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 …
Identifying Vintage Fountain Pen Ink Bottles and Boxes
Long before the incredibly diverse selection of fountain pen inks and manufacturers we currently know existed, there was a much smaller variety available. The number of manufacturers could be counted on two hands and colors were more or less limited to very subtle variations of blue, black, red, green, purple and brown. Still, there is a certain charm and satisfaction …
Is It Safe To Use Old Fountain Pen Inks?
The question always comes up, “Is it safe to use old ink in my fountain pens?” The answer: It depends. As you’ll find out below, there are certain things to be aware of when using vintage inks, including mold, sediment and evaporation. But those warnings apply to both vintage and modern inks. With that being said, the majority of old …
Testing Fountain Pen Sacs With Different Inks
If you enjoy using vintage fountain pens, or any fountain pen that stores ink in a sac, you are probably very careful about what types of ink you use in those pens. They are typically more difficult to clean than a pen with a converter or piston fill mechanism. You might have also heard stories about ink sacs being destroyed …