Sheaffer 300 Medium Nib Fountain Pen Review

[ThirdeYe]

To view on my blog: Derek's Pens and Pencils

 

I've been looking at the Sheaffer 300 fountain pen since it was announced a while ago, but it was very difficult to find at first. I could find the pencil/ballpoint, but the fountain pen was almost non-existent. I saw that it was finally more available so I decided to buy one for around $35 shipped.

 

The first thing I noticed about the pen was how heavy it was. It is very likely my heaviest pen that I own. It appears to be made of steel with a black lacquer coating. The cap clicks on smoothly and effortlessly. I like that in a pen, as I can remove the cap quickly if I need to jot down some notes quickly. The pen is also quite large, something that isn't really noticeable in pictures. I took a picture comparing it to some of my other pens so that you can get a better idea of the size of this pen.

 

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/1179/p8140327.jpg

 

Pictured from top to bottom: Esterbrook Dollar Pen, Parker "51", Waterman Phileas, Lamy Safari, Sheaffer 300, TWSBI Diamond 530. As you can see, it is about the same size as the TWSBI Diamond 530, which is already a very large pen. However, it is a little more slim than the 530.

 

I was initially turned off by the fact that it was built in China. All of my other Sheaffer pens were made in Fort Madison, IA. Being that I got it for such as reasonable price, I decided to take a risk and give it a shot. The pictures don't really do the pen justice, it's quite a looker IMO.

 

The clip has the traditional white dot, and the word "Sheaffer" is etched into the steel band on the cap. It comes in a nice gift box with 2 cartridges (one blue, one black) and a twist-converter. For a pen this price, I was pleasantly surprised that it came with a converter I once spent over $10 on.

 

The nib is one of the best parts of the pen. It is one of the smoothest nibs I own, and has never given me an issue of hard-starting or skipping. It writes fairly broad for being a medium nib, but I like it anyways. The pen is comfortable to hold, but it gets a little heavy for longer writing sessions and tends to fatigue my hand a little bit after a few paragraphs. That might just be due to the way I hold my pens, however.

 

 

http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/5156/scan0001xa.jpg

 

 

I do not normally post my pens so I do not have an in-depth analysis of the weighting of it posted vs. non-posted, but it does make the pen feel even heavier yet when posted. It clicks onto the end of the barrel with a nice click, so you know it isn't destroying the lacquer barrel by simply slipping onto the end of the barrel and scratching it up.

 

In conclusion, this is one of the better modern pens I've used, and for the price I highly recommend it. If you like larger, weightier pens this will be right up your alley. Smooth and reliable, don't let the fact that it is made in China deter you like it originally did me, as I do not regret buying it at all. A pleasure to use.

 

http://img806.imageshack.us/img806/949/p8140321.jpg

 

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/8530/p8140325.jpg

 

Questions/Comments Welcome.

 

-Derek (ThirdeYe)

Edited August 17, 2011 by ThirdeYe

[kp288908]

Thanks for sharing your review. I've been curious about this pen. The comparison photo is particularly helpful.

 

Best,

kp

[langere]

Great review! One day, I will get a Sheaffer Valor Burgundy, which I assume are being made in China too...

 

Erick

[lovemy51]

Great review! One day, I will get a Sheaffer Valor Burgundy, which I assume are being made in China too...

 

Erick

made in Italy.

[somnath1077]

This is a pen that I particularly like and I have two of them, one in black and another in marbled blue. Beautiful, well-balanced and very good writers.

[RobC]

I just got the 300 in that perfect marble blue! Just love it !

 

At this price I thought it would be a great pen to take to the office - and it is because if it’s lost its not that costly.

 

I find that on copy paper the mid nib is just too wide. I want to replace the nib and I would like to ask some Q's from people that might know please.

 

Is it easy to change the nib? Can anyone recommend a nice nib that would fit this pen maybe something a little softer like with a 1/2 gold or something not too pricy?

 

And finally where does a fountain pen fan buy nibs?

[stuartk]

This is a pen that I particularly like and I have two of them, one in black and another in marbled blue. Beautiful, well-balanced and very good writers.

 

I just got one in marbled blue too, and I like it, but I think I like the Sheaffer Prelude a bit better. I got one of those a couple of weeks ago in matte black with gold trim. (It was about $5 more than the 300 was.)

Edited August 18, 2011 by stuartk

[somnath1077]

This is a pen that I particularly like and I have two of them, one in black and another in marbled blue. Beautiful, well-balanced and very good writers.

 

I just got one in marbled blue too, and I like it, but I think I like the Sheaffer Prelude a bit better. I got one of those a couple of weeks ago in matte black with gold trim. (It was about $5 more than the 300 was.)

 

I have two Sheaffer Preludes as well, and they're good writers. What bothers me is the construction of the section which is not round but triangular (as in the Lamy Safaris), presumably to provide an effective grip. Somehow I just never managed to like these though.

Edited August 21, 2011 by somnath1077

[ihtzazqamar]

Seems like a good general purpose pen. I also use a Prelude and was first bothered by the triangular grip. Now I am used to it.

[ThirdeYe]

It should be noted that this pen doesn't have a grip like the prelude with the indentations in it. It is a smooth surface tapered grip.

[saketb]

I just bought the 300 series 9312 Glossy Black Finish, Medium Nib, Chrome Plated with a converter. (Looks like the one displayed in the picture above)

I even got 2 blue ink cartridges and a sheaffer personal writing pad as gifts.

 

The time I started using the pen the first time with the cartridge, I'm not able to leave it. Its so smooth and moves freely with no pressure to be applied.

As this being my first Sheaffer Fountain Pen, I am very much thrilled with my purchase.

 

This is a definitely a beautiful, value for money and is highly recommended pen for starters.

 

My next would be a Prelude, again from Sheaffer.

[dspeers58]

I too think that this is one good pen. I have two and use them for daily writing...Great pen, smooth and consistent!

[Black Rose]

I've been considering this pen since I saw it earlier this year.

 

I really like the look of it, especially the gold trimmed one, but the weight of it has put me off.

There are no local shops that carry the better Sheaffer pens, so I can't try it first.

 

I need lighter weight pens due to arthritis, so my hand won't cramp/tire quickly.

[ThirdeYe]

I've been considering this pen since I saw it earlier this year.

 

I really like the look of it, especially the gold trimmed one, but the weight of it has put me off.

There are no local shops that carry the better Sheaffer pens, so I can't try it first.

 

I need lighter weight pens due to arthritis, so my hand won't cramp/tire quickly.

 

If you require lighter pens, I unfortunately have to suggest that this pen probably isn't for you. I believe it's the heaviest pen I own.

[saketb]

I've been considering this pen since I saw it earlier this year.

 

I really like the look of it, especially the gold trimmed one, but the weight of it has put me off.

There are no local shops that carry the better Sheaffer pens, so I can't try it first.

 

I need lighter weight pens due to arthritis, so my hand won't cramp/tire quickly.

 

If you require lighter pens, I unfortunately have to suggest that this pen probably isn't for you. I believe it's the heaviest pen I own.

 

Yes, its true... this pen is quite heavy and cannot be suited for your work. I do not know much about lighter pens but posting a thread and asking for some suggestions would be a great start, as I did.

[TacticalMaverick]

I've been considering this pen since I saw it earlier this year.

 

I really like the look of it, especially the gold trimmed one, but the weight of it has put me off.

There are no local shops that carry the better Sheaffer pens, so I can't try it first.

 

I need lighter weight pens due to arthritis, so my hand won't cramp/tire quickly.

 

If you like the style, I would suggest checking out the Sheaffer 100. The 100 is styles in a similar way, but is thinner, lighter, and more well balanced when posted. Plus, from what I understand the 100 shares the nib of the 300.

 

Tac

[ThirdeYe]

I've been considering this pen since I saw it earlier this year.

 

I really like the look of it, especially the gold trimmed one, but the weight of it has put me off.

There are no local shops that carry the better Sheaffer pens, so I can't try it first.

 

I need lighter weight pens due to arthritis, so my hand won't cramp/tire quickly.

 

If you like the style, I would suggest checking out the Sheaffer 100. The 100 is styles in a similar way, but is thinner, lighter, and more well balanced when posted. Plus, from what I understand the 100 shares the nib of the 300.

 

Tac

I have the 100 also and I do believe the nibs are the same. However, I have a problem with the 100. The cap is really tough to get on and off.

[J_MB]

To view on my blog: Derek's Pens and Pencils

 

I've been looking at the Sheaffer 300 fountain pen since it was announced a while ago, but it was very difficult to find at first. I could find the pencil/ballpoint, but the fountain pen was almost non-existent. I saw that it was finally more available so I decided to buy one for around $35 shipped.

 

The first thing I noticed about the pen was how heavy it was. It is very likely my heaviest pen that I own. It appears to be made of steel with a black lacquer coating. The cap clicks on smoothly and effortlessly. I like that in a pen, as I can remove the cap quickly if I need to jot down some notes quickly. The pen is also quite large, something that isn't really noticeable in pictures. I took a picture comparing it to some of my other pens so that you can get a better idea of the size of this pen.

 

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/1179/p8140327.jpg

 

Pictured from top to bottom: Esterbrook Dollar Pen, Parker "51", Waterman Phileas, Lamy Safari, Sheaffer 300, TWSBI Diamond 530. As you can see, it is about the same size as the TWSBI Diamond 530, which is already a very large pen. However, it is a little more slim than the 530.

 

I was initially turned off by the fact that it was built in China. All of my other Sheaffer pens were made in Fort Madison, IA. Being that I got it for such as reasonable price, I decided to take a risk and give it a shot. The pictures don't really do the pen justice, it's quite a looker IMO.

 

The clip has the traditional white dot, and the word "Sheaffer" is etched into the steel band on the cap. It comes in a nice gift box with 2 cartridges (one blue, one black) and a twist-converter. For a pen this price, I was pleasantly surprised that it came with a converter I once spent over $10 on.

 

The nib is one of the best parts of the pen. It is one of the smoothest nibs I own, and has never given me an issue of hard-starting or skipping. It writes fairly broad for being a medium nib, but I like it anyways. The pen is comfortable to hold, but it gets a little heavy for longer writing sessions and tends to fatigue my hand a little bit after a few paragraphs. That might just be due to the way I hold my pens, however.

 

 

http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/5156/scan0001xa.jpg

 

 

I do not normally post my pens so I do not have an in-depth analysis of the weighting of it posted vs. non-posted, but it does make the pen feel even heavier yet when posted. It clicks onto the end of the barrel with a nice click, so you know it isn't destroying the lacquer barrel by simply slipping onto the end of the barrel and scratching it up.

 

In conclusion, this is one of the better modern pens I've used, and for the price I highly recommend it. If you like larger, weightier pens this will be right up your alley. Smooth and reliable, don't let the fact that it is made in China deter you like it originally did me, as I do not regret buying it at all. A pleasure to use.

 

http://img806.imageshack.us/img806/949/p8140321.jpg

 

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/8530/p8140325.jpg

 

Questions/Comments Welcome.

 

-Derek (ThirdeYe)

 

I have the Sheaffer SGC 300 Glossy Marble Blue barrel with a medium nib. I bought it for about twice this price. Then again I live in Australia.

 

Does anyone know how to change the nib on the 'Sheaffer SGC 300 Glossy Marble Blue barrel'?

 

I am hoping to locate a suitable nib maybe fine or extra fine. If anyone has some direction on how this can be achieved I am all ears?

 

http://www.pencity.com.au/auto/thumbnail/persistent/catalogue_images/products/marblebluefp.jpg?maxheight=100&style=padded&maxwidth=350

[PAKMAN]

I looked at the blue marbled one on the Anderson Pens table at a pen show this last weekend. This pen is a real looker. I didn't pick it up to feel the weight, may have to look closer the next time one is available to inspect.

[Motomo]

I have one of the marbled blue 300s....heavier pen which I like and a very smooth nib. It is a wet writer and I have had not issues with it no matter what ink I have filled it with.