Mid Price Sheaffer Pens

[Fountain Pen Fanatic]

I was hoping to get advice from fellow fountain pen fanatics. A lot of people these days unfortunately have never seen a fountain pen and to find a retailer here selling premium brand fountain pens is almost impossible. So obviously getting advice is ......

 

I have tried my best to research reviews on the mid price Sheaffer fountain pens as unfortunately with our fabulous exchange rate, the cheapest fountain pens in the USA will be almost unaffordable here.

 

The following models cought my attention:

• Sagaris
• Prelude
• 300

From the reviews i could access, the Prelude was praised and compared with the Parker Sonnet, but the Sagaris was not given the same praise. is the Prelude and the Sagaris not having the same or similar nibs? The 300 also seemed to receive a favourable review. I was also wondering which were more recently launched and why some have names and others numbers. Reviews mentioned that gold nibs are the smootherst writers, but i suppose that the steel nibs should come a close 2nd.

 

I would like to hear the reaction of fountain pen lovers who have experience with these fountain pens and can give advice as to which pen will be the best buy. unfortunately here a peson has to order without physically seeing the pen.

 

Kind Regards

 

 

[Nathaniel Harter]

I would suggest the 100, 300, Prelude, or Agio. They are all nice pens, if you want a slimmer pen I would say Agio, a thicker would be 300. The 100 and Prelude are medium thickness. If you are looking for non-current pens I would suggest others.

[Ernst Bitterman]

In order of appearance, it's Prelude, 300, Sagaris. I only own a 300, but I had a chance to try out a low-end Prelude once. The points and feeds are essentially the same, but the 300 is rather heavier; a lot of weight is in the cap, so it's a bad bet to post a 300. Looking at the Sagaris, I suspect it's closer to Prelude than 300 in feel, although the Prelude has cut-outs in the section for finger-positioning which some will like and some will not. I don't know why the Sagaris isn't getting reviews on par with the Prelude (although FPGeeks seem to like it); it's an attractive pen, and I can't see the writing performance being radically different.

[freewheelingvagabond]

I have a Sheaffer 300 - great smooth writer but it is almost impossible to post the cap and write because of the weight.

[Fountain Pen Fanatic]

I have a Sheaffer 300 - great smooth writer but it is almost impossible to post the cap and write because of the weight.

 

In this instance it appears the Sagaris should be perfect in comparison, being lightwight and a smooth writer..

[Anirban4u]

I have a 300 & a Prelude.

 

The nib width is not consistent on these pens, for example, my 300 is a gusher and writes thicker than anything else I own, but it's supposed to be a M nib.

 

The prelude, on the other hand, writes more like a Western M, as it should.

 

Prelude is a fairly large (in length) pen, and it writes beautifully unposted. 300, as already mentioned by others has a HUGE cap.

 

Here's a quick comparison.

 

 

[Fountain Pen Fanatic]

I have a 300 & a Prelude.

 

The nib width is not consistent on these pens, for example, my 300 is a gusher and writes thicker than anything else I own, but it's supposed to be a M nib.

 

The prelude, on the other hand, writes more like a Western M, as it should.

 

Prelude is a fairly large (in length) pen, and it writes beautifully unposted. 300, as already mentioned by others has a HUGE cap.

 

Here's a quick comparison.

 

P_20141017_162646.jpg

 

 

There is indeed a huge difference in the writing between these two pens, one would expect the nibs to write the same. I would have loved to see the difference between the Sagaris and these 2.. I see you also prefer using blue ink. The only blue ink i could find was Parker and it seems to write very faint.

[Anirban4u]

 

There is indeed a huge difference in the writing between these two pens, one would expect the nibs to write the same. I would have loved to see the difference between the Sagaris and these 2.. I see you also prefer using blue ink. The only blue ink i could find was Parker and it seems to write very faint.

 

I don't own a Sagaris (yet), and the ink here is pelikan Royal Blue.

In fact, pelikan RB is the only ink (among my arsenal that is) that I can use in my 300, everything else is thicker, wetter and hence messier.

 

I'll agree that quink is a bit faint (and tend to get fainter over the period of time). My dad's notes from 70's look very faint.

[pgmrdan]

I have to disagree with some negative statements about posting a 300 causing problems. I think it all depends upon your hand size.

 

My hands may be slightly larger than average but not by much. I have no problem writing with my 300 posted but the cap fits in the notch between my thumb and index finger quite comfortably.

 

I can see where someone with smaller hands could possibly have an issue though but I think it would be due to a bad fit of the pen to the hand like trying to wear shoes too big for one's feet.

Edited November 15, 2014 by pgmrdan

[Anirban4u]

I have to disagree with some negative statements about posting a 300 causing problems. I think it all depends upon your hand size.

 

 

Agreed, and of course, everyone (including me) was speaking about their own experience. I'd have loved my 300 more (I don't *hate* it, I just don't use it often) if it were a western M & because I don't post my pens (except my vac junior).

Posting is really very personal.

 

Cheerio!