It’s a basic trivia fact that I tend to prefer a fantastic wood pencil to a pen for most of my writing and note-taking activities, but last year I found an exception: Esterbrook fountain pens.

Now, it’s common to feel intimidated by fountain pens, and buying and using one can feel a little like joining a secret society. But they don’t have to be intimidating or saved only for special occasions. Like pencils, using a fountain pen is about slowing down and enjoying the writing experience.

So, what is a fountain pen?

By definition, a fountain pen consists of a metal writing tip, called a nib, and a refillable reservoir for ink. Doesn’t really sound that intimidating does it? Fountain pens are distinguishable from earlier types of pens by the reservoir, because earlier models had to be continually dipped into a pot of ink (and could be quite messy as a result).

Da Vinci included drawings of a pen with a reservoir in his notes and may even have created one for himself. A 17th century German inventor created one made from two quills, one inserted within the other. But the contemporary version of the fountain pen was created and patented in the early 1800s.

The Esterbrook Pen Company was founded in the U.S.A in 1858 and became, at one point, one of the largest pen manufacturers in the world. Their pens were used by presidents from Lincoln to Kennedy. And legends including Donald Duck and Snoopy were created with Esterbrook pens.

As I mentioned, the main parts that make a fountain pen are the metal nib and the reservoir for ink. But fountain pens have many different parts, as illustrated by this excellent graphic from Goulet pens.

This graphic is useful when you get your own first fountain pen and want to take it apart to refill the ink or clean the pen.

How is a fountain pen different from other pens?

Most inexpensive, modern pens, including ballpoint, gel, rollerball and biros, work the same way: they use a small, revolving ball at the tip to dispense ink.

Apart from the different tips, the other main difference between fountain pens and other common types of pens is the type of inks they use:

Ballpoint pens use a thick, oil-based ink. It dries quickly and lasts a long time but can provide a scratchy writing experience.

Gel pens use pigments suspended in a water-based gel. Gel inks are precise and vibrant, but they tend to skip more than other types of pens and take longer to dry than ballpoint ink.
Rollerball pens use a water-based ink that is most similar to the ink used in fountain pens. This ink flows more freely which provides a more lubricated feel while writing.
Fountain pens use a water-based ink that comes in a vast array of colours and styles. These inks provide a very pleasant writing experience, but take a little longer to dry than ballpoint pen ink.

Why Esterbrook?

So why did we choose to bring the Esterbrook line of pens specifically into Mrs Blackwell’s?

First and foremost, let’s talk Americana. Anyone who has spent 10 minutes around me knows I’m a fan of many things red, white and blue. So when I learned about this revived heritage brand I took interest.

Esterbrook pens are best described as comprehensive but accessible. Their line of pens caters for new enthusiasts and experienced collectors alike. The world of fountain pens can sometimes be slightly snobby - some pens can run into four or even five figures for ~~total psycopath~~ serious collectors. But Esterbrook pens are priced in a range that pretty acceptable to first-time buyers and collectors alike.

How to choose your fountain pen

One of the things I’ve come to like best about fountain pens, and Esterbrook pens in particular, is that you can customise your selection to create a pen perfect for you and the way you like to write.

First, you start by choosing the style and material of the pen body. We carry Esterbrook’s core range of pen styles - the JR Pocket Pen, the Estie and the Camden - and each has a core colour range as well as seasonal colours and materials that are produced each year in a limited run.

Then you choose your trim colour: silver or gold. Most Esterbrook models are available in both colours.

Many Esterbrook models also come in two sizes, traditional and oversize. They’re very similar, but you may find one more comfortable than the other for your hand.

Finally, you’ll want to choose your nib, which will determine how thick a line you will get when you write. Esterbrook nibs come in a range of sizes from extra fine to stub as well as their specialist Journaler and Scribe nibs.

Who is a fountain pen for?

Fountain pens are for everybody who likes to write! Don’t be intimidated or afraid to try one out, especially if you’re the type of person who loves to journal, take notes, and write letters by hand.

If you want to try one out, feel free to come into the shop, where we have several that you can test out. Our Superior Book Clerks can help answer any questions you may have (or, at least, direct you to the right resources to answer your questions!).

Care and Keeping of Your Esterbrook Fountain Pen

Once you decide to buy your first fountain pen and get into the world of fountain pens, you’ll want to take a few minutes to familiarise yourself with how to care for it — because it’s slightly more involved than remembering to recap your biro.

But, in truth, filling and caring for your fountain pen doesn’t take up that much time or effort. And, in my opinion, caring for your pen is one of those nice chores that asks us to slow down, be in the moment, and reconnect with a slower way of life.

Converters versus cartridges

There are two main ways to refill your fountain pen: ink converters and ink cartridges. The one you choose will depend a lot on your writing needs and habits.

An ink converter is essentially a small syringe or plunger that draws ink up into the pen from an ink bottle.

An ink cartridge is a disposable ink container that you load into the pen to refill it and discard when it’s empty.

Both systems have pros and cons.

Using an ink converter can be a slightly messy process, especially when you’re just learning. But ink converters are much more versatile, allowing you access to a huge range of different types and colours of inks. Ink converters are also more affordable overall.

Ink cartridges are more convenient and portable, especially when traveling. But they are much more expensive (if measured by the cost per millilitre) and less environmentally friendly, because they are disposable.

We’re stocking a few cartridges in black and blue at the shop, as I accept they're a bit more convenient for travel (however great ink can be purchased in really portable small bottles), but the big issue for me is environmental. I hate the idea of throwing away all those little bits of plastic, so it's an ink converter for me.

How to Fill Your Esterbrook Fountain Pen

Regardless of the mechanism you ultimately decide to use, you’ll eventually need to refill your pen.

Refilling your Esterbrook Pen with an ink converter

Esterbrook pens all come out of the box with an ink converter, and using it is very simple.

Start by removing the grip section of the pen from the barrel by unscrewing it.
Next, you attach the converter to the pen by pressing the converter into the grip and nib end of the pen. Press firmly to create a tight seal so that the ink won’t leak.
Twist the converter counterclockwise, which will move the piston towards the nib.
Open your ink bottle and dip the nib into the ink. Make sure that the breather hole on the nib is submerged to draw up the ink.
Twist the converter clockwise to draw the ink into the converter.
Remove the pen from the ink. You can twist the piston counterclockwise a tiny bit to remove some of the air bubbles and I like to give mine a gentle tap as well to make sure they’re all gone!
Wipe off any excess ink on the converter and nib.
Reassemble your pen and you’re ready to write.

Refilling your Esterbrook Pen with an ink cartridge

Your Esterbrook pen will also work with an ink cartridge and one is supplied with your purchase:

Disassemble your pen by unscrewing the grip from the barrel.
Insert your cartridge into the nib section, pressing firmly until you feel a click.
You can gently squeeze the cartridge to start the flow of ink.
Reassemble your pen and start writing.

Cleaning your fountain pen

Every once in a while you’ll want to thoroughly clean your fountain pen. Some people clean their pens every time they switch ink colours, and this does keep your colours more accurate. But others - like me - find it unnecessary to clean their pens that often as I’m often using similar shades of green, brown or orange - but regular cleaning will help maintain your pen for years to come.

I found this video quite helpful.

When you take the time to care for your pen, a good Esterbrook pen will last a lifetime. And the maintenance is easy and even somewhat meditative.

If you’re interested in trying out an Esterbrook fountain pen, come into the shop and we’ll be happy to let you take one for a test drive.

Introducing Esterbrook Fountain Pens