and are not shown above:
- 2464 – Rigid Broad
- 8440 – Superfine Cartographic
General Observations
The 9xxx consistently write the smoothest and best. I would always reach for one of these first if I had a choice. The 2xxx are generally quite nice. The 1xxx can be ok, but out of the ones I used, I would only choose those with folded tips like the 2xxx nibs. The 8xxx nibs seem to write better than the 3xxx, but the 3xxx look much nicer.
Finding Esterbrook Nibs
If you have one or more Esterbrooks, then you should already have a nib for each one. Of course, as you should know by now, this doesn’t mean this is the only nib you can use! You probably saw at least one nib that you want to try out, so now you need to find it. Esterbrook hasn’t made nibs for at least 50 years, so where can you find nibs these days?
There are a few websites you should check out if you’re looking for something specific. Esterbrook.net has a great variety of nibs for sale. VintagePenShop also has a good selection of nibs for sale. If you’re feeling lucky or have some patience, there’s always nibs for sale on eBay. I personally wouldn’t waste my time looking for nibs at antique shops. You might find some pens and maybe one will have the nib you’re looking for, but I wouldn’t count on it.
Conclusion
The variety of nibs that Esterbrook made is quite astounding, but can be overwhelming if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Hopefully this article helped illustrate the differences between nib makes and models and you found a few that will fit your writing style. Locating nibs for purchase may be the hardest part of your journey, but with the right resources and a little patience you should soon be writing with the Esterbrook nib of your dreams!
If you want to read a bit more about Esterbrooks, I have a blog post about why I love them!
Comments 55
You missed the best of the bunch—the Copperplate nib. I have them in three of my daily rotation pens. Slightly flexible, the nib writes like a super-fine italic.
Author
I didn’t know there was such a thing, Susan. What is the nib number? Is it made by Esterbrook? And most importantly, where did you get yours??? I’d love to try one out!
*Slaps head.” Sorry, it’s an Osmiroid nib. These fit into my Estie pens and I have been using them for so many years that I forgot they aren’t actually Estie nibs. My error.
Author
I was wondering if that might be the case. 🙂 Still, I need to find one and try it out!
I got mine on eBay. I have three for Esties, a few for dip pens, and an actual Osmiroid pen with the quick-change nib. They are really nice nibs.
Yes. Here’s one that fits an Osmioroid pen. I don’t see any for the Estie on eBay today.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Osmiroid-Vintage-Copperplate-nib-with-section-new-old-stock/352881776486?hash=item5229649766:g:KyoAAOSwbb5d3~R1
Susan, is that the designator I should look for? It sounds like a great nib
Thank you for this excellent resource. I have a couple of vintage Esterbrook pens. Now that I’ve bought the new Estie with the nib adapter I am hoping to get a variety of vintage nibs to play with.
Author
There are some great nibs out there, Michael. Have fun trying them out!
John, great article! You explain the differences beautifully. Thank you for the link as well!
Author
Thanks, Jesi! It was a fun article to write. Hope I sent a few people your way!
Well this is informative. I always wondered about those numbers etched on estie nibs. I have yet to win an estie. All I have are their stickers.
Author
Glad you found it helpful, Ged! Hopefully someday you’ll have one of your very own.
Interesting, I have a few Esties & many nibs. My favorites are the 2314s. I like the grind. I have not enjoyed the 9000 series. I find the 2000s to be smoother. I also have a full range of Osmiroid nibs. You can get a full set on eBay for a reasonable price. Need to look in Calligraphy section.
Author
The 2314s are a lot of fun to write with. That’s strange that you haven’t found the 9000s to be as smooth. I won’t argue that the 2000s are quite nice, but I’ve got some fantastic 9000s that are much smoother than 2000s. Of course, it all comes down to the exact nib you’re using. Who know what’s happened to it in the past? I’ll have to track down a set of Osmiroid nibs one of these days.
I collected Osmiroid when I was a kid. They are great, inexpensive nibs!
Love the writing samples, and some of the nibs I haven’t found yet…
Author
Keep on looking, Chris. They’re out there!
Thanks for the review and explanations, the writing samples were very helpful
Author
You’re welcome, Ian. Glad you found the writing samples helpful.
This is a really useful resource. I got an Esterbrook years ago after reading about Paul Hogarth using them. My firm fine and flexible fine nibs are great for drawing but I wish I had a broad relief stub too now, after seeing this. Maybe I’ll hunt one down once I’ve re-sacced the pen.
Author
Hope you can track one down, Froth. The stubs are great writers and should be great for drawing, too!
I had an Esterbrook a couple of years back. My medium nib was great, smooth and awesome.
Author
Had? What happened to it? The good old medium nib is a great choice.
Wow! Didn’t know that Esterbrook has so many nibs! Great info and great article 🙂
Author
Oh yeah, Mariel, that’s one of their claims to fame. Glad you enjoyed the article!
I have a few Esterbrook J’s (all of which were working when I got them, gotta commend their quality!) and one of them has a Gregg shorthand nib. I think the number is 9555. It’s smooth, stiff, and a reliable little thing.
Author
Isn’t it amazing that they still work after all these years? They’ve got some of the best vintage sacs around. I have a 9555 that I use fairly regularly and really enjoy it. Nice and smooth for such a fine nib.
I have found that the 9128 nibs have differences when writing. The number on some of them is across the nib — or | and show more flex when writing. This nib was intended for shorthand in the UK so the manufacturing may be different to US versions.
Author
Ian, that’s interesting, but not surprising. I have heard that other nibs perform somewhat differently depending on when they were made. Throw different countries into the mix and I’m sure there is quite a bit of variation!
I have a decent stash of Esterbrook dip pen nibs. Paper and Ink Arts dot com, Pendemonium dot com, the latter having a slew of vintage nibs for dip and fountain pens. As a calligrapher, I use Esterbrook 356 as it is as fine as a Hunt 103. Esterbrook supplied the Union Army with steel pens (term used for steel nibs), and allegedly General U.S. GRANT, wrote with a Esterbrook dip pen, to which is somewhere in the Smithsonian. Esterbrook 357 and 358 still can be had, as mapping pens. I have 128, 358 ( similar to Gillott 304) 357( similar to Gillott 303) 356 which is super fine like Hunt 103. You can find fountain pen like pens that take dip pen nibs in a conversation. I end up with a dip pen in every day use. There are rare times one can find a 1860s pen staff or combination pen ( mechanical pencil and dip pen). Though my stock is WWII they still hold factory oil to reduce rust. It has to be stripped and dipped to season the nib before it will be able to write 2 lines of fine, light Roundhand/Copperplate.
Author
Maria, many of the fountain pen nibs were modeled on the dip pen nibs, but there are so many more dip pen nibs! It’s incredible that you still use them on a daily basis, but I guess if you are a calligrapher then there’s no fountain pen that can match a dip pen. Thanks for the fun info!
I have a couple of 9668 nibs that are identical to the photo you show. But I have one 9668 nib where the lettering is horizontally across the nib. Did Esterbrook vary the numbering layout within the same model number?
Author
Hi Joel, Esterbrook did change the layout on the nibs. The nibs with numbers that run the length of the nib were made more recently than the nibs that have the numbers running across them. As far as I know, there’s no difference in the nibs themselves.
Excellent and very informative post. Thank you! I was just given a 1955 Medallion Series Desk Set in Azure Blue that’s in mint condition, with a 2668 nib. This is my first Esterbrook, and what a gift to receive! This post really helped clarify the Esterbrook nibs.
Author
Glad you found it informative, Ros! That sounds like a great desk set. I hope it serves you well!
Hi John; I have a collection of Esterbrook points as well as some Osmiroid. Anything you be interested in purchasing. Let me know and I can send you a list. All are new and Esterbrook are boxed.
Author
Hi Donald, thanks for the offer. I’m always interested in Esterbrook stuff. You can send me an email with the info and I’ll get back to you: john@fountainpenlove.com.
I’m new to this, but I have an old Esterbrook that my dad used in the 1950’s and 60’s. The sac holding ink was ruptured, but I got it sealed with electricians tape. Couldn’t find a source to replace it. I ordered Sheaffer ink (black) and filled it. The nib is extra fine but still seeps through paper. I ordered more nibs to try (#2556 Firm Fine and 2668 Firm medium). They are even worse for seeping. Can you recommend an ink that works better? Also a nib that is better? Also w
can you recommend a couple of pens that are your favorites for general use. I got one from dailyfountainpen.com, but the nib is much too wide or my ink is too thin, and I don’t think the nib is replaceable. They don’t respond to my comments..
Author
Hi Jackie, the tape that you used to seal the sac is not going to be a sufficient fix. Air can still leak into the sac, which will cause extra heavy ink flow, which will cause ink to bleed through the paper. Your paper may also be to blame. With good paper and a new sac, all of these nibs should work quite well.
For daily use, I’m a big fan of the Lamy Safari or Al-Star and TWSBI Eco. These are both inexpensive pens that work great.
I won a blue Esterbrook J pen with the 2314-B nib. I was expecting it to be as nice as the 2314-M nib I have, which is a joy to write with. However my 2314-B nib is like yours, scratchy at times. Maybe that’s the way the nib is? I thought it had an issue with strokes like crossing a t. But I also noticed something with a cursive lower case a that started a word.
I tried holding the pen with the nib turned more to the left, and it wrote smoother.
Author
Glad to hear you’ve found a way to write with the nib that makes it a little smoother. The stub nibs do tend to have sharp corners on them, so the angle will definitely affect how it feels when writing.
Hi John, thank you for your interesting dialogue on nibs! I have a lot to learn and I have been using Fountain Pens for 25 years and love writing with them for many of the same reasons you mentioned above.
I recently purchased a Mont Blanc w/ a Flex nib and am learning my way around it. But as I was par rousing their nib selection and reading up I noticed the “Scribe” nib. I looked it up on Google and it was described as one used by an architect. Is their anything else you can tell me about it. My writing style is and has been more of a print-script fusion with a left slant. I am trying to learn calligraphy as I would love to use it for envelopes and events, quotations, etc. . I am interested in how the Scribe nib might fit into my grand plan or not?? Thanks and thanks!
Thaine
Author
Glad you enjoyed this post, Thaine! Architect nibs are quite popular, but are not really offered as a stock nib option by pen companies. Most of the time you’ll need to get a regular nib (usually a B) custom ground to an architect style by a nibmeister. You can think of it as the opposite of a stub nib… thin vertical stroke and wide horizontal stroke. I think the main thing that affects an architect nib is how you hold the pen. As long as it moves in vertical and horizontal lines, you’ll get the effect. I’m not sure if a slant on your writing will change the way it writes or not. Hope you can find more info and eventually give one a try!
I think this is the most exciting article I’ve read all day, yay. I was doing some research digging around for info on a couple of vintage pens that I see someone is selling locally, and I’ve been trying to track down the vintage flex nib fountain pens. But I think your informative article helped me make the decision to pass those up and buy an MV adaptor for my new Estie instead. Now I have the adaptor and a NOS 2048 coming my way and I cannot be more excited!! Thanks for sharing about your wonderful collection 🙂
Author
That’s great to hear, Nina! I really think that having all of these nib options is so much fun, and being able to use them with an adaptor in modern Esties is even better! I really hope you like the nib and that more eventually come your way. Happy writing!
Hi, this was the best summary on Esterbrook nibs I have ever read. I wish I’d been able to benefit from all of this information when I bought my first Esterbrook twelve years ago. I inadvertently ruined a 1551 nib, trying to smooth it with a nail file but was able to replace that nib with a 2668 bought from Brian Anderson at a pen show. Of the eight Esterbrooks I have owned, I have sold four of them. I have a bit of seller’s remorse except for the fact that I would have had to have new sacs put in them. I have bookmarked this page for reference. Thanks for your hard work in assembling this information.
Author
I’m so glad to hear it, Erin! It was definitely a lot of work, so it makes me happy to know it’s appreciated. I feel like we’ve all ruined at least one Esterbrook nib, but it’s good that they’re so easy (and inexpensive) to replace!
Great article! I have lately been looking for a particular fountain pen from a picture I saw. I don’t really know where to start looking for it, but I noticed some letters on the nib.
The letters are in three lines as follows:
CKK BA GR
NTHIL KE AG
JG RB NEW KF
Do you have any idea what these could mean? Your insight would be much appreciated!
Author
Thanks Dalton! Wow, I have absolutely no idea what those letters could mean. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a nib with anything like that. I’ve been reading a book about cryptography and the first thing that popped in my mind was that this was some sort of secret code, but I don’t think that’s the case.
That is odd… If I send you a picture of this pen, do you think you could identify it? Is there a good way to reach you where I can attach a photo? Thanks again!
Author
I can certainly try. You can email it to me: john@fountainpenlove.com. Looking forward to seeing it!
Thanks for all the information on the Dip pen nibs, must have taken a long time to compile… I just spent a small fortune on Ebay.
Author
You’re welcome! Hope you enjoy your new nibs.