REVIEW: Sheaffer Lifetime Flat-top Oversize

[Richard]

OK, Here's something -- Richard Binder is never wrong, right?.. : )

 

When Sheaffer introduced the Balance in 1929, the pen bore a long humped clip that was essentially the same as the clip used on later models of the flat-top pen that preceded the Balance.

Having just returned from the Ohio Pen Show, I have not read this entire thread. But I do want to correct your misinterpretation of the statement you quote. What I wrote was that the flat-top preceded the Balance. Nobody will dispute this. I wrote further that the humped clip was used on later models of the flat-top. Nobody will dispute this, either. I did NOT state that use of the humped clip preceded the Balance, and in fact I do not know when Sheaffer first used the humped clip.

 

(Edited to add the following grammatical analysis in the hope of forestalling a linguistics war )

 

The subject of the adjectival clause "that preceded the Balance" is the pronoun "that." English is a weakly inflected, strongly positional language. Absent contrary evidence, the antecedent of a pronoun is assumed to be the closest reasonable substantive, and the closest reasonable substantive is "pen," not "clip."

Edited November 11, 2008 by Richard

[Johnny Appleseed]

When Sheaffer introduced the Balance in 1929, the pen bore a long humped clip that was essentially the same as the clip used on later models of the flat-top pen that preceded the Balance.

 

Having just returned from the Ohio Pen Show, I have not read this entire thread. But I do want to correct your misinterpretation of the statement you quote. What I wrote was that the flat-top preceded the Balance. Nobody will dispute this. I wrote further that the humped clip was used on later models of the flat-top. Nobody will dispute this, either. I did NOT state that use of the humped clip preceded the Balance, and in fact I do not know when Sheaffer first used the humped clip.

 

(Edited to add the following grammatical analysis in the hope of forestalling a linguistics war )

 

The subject of the adjectival clause "that preceded the Balance" is the pronoun "that." English is a weakly inflected, strongly positional language. Absent contrary evidence, the antecedent of a pronoun is assumed to be the closest reasonable substantive, and the closest reasonable substantive is "pen," not "clip."

 

While the grammatical analysis is correct, one can be grammatically correct and still come off as unclear. The sentance is easily misconstrued as QM2 did, even if technically and grammatically it is correct. It might be worth putting that in line for an edit (when you get a chance ).

 

OK, Here's something -- Richard Binder is never wrong, right?.. : )

 

Ah, but don't forget Richard's eternal disclaimer at the bottom of every article:

 

The information in this article is as accurate as possible, but you should not take it as absolutely authoritative.

 

Richard's website is not without it's errors, omissions and disputed points. The same can be said of most of the books and other reference sites about pens. Richard's site is for the most part a generalist source of information, with basic info on a variety of pens and subjects. You get much more accurate and detailed information from a specalist source, such as the Duofold Book but, you won't get info on anything other than Duofolds. The value of a generalist source, is that it has a broad range of information in a clear, readable and accessable format, which is what makes Richard's site such an outstanding source for begginers and the rest of us when we are out of our area of expertise (particularly since, unlike the various books it is free). He is also extreamely willing to update his site in response to new information. But we can't, and shouldn't, expect perfection.

 

John

 

[jimhughes]

I've been wanting a Sheaffer Flattop with the white dot on its cap for a few months now, and your review sent me to the marketplace, QM2.

 

The bonus is that Karl Barndt was selling a couple of these (he's selling a variety of pens), so I was able to buy one from him. I especially trust buying vintage from Karl. I bought my first Tucky from him, and it's one of my favorite pens.

 

So now I have a Flattop on the way. Thank you, QM2, for your well-timed review!

 

Yay! I bought mine from Karl as well; he is a great seller. Did you get the one with the straight clip in his latest batch, or one with a bent clip from an earlier batch?

I got the pearlized titanium clip dated 1893.

 

I kid!

 

I got the Fine nib. The other was a F/M, and I wouldn't be happy with that. Mine is number B9. (Also, one of my favorite words.)

 

I was happy to buy from Karl. Actually, if he hadn't been selling the Flattop, I probably would have waited. Nice that I don't have to!

Ethernautrix:

Glad to hear it's B9 your looking at. Although I like Fines , the B-10 looks awfully F not M in nib photo. I just requested dibs on B-10 and felt a tremor of pain that you'd beat me to the punch, when I first read your note. Got a beautiful small size Sheaffer Flattop from Karl a couple of weeks ago. While I love it, I'm mad at myself for not splurging on a K8C Black and Pearl he had at that time. Speaking of beautiful Flat tops, look at Roger W's collection on the Sheaffer Forum under my K8C What it is inquiry, early Nov 08 dating. Enjoy your pen, Jim

[Richard]

While the grammatical analysis is correct, one can be grammatically correct and still come off as unclear. The sentance is easily misconstrued as QM2 did, even if technically and grammatically it is correct. It might be worth putting that in line for an edit (when you get a chance ).

Done. The new version follows:

 

When Sheaffer introduced the Balance in 1929, the pen bore a long humped clip that was essentially the same as the clip used on later models of the Flat-Top pen that had preceded the Balance. (Sheaffer continued to offer Flat-Top pens well into the 1930s, however, and it is not known whether the humped clip’s first appearance on Flat-Tops occurred before, concurrently with, or after the introduction of the Balance.)

 

(Edited to correct a grammatical solecism)

Edited November 12, 2008 by Richard

[QM2]

While the grammatical analysis is correct, one can be grammatically correct and still come off as unclear. The sentance is easily misconstrued as QM2 did, even if technically and grammatically it is correct. It might be worth putting that in line for an edit (when you get a chance ).

Done. The new version follows:

 

When Sheaffer introduced the Balance in 1929, the pen bore a long humped clip that was essentially the same as the clip used on later models of the Flat-Top pen that had preceded the Balance. (Sheaffer continued to offer Flat-Top pens well into the 1930s, however, and it is not known whether the humped clip’s first appearance on Flat-Tops occurred before, concurrent with, or after the introduction of the Balance.)

 

: )) Oh no -- This is the second time I've been the cause of poor Mr. Binder having to change wording on his website! Always glad to help with linguistic confusions : )

Edited November 11, 2008 by QM2

[QM2]

 

Re Roger, Richard & JohnyA:

 

All right, that's it. The next Sheaffer Flat-top I get will be one of the examples with the pearlized titanium clip dated 1893, as catalogued by Ethernautrix. I shall not rest until I get my hands on it. Perhaps at the next Boston Pen Show. Till then, best wishes to all : )

 

QM2

 

 

 

Edited November 11, 2008 by QM2

[Johnny Appleseed]

Re Roger, Richard & JohnyA:

 

All right, that's it. The next Sheaffer Flat-top I get will be one of the examples with the pearlized titanium clip dated 1893, as catalogued by Ethernautrix. I shall not rest until I get my hands on it. Perhaps at the next Boston Pen Show. Till then, best wishes to all : )

 

QM2

 

Oh, but please do not be put off by all this. After all, you have improved the accuracy of one of the best references sources on the internet! Can't go wrong with that.

 

Of course, it would be much easier to look this up if Roger had his Sheaffer Flatop website together yet (hint, hint. . .)

 

(he says, hiding his head when he remembers he still owe's Richard a pile of info for a Pen Profile. . .)

 

John

[QM2]

Oh, but please do not be put off by all this. After all, you have improved the accuracy of one of the best references sources on the internet! Can't go wrong with that.

 

Of course, it would be much easier to look this up if Roger had his Sheaffer Flatop website together yet (hint, hint. . .)

 

(he says, hiding his head when he remembers he still owe's Richard a pile of info for a Pen Profile. . .)

 

Not at all! I have been thoroughly put at ease and I look forward to writing more reviews of vintage pens : )

 

 

 

Edited November 11, 2008 by QM2

[Nellie]

It's a pity being in Europe where this kind of finds are not common.

In addition to the shipping, consider that we - in Italy - are subjected to some exaggerated consideration from the custom officials. The packages may sit in the custom for one month, and then come with 50% increase in value on taxes. That thing is driving me mad.

Try eBay UK. I've seen several good and reasonably priced OS Flat-tops there (and bought one a year ago).

 

Btw., I agree, these have to be (among?) the best vintage pens ever!!

 

Nellie