Esterbrook Estie in Quirky Leaf: A Retro-Inspired Beauty

Original video: Esterbrook Back To The Land Quirky Leaf Fountain Pen Review

Esterbrook Estie

I just got a new pen, and I have to say—I’m pretty excited about it. If you're into fountain pens, you've probably seen the Esterbrook Estie before, but this one is a little different. This is the "Back to the Land" edition, inspired by 1970s travel aesthetics, and I specifically chose the Quirky Leaf colorway.

Not everyone loves the retro vibes—Leslie thinks it’s ugly—but I think it’s awesome. Let’s take a closer look.

Unboxing & Accessories

The Estie comes in a nice box with some extra goodies:

✔ Nib blotter – A cloth to clean your nib (I might use it, we’ll see).
✔ Magnetic bookmark & pen holder – Neat concept, though I don’t fully trust the magnet to hold my pen.
✔ Cartridge & warranty info – Pretty standard.

Esterbrook puts some effort into the presentation, which is cool.

The Pen Itself

This Quirky Leaf Estie is orange and green with gold trim—very much in that vintage station wagon aesthetic. It has a nice weight and feels balanced in hand.

✔ Spring-loaded cap – It has a cool mechanism where the cap slightly pops off when you unscrew it, helping keep the nib from drying out.
✔ Gold-colored steel Yovo nib – I got mine in a medium, and it’s smooth and reliable.
✔ Cartridge/converter filling system – I went with the standard version, but there are other filling options available.

It’s a comfortable pen to hold, and the section design is great—no annoying sharp threads, and the grip has a nice taper to it.

Writing Experience

I inked mine up with Wearingeul Path, a beautiful olive green ink with gold shimmer, which matches the pen perfectly.

✔ Super smooth nib – No hard starts, no scratchiness, just effortless writing.
✔ Great size & balance – Feels comfortable for long writing sessions.
✔ Perfect for an upgrade – If you're looking for something a step above entry-level pens, this is a solid choice.

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?

Absolutely. The Esterbrook Estie is well-made, writes great, and has tons of personality. Plus, it comes with fun extras and a well-thought-out design.

✔ Pros:
✅ Comfortable & well-balanced
✅ Smooth Yovo nib
✅ Fun retro aesthetic
✅ Great mid-range fountain pen

✖ Cons:
❌ Some might not love the vintage color scheme
❌ Magnetic pen holder might not be the most secure

If you’re thinking about grabbing one, I got mine from Atlas Stationers—use the link in the description for a discount.

👉 Do you love or hate the vintage look? Let me know in the comments!