Filling Mechanism: Lever Filler

For those who hunt the elusive incised cap bands on Esterbrook Dollar pens, here's a great green slender model just for you. This is a sharp vintage pen, which we just restored with a new ink sac. There are no cracks, only a couple scuffs and light wear from use. The chrome cap and lever are in good condition--still shiny. Its nib is a steel 1551 nib that you will find writes a fine line with feedback. Pretty par for the course for steel nibs of the 1940s and '50s. Click the headline for close-ups. 12.1cm capped.

Among the more sought after features on Esterbrook Dollar Pens are the incised cap bands, such as the ones seen on this copper-colored model. We restored this vintage pen with a new ink sac and are happy to say it is free of cracks. However, that does not mean it is free of cosmetic flaws. Click the headline for a close-up. There's a little divot that you can see is missing from the tail end. Plus, there is general wear all over the cap and barrel. Its chrome parts lack their original luster and we couldn't get them to buff back up to a good shine. One of the highlights is this pen's upgraded 2668 nib, which writes a very smooth fine line. 12.1cm capped.

Perfect jade-green celluloid is difficult to find. Luckily, we found it on this vibrant Wahl-Eversharp #2 fountain pen. The only flaws, aside from maybe a little light wear, are two brassing spots on the lever. The rest is c'est magnifique. Fully restored with a new ink sac, this vintage pen is ready to write. Annnnd, you will love writing with it. Super smooth is the best way to describe its extra-fine 14k gold nib. You can feel the paper under its tip, but it isn't scratchy at all. A close-to-perfect pen. 13.2cm capped.

In our not-so humble opinion, the Wahl-Eversharp Doric was one of the most attractive art deco pens ever made. Sadly, many of them are decomposing through a process many call krazing. Wahl-Eversharp might have mastered design, but they hadn't, yet, perfected the formula for celluloid. Happily enough, this ruby red pen and pencil show no signs of krazing! They do show a fair amount of wear from use, but there are no cracks and the pen has been fully restored with a new ink sac. Click the headline for a close-up. You will write a very smooth, slightly dry fine line with its 14k gold nib. The pencil is an early clicker that still works. The nose cone is heavily brassed, as such we are hesitant to polish the clicker in the tail. Junior sized instruments. Pen measures 11.9cm capped.

What makes the Wahl-Eversharp Gold Seal fountain pen is it screw-in "Signature" nib system, which allowed customers to be certain they got the nib that was best for them. This lastest vintage pen, also known as a Decoband, comes with a 14k gold nib with an F marked on the inkfeed--indicating a fine point. However, when we dipped it, we found that with a little feedback it could write from an extra fine to just short of a millimeter. Fully restored with a new ink sac, this classic pen is ready for action. You can see some discoloration in the original black and pearl design. No cracks but some wear from use. Its matching pencil is in the same condition, working with a 1.1mm lead that is red! Pen measures 13.7cm capped.

Perfection in vintage pens is such an elusive target. This Wahl-Eversharp Gold Seal gets awfully close. Its "Brazilian Green" or "Bronze Green" finish is stunning without much, if any, discoloration. There is no brassing on the oversized fountain pen except for a tiny sliver on the edge of the lever. Fully restored, both the vintage pen and pencil work well. Under a bright light you can see some shallow scratches on the caps and barrels. You also can see some marks where the pen's cap rubs against the barrel when it closes. Very minor wear, but it didn't just roll off the assembly line. You will write a smooth extra-fine (or fine, depending on how you define extra-fine) line with its 14k gold nib that screws in and out of the pen. You will notice it is not a "Signature" nib, but it was likely a replacement nib the store that sold it used to customize the nib for the original owner. The pencil takes 1.1mm leads. Its biggest flaw is brassing on the nose cone. Pen measures 13.4cm capped.

Where to start?! Oversized, blue-on-blue lapis...a buttery smooth semi-flex nib! Admit it. You're already salivating over this Wahl-Eversharp Gold Seal/Decoband. It is one of the best vintage pens we have posted this year. Fully restored with a new ink sac, the fountain pen has few flaws. The barrel is clearly still blue, but it is three or four shades darker than the cap and pencil. The only brassing is on the ball of the pocket clip. No cracks nor scratches. The writing experience is second to none. It can be a buttery smooth extra-fine, but with just a little gentle pressure it can write a 1mm line. The pencil still works with a 1.1mm lead. It has a little brassing on the nose cone and pocket-clip ball. The lead only advances; you have to push it in to retract it. No eraser. Pen measures 13.55cm capped.

Incised cap bands on an Esterbrook Dollar Pen are an uncommon find, which make this vintage pen a little special. Unfortunately, you can see the clip is not properly set in the top of the cap. Otherwise, the pen is in really good shape. We restored it with a new ink sac. No cracks but some wear from use. We love its steel 9668 nib. It is a buttery smooth medium-broad. You'll love writing with it. 12.1cm capped.