Sheaffer Prelude

[pvdiamon]

The Sheaffer Prelude seems to get good press. What makes a pen less expensive? Even steel nibs in some brands cost twice as much.

 

I saw the nib size examples on the Pen Hero web site. I have an Aurora extra fine--is the Prelude extra fine even thinner, or similar? It looked exceptionally extra fine on line, and does it write exceptionally scratchy? thanks.

[Larry T]

I have five Preludes. One EF, one F, two M, and one with a custom italic nib from Pendemonium. All are excellent writers. The EF and F nibs are both very smooth and have better than average flow for such a thin line on paper. I think that the Prelude series is one of the best buys out there.

[pvdiamon]

Can you describe the difference between the F and EF nib? Is the EF particularly scratchy? thanks.

[Velma]

I have not found the EF nibs to be scratchy -- and I use them almost exclusively. (I should observe that I have a very light touch on the page, apparently lighter than many fountain pen users, so my experiences may not be the norm.) The line is thinner, which means that there's less visible color shading and variation.

 

I think that the Prelude is a very good value for the price; I actually prefer them to the Watermans in the same price range (Phileas and Hemisphere -- though the Hemisphere is a very nice pen), because the shape and balance work well for me.

 

(And Larry, I think I have six Preludes now, all with EF nibs, and am thinking of others.)

[Larry T]

I only have two pens with EF nibs and both are Sheaffers. One is a Tortoise shell Prelude, the other is a Balance. Both write very well, nearly as well as my 1911 Sailor with a fine nib. They are not scratchy at all on good paper. I have some beautiful stationary that is 100 % rag with a fairly rough surface. The only fountain pen I have found to write well on it is a Parker 100 with a medium(broad) nib. I really love my Preludes.

[pvdiamon]

Does anyone know if these pens have a rhodium or iridium tip? Is that typical of all steel nibs? I didn't see it on the Sheaffer web site.

 

John

[PenHero]

Does anyone know if these pens have a rhodium or iridium tip? Is that typical of all steel nibs? I didn't see it on the Sheaffer web site.

 

John

Dear John,

 

All Preludes have tipped nibs. "Iridium" is actually a misnomer. No nibs are tipped with pure iridium. It's actually an alloy of very hard metals.

[pvdiamon]

I emailed Jim at Penhero.com, but maybe this is a better place for this question. One, the Sheaffer Prelude weighs 1.2 oz. Is this a heavy feeling pen by those who have used it? Also, what is involved in getting the XF nib on this pen?

[southpaw]

pvdiamon,

 

Heavy "feel" is a very subjective quality. I can say it does feel heavier than some pens, but it is very well balanced and the heft, IMHO, has a good, substantial feel - not like you're holding a brick. I really like mine and plan on adding others to my stable (and I'll order from Penhero.com because his service and prices are great - usual disclaimer).

 

Best suggestion - just get one and give it a shot, assuming no one you know has one that you can try out and no B&M store close by.

 

HTH, southpaw

[Larry T]

The Prelude is a fairly heavy pen, but it is very well balanced. I find it very comfortable for longer writing sessions. I don't usually post the cap on my pens, it may feel different posted. As to the EF nib, I bought mine with an EF nib brand new from Jim Gaston. Mine is abought two years old, I don't know if it is currently offered with an EF nib. I'm sure you could get a nib exchange or replacement nib in EF directly from Sheaffer in Fort Madison. I have five Preludes, and all of them are top notch writers.

[PenHero]

I emailed Jim at Penhero.com, but maybe this is a better place for this question. One, the Sheaffer Prelude weighs 1.2 oz. Is this a heavy feeling pen by those who have used it? Also, what is involved in getting the XF nib on this pen?

I personally do not think the Prelude is inordinately heavy. I would say "sturdy" or "solid" are good adjectives.

[Velma]

I emailed Jim at Penhero.com, but maybe this is a better place for this question. One, the Sheaffer Prelude weighs 1.2 oz. Is this a heavy feeling pen by those who have used it? Also, what is involved in getting the XF nib on this pen?

I think it's a good solid weight, not so light that I feel I have to clench it tightly, not so heavy that it cramps my hand.

 

And I ordered a blue lacquer Prelude from PenHero, and asked for an XF nib, and got it quickly. (Unsolicited plug: PenHero has lots and lots of cool discontinued finishes, and good prices, and I will go back there after the NYC Pen Show.) And I've bought them directly from Sheaffer in the past, though you have to know what to ask for. They used to be about $17, if memory serves.

[southpaw]

They used to be about $17, if memory serves.

 

I'm guessing that refers to an EF nib unit and not the whole Prelude fp.

[Yuri]

pvdiamon,

I like XF nibs too, but it seems that noby carries them in stock. Recently I ordered one from PenHero (terrific service!), but even there I could not find XF. I have to buy pen with different nib and send in to Sheaffer for nib exchange. Fortunately, PenHero makes it for me. Takes some time, but I do not have hasle sending the pen in myself.

[bulletproofinkevlar]

I personally do not think the Prelude is inordinately heavy. I would say "sturdy" or "solid" are good adjectives.

Agreed, and well-put, JM. However, for the OP, let me put it yet another way: If, by "heavy" in re. FPs, you mean something POSITIVE, then yes, the Prelude is "heavy", but just barely so. If, contrarily, "heavy" in this context is for you something derogatory, then, no, it's not at all. The Prelude's "substantial" (both in terms of weight and girth), but not excessively so. Whether with cap posted -- which proves a fairly well-balanced possibilty, and a fairly secure one, to boot (though in finding my own, personal combination of hand size/hold style tending unpredictably over time to back it off, I'm currently inclining myself toward wholesale avoidance of the practice) -- or not, in which case, this magnificant pen grows all the more wieldy (though one does then, naturally, need to find someplace secure to rest said cap for what may well prove interminable hours of happily undistracted writing...)

Edited September 16, 2014 by bulletproofinkevlar

[RMN]

I doubt if the OP is going to see this, he has not logged in for about 2 years...

Reviving such an old topic is very seldom a good idea and is frowned upon...

 

D.ick

[Fountain Pen Fanatic]

I have five Preludes. One EF, one F, two M, and one with a custom italic nib from Pendemonium. All are excellent writers. The EF and F nibs are both very smooth and have better than average flow for such a thin line on paper. I think that the Prelude series is one of the best buys out there.

 

Have you ever compared your Preludes to other Sheaffer pens such as the Sagaris? or 300?