Is This The Coolest Fountain Pen Ever Made? Esterbrook RAVEN!
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- čas přidán 23. 07. 2024
- The Esterbrook Estie Fountain Pen in Raven Black Matte! Black Matte makes it so cool and one of the best fountain pens. This has an amazingly smooth nib.
Catch this review and thank you to the team at Esterbrook for sending it over! Thanks so much! They had no editorial control whatsoever over my content and I am completely independent.
NOTE: The Piston Fill is Button Fill, so instead of twisting, you pump and release. These were prominent on vintage pens and are a nice touch.
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/ @hemingwayjones
Wardrobe: Barbrour Tattersall shirt in studio and a York Corduroy Suit from Cordings of Piccadilly in B Roll, Blue Oxford Shirt from J Press, University Stripe Shirt from Mercer Shirt Co. Boots are Indy Boots from Alden. - Zábava
Very cool! The matte black reminds me of the textured look of the Visconti Homo Sapiens...
That is a good comparison. Similar texture, but lighter and no lava!
Yes, I needed this black pen! Ordered the button fill and can’t wait to try it. Love your references to Poe.
Thanks Debby! I appreciate that! I was going to dive in more with Poe, but I thought this video probably needed to be more straightforward. Thanks!
I picked one of these up with the piston fill at the fountain pen hospital a few weeks ago from the esterbrook dealer. Absolutely love mine. So cool!
Well done and well chosen!
That is definitely an attractive pen. Quality is at the tell-tale heart of every Esterbrook writing instrument. Loved your drawing of the raven.
Thanks Kurt! I appreciate that very much.
Good one, Kurt!
@@bellboots I couldn't resist sneaking that in there. 🙂
@@kurtgeisinger2012
Cheeky, well done.
What a dark beaut! And how appropriate of you to shoot b rolls in Boston, next to the raven statue!
Made me want to read Poe’s short stories (and poems) again!
Grazie!
Thanks so much for watching! I am ordering the complete Poe myself. It has been years since I have read him.
I still remember the first time I read Poe.
I was 10 or 11, and for some reason I had accompanied my dad who had to attend a business meeting.
We were in his car and we agreed that I should stay locked in -I had "snacks and supplies".
He told me he might be away a while, but I had this old, dusty, yellow paperback from his dad's old collection "Edgar Allan Poe- The Pit and the Pendulum and Other Short Stories" to read.
Well I don't know how long the meeting was, but I can tell you that time passed so quickly that I wished that meeting had been at least twice as long!
And now I'll pick up a copy from my library and start reading again!
@@HemingwayJones
That is a wonderful story!
Great sketches! Serendipitously stumbled upon your videos as I’ve been convalescing from an illness. I especially enjoyed your ISG tour. You have inspired me to start acquiring a fountain pen collection. As a collector of Japanese art-my first purchase was the Pilot Urushi Custom.
An Urushi sounds amazing. Thanks so much and welcome to the Channel. I am happy to have you here. I hope that you are feeling better. Thanks for the kind words on my doodles and on the Gardner Museum video. Wish you all the best and stop by soon.
I ordered one from Atlas after watching your video. Went with a fine which is usually out of my comfort zone but took your advice. Thanks
Wonderful! I hope that you enjoy it! Well done! Let me know your thoughts when it arrives!
What a beautiful pen. Thank you for your review
Glad you like it! Thank you for being here.
Here in the UK these have been released at £220 for the converter and £270 for the piston filler. For me that is not good value, as one can purchase at RRP a Lamy 2000 which has most of the black aesthetics of The Raven. Or one could buy an all black "Black Noir" Pilot Vanishing point and still have money remaining for a bottle or two of Iroshizuku ink. The piston filler does have one advantage over the Lamy 2K, a functioning ink window! :) Thanks for another great video.
A functioning ink window is huge! 😂 I would see what the shops sell them for. Sometimes below retail. I do love those other pens and agree that there are trade offs. Thanks so much for watching and I appreciate the kind works and support. All the best!
I saw their email in my inbox today and already love the overall look and feel of the pen. The Jowo nib still kicks me in the gut, if I am going to make a car payment on a pen I would love a more "original" nib, especially when I can get a Pilot Custom 823. So I am struggling to pull the trigger...yet...
As for EF, I have a few and I use them in the annotation of notes and even in books, the EF lets me write with Oxblood and even underline without bleeding through.
I know what you mean, My Friend. That’s why I addressed that in the video. I am OK with getting another Jowo nib, if there is a compelling reason. With this one, there was for me and for another video coming up!
Hemingway, such a wonderful video! You are a master at setting the stage for the pens you feature! I love my matte black VP and I LOVE all of my Esties! I know this will make its way to my pen case! Thank you for another great video!!
Thank you so much for the kind comment and the encouragement! It means a lot. Thank you!
Great video,this pen I will add to my collection in a exfine nib,maybe piston filled,frank in Oswego,ill
Atlas $202.00 converter
You have chosen wisely!
@@HemingwayJonesthanks
Great video, very enjoyable.
I received my Raven button piston filler today. You're right it's a joy to write with. I can't stop writing. The cool thing about it is, it's the only Raven in country where I lived! As is right now. And my local pen shop says he not gonna reorder. Lucky me. Thanks for the video.
A very inspiring review. I would love to add this to my newly rediscovered again hobby. This will probably be a pen for me for an Easterbrook & I love anything related to Poe. Thank you. 😊🖤♥️
Glad it was helpful! Thank you so much!
Tim I found this pen extremely interesting. It is a beautiful shade of black, and I would get it. I would get an EF nib. I like the convertor also. Nice ink choice. It looks like it writes nicely. I will have to try it out.
Thanks John! I appreciate the kind words.
A comment to boost the CZcams algorithm!
Always appreciated! Thank you!!!
I am a namesake of The Raven poem because my father was an Edgar Allen Poe fan. So I HAVE TO get this pen!
That is awesome!
Beautiful pen and a fun review! Nice to see how happily surprised you were with the performance of the EF nib!
Your drawings are great!
Thanks so much for watching and for the kind words. Thank you!
I love my piston stub raven, might be my smoothest pen, works great with Perle Noire.
Hmmm, I’m detecting a trend. All black Lamy Safari, Studio, Dialogue CC and, now, this Estie. I’m not really a black pen person, but this one is so cool looking. And I love my other Esties. FOMO is real for this one. Thanks for a great review and I appreciate the extra mile to show us the Poe/Raven statue.
Thank you! I think that Matte Black is a new trend. I agree completely. Thanks for watching.
Nice! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the review! I always thought of buying an Esterbrook Estie but was thrown off because of all their bright colours. My gothic heart is filled with joy! And the Raven on its way. Greetings from Germany. 😊
Congratulations on a great purchase! Excellent pen!
As you said, this black pen is unusual for Esterbrook. Thank you for the review.
Beautiful pen HJ. Love this video, heck I like them all. Tonight I watched the video where you talked about your health scare. I tried to comment but UT wouldn't let me. Hang in there. I had a health situation that is rare and here I am 18 years later. I will be praying for you. And I can understand losing yourself for a week ..and glad you are back! Helen is a blessing. Looking forward to seeing her on your video. Have a great week using the Raven!
Thanks so much for the kind comment and support. You are the best. I appreciate you.
Now you’ve convinced me to try an extra fine nib. Medium is my default nib size with a few broads and stubs. That matte finish reminds me of a black ebonite pen in my collection.
I can see that! It’s fun to get out of your comfort zone. Thanks so much!
Great video and some great points. The Matte black seems to stand out to me. Thanks for another wonderful review!
Thanks so much for watching!
Surprised by this one. The others are so colorful. Interesting that Esterbrook took the Estie in thus direction.
I agree completely!
I am intrigued by the raven pen. It does have a mystique in its simplicity.
Truly! Thanks for watching.
I typically don’t like black pens as they tend to look generic but I love the matte black and the black nib and accent rings .
Thanks for watching. I agree. Black pens can look a bit boring. The Matte definitely elevates it and especially with the glossy polished accents. Thanks!
I'm going to order the button fill model. Seems like my style.
Excellent choice!
You make good sketches Hemingway, go for it a lot more!
I love the way certain fountain pen manufacturers dedicate pens to writers because it behooves them to do so, it adds gravitas to the writing instrument.
I suppose Esterbrook dedicated this particular pen to Edgar Allan Poe who happens to be one of my favourite writers. "The Raven" may be a poem that comes to mind when thinking about this author, but I would love a pen connected to his "Oval Portrait", "The Island of the Fay" or "Ligeia".
Thank you very much! I appreciate kind words. I just recorded some more today. Thanks! I agree on the more obscure Poe title. I always loved Annabelle Lee and the Masque of the Red Death. Thanks for watching.
what a gorgeous pen! i'm usually not a fan of the esterbrook esties but if it were in my budget i'd definitely get it. i might even mke it my christmas present and open up some doors as you suggest we do. thank you so much for posting this video, it was a delight to watch!
Thank you for watching and for saying such nice things. It means a lot. Thanks! I hope that you get one or something else that inspires you. Stop by again soon.
Have coveted this pen from the moment I first saw it! Saving the pennies for it!
Nice! All the best!
It’s such a beautiful pen!
Thank you!
I like the black finish with the different tones... it doesn't stand out yet beautiful, like ravens are.
Very good description!
Nice pen. By the way, the anniversary of Poe's mysterious death in Baltimore in 1849 was this past Saturday. Always a good time to seize pen and journal, nod, nearly napping, and ponder questions of lonely midnight lore.
That was the day I filmed with his statue! He was born in Boston, but didn’t have a high opinion of it, sadly. Thanks for watching and for letting me know. By the way, Have you read “The Poe Shadow?” It was a fun read.
The Poe Shadow is on my Kindle now!@@HemingwayJones
Nice! Let me know what you think.
What did you do, HJ? You made me order this pen immediately after the first minutes of your video 🙄. Since I could only find the piston filler version, I took that with the stub nib (EF does not work with my handwriting). I think it will be delivered within the next 2 days and I am really curious about Esterbrooks first piston filler. Thanks for another great video (although not good for my bank account...)
Wow! Congratulations! Sorry to make you spend, but I think you have an excellent pen there! You have the first modern Vacufill Esterbrook! That’s exciting! Let me know what you think when it arrives.
November 3rd is Fountainpen Day if the excuse will work for you, it is the one I am using. EF is my preferred nib and my entire collection is all EF.🖋
Yes! I love that day! So fun. I am realizing the wonder of the EF nib. Thanks for watching. @@carolynyoung7543
Amazing Dark Academia ambient. Love the initial quote. Thank you for this wonderful and very inspiring video.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching! It means a lot to me.
Now that's a Dark Academia pen!
I see a future list!
Really need to add this to my collection!! Love esterbrook and being from Maryland the raven poem and edgar allan poe have a very special meaning
Wonderful! Yes, Poe had a strong Baltimore connection. All the best.
Hello HJ. What a mysterious pen. This looks as if it would fit nicely in anyone's collection. The background of books, black candle and raven drawings were very attractive. Great choices. Keep the videos coming. I sincerely do appreciate all the work that you put into them.
Thank you so much Richard. That means the world to me.
Bought it in the fine nib and love it.
Very nice! You have chosen wisely!
Another fine treatment of a fine pen and nib. I struggle not to get too reductionistic and say that the nib is what writes, and the rest of the pen just a holding and delivery system. For that matter, ink and paper are part of experience of the pen. So, thank you for modeling a holistic approach to fountain pens! My eye is on urushi and maki-e right now, so, to get an Esterbrook . . . I can imagine it sometime.
I have said that! I have called many pens, Jowo Delivery Systems. There has to be something more with it, I think. Thanks so much for the kind words and good look with those lovely pen choices. Thanks for watching.
I think you've sold me on this one. I try to keep my pens to neutral colors (black, silver, white, clear, etc.) so I don't fall down the color matching ink rabbit hole, so this one one will fit right in.
Wonderful! It’s a great pen.
Picking one up as soon as they’re available at Vanness. Also plan on using Chou Kuro…I’m such an original.
That’s a great choice. I fully support you.
I like the pilot vanishing fountain pens better cause it clicks when I need to always liked the clicking sound and they write just as good but good video I liked your video very much
I appreciate you watching very much! Thank you! Clicking is fun! I love that VP too! I’ve named mine the Black Noir! All the best and stop by again soon.
I love this video! I want a medium nib piston fill, but it's out of stock in all nib sizes at my favourite pen shop. I hope they get more in stock.
Try Atlas or the Esterbrook Site. They had them.
Love that all black on black look.
Right!? So cool.
@HemingwayJones Bruce Wayne pen for sure
Great call!
I would like to request you to include sketching/drawing content in videos. Such videos are few and far between, making them especially attractive to those of us who make pictures with our pens. Which pens do you prefer/hate for image-making? For example.
Hello Ichiro! I would love to. This is a new area for me that I expect to explore more in the future. Thanks!
The Near Future!
@@HemingwayJones !!!
This looks very nice. I like the matt look. Sorry for the nit pick. I wouldn't call it a piston filler though. This is a pump-filler/vacumatic filler ala the WingSung 601 which is an improved version of the old Parker vacumatic filling system. Thanks for another nice video.
Hi John! Don’t worry at all about the nitpick. I sad as much in the description. In the Release Package, they said Piston Fill, so that’s all I had to go on. I saw this morning that it is a Button Fill, that they are calling a Button Piston fill, but it was too late to edit my video! Oh well, we do our best! Thanks for watching.
Said, not sad. Sorry!
I missed that. @@HemingwayJones
I don’t expect you to read the description. Few do. There is some good information in there sometimes. I always do wardrobe notes too.
My Visconti Dark Homosapian needs a partner in crime. I think this matches it perfectly. Also, to celibrate my new Black Lab I think I will get this! But which the piston or the catridge, I am not sure. Do they make this in the Oversized?
I don’t think they do Oversized on this one. I haven’t seen it in their marketing materials. Congratulations on an awesome purchase!
Well done video H.J. love the look of this pen so i quickly went to the bay to see some prices... $200! - $250! Ouch! Just did a lamy broad z-50 swap with my black with black trim and clip jinhao 80. Nib $20 pen $7. An excellent writer. I have it paired with diamine pumpkin.
Diamine Pumpkin is an excellent choice. Thanks for the kind words on the video. I am so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks!
Interesting how it compares face-to-face with an EF Pilot Metropolitan/MR in all-black finish or black with "crocodile" mid-pattern.
Always fun to make comparisons. Thanks for watching.
Hi Mr Hemingway, I love that pen it's awesome. I hope Esterbrook let you keep this one (wait they are yay, I started writing this early), it kinda feels like it can sit alongside the Visconti Homo sapiens and the Lamy 2000, imagine these all together lined up...beautiful. Keep writing my deer friend
Chelsea
Thank you Chelsea! I am so glad you enjoyed this video! Thanks for the kind words! Yes, Esterbrook was super generous. It was fun to be part of the launch. I could line those three pens up. I should. See you again soon!
It's certainly an attractive pen, especially with the matte finish. Interesting that they're offering a piston model, especially since it's a button piston.
Esterbrook is doing well about releasing a variety of nibs and grinds, especially their custom grinds. I also appreciate that they have an adapter that makes it possible to use their older nibs. I wonder if it works in the piston version?
Thanks My Friend! The Button Fill is the main attraction. I wish they had sent me one of those!
Beautiful video, HJ! I love that you’ve been drawing with it. I went for EF too since I’ll only be using black ink with this. I usually go for Esterbrook custom grinds. So glad to hear that it’s smooth for you. I tried the piston fill out of curiosity. Sophisticated Goth, Dark Academia - Perfect for the season!
I agree completely! Congratulations on a great purchase! I’m dying to try the piston fill.
Ohhhh!
I think Esterbrook needs to make their own nibs. Seeing a Jowo #6 in an otherwise unique, premium design just spoils the impression.
I should ask them about that. I’m not sure if these are generic Jowo or tuned. I tend to have really good luck with them. In any case, some people do like that because it makes it modular, much like an ETA movement in a Swiss Watch. It would be nice if they had a custom grind on this one as well. Thanks so much!
Thanks for your answer. I just tend to think of a fountain pen as one whole of its own, but modularity is an equally worthy perspective.@@HemingwayJones
Good review! If it writes as well as you describe, and looks as good as the images I say it is a go :)
Wonderful! I hope that you are happy with it. Let me know your thoughts and thanks!
A great pen. Good to see others appreciate my Boston boy Poe. At $200 + I get nervous that the one sent me would have a flaw and I'd be in postal return Hell to rectify the problem. I'll hold off for awhile. BTW is Perreli's tobacco store still open? Loved that place.
Yes! It is still open and still exactly the same as ever. Thanks for watching and for the tip of the hat to Boston!
Love your video! So nice to see you went to Boston and feature the Edgar Allan Poe statue. Did you happen to stop by Appelboom while there? I always try to do both when in that area.
Not this trip, sadly. It was a Sunday. Thanks for the kind words!
@@HemingwayJones I ended up buying the Raven because of your video! Thanks for putting out great and thoughtful content!
That pen is a beauty, but out of my price range right now. Thanks for the video HJ.
Thank you for watching! I appreciate it very much when someone watches a review of a pen that they are not intending to buy. It’s good just to learn about it and enjoy the entertainment aspect. It means a lot to me. Thank you!
HJ, I did actually purchase this pen on Fountain Pen Day. I was surprised how light it is, but I am thoroughly enjoying using it for journaling this month. I filled it with Diamine Oxblood. I have been writing with it on the reverse side of the nib for a finer line because it is very wet and a little wide for my journal. Thanks for the review.
In the immortal words of the great Nigel Tufnel, "It's like, how much more black could this be? And the answer is none. None more black!" 😆
This one goes to 11. Thanks! 🙏
What library is this at 1:24? Gorgeous!
That is the Woburn Public Library in Woburn, MA. Mark your calendar for Dec 7th when there will be a lot more of that in my upcoming "Top 5 Inks for Dark Academia" video. All the best.
I love extra-fine and all of the pens in my collection are extra-fie. I love EF.
I am learning of its power!
This is an interesting pen to compare to the matte black Platinum Curidas, also released this year. The Curidas is an exceptionally pleasant writer largely due to Platinum’s reliable and outstanding nibs in every line width. Matte black must be “in the water.”
There are often trends in the design world. The Curidas look interesting.
@@HemingwayJones The Estie is certainly a more attractive pen than the Curidas. I have to try one. Thanks very much for doing this piece in addition to your regular schedule.
My pleasure. It was fun! It was a bit crazy editing it in a single night! A challenge. Plus my wife was sweet to encourage me to travel to The Poe Statue.
It’s nice to see ‘reborn’ Esterbrook make a cool, classy new all-black pen with a matte finish - after regular and endless releases of various very attractive color/finish models over the past few years (I own the oversized Ebony, Scarlet and Sunflower Esties).
I maintain, though, that these Esterbrook pens are really only worth buying with the specialty nib grinds they offer. At extra cost, of course. I have and enjoy the Journaler, Scribe and Needlepoint nibs. Haven’t tried the Techo yet. I really wouldn’t bother paying the retail price for this pen with a generic, standard Jowo steel nib. To me, it is a complete kill-joy and a waste. Having the M-V nib adapter is also quite handy for use with the array of Esterbrook’s vintage steel nibs (I have sixteen of them). They have more character and more fun to use than a run-of-the-mill Jowo nib.
The video title is overly flattering. 😋 Because there are better done, far nicer looking all-black pens (with superior nibs) than the new Raven shown here. I know, because I own some of them myself.
Neat review video, btw.
Thanks My Friend, I am glad that you enjoyed the video! You make excellent points. Stop by again soon! Another video is coming tomorrow on Traveling with Fountain Pens. I think you will enjoy it.
That’s a gorgeous pen! I was thinking dark academia before you said it. Got to dig up some Poe now.
Thanks so much! Great plan!
haven’t pulled the trigger on a modern Esterbrook (I only collect vintage). Are they really worth the price?
Hello My Friend, Value is a tough thing. Often it is a rationalization. It’s all about your own budget and wants and which other pens you are considering.
I can say that they are very fine pens of excellent materials and I have never had a bad one.
I would probably recommend starting with one that has a custom nib, like a Journaler or Techno, or whichever you like to get the most value from it.
Happy to chat more, if I can help. Cheers.
@@HemingwayJones thank you so much! That’s very helpful. I’m a bit nervous to actually go through with getting one as as I said I’m a strictly vintage collector (for now). I know this is an opinion based question but which color/pattern do you prefer most?
No problem. I get it. I love vintage pens too. Esterbrook makes an adapter so you can use your vintage Esterbrook nibs. I love the Noveau Blue finish. It has depth, it’s tasteful, it’s inspired by Alphons Mucha. It’s a beauty!
@@HemingwayJones I’ll give them a fighting chance lol, thank you so much for the replies. I’ve been a silent watcher for a couple years now and I really enjoy your content. You make this hobby much more open and in my opinion more welcoming. I can’t wait to see what you have in the future :)
Wow! Thanks so much for the kind words! I appreciate the encouragement! Next video is tomorrow! Noon. See you then.
Lit
Thank you!
Algorithm
Thank you!!
Esterbrook stuff seems always overpriced. I would just save up a few extra bucks to buy a Montblanc.
The only thing is $200 for this and $600 or so for the cheaper Montblanc fountain pens. That’s a bit more that a few extra dollars. Definitely follow your bliss though. MB makes very fine pens.
No.
To answer your question: No, the Esterbrook Raven is NOT the coolest fountain pen ever made. There are plenty of "tactical" or "black ops" pens on the market.
Critique: Please avoid so many gestures when you speak; you remind me of the orange one's speaking habits.
Funny that you should make that comparison considering this display of your personality. Is this how someone taught you how to interact with people? How is that working out? Good Day.
Love the corduroy suit, dark academia & Poe! Great video. That pen is overpriced for me-too plain-but to each his own.
@@HemingwayJones You asked a questionable question and I answered it. Yes, I am frank with people; I do not shilly-shally.
Thanks for watching and for the kind words on the suit! I appreciate it.
I see that self-reflection is not your strong suit. Keep blundering on.
"coolest ever made?" c'mon, man -- your aesthetic should be above using click bait.
And you didn't even try to make an argument for why it'd be coolest! Cartridge/Converter is boringly common, the color scheme isn't uniq.
I'm left assuming your answer is "no, not the coolest" -- if you're going to use a title like that, I want to hear a real argument why you think it's THE coolest.
I like your style/aesthetic, I'm not going to unsubscribe. But for the content, a more appropriate video title would've been "first thoughts on Esterbrook Raven".
I’m sorry if you didn’t enjoy this, but I don’t consider that title click bait at all. It asks a question, a Rhetorical one at that! -and I feel that I have more than adequately delivered on the premise. In fact, I went all out.
There are always two titles on my Videos: one on the thumbnail and one for the official title. I feel that I have delivered high quality and entertaining content that goes far beyond what most here give you on CZcams. I am sorry that you feel otherwise, because I do want you to be entertained by this and everything I do. This is entertainment and information after all.
I would never use a banal and boring title at this stage, and I would never produce boring videos. You’re not going to like everything I do.