JT
@therestorationledger.com
Audit analytics nerd | Internal Audit Leader
Things I love
New Orleans | Tech | Vintage Built for Life Craftsmanship
All my restorations: https://youtube.com/@therestorationledger
For sale: therestorationledger.com
Things I love
New Orleans | Tech | Vintage Built for Life Craftsmanship
All my restorations: https://youtube.com/@therestorationledger
For sale: therestorationledger.com
Tonight I serviced and polished this fun piece of American fountain pen history. This is the official pen of the Gregg writing system. It was probably manufactured by Sheaffer around 1938. If you don't think that's cool, then enjoy a picture of my dog with a large sandwich in her mouth.
October 2, 2026 at 1:04 AM
Tonight I serviced and polished this fun piece of American fountain pen history. This is the official pen of the Gregg writing system. It was probably manufactured by Sheaffer around 1938. If you don't think that's cool, then enjoy a picture of my dog with a large sandwich in her mouth.
Okay today I have one restored fountain pen and one little mechanical pencil on my workbench. First up is a sheaffer balance 500 in golden brown. Second is a 1920s (I think) Tiffany wallet pencil. Any of my pencil people know if 2.5mm pencil lead was a common size?
September 28, 2026 at 1:09 AM
Okay today I have one restored fountain pen and one little mechanical pencil on my workbench. First up is a sheaffer balance 500 in golden brown. Second is a 1920s (I think) Tiffany wallet pencil. Any of my pencil people know if 2.5mm pencil lead was a common size?
My supplies came in and I was able to finish restoring these two fountain pens. A Diamond Point "Challenger" style lever filler from the late 30's and a Parker Streamlined Lady Duofold from 1939. The parker has some really nice flex to it.
September 10, 2026 at 12:50 PM
My supplies came in and I was able to finish restoring these two fountain pens. A Diamond Point "Challenger" style lever filler from the late 30's and a Parker Streamlined Lady Duofold from 1939. The parker has some really nice flex to it.
My whole workflow has been at a standstill while I wait for my pen tooling order to come in with pressure bars of all shapes and sizes and another order of my most used sacs from, well pen sacs. Contemplating starting my own fountain pen supply operation just so I will always have supplies on hand.
September 7, 2026 at 12:27 AM
My whole workflow has been at a standstill while I wait for my pen tooling order to come in with pressure bars of all shapes and sizes and another order of my most used sacs from, well pen sacs. Contemplating starting my own fountain pen supply operation just so I will always have supplies on hand.
This was a fun pen to work on. Surprisingly high quality pen for a 1939 advertising pen.
August 28, 2026 at 12:13 PM
This was a fun pen to work on. Surprisingly high quality pen for a 1939 advertising pen.
Just waiting on more ink sacs to come in to finish off this Wahl Eversharp Skyline fountain pen. This is one of my favorite lever fill pens. This one will probably stay in my collection for a little bit 😍
August 14, 2026 at 2:36 AM
Just waiting on more ink sacs to come in to finish off this Wahl Eversharp Skyline fountain pen. This is one of my favorite lever fill pens. This one will probably stay in my collection for a little bit 😍
Some of my recent completed fountain pen projects:
Navy Blue parker 51 Special
Copper Esterbrook J
Blue and silver Esterbrook SJ's
What's your favorite? (Also I haven't abandoned the silver herringbone wearever, just waiting on a new ink sac to be delivered.)
Navy Blue parker 51 Special
Copper Esterbrook J
Blue and silver Esterbrook SJ's
What's your favorite? (Also I haven't abandoned the silver herringbone wearever, just waiting on a new ink sac to be delivered.)
August 13, 2026 at 9:23 PM
Some of my recent completed fountain pen projects:
Navy Blue parker 51 Special
Copper Esterbrook J
Blue and silver Esterbrook SJ's
What's your favorite? (Also I haven't abandoned the silver herringbone wearever, just waiting on a new ink sac to be delivered.)
Navy Blue parker 51 Special
Copper Esterbrook J
Blue and silver Esterbrook SJ's
What's your favorite? (Also I haven't abandoned the silver herringbone wearever, just waiting on a new ink sac to be delivered.)
Gray esterbrooks were made for rainy days.
August 12, 2026 at 6:27 PM
Gray esterbrooks were made for rainy days.
Which fountain pen should I work on next?
- late 1920 Waterson
- 1930s Diamond Point De Luxe (?)
- 1930s Wearever Supreme
- green Esterbrook J
- blue Esterbrook SJ
- late 1920 Waterson
- 1930s Diamond Point De Luxe (?)
- 1930s Wearever Supreme
- green Esterbrook J
- blue Esterbrook SJ
July 29, 2026 at 2:26 AM
Which fountain pen should I work on next?
- late 1920 Waterson
- 1930s Diamond Point De Luxe (?)
- 1930s Wearever Supreme
- green Esterbrook J
- blue Esterbrook SJ
- late 1920 Waterson
- 1930s Diamond Point De Luxe (?)
- 1930s Wearever Supreme
- green Esterbrook J
- blue Esterbrook SJ
Did you know that vintage Gillette razors had date codes to let you know exactly what year and quarter they were manufactured? This one is from q1 1958. When this was manufactured, the USA launched its first satellite into space!
July 28, 2026 at 11:57 AM
Did you know that vintage Gillette razors had date codes to let you know exactly what year and quarter they were manufactured? This one is from q1 1958. When this was manufactured, the USA launched its first satellite into space!
Another vintage pen back in service: a blue Esterbrook J fitted with a 9550 Renew-Point nib.
Cleaned, polished, fitted with a new ink sac, and fully writing-tested. There’s something satisfying about taking a pen that sat unused for decades and making it dependable again.
Cleaned, polished, fitted with a new ink sac, and fully writing-tested. There’s something satisfying about taking a pen that sat unused for decades and making it dependable again.
July 20, 2026 at 3:03 AM
Another vintage pen back in service: a blue Esterbrook J fitted with a 9550 Renew-Point nib.
Cleaned, polished, fitted with a new ink sac, and fully writing-tested. There’s something satisfying about taking a pen that sat unused for decades and making it dependable again.
Cleaned, polished, fitted with a new ink sac, and fully writing-tested. There’s something satisfying about taking a pen that sat unused for decades and making it dependable again.
Just a heads up, I'm on the look out for vintage non-working fountain pens. I love bringing these back to life so let me know if you are willing to part with them.
July 19, 2026 at 1:58 PM
Just a heads up, I'm on the look out for vintage non-working fountain pens. I love bringing these back to life so let me know if you are willing to part with them.
Today I get to work on a bit of fountain pen history. I have 3 Bell System Property Esterbrook LJs. Back in the 40's and 50s's bell system was putting these in the hands of virtually every employee. I can't wait to get these working pens back to work.
July 16, 2026 at 11:56 AM
Today I get to work on a bit of fountain pen history. I have 3 Bell System Property Esterbrook LJs. Back in the 40's and 50s's bell system was putting these in the hands of virtually every employee. I can't wait to get these working pens back to work.
I'm going to be putting this green Esterbrook SJ with a 2668 nib on eBay later this week. Send me a message if you are interested before then. I'm selling it for $65 so I can go buy some more pens to give a second life to. This nib glides as smooth as silk.
July 14, 2026 at 1:00 AM
I'm going to be putting this green Esterbrook SJ with a 2668 nib on eBay later this week. Send me a message if you are interested before then. I'm selling it for $65 so I can go buy some more pens to give a second life to. This nib glides as smooth as silk.
Greeted by my sweet girl when I got home from work today. Had a shipment of j-bars I have been waiting for me as well. Happy day.
July 13, 2026 at 11:01 PM
Greeted by my sweet girl when I got home from work today. Had a shipment of j-bars I have been waiting for me as well. Happy day.
the difference micro-mesh makes for fountain pens before I even get to the polish is crazy, and oh so satisfying.
July 13, 2026 at 12:17 AM
the difference micro-mesh makes for fountain pens before I even get to the polish is crazy, and oh so satisfying.
For all my fountain pen fans, what's your opinion on original sales stickers on vintage pens?
July 11, 2026 at 10:45 PM
For all my fountain pen fans, what's your opinion on original sales stickers on vintage pens?
Here is the workbench currently. I have 1 completed red Esterbrook SJ, 1 green Esterbrook SJ awaiting a final writing test, 14 additional Esterbrooks waiting to come back to life, 2 Wahl Eversharp Skylines, 4 assorted sheaffers cartridge pens, and 2 mechanical pencils. What's your favorite?
July 11, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Here is the workbench currently. I have 1 completed red Esterbrook SJ, 1 green Esterbrook SJ awaiting a final writing test, 14 additional Esterbrooks waiting to come back to life, 2 Wahl Eversharp Skylines, 4 assorted sheaffers cartridge pens, and 2 mechanical pencils. What's your favorite?
I'm finishing up the polishing of a green Esterbrook SJ today. Hopefully. This pen had some ink stains on the outside as well as surface scratches from decades of use. This one has a brand new ink sac and the nib has already been polished and tuned.
July 10, 2026 at 1:02 PM
I'm finishing up the polishing of a green Esterbrook SJ today. Hopefully. This pen had some ink stains on the outside as well as surface scratches from decades of use. This one has a brand new ink sac and the nib has already been polished and tuned.
I've been picking up old made for life items and repairing/restoring them to give them a new lease on life. Really excited about this Wahl Eversharp Skyline I just received. Once I am done with it, it will practically be glowing. It's a truly beautiful pen from the 1940s.
July 9, 2026 at 3:23 PM
I've been picking up old made for life items and repairing/restoring them to give them a new lease on life. Really excited about this Wahl Eversharp Skyline I just received. Once I am done with it, it will practically be glowing. It's a truly beautiful pen from the 1940s.