This is the exact pen on my wish list but with a fine nib! I keep putting off ordering it - I just need to do it! Love that ink as well! I think you’ve just convinced me! Thanks for sharing!
Ah, Carolyn, this pen is amazing, I think the warm colors of the resin make it just feel so warm and cozy when writing with it. I picked a different color way for now, but I'm sure I'll pick this one up further down the road. I hope you enjoy using the pen!
Have have the Estie Tortoise. I saw it in the movie ‘Nightmare Alley’ and I HAD to have it. I really like it and I’ve thought of getting the MV nib adapter so I can use my vintage Esterbrook nibs. These are such nice pens. Does the SIG nib fit on the Estie? I have a SIG medium nib permanently parked on my Opus 88 Fantasia that is very nice. I’ve considered getting a broad SIG.
Yes, they are both using Jowo nibs and if you get the SIG in a #6 size it fits. I tried it just the other day. I think that's what I'm going to do, get a regular nib on the Estie and then shop around.
You asked about Franklin Christoph. I have their #20 fp, all black w/fine nib. another good writer similar to the Esterbrook. The FC is not quite as smooth as the Esterbrook because its ink feed is not as wet.
What a beautiful pen and ink pairing! I think I may ink up my Estie this next round. believe it or now my pens are almost all empty already. I wrote a TON this month!
Same! I almost finished one of the 823s and I didn't even think that was possible. But I just love it so much that I write more. And I'm almost finished with the fill on this Estie too.
I just bought one two weeks ago (Jan 2024), "botanical gardens" with fine nib and silver appointments. Fast starting and smooth writing. It produces a consistent line even on the fast loops. It performs that way due to its nearly perfect ink feed, just a bit on the wet side which is a good thing. I would not recommend a medium nib because it would probably be too wet. Nice review, thanks.
Beautiful pen and a great combo of pen/ink! I've had the honeycomb in a M nib on my wishlist for quite some time. Thanks for the comparisons. I wondered how it compared to the Euphoria. 🙂
I bought my Sunflower Estie because it had the Scribe/architect nib I’d been interested in. And also - sunflower yellow! Delightful! But not an everyday nib, so I later bought a regular esterbrook fine nib unit that gets more use and is also Nice to use. Currently inked with Iroshizuku chiku-rin. 😊
Yes, that's what I noticed with my architect nib as well. It's nice, but it should be the add on nib instead of the standard nib. That's why I'm planning to get a medium nib with the pen and then purchase a spare nib and have it ground to a custom grind. (Yet to be determined.)
@@seemownay Agree about custom grinds. I hadn't realized they're not so intimidating to order until I went to a pen show. Would love to try some more custom grinds - my Kaweco Student may turn into That pen; the nibs are pretty reasonably priced for my budget.
I wasn't very interested in the Estie until recently. I like the vintage vibe of them, but am not that into the chipped resin look. Then I saw the tortoise one. It is now maybe sorta on my wish list but I'm not buying any more pens for awhile. Maybe if that exact one pops up on a BST? Which do you like better, this or the 823?
Their marketing or actually their visibility on social media definitely made me curious enough to want to see what this pen is all about. I really like it! I like that it fits in the Jowo #6 narrative. It's a very, very comfortable pen for me. I'm not sure I would choose it over the 823 but it's still $130 chaper.
I think the Estie pens are gorgeous and have been eyeing the honeycomb and seaglass. I’m just not sure how I feel about spending that much on a steel nib pen. I do like bigger nibs too.
I wasn't sure either, I'm a convert now after using it for a while. Also: here is a question for you: do you enjoy bigger nibs? Or is it the bigger section that you enjoy?
@@seemownay hmm good question. I think all the pens with bigger nibs I have also have bigger sections I think. Do you know of a pen that has a big nib but small section?
@@MaikeOatley Having a big nib on a thin section is probably not possible. The size of the nib, ie a #6, actually is derived from the size of the feed. So in this case the diameter of the feed is 6mm. Naturally then, you need to have a section bigger than 6mm. The casing will be at least another 1mm. Then you need the holder, and the section body. I find a #6 nib usually have at least a 10 mm section diameter.
@@MaikeOatley Not many that are in common production. There are pocket pens that are tiny as in short in length with #6 nibs, but the sections are as I mentioned, the Ensso Piuma. What you are probably referring to were known as Japanese fat pens. They are tiny, and thick, but have small nibs. They're very cute. One pen I know of is the Majohn/Moonman Q1. The other is the Tombow Egg/ Zoom Egg, which is super rare to find from what I heard. The Tombow has a very small nib and a thick section. The Q1 has a bigger nib than the Egg.
I love my Estie. I have the Nouveau Blue with the “Journaler nib,” which is a custom grind they offer by Gina. It is basically a smooth cursive italic ground from a Medium. The Estie is living proof that you do not need a gold nib pen to have a wonderful luxurious writing experience. The journaler nib provides some nice natural line variation, but smoother and more compact than a 1.1 stub. It is perfect for letters and journaling. I don’t have the Franklin Cristoff nib, so I can’t care it. Thanks.
I definitely want to try that nib sometime in the future. I'm so glad you love your pen, I can now totally understand what makes them so special. This is on my pen wishlist - for sure.
The Estie (Gina custom grind ) in Calico is definitely on my wish list!! This one here is quite a beauty though. Loving the colour and how it writes and nice ink pairing too. At the moment I can't buy any pens, have to save for my holiday to Italy lol...
The ink/pen match was so good. I have been wondering how the estie compares to the Euphoria. Thank you for doing this before selling the Euphoria! I would have to try this pen in person before buying because I think the increased grip diameter and shorter body length would be deal breakers for me.
I’ve got both! Tbh, from my view… there is really no comparison. The F-C SIG wins, hands down. The Journaler may provide sharper lines, but the more organic feel of the SIG is preferable to me. I also think it’s more forgiving when it comes to writing angles. Lastly, I want that honeycomb B! Gorgeous 😍
It's so interesting that you prefer the SIG nib, another commenter prefers the journaler. I will have to try the journaler to see how I like it. Yes, that broad nib is absolutely amazing!
@@seemownay In an act of "productive" work avoidance I decided to put my Journaler in a different pen (OnaWhim Woodworks) with an ebonite feed and WOW. The Journaler is much closer the SIG with this new combo. I still think the SIG is a smoother experience but I think I "get" the Journaler's appeal now. Both are great, of course! :)
Very interesting video, thanks! I have two Esties and a third on the way once they catch up on production of the Techo nib. My favorite colorway by far is the Nouveau Blue, which is subdued but lovely. The cushion cap takes a bit of getting used to, but it's a very comfortable pen to use While this may make it sound like I'm a huge fan, I actually find the Estie somewhat overpriced and probably wouldn't get one with a regular Jowo nib. Both of mine have the Journaler nib, which I adore, but as you say, you can get a Journaler grind directly from Gena for any pen. I like the Journaler nib more than the SIG nib and do not find them similar, but I'd have to think about how to describe the difference. In any case, I ordered the third Estie for the Techo nib and that will most likely be my last one. I like this model a lot but the pricing seems too high for what you get. It's a popular pen so obviously others disagree.
I was definitely very hesitant to get this pen (or put it on my list) but now that I've tried it for a while, I can say that the size and section width is perfect for me. I'm learning this month that I can write longer and thus am more drawn to the bigger sections. Of course, I haven't tried other steel nibbed pens in this price range because this is more entry-level gold nib territory in my opinion. I don't have a Leonardo Momento Zero to compare or one of the Edison pens (that are cheaper). What I'm trying to say: now that I tried it, I'm willing to spend the money an Estie. But I'm not sure I'd want to start a collection.
Hey! I can’t think what a SIG nib is?? You could explain or compare that nib? My friend just grabbed the journaler nib and loves it! I just want something that shows if sparkles and shimmer super well, so, I wasn’t sure if I should grab or a journaler - or go with a stub or a broad or a medium. Thoughts??
I haven't had my Estie long enough to have developed strong feelings about writing with it yet, but there's certainly nothing disqualifying about it. I love Jowo #6 pens for the ease of customizing and swapping. The fit and finish of the Estie is really high. PS: adding a Brandy Snap sample to my ever growing Vanness wishlist 😂
Just add a full bottle of Brandy Snap. LOL. This pen swap was so awesome because there will be no surprise about how the pen feels. Now the only thing (once I grab one) will be the nib - is it scratchy or not. But because it takes #6 Jowo nibs, I'm not really concerned about that either.
What pens did you send Sarah? I have a Faber-Castell Schulfuller pen. How do you pronounce schulfuller? is it like school, or shoot? The Estie has some beautiful resins. I don't have one but if I were to get one I have a hard time choosing between the Blue Nouveau, Rocky Top, Sea Glass or Peacock, or the Cobalt. There are too many. May be this is why I don't have one.
I sent her the Opus88 Koloro and the E95s. Here is her video: ruclips.net/video/P4fK5TL7_g4/видео.html The Schulfüller is pronounced more like shoot - and then the Ü sound that I can't really describe. I'm definitely saving up for this specific color, I didn't think I would enjoy this pen so much, but you'll see in my Currently Inked review later in the month, I think I have found what makes a pen more comfortable to me than others. (Spoiler: it's the section width.)
@@seemownay Thanks. I don't like mispronouncing things, so I am always curious about pronunciation. Glad you figured out what you found works for you. Did you write the spoiler because I how often I talk about the section width? LOL That and Serenity Blue is what I tell newbies about all the time. Once I figured out that the section was the key for me, it completely revolutionized my writing experience. i say that with the utmost sincerity. Now it is section width and a #6 nib. I don't care if the pen is short. So long as it is not a delicate material, I can post, though I don't like posting. I know we love to try, and try, and try, and that usually means buy, buy, buy. But that is not sustainable, and really I feel it becomes wasteful. I know it's not intentional but as is we are a pretty wasteful society. But if we can figure out what we like we streamline the process. Save us time, money and energy. I think what you are doing with these pen swaps is a very good idea. Another reason why pen meets are great, and I really wish we had more stores to try pens out. I think you would really like my pen collection. The only issue is that the ones you'd like are mostly gold nibs, and I am not too keen on sending them out. You'd absolutely love OMAS, Pelikan Souveran, some of my Viscontis, Stipulas, ASC, and much more. In the UK they have a pen rent site. That idea you had might work, but I don't know how willing people would be sending those gold or expensive pens. On that site I saw a rare OMAS Scarlett Paragon. This pen is so rare and expensive I just could not believe they would rent it out. But this person won't send it out the UK, and it rents for 12 pounds a week, which was some of the highest rent on the site. Also once a gold nib is used enough (I don't know what that threshold is) the nib will start to mould to the handwriting style. That's why some people don't let other try their gold nib pens.
I hope you still read this: The "revolutionized my writing experience" is exactly how I'm feeling right now. I look at my collection with completely different eyes, I can now very reliably predict whether I will enjoy writing with the pen or not. That's why I was able to sell so many pens. They are not "it" any longer. So I sold them rather than hang on to them for some nostalgic reason.
@@seemownay True indeed. None of the pens I have bought after this revelation have been a disappointment. That is the whole point. You can now predict what you will like. Now I can even predict how a pen will write. When I watch some videos, and just watch how the nib moves over the paper, I can tell how smooth the nib is, and if I will really enjoy it or not. I think that is what is happening. Not a big sample size, but that is what I am sticking with. :) I have to figure out how to sell some of the pens I know I'll not use.
Your choice of ink color is brilliant!😅
This is the exact pen on my wish list but with a fine nib! I keep putting off ordering it - I just need to do it! Love that ink as well! I think you’ve just convinced me! Thanks for sharing!
Ah, Carolyn, this pen is amazing, I think the warm colors of the resin make it just feel so warm and cozy when writing with it. I picked a different color way for now, but I'm sure I'll pick this one up further down the road. I hope you enjoy using the pen!
So beautiful. This is definitely on my list of desirables that I’d like to own. I love that you have friends to share pens with. 😊
Yeah, I was surprised and very grateful to have new internet friends like that. This is my favorite design/color of them all.
Have have the Estie Tortoise. I saw it in the movie ‘Nightmare Alley’ and I HAD to have it. I really like it and I’ve thought of getting the MV nib adapter so I can use my vintage Esterbrook nibs. These are such nice pens.
Does the SIG nib fit on the Estie? I have a SIG medium nib permanently parked on my Opus 88 Fantasia that is very nice. I’ve considered getting a broad SIG.
I can confirm a number #6 FC nib can fit on the estie body. I just recently gave this a go and i was so surprised it fit and works like a charm!
A SIG nib should fit as the Estie takes Jowo nibs.
Yes, they are both using Jowo nibs and if you get the SIG in a #6 size it fits. I tried it just the other day. I think that's what I'm going to do, get a regular nib on the Estie and then shop around.
You asked about Franklin Christoph. I have their #20 fp, all black w/fine nib. another good writer similar to the Esterbrook. The FC is not quite as smooth as the Esterbrook because its ink feed is not as wet.
That's surprising to me as both pens use the same type of Jowo nib.
What a beautiful pen and ink pairing! I think I may ink up my Estie this next round. believe it or now my pens are almost all empty already. I wrote a TON this month!
Same! I almost finished one of the 823s and I didn't even think that was possible. But I just love it so much that I write more. And I'm almost finished with the fill on this Estie too.
I just bought one two weeks ago (Jan 2024), "botanical gardens" with fine nib and silver appointments. Fast starting and smooth writing. It produces a consistent line even on the fast loops. It performs that way due to its nearly perfect ink feed, just a bit on the wet side which is a good thing. I would not recommend a medium nib because it would probably be too wet. Nice review, thanks.
I have multiple medium nibs and I really enjoy them.
I love how that pen looks! Great honey-like pen! Perfect ink choice for it ♥
Thanks so much!
Beautiful pen and a great combo of pen/ink! I've had the honeycomb in a M nib on my wishlist for quite some time. Thanks for the comparisons. I wondered how it compared to the Euphoria. 🙂
I'm so glad you enjoyed the video!
I bought my Sunflower Estie because it had the Scribe/architect nib I’d been interested in. And also - sunflower yellow! Delightful! But not an everyday nib, so I later bought a regular esterbrook fine nib unit that gets more use and is also Nice to use. Currently inked with Iroshizuku chiku-rin. 😊
Yes, that's what I noticed with my architect nib as well. It's nice, but it should be the add on nib instead of the standard nib. That's why I'm planning to get a medium nib with the pen and then purchase a spare nib and have it ground to a custom grind. (Yet to be determined.)
@@seemownay Agree about custom grinds. I hadn't realized they're not so intimidating to order until I went to a pen show. Would love to try some more custom grinds - my Kaweco Student may turn into That pen; the nibs are pretty reasonably priced for my budget.
I have the tortoise in a M-CI by Kirk Speer and I love it!!! I am so obsessed with Esterbrook right now!!!
I really need to take a lot of time at the Pen Show to test out all the specialty nibs that are available to try out. I'm so curious about them all!
What an absolute beautiful pen!
Yes, for sure!
I have 3 Esties, Tortoise, Seaglass and Candy, the Tortoise was my first and is still my favourite 😍
Congratulations on owning three of these beauties!
I wasn't very interested in the Estie until recently. I like the vintage vibe of them, but am not that into the chipped resin look. Then I saw the tortoise one. It is now maybe sorta on my wish list but I'm not buying any more pens for awhile. Maybe if that exact one pops up on a BST? Which do you like better, this or the 823?
Their marketing or actually their visibility on social media definitely made me curious enough to want to see what this pen is all about. I really like it! I like that it fits in the Jowo #6 narrative. It's a very, very comfortable pen for me. I'm not sure I would choose it over the 823 but it's still $130 chaper.
I ❤ the Estie! They are beautiful pens and great writers!
Yes they are!
I think the Estie pens are gorgeous and have been eyeing the honeycomb and seaglass. I’m just not sure how I feel about spending that much on a steel nib pen. I do like bigger nibs too.
I wasn't sure either, I'm a convert now after using it for a while. Also: here is a question for you: do you enjoy bigger nibs? Or is it the bigger section that you enjoy?
@@seemownay hmm good question. I think all the pens with bigger nibs I have also have bigger sections I think. Do you know of a pen that has a big nib but small section?
@@MaikeOatley Having a big nib on a thin section is probably not possible. The size of the nib, ie a #6, actually is derived from the size of the feed. So in this case the diameter of the feed is 6mm. Naturally then, you need to have a section bigger than 6mm. The casing will be at least another 1mm. Then you need the holder, and the section body. I find a #6 nib usually have at least a 10 mm section diameter.
@@ironmic9244 that makes perfect sense. Are there pens then that have a bigger section but smaller nib?
@@MaikeOatley Not many that are in common production.
There are pocket pens that are tiny as in short in length with #6 nibs, but the sections are as I mentioned, the Ensso Piuma.
What you are probably referring to were known as Japanese fat pens. They are tiny, and thick, but have small nibs. They're very cute. One pen I know of is the Majohn/Moonman Q1. The other is the Tombow Egg/ Zoom Egg, which is super rare to find from what I heard. The Tombow has a very small nib and a thick section. The Q1 has a bigger nib than the Egg.
I love my Estie. I have the Nouveau Blue with the “Journaler nib,” which is a custom grind they offer by Gina. It is basically a smooth cursive italic ground from a Medium. The Estie is living proof that you do not need a gold nib pen to have a wonderful luxurious writing experience. The journaler nib provides some nice natural line variation, but smoother and more compact than a 1.1 stub. It is perfect for letters and journaling. I don’t have the Franklin Cristoff nib, so I can’t care it. Thanks.
I definitely want to try that nib sometime in the future. I'm so glad you love your pen, I can now totally understand what makes them so special. This is on my pen wishlist - for sure.
Such a pretty pen!!!🧡🐝🍯
Yes, it is!
I recently got the Esterbrook Estie in Sea Glass and I am really enjoying it. Mine is a fine nib, I’m not brave enough to try something broader.
The shading of this ink comes out best with a broader nib, you could try a medium with a cheaper pen to see if you'd like the writing experience!
The Estie (Gina custom grind ) in Calico is definitely on my wish list!! This one here is quite a beauty though. Loving the colour and how it writes and nice ink pairing too. At the moment I can't buy any pens, have to save for my holiday to Italy lol...
That Italy trip will be such a great experience and is well worth not buying a pen for!
The ink/pen match was so good. I have been wondering how the estie compares to the Euphoria. Thank you for doing this before selling the Euphoria! I would have to try this pen in person before buying because I think the increased grip diameter and shorter body length would be deal breakers for me.
Glad it was helpful! I did not sell my Euphoria. I seem to prefer pens in that section width over other pens with thinner sections.
@@seemownay I think I just confused you with Karyna 🙊 It was very helpful; thank you 💜
I’ve got both! Tbh, from my view… there is really no comparison. The F-C SIG wins, hands down. The Journaler may provide sharper lines, but the more organic feel of the SIG is preferable to me. I also think it’s more forgiving when it comes to writing angles. Lastly, I want that honeycomb B! Gorgeous 😍
It's so interesting that you prefer the SIG nib, another commenter prefers the journaler. I will have to try the journaler to see how I like it. Yes, that broad nib is absolutely amazing!
@@seemownay In an act of "productive" work avoidance I decided to put my Journaler in a different pen (OnaWhim Woodworks) with an ebonite feed and WOW. The Journaler is much closer the SIG with this new combo. I still think the SIG is a smoother experience but I think I "get" the Journaler's appeal now. Both are great, of course! :)
Thanks for the update!
I've watched this video twice. Such a beautiful pen...my wallet has hidden itself somewhere 😂
Oh no! I hope you're not too mad! LOL. I've really had to remind myself that I didn't want to buy any new things before the move in June.
Very interesting video, thanks! I have two Esties and a third on the way once they catch up on production of the Techo nib. My favorite colorway by far is the Nouveau Blue, which is subdued but lovely. The cushion cap takes a bit of getting used to, but it's a very comfortable pen to use While this may make it sound like I'm a huge fan, I actually find the Estie somewhat overpriced and probably wouldn't get one with a regular Jowo nib. Both of mine have the Journaler nib, which I adore, but as you say, you can get a Journaler grind directly from Gena for any pen. I like the Journaler nib more than the SIG nib and do not find them similar, but I'd have to think about how to describe the difference. In any case, I ordered the third Estie for the Techo nib and that will most likely be my last one. I like this model a lot but the pricing seems too high for what you get. It's a popular pen so obviously others disagree.
I was definitely very hesitant to get this pen (or put it on my list) but now that I've tried it for a while, I can say that the size and section width is perfect for me. I'm learning this month that I can write longer and thus am more drawn to the bigger sections. Of course, I haven't tried other steel nibbed pens in this price range because this is more entry-level gold nib territory in my opinion. I don't have a Leonardo Momento Zero to compare or one of the Edison pens (that are cheaper). What I'm trying to say: now that I tried it, I'm willing to spend the money an Estie. But I'm not sure I'd want to start a collection.
Hey! I can’t think what a SIG nib is?? You could explain or compare that nib? My friend just grabbed the journaler nib and loves it! I just want something that shows if sparkles and shimmer super well, so, I wasn’t sure if I should grab or a journaler - or go with a stub or a broad or a medium. Thoughts??
I haven't had my Estie long enough to have developed strong feelings about writing with it yet, but there's certainly nothing disqualifying about it. I love Jowo #6 pens for the ease of customizing and swapping. The fit and finish of the Estie is really high.
PS: adding a Brandy Snap sample to my ever growing Vanness wishlist 😂
Just add a full bottle of Brandy Snap. LOL. This pen swap was so awesome because there will be no surprise about how the pen feels. Now the only thing (once I grab one) will be the nib - is it scratchy or not. But because it takes #6 Jowo nibs, I'm not really concerned about that either.
What pens did you send Sarah?
I have a Faber-Castell Schulfuller pen. How do you pronounce schulfuller? is it like school, or shoot?
The Estie has some beautiful resins. I don't have one but if I were to get one I have a hard time choosing between the Blue Nouveau, Rocky Top, Sea Glass or Peacock, or the Cobalt. There are too many. May be this is why I don't have one.
I sent her the Opus88 Koloro and the E95s. Here is her video: ruclips.net/video/P4fK5TL7_g4/видео.html
The Schulfüller is pronounced more like shoot - and then the Ü sound that I can't really describe.
I'm definitely saving up for this specific color, I didn't think I would enjoy this pen so much, but you'll see in my Currently Inked review later in the month, I think I have found what makes a pen more comfortable to me than others. (Spoiler: it's the section width.)
@@seemownay Thanks. I don't like mispronouncing things, so I am always curious about pronunciation.
Glad you figured out what you found works for you. Did you write the spoiler because I how often I talk about the section width? LOL That and Serenity Blue is what I tell newbies about all the time. Once I figured out that the section was the key for me, it completely revolutionized my writing experience. i say that with the utmost sincerity. Now it is section width and a #6 nib. I don't care if the pen is short. So long as it is not a delicate material, I can post, though I don't like posting.
I know we love to try, and try, and try, and that usually means buy, buy, buy. But that is not sustainable, and really I feel it becomes wasteful. I know it's not intentional but as is we are a pretty wasteful society. But if we can figure out what we like we streamline the process. Save us time, money and energy.
I think what you are doing with these pen swaps is a very good idea. Another reason why pen meets are great, and I really wish we had more stores to try pens out.
I think you would really like my pen collection. The only issue is that the ones you'd like are mostly gold nibs, and I am not too keen on sending them out. You'd absolutely love OMAS, Pelikan Souveran, some of my Viscontis, Stipulas, ASC, and much more.
In the UK they have a pen rent site. That idea you had might work, but I don't know how willing people would be sending those gold or expensive pens. On that site I saw a rare OMAS Scarlett Paragon. This pen is so rare and expensive I just could not believe they would rent it out. But this person won't send it out the UK, and it rents for 12 pounds a week, which was some of the highest rent on the site. Also once a gold nib is used enough (I don't know what that threshold is) the nib will start to mould to the handwriting style. That's why some people don't let other try their gold nib pens.
I hope you still read this:
The "revolutionized my writing experience" is exactly how I'm feeling right now. I look at my collection with completely different eyes, I can now very reliably predict whether I will enjoy writing with the pen or not. That's why I was able to sell so many pens. They are not "it" any longer. So I sold them rather than hang on to them for some nostalgic reason.
@@seemownay True indeed. None of the pens I have bought after this revelation have been a disappointment.
That is the whole point. You can now predict what you will like. Now I can even predict how a pen will write. When I watch some videos, and just watch how the nib moves over the paper, I can tell how smooth the nib is, and if I will really enjoy it or not. I think that is what is happening. Not a big sample size, but that is what I am sticking with. :)
I have to figure out how to sell some of the pens I know I'll not use.