Should My Pens Be Plated?

Should My Pens Be Plated?

This is fast becoming an important question for any calligraphers and artists. Today’s modern dip pens are no longer tempered steel and do not come plated with any anti-corrosion plating or any oxidation resistance. Such pens aren’t made to last very long and in practice they don’t. It is likely due to prohibitive costs and capitalistic business practices.

In stark contrast, the dip pen manufacturers from vintage and antique days made pens that were designed to withstand the corrosive effects of acidic inks, resist the oxidation of the steel, and even endure the wear and tear of constant use. I have decided to put much of that hype to the test.  Does plating matter? Can it really keep the acidity of iron gall ink (one of history’s most acidic ink) at bay? I focused my attention on mostly the Esterbrook brand of plating called, “Radio Plating.”

Esterbrook had always released plated pens. Some were silver, some were gold, and some were even tar. When Esterbrook released the Radio Pen series in 1913, they had a more perfected and cost effective plating system. The earliest releases of the original series in 1913, had plating that was more silver than anything. After 1916 the plating became more nickel based than silver. This continued until WW2 when restrictions were made on what metals you were allowed to use. This was like stepping on an ant-hill for the Esterbrook pen company. They scrambled around and went wild trying to come up with various plating methods given the restrictions. Some withstood the test of time….others didn’t. Esterbrook never went back to using their nickel – silver alloy, sadly.

First, let’s take a look at what happens to steel when you use an iron gall ink and even Brazil wood red ink.

Here you can see that the original finish has eroded away to reveal a dark grey steel. This is only after about 30 minutes of use. The point had already become scratchy, requiring more control and less freedom of stroke.

Here is a close up of the damage. You can see how the metal becomes pitted as the various steel crystals are eaten away.

 Here is a diagram that shows you what to look for.

There are some pens that have been baked to a certain temperature to achieve a specific color. Many are a bronze color, but some have been blue, reddish-burgundy or tan. Many have thought that this coloring was either for looks, or even elasticity. Even I have thought so, but I also felt it was a protective measure; I just didn’t know in what way.  Through the process of testing plating and surface erosion I have discovered the purpose of baking the nibs to a bronze.  It creates a temporary protective surface against erosion from acidic inks. 

Here you see a before and after comparison of an Esterbrook 14 Bank Pen. The bottom one has been in use for about 45 minutes in iron gall ink.  As you can clearly see it is discolored compared to an unused pen. That discoloration is the bronze layer eroding away to reveal the secondary steel finish underneath. 

Here is a diagram that shows you the spotty erosion of the bronzing layer. You can see that the steel layer underneath is still in good order and hasn’t begun to erode, except around the gravity well. 

Here is a close up of the damage done to the steel pen with the bronze finish. You can see how the bronzing acts as a shield against the corrosion. Clearly, this pen would last a bit longer than the previous steel pen.

Now let’s have a look at plating and see if there is any difference?

Here is a shot of an Esterbrook 914 Radio Pen that I have been using off and on for a few months. I have used iron gall, Brazil wood red ink, and a plethora of various modern India inks. As you can see, there is NO EROSION whatsoever! The ink has caked on, but has not eroded the silver plating to reveal the steel underneath. 

Here is a close up of the 914’s plated surface. Again, it is unchanged. I suspect the ink sticks to the surface more because it isn’t stripping away the finish. 

Here is what happens to the plated surface after months of CONTINUAL USE (the previous was just off and on). This is an Esterbrook #956 Radio Pen, the plated version of the #128 Extra Fine Elastic Pen. This the pen I use for ornamental and copperplate scripts. You can see layers of caked on ink.

As you can see from this extreme close up, that there is absolutely no damage to the surface besides the caked on ink.

Here, I have even wrote out a copperplate alphabet and my name using this pen. It's still flexible and still maintains its fine point!

However, not all of Esterbrook’s plating is masterful. Here is an unused Esterbrook #920 Radio Pen from 1945. This is from that turbulent time during WWII. This plating is utter fail as it just began falling off, leaving behind whatever intermediate coating was used to adhere the plating to the steel. To the naked eye, if I showed you this pen, you wouldn’t see the extreme dark area. I had to zoom in close with a good lighting arrangement to show you the difference in surface. 

Here is an Esterbrook #942 Radio Pen from the same year.  A different plating was used that grew a strange patina or film over time.

 Here is an Esterbrook #913 Radio Pen from 1946 that came with a note apologizing for the lack of quality materials. It is very chrome-like. I even decided to give it the iron gall test to see just how bad the plating was. 

After an hour and a half of use with both the iron gall and Brazil wood ink, the finish remains unchanged.  So, kudos to Esterbrook!

In conclusion, plating does matter! Especially if you plan on using iron gall or highly acidic inks. If you use AP non-toxic safe inks, then the plating isn’t going to be as advantageous.

I have a plethora of plated pens available at my shop if you want to try some: https://www.etsy.com/shop/WhiteAppleMultimedia?section_id=18123547&ref=shopsection_leftnav_1

If you want to try the iron gall and or Brazil wood inks I used, they are handmade and only available here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/99581460/iron-gall-historic-calligraphy-and?ref=shop_home_active_10