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Sheaffer Prelude Mechanical Pencil

pranav.bhatnagar

By pranav.bhatnagar
in Fountain Pen Reviews

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pranav.bhatnagar NOS (New Old Stock)

pranav.bhatnagar

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A Review on Sheaffer Prelude Mechanical Pencil.

 

Background

 

So here it goes, I was looking for a mechanical pencil with more sophisticated appearance and well within the budget. I went to the store which deals with high end luxury pens. I had the option of Faber Castell, Caran D'Ache, Parker, Sheaffer that was well within my budget. The Sheaffar was the one which prominently stood out of all.

 

I have searched the whole FPN network but couldn't find any review on this one. Hence, I thought why not write a review for all.

 

The box
post-103051-0-79950600-1407605149_thumb.jpg

First Impressions

post-103051-0-58468900-1407605143_thumb.jpg

post-103051-0-72759000-1407605146_thumb.jpg

 

Design and Appearance (8.5/10)

 

The pencil at first seems like a perfect cigar shaped well balanced body that gives the illusion of a roller ball pen. The body is made of up black onyx laque barrel and chased palladium cap featuring nickel plate trim. There are two variants in this model viz. black (body and cap) made of laque and other is black and chrome trims (the one mentioned above). Made in USA the Sheaffer marks the quality that instils its principles of writing instruments.

 

The white dot

post-103051-0-39468600-1407606055_thumb.jpg

 

Out of box
post-103051-0-04139900-1407606058_thumb.jpg

 

Nib and Performance (9.5/10)

 

The pencil works with 0.7mm regular leads. The length of the pencil is 13.5 cm from cap to the sleeve. The best part of the pencil is – “The writing comfort”. The protruding sleeve which is permanently stored out is responsible for the writing quality. The design is so very well done that breakage of lead has reduced considerable to almost negligible. Also this gives an additional grip to the lead which adds and extra padding during writing. I have been seeing a lot of pencils with retractable sleeve which do tend to break the lead upon usage. The sleeve has also given the ultimate looks that it deserves along with strength and styling. Moreover the heavier cap balances the load at the tip making it more stable during writing, maintaining the overall equilibrium.

 

 

The sleeve
post-103051-0-46507000-1407606176_thumb.jpg

 

 

Filling system and maintenance (7.5/10)

 

The lead advancement and other mechanical procedures are hidden inside the barrel and the cap unlike the regular pencils which has it visible on the top. The chrome cap also hides the eraser mounted on the top. This gives it more sophisticated and luxury appearances. The cap is press fit and easy to remove. The pencil works by pressing the cap downwards (press mechanism). As of now, I haven’t had any problems with lead breaking due to extra pressure while writing which is common in many mechanical pencils.

 

Exploded assembly view
post-103051-0-48304400-1407606255_thumb.jpg

 

Additional Images

 

post-103051-0-35315000-1407606322_thumb.jpg

 

post-103051-0-63668300-1407606325_thumb.jpg

 

14866683764_0fdcc0a8c5_c.jpg

 

14682642387_415555f50f_c.jpg

 

14866081411_c2167fc204_c.jpg

 

 

Conclusion

 

The Sheaffer pencil retails for AED 130 ~ USD 35.5 which is the best in the class in terms of price. It is a great buy for someone looking for a luxurious pencil with social status. As a pencil, it does offer more than what other brands offer at this price range.

 

Kindly drop in your responses. Also do let me know what you feel about this review and if there is a room for improvement.

 

Thank you for reading,

Sincerely,

Pranav Bhatnagar

 

 

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RMN Museum Piece

RMN

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Good looking pencil, clear review. Thanks

 

In some of the pics the pen looks golden. Must be the lighting.

 

Thx again.

 

 

D.ick

~

KEEP SAFE, WEAR A MASK, KEEP A DISTANCE.

Freedom exists by virtue of self limitation.

~

 

 

 

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cellmatrix Collectors Item

cellmatrix

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Excellent review. I have the exact same US made prelude pencil in blue and chrome and it's outstanding. They stopped making these in the USA in the mid 1990s, but fortunately you can still find NOS USA models if you search around. At $35 or less, they are an excellent value, worth far more.

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Tweel Collectors Item

Tweel

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One minor item I've had the misfortune to discover: 0.7mm Pentel AIN and AIN Stein leads won't work in this pencil. They won't advance properly, and quickly chew up the clutch.

fpn_1375035941__postcard_swap.png * * * "Don't neglect to write me several times from different places when you may."
-- John Purdue (1863)

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ajcoleman Extremely Rare

ajcoleman

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Thanks for the review! I am especially fond of matching fountain pen and pencil sets, and I have a Prelude fountain that is very nice. I have been debating getting the matching pencil. Thanks for the great photos.

Adam

Dayton, OH

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.

-- Prov 25:2
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pranav.bhatnagar NOS (New Old Stock)

pranav.bhatnagar

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Good looking pencil, clear review. Thanks

 

In some of the pics the pen looks golden. Must be the lighting.

 

Thx again.

 

 

D.ick

 

Yes, the pencil is black and white steel in color, the golden comes from the flash reflecting on the wodden cupboard. It was an accidental click but it gives a great look. Thanks for your compliment

 

Excellent review. I have the exact same US made prelude pencil in blue and chrome and it's outstanding. They stopped making these in the USA in the mid 1990s, but fortunately you can still find NOS USA models if you search around. At $35 or less, they are an excellent value, worth far more.

Are you very sure about they stopped manufacturing them in US in 1990s. The reason is this one is kind of the latest one. Even he shopkeeper told me the same thing but it was in late 2010 or something. Yes for price it is worth the hit especially with the quality and class.

 

 

One minor item I've had the misfortune to discover: 0.7mm Pentel AIN and AIN Stein leads won't work in this pencil. They won't advance properly, and quickly chew up the clutch.

 

Did you face this issue only with these leads and the others are working fine. I happened to accidently drop the pencil which lead to twisting of the advancement mechanism. I got it repaired and it worked fine after that. I had got the same problem as you mentioned.

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cellmatrix Collectors Item

cellmatrix

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Are you very sure about they stopped manufacturing them in US in 1990s. The reason is this one is kind of the latest one. Even he shopkeeper told me the same thing but it was in late 2010 or something. Yes for price it is worth the hit especially with the quality and class.

 

yes, I believe that what you got was new old sale.

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Tweel Collectors Item

Tweel

Posted
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One minor item I've had the misfortune to discover: 0.7mm Pentel AIN and AIN Stein leads won't work in this pencil. They won't advance properly, and quickly chew up the clutch.

 

 

Did you face this issue only with these leads and the others are working fine. I happened to accidently drop the pencil which lead to twisting of the advancement mechanism. I got it repaired and it worked fine after that. I had got the same problem as you mentioned.

 

Yes, the original leads and standard Pentel Super Hi-Polymer leads work with no problem.

fpn_1375035941__postcard_swap.png * * * "Don't neglect to write me several times from different places when you may."
-- John Purdue (1863)

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