Esterbrook have developed a set of four custom ground nibs for their Estie range of fountain pens, each created by a respected nibmeister. We offer all four nibs across every barrel colour. Here is a guide to each one.
The Journaler Nib -- by Gena Salorino, Custom Nib Studio
Gena Salorino of Custom Nib Studio in Los Angeles created the first edition nib in the programme. An apprentice to nibmeister John Mottishaw of Nibs.com for nearly four years, Gena has developed her own signature style that has become well regarded in the pen community.
In her own words, the Journaler is "a medium stub grind, based on the vintage Esterbrook 9314M nib. The idea is that it's smooth and friendly enough for everyday use, gives your writing some flair, all without being too big for practical, everyday writing." An excellent choice for anyone who wants a little line variation without committing to a full calligraphy nib.
The Scribe Nib -- by Josh Lax, New York
The Scribe is Josh Lax's interpretation of an architect nib -- a grind that historically has been made bespoke for individual writers. Josh's challenge was to create a version that works for a wide audience while preserving the integrity of the grind: fine downstrokes, broad horizontal strokes, and the option to reverse the nib for additional variation.
The design draws inspiration from the scribes of the Near East, who were responsible not only for everyday record-keeping but for religious manuscripts, political documents, and the elaborate tughra signatures of the sultans. The Scribe Nib is intended to bring something of that tradition to the modern writer. It is suitable for those looking to add flair to their handwriting, explore calligraphy, or simply try something different.
The Needlepoint Nib -- by Kirk Speer, Pen Realm
The Needlepoint is a super-fine grind for writers who find even an extra fine nib too broad. It creates a sharp, precise point ideal for small handwriting, character writing such as Kanji, fine-line illustration, and detailed note-taking.
Best inks for a Needlepoint: wet, free-flowing inks work best. The fine point naturally slows ink flow, which helps with wetter inks. Avoid shimmer inks entirely -- the particles will clog the nib.
Ideal uses: Hobonichi planners and other small-grid notebooks, cheap printer paper (the controlled flow reduces feathering and bleed-through), academic note-taking, and any situation where precision matters more than line variation.
The Techo Nib -- by CY, Tokyo Station Pens
The newest addition to the programme comes from CY of Tokyo Station Pens, a nibmeister with a global reputation for technical craftsmanship. The Techo Nib was designed as an all-in-one nib for writers on the move -- equally suited to journaling, sketching, and everyday writing.
Its key feature is distinct line variation depending on the angle at which the pen is held: lower angles produce thicker lines, higher angles produce thinner lines. This makes it a versatile tool for anyone who wants a single nib that can do more than one thing.
Order Your Custom Nib Esterbrook
All four custom nibs are available across the full range of Estie barrel colours. Browse the Esterbrook range at Pure Pens or get in touch if you need help choosing the right nib for your writing style.