Sheaffer Cadet 23

[Univer]

Review: Sheaffer Cadet 23

 

Introduction

 

An odd choice, I suppose, for a detailed review. The "standard" Cadet was an unapologetically entry-level pen: the cheaper sibling of the Craftsman, itself an inexpensive pen. It was made from 1952 to 1963 (or thereabouts), and its specifications are unspectacular: Tip-Dip Touchdown filler, plastic body with chrome trim, interchangeable steel/iridium nibs, rather limited color range.

 

The Cadet 23 was the upmarket version of the Cadet: it was named for its nib, a 14K unit bearing the "23" designation (gold-plated trim rounded out the upgrade package). Apparently the 14K nib units, like their steel cousins, were interchangeable; but I'll own up to the fact that I haven't tried to unscrew any of my 23 nibs. (I've never seen a NOS 23 nib unit for sale; maybe they were special-order items?)

 

So: why review such an unremarkable pen? Well, here are a couple of reasons. First, the Cadet 23 turns out to be a rather uncommon creature. It was offered for just two years or so, c. 1961-2, and our esteemed moderator states, on his unfailingly informative website, that he has never encountered a specimen in the field; so a hands-on review may give folks a chance to "get to know" a pen they might not otherwise encounter. Second - and more importantly - the 23 is actually an unexpectedly engaging writer, deserving of a little attention on its merits alone.

 

Appearance, etc.

 

Nothing special here: a simple, restrained look. Classic 1950s Sheaffer torpedo shape; this particular pen is finished in a recessive maroon color that (to my eye at least) is a close relative of the earlier Snorkel maroon. Capped, the Cadet is almost a "stealth" pen: completely unassuming, even with its gold-plated furniture (it could almost be taken for any generic third-tier blister-card-packaged pen of the same era). When the cap is posted, the minimal gold accents work together with the gold of the nib to create a pleasing rhythm of rich, bright details against the sober color of barrel and cap. That nib is certainly of modest size (this was a pen built to a price point, after all). It's 15% smaller, maybe, than one might expect. It's not grossly disproportionate to the rest of the pen, but it's certainly on the smaller side. Overall: an unobtrusively attractive, non-flashy, conservative pen.

 

Fit and finish are excellent, very much in the mid-century Sheaffer mode. The cap screws on snugly and posts securely; the cheapness of the pen is not a function of sloppiness in fabrication or assembly.

 

Performance

 

The Cadet is fitted with Sheaffer's reliable, easy-to-use Touchdown filling system, and - as usual - it operates flawlessly (this 23 came to me in unrestored working condition, and it's still going strong). For my money, the Touchdown system is simpler, quicker and less fussy than the Snorkel system, but that's a purely personal view (and a discussion for another day).

 

The 23, like the base-model Cadet, uses the Tip-Dip version of the Touchdown system: it's sufficient to immerse the nib in ink for filling, keeping the section clean. It's a "nice to have" feature, although I confess that I don't share the dunkophobia that - judging from advertisements of the period - gripped pendom in the 1950s.

 

Posted, the pen is nicely balanced: a light and non-fatiguing writer. Without the cap posted, however, it may be a bit small for some hands.

 

As for actual writing performance: here's where it gets a little more interesting. Because the nib of the 23 is a notably flexible one.

 

While Sheaffer's 1950s open nibs tend to be more flexible than its contemporary Triumph nibs, let's just acknowledge here and now that Sheaffer (never the First Name in Flex) made relatively few flex nibs during the decade. But - surprise! - the 23 is a delightfully flexy nib. Not a vintage wet noodle, to be sure, but also not the sort of nib that passes for "flex" in modern parlance: that is to say, a firm nib with a grudging suggestion of "give."

 

This 23's nib is a smooth-writing fine; with the application of modest pressure, it flexes to create a nice broad line, and it springs back quickly and controllably. (I've attached a writing-sample photo; maybe it gives some idea of the nib's character.) Even without pressure, the springiness of the nib makes writing a delight; it's wonderfully soft and responsive.

 

You may well ask: is this 23 an anomaly? Can one reasonably expect that other examples will possess similar qualities?

 

If my experience is any guide, the answers are "no" and "yes." I own three other 23-nibbed pens: two conventional pens and two desk pens. (Desk pen #1, which lives at my office, is actually the best writer in the lot.) One of the non-desk pens is a black cousin to the maroon one shown here. The other is a sort-of-Fern Green made (I think) in Australia; the nib bears no country-of-origin designation. Interestingly, that pen is a conventional Touchdown rather than a Tip-Dip. But that difference is a mere distraction. Common to all four pens: that lovely flexy nib.

 

Conclusions

 

Should you consider - if you happen to come across a specimen - acquiring a Cadet 23? If you seek a pen that will draw covetous stares, you will want to look elsewhere. That said, there are compelling reasons to add one of these humble little pens to your collection. It's uncommon. It has many of the traditional Sheaffer virtues: reliability, good performance, sound design. It won't cost you a fortune. And best of all: it will probably come equipped with that wonderful nib.

 

The 23 has a quiet flair all its own; but it's a flair that's evident only when point touches paper. If that notion appeals to you, then the Cadet 23 may appeal to you as well.

Edited November 8, 2006 by Univer

[HyperCamper]

Thanks for this excellent review!

[pigpogm]

Nice review, Univer.

 

I've got something very similar to a Cadet 23 - I'd love to know if anyone has any better ideas of what it might be.

 

Differences with the one I have...

 

* Cap band is wider than pictured Cadet 23s.

* Section is black on a blue pen - not body-matched.

* Nib is marked "52", not "23".

 

The nib certainly shows the kind of flex that Univer describes - very nice line variation.

 

I'm assuming it's a Cadet, because it's a tip-dip, and the construction just feels cheaper than the other snorkels and touchdowns I've had. The clip, for example, isn't sprung. The nib is 14k gold, though. It's Australian made, marked on the cap, just above the gold band, and on the nib.

 

Any insights would be appreaciated.

[southpaw]

Excellent review! Thanks - we need to see more vintage pen reviews around here (of course, I guess I should "practice what I preach and write one or two).

[Maja]

I'm a little (well, more than a little!) late in replying...but thank you so much for the excellent review, Univer!

I always enjoy reading your posts and I greatly appreciate you taking the time to review a lesser-known vintage pen model.

 

Cheers,

~Maja

Edited November 10, 2006 by Maja

[Nellie]

Just want to add that I have the regular steel-nibbed Cadet and that it is well worth buying, too, for people who do not like flexy nibs. I have the F1 fine point 'nail' pen in sage green and it's one of my best writers.

[diplomat]

Ciao John,

 

thank you for this detailed and well illustrated review. I stumbled on it while searching informations around a newly acquired Sheaffer's TD 23-nibbed pen.

 

I am using this pen right now and i was surprised by the flexybility of the nib itself, so I made a search to see if the 23 mark was a synonym for flexy. As you mention, it's pretty uncommon to find flex Sheaffer's nibs, so this is a good surprise indeed (I was bidding for a described "Snorkel Admiral"...). My point is more an extra fine when no pressure is applied.

 

Other differences are those already highlited by pigpogm: mine it's an Australian made green model with a black section and a wider band than yours.

Now, I would be very curious to find out if the wider band is because of the different production location or because of a different model (we know Sheaffer's was keen on keeping different model names for even small differences between the trim of the pens).

• 
   
  
• For the records the nib reads: Sheaffer'S / Australia / 14k / 23;
  
• Barrel imprint: Made in Australia / W.A. Sheaffer Pen Co
  

 

I am going to link the images from the original auction site.

 

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/968/cadet23body.jpg

 

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/1535/cadet23nib.jpg

 

One more question: what's the difference between simple TDs and tip dip TDs? the front face of the feed as a circular hole that is filled but for a tiny triangular part.

 

Cheers and thank you again for reviewing this pen back in 2006!

 

Ciao, Andre

[nvbrennan]

The tip-dips were meant to be a slightly less messy filling mechanism (sort of half way between td and snorkel) because they only require you to immerse the 'tip' of the nib (ie up to that triangular hole) in the ink rather than the TD's which required you to immerse up to the section. I have to admit that although it sounds like a small difference it does actually make things quite a lot cleaner and I think is a rather nice half-way house, not as many moving parts as the snorkel but also quite clean. I have two Cadet 23s in a fine and what looks like a broad but both need resaccing, lovely pens though and quite underated (both are Aussies so I wonder whether there was a longer run in Australia than in the US on these),

 

Nick

[dizzypen]

I have a Cadet also, but not with the gold trim and nib. Mine is the much cheaper steel nibbed pen. Even still, I have to say that I love this pen. I also love the Tip Dip filling mechanism. It's too bad they didn't use this system more widely.

[nvbrennan]

The second cadet 23 I got recently and haven't really looked at properly yet but noticed on a quick inspection that it isn't a tip-dip pen. Funny I thought that was one of the sine-qua-non's of this pen?

[lovemy51]

Just want to add that I have the regular steel-nibbed Cadet and that it is well worth buying, too, for people who do not like flexy nibs. I have the F1 fine point 'nail' pen in sage green and it's one of my best writers. <!--emo&--><img src='https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->

 

since the thread got revived... might as well add that i love mine. i also have the sage green inked with diamine amber. awesome inexpensive sheaffer!!!

[encre]

Great review and interesting background, I like the burgundy/brown colour. I wonder if all '23 nibs have a bit of soft flex?

[georges zaslavsky]

nice review thanks for sharing

[Ernst Bitterman]

I wonder if all '23 nibs have a bit of soft flex?

 

My Crazy Canadian Cadet is pretty darn firm-- much more so than a Snorkel Admiral or two I've had in hand. Of course, it's got a 33 rather than a 23 point, but it's also clearly meant as a means of downed pilots attracting a helicopter, so perhaps the firmer point was intended for self-defence.

http://dirck.delint.ca/Sheaffer%20Cadet.jpg

Edited October 9, 2009 by Ernst Bitterman

[WillSW]

I love the Sheaffer cheapies from the 50's and 60's, I'm glad they're not offered more often or I wouldn't be able to resist.

[xena]

Just got a Sheaffer Cadet, awesome pen. Love it

[Hugh200au]

Nice review, Univer.

 

I've got something very similar to a Cadet 23 - I'd love to know if anyone has any better ideas of what it might be.

 

Differences with the one I have...

 

* Cap band is wider than pictured Cadet 23s.

* Section is black on a blue pen - not body-matched.

* Nib is marked "52", not "23".

 

The nib certainly shows the kind of flex that Univer describes - very nice line variation.

 

I'm assuming it's a Cadet, because it's a tip-dip, and the construction just feels cheaper than the other snorkels and touchdowns I've had. The clip, for example, isn't sprung. The nib is 14k gold, though. It's Australian made, marked on the cap, just above the gold band, and on the nib.

 

Any insights would be appreaciated.

 

I'm of the opinion it goes by the rather unassuming name of "Craftsman 52". These must have been closely related to the Cadet as the instructions I've seen cover both pens. Being Australian made is an added bonus!!

 

Regards

Hugh

[easyrider]

I have an opportunity to purchase a Sheaffer with the 14k gold nib and marked 23. It is a maroon color. Can you give me a price range that I should pay and are there things to look for before purchasing? I am very new at this and I find the subject of pens and their variety and subtle differences fascinating. Please forgive me if I don't use the right name for an item or if I don't ask the right questions, but I am loving this learning process. Thanks for making this information available and a forum where I can ask these questions. Also, is there a place on this forum that can school me in the different types of pens and what makes them different? Thanks!

[pvector]

I have recently bumped into an antique store that has both cadets, but they are in a somewhat sorry condition. Is 15 dollars for a cadet 23 or a cadet worth it?

[Pen Is Mightier]

I have recently bumped into an antique store that has both cadets, but they are in a somewhat sorry condition. Is 15 dollars for a cadet 23 or a cadet worth it?

It depends, if there are any cracks on the pen then no. If you can buy them for this price I would as they are good tough pens, and generally easy and cheap to repair.