Sheaffer Beginner Suggestions

[deege]

So I have been re-evaluating my pen collection which mainly consists of cheap entry level cartridge pens picked up from various places, with the theory that if I keep fountain pens everywhere that aren't too scary to lose, then I will never have to resort to using a pen that I don't like. I have since started upgrading to having a few nice pens that I like to use regularly in my rotation, and most of my cheapies have fallen back into the pen cup.

 

However, a cheap sheaffer I picked up keeps finding its way back in with the "good" pens. I didn't even know what model it was, but by looking online it appears to be an Agio in brushed gold. Though I don't particularly like the gold, this is one of my knockabout pens which has impressed me with its balance and writing, when I haven't particularly looked after it.

 

So it occurred to me that I should look at getting a more "intentional" Sheaffer to expand my experience. I am open to suggestions for vintage or modern and I have a borderline problematic ink suggestion, so prefer c/c or some other filling mechanism. Any suggestions?

[Ernst Bitterman]

Leaning on c/c pens, you'd probably do well to look into Targas and the vast, long-lived Imperial line (which also included Triumphs and Imperial Triumphs). Both have a very wide spectrum of trims, so you can probably find one you'll like the price of, and the difference between steel and gold points as far as writing goes is negligible.

[jar]

Don't forget the absolutely wonderful Sheaffer Cartridge (AKA School Pens) and NoNonsense lines or the slightly upscale Connoisseur.

[Paul80]

Don't forget the absolutely wonderful Sheaffer Cartridge (AKA School Pens) and NoNonsense lines or the slightly upscale Connoisseur.

 

I like that but don't tell Sheaffer their Connoisseur is only a slight upscale to the NoNonsense and it was Only 10 times the price as well

 

Paul

[RMN]

yes, the Sheaffer Connaisseur is a must for the fountain pen connaisseur.......

 

 

D.ick

[welch]

At about $40, try the pseudo-Imperial 330. Sadly, we have nearly cleaned out Teri M's stash (Peyton Street Pens). Somehow,Terry appear with pens that seem to have come from the warehouse of a stationery story that never threw anything away.

 

The 330 is a steel nib, inlaid (ah...), cartridge converter pen. They were made in the '60s and '70s. Terri calls the "Imperial like")

 

Next step is a 5 3/8 inch Touchdown filler gold nibbed Imperial.

 

Next might be a Targa. Can't give advice on Targa's.

 

Next night be the last "real" Sheaffer, the Sheaffer Intrigue. Made around 2004 as a last stab at keeping Sheaffer, Iowa, going. A beautiful writer, inlaid nib, once you fill it. One of the strangest filling systems ever designed, and could ahve been so much easier. Use the piston converter, and don't loose the instructions. Sells on Ebay for about $160.

 

Finally, the best of them all:

 

- Sheaffer Pfm ("Pen for Men" ) did not sell much roughly 1959 - '65, but maybe the best snorkel filler pen ever. Big, chunky, light weight so the owner -- expected to be a senior manager -- could write all day. Make sure the PfM has been repaired. Price between $175 and $300, depending on the nib and Ebay whimsy. FPN member Tom Bickham (tbickiii) is reliable.

 

- Modern Sheafer Heritage. Heavier, brass coated with paint, now sold as a cartridge converter, although some models used the Touchdown filler. Same shape, same size as the old PfM. Same great inlaid nib. When I retired from SWIFT (not the truicking compnay...see swift.com), I used my farewell gift money for a Herald. Delighted. As I sell off the pens I rarely (or never) use, this one will stay.

[OcalaFlGuy]

Don't forget the absolutely wonderful Sheaffer Cartridge (AKA School Pens) .

 

I used A LOT of the coolly colored clear Sheaffer school pens, Especially after they left the rounded "Balance" look for the squared off model.

 

My Dad gave me some leaky (!!!) black stodgy pen of his with some dull ass looking cap which looked Bor-Ring next to my cool Sheaffers. So, of course, I promptly lost it. [1]

 

I will admit to keeping my eyes open for a Nice Blue squared off Sheaffer school pen but all I see are $15-20. I may be crazy but I'm not stupid.

 

[1] Of course, about 6 years ago, I figured out that leaky thing that I promptly lost was a Parker 51 Demi. Yes, I replaced it with a near clone. I'm sure I paid several times more for mine though than my Dad had paid for his.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

[deege]

 

I used A LOT of the coolly colored clear Sheaffer school pens, Especially after they left the rounded "Balance" look for the squared off model.

 

My Dad gave me some leaky (!!!) black stodgy pen of his with some dull ass looking cap which looked Bor-Ring next to my cool Sheaffers. So, of course, I promptly lost it. [1]

 

I will admit to keeping my eyes open for a Nice Blue squared off Sheaffer school pen but all I see are $15-20. I may be crazy but I'm not stupid.

 

[1] Of course, about 6 years ago, I figured out that leaky thing that I promptly lost was a Parker 51 Demi. Yes, I replaced it with a near clone. I'm sure I paid several times more for mine though than my Dad had paid for his.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

 

Wow, I got a job lot of old pen parts from ebay for not very much and included was a blue translucent Sheaffer and I thought immediately it looked like a school pen. I have it soaking at the moment for a good clean out, but looks pretty cool. I will check, but I think it has a rounded end on it.

[scrivelry]

Rounded, squared - they still work. That's the wonderful thing about them, they work, they work, they work... Sheaffer was known for excellent nibs, these pens had them. Somehow, through one thing and another, I seem to have about a dozen at the moment - but not all are fines. I really prefer the fine...

 

T

[jar]

 

Wow, I got a job lot of old pen parts from ebay for not very much and included was a blue translucent Sheaffer and I thought immediately it looked like a school pen. I have it soaking at the moment for a good clean out, but looks pretty cool. I will check, but I think it has a rounded end on it.

The round end was the first version. Then came the conical and finally the flat end.

[wastelanded]

I still have my Sheaffer school pen, purchased for me around 1972, and it still writes a treat. Still have my Targa, bought for my 14th birthday, and I still use it daily.

 

Sheaffer knew how to make a nib back in the day. Even the Tip-dip pens like the Cadet, with the screw-in steel nibs, will give you a good write. And those can still be had fairly cheaply on That Auction Site.

[queenofpens]

 

I used A LOT of the coolly colored clear Sheaffer school pens, Especially after they left the rounded "Balance" look for the squared off model.

 

I will admit to keeping my eyes open for a Nice Blue squared off Sheaffer school pen but all I see are $15-20. I may be crazy but I'm not stupid.

 

 

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

 

I used to pay 50 cents for a paperback book when Sheaffer school pens were $1.00.

 

So, using that as an informal gauge of inflation, the pens ought be selling for $15 - $20 if they were still being made.

 

I prefer NOS when I can find it, and I am willing to pay a reasonable premium above that for NOS.

 

I will also pay $15 - $20 for a gently used one in excellent condition, especially the nib, and the medium nib (which I always preferred) which seems to come up for sale less frequently than the fine nib. Also, it has to have the cap and barrel matching in style - I have seen some less knowledgable vintage merchandise dealers stick a bullet cap on a conical barrel and think they have restored it right.

 

I still have the blue, flat top which was one of the last two I bought (the other was purple and I also still have it) when my daughter started college and I saw the college bookstore still had them about the time they were discontinued. Now I wish I had bought a lot more - but I had two kids in college at the time and they were up to $5.00 then.

 

I'm not selling my blue one for any price.

 

I'm still looking for a blue conical one, and a red flat top, and will consider other colors in any of the three styles.