Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the questions I hear most often about choosing a fountain pen, picking a nib, ink and paper, and ordering. If yours isn't here, ask me.

Choosing a pen

What's a good first fountain pen?

There are two I recommend, depending on how you'd like to start. The Pilot Kakuno, at fifteen to nineteen dollars depending on the color, is the pen I hand to anyone who asks where to begin. It writes smoothly from the first page, its faceted grip guides your fingers into a comfortable hold, and the smiling face stamped on the nib tells you which side faces up. The Platinum Preppy, at about seven dollars, is just as dependable for less than half the price, and its Slip & Seal cap keeps the nib from drying out even when the pen sits unused for weeks. Either one will tell you whether you love writing with a fountain pen without asking you to spend much to find out. I compare the two side by side in Pilot Kakuno vs. Platinum Preppy.

Can I choose the exact Esterbrook Estie or Niblet I'll receive?

Yes. Esties and Niblets are turned from blended acrylic, so no two pens share the same pattern. Through my free concierge service, I film up to six pens in the colorway you want, each one lettered, and you choose by letter. The pen you pick is the pen I ship, with the nib you chose.

What's the difference between the Estie and the Niblet?

The Estie is Esterbrook's full-size fountain pen, about six inches long capped, with a clip and a cushioned inner cap that keeps the nib from drying out between uses. The Niblet is a clipless pocket pen, sized to slip into a bag, pocket, or pen case. Both use the same German-made #6 JoWo nibs, so a nib from one fits the other. Each comes with a converter and one cartridge; the Niblet's smaller body takes the short international converter size.

Nibs

Which Esterbrook nib size should I choose?

I carry seven sizes for the Estie and Niblet: Extra Fine, Fine, Medium, Broad, Extra Fine Flex, Fine Flex, and a 1.1 Stub. If you write small, keep a planner, or use thin paper, start with Extra Fine or Fine. If your handwriting is larger, or you want to show off an ink's shading and sheen, Medium or Broad lays down more ink. The flex nibs have softer tines that widen the line slightly under pressure, and the 1.1 stub makes broad downstrokes and thin cross-strokes that give ordinary handwriting some character. If you're coming from a Japanese pen like the Kakuno, expect Esterbrook's sizes to run broader: a European fine writes a wider line than a Japanese fine, as I explain in Japanese vs. Western Nib Sizes. My Esterbrook Nib Guide goes into each size in more detail.

Can I get an Esterbrook in a nib size that's sold out or not listed?

Ask me. I keep spare nibs, so I can often pair the pen you want with a nib size the listing doesn't show, and I've found sizes for customers who couldn't find them anywhere else. The exceptions are pens whose nibs are made to match them: the Raven's and the Halloween Esties' black nibs, and the engraved nibs on limited editions such as the Accutron Spaceview and the Kachofugetsu Flower. Those pens come only with their own nibs. Write to me through the contact page or at Michelle@mt2onpaper.com.

Can I swap nibs between Esterbrook pens?

Yes. The Estie and Niblet use Esterbrook's interchangeable nib system, so a #6 nib from one fits the other, and you can keep several nibs for a single pen. Flush the pen with water and let it dry before you change nibs, so ink from one doesn't mix with the next.

Ink and paper

Do your pens come with ink?

Most of the fountain pens I carry include ink in the box, so you can start writing as soon as you insert the cartridge. Esterbrook Esties and Niblets include one cartridge and a converter, so you can begin with the cartridge and move to bottled ink whenever you like. The Pilot Kakuno comes with one black Pilot cartridge. The Platinum Preppy comes with one cartridge: black for the Black and Clear pens, and an ink that matches the barrel for the colored ones.

Can I use bottled ink, and what is a converter?

Yes. A converter is a small refillable reservoir that fits where the cartridge goes. Dip the nib into the bottle, turn or press the converter, and it draws ink up into the pen. With a converter you can use any bottled fountain pen ink, which opens up a far wider range of colors, including shading, sheening, and shimmer inks. Esties and Niblets come with a converter in the box; the Kakuno takes a Pilot converter, sold separately. Use only ink made for fountain pens. India ink and drawing inks contain binders that can clog the feed. My Ink & Fountain Pen Care Guide covers filling and cleaning step by step.

What paper works best with fountain pens?

Fountain pen ink is wetter than ballpoint ink, so thin or highly absorbent paper can feather, spreading into fuzzy edges, or bleed through to the other side of the page. Paper made with fountain pens in mind keeps the line crisp and lets an ink's shading and sheen show. Three of my favorites are Tomoe River, MD Paper, and Apica CD Premium, and each behaves differently. If you're not sure which suits you, my MT2 Paper Sampler puts all three side by side, with a card for each that covers weight, texture, dry time, and how it handles bleed and feathering.

Ordering

Do you offer free shipping?

Yes. Orders over $75 (after discounts, before tax) ship free anywhere in the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories, and APO/FPO addresses. For free-shipping orders I choose USPS or UPS based on which offers the more reliable delivery to your address. Orders usually ship within one business day, and you'll receive tracking as soon as yours is on its way. Packages to Alaska and Hawaii travel faster by Priority Mail than by USPS Ground Advantage, which can take ten days or more.

Do you ship outside the U.S.?

Not at this time. I ship only within the United States, including U.S. territories and APO/FPO military addresses.

What is your return policy?

You can return unused items in new condition, with all original packaging, within 30 days of delivery. Some items can't be returned once they've been opened or used: fountain pens that have been inked, dipped, or written with; opened bottles of ink; and paper goods with opened or damaged packaging. Limited editions, special orders, and personalized items are final sale. To start a return, email Support@MT2onPaper.com with your order number and reason, and wait for approval and instructions before mailing anything. Return shipping is a flat $7.50, and original shipping charges aren't refundable. If something arrives damaged or defective, email me within five days of delivery with your order number and photos, and I'll arrange a replacement, a refund, or warranty support. The full details are in the return policy.