I am in the market for a new fountain pen. I currently have four Cross fountian pens, all extra fine point. Each pen is for a different color ink, as I need to use differnt colors for different reasons at my office.

I have been looking to get a Sheafer fountain pen, in fine point. I am down to two choices, the Valor and the Legacy. I was wondering what are the pros and cons of each?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

I've got a Legacy - the first model with the touchdown converter, and I really like it that I can fill the pen without unscrewing the barrel (while still being able to use cartridges when I feel like it). The Legacy Heritage and Valor do not offer this option. The pen is great in every other way too (classic PFM-look, good weight, nice, soft 18K nib and so on), but I'm afraid I cannot help you a lot, as I've never even held a Valor and hence cannot do a comparison. Maybe you can have a look at Jim Mamoulides' site (if you haven't done so already). He has done reviews of both pens.
I guess you cannot go wrong with either pen
Nellie

I have the Legacy and it's a fairly decent pen. Mine has an extra fine nib which writes toothily. It delivers a reasonable flow of ink. Since I prefer to write with cartridges it is a little difficult to unscrew the barrel since it must be air tight for its touchdown filling mechanism to work. However, if you prefer to fill from a bottle that is a viable option. I have seen and held the Valor at pen shows and I can tell that the quality of the workmanship is quite high. It is a lighter, longer, thinner pen than the Legacy. If I had to choose I'd take the Valor.

I like my Legacy better - the snap on cap and I like the fact that it's metal. The Valor is a really big pen but as mentioned it's very well constructed.

I have 5 (maybe 6 Legacys) which I enjoy using, I don't own a Valor, but have tried them out in shops a few times, to be honest I have never really been tempted to buy one, I am not convinced by the looks especially the cap and it felt a bit lightweight and unbalanced when I wrote.

Difficult really to judge what it might write like after just a few lines, but somehow didn't feel right.

I suggest that if possible you try both and then decide, by the way the current Legacy no longer has the Touchdown filler, so if you like this feature you will have to go for one of the older versions.

Andy

I have a couple of Legacy pens, but to be frank, I've never really taken to them. I find them bulky, heavy, and awkward to use. I finally bought a Valor and really like it. It's lighter, more streamlined, and more comfortable. For some reason, it also writes better, but that may just be the luck of the draw vis a vis the inlaid nib. I don't think the nibs are different, pr at least not very different, though the pens are.

If you like thick, heavy, metal pens, the Legacy is for you. If you prefer something lighter and thinner, then go for the Valor.

Interestingly enough, if you put the Legacy and the Valor on a scale, they weigh almost exactly the same.

Cheers,

Jim Mamoulides
www.PenHero.com

I've got both and the Valor is my preferred pen by far. Here's why.

The so-called TD filler on the Legacy is just a gimickey c/c filler imho, so might as well have a regular one, but each to his own. It's also harder to get the Legacy converter full. The Legacy and Valor are both well made pens. The Legacy is a heavy pen, the Valor is light by comparison, especially without the cap. It's a matter of personal preference, but the Valor is much better feeling in my hand. The inlaid nibs on both are superb - typical Sheaffer excellence. As to style, the Legacy is clearly a tribute to the legendary PFM. It's up to individual tastes as to how well. The Valor is out there all on it's own and, imho, is a nice breath of fresh air. I like it.

Here are some quick and dirty side-by-side shots.








Hope this helps,
Michael

Have you considered the older Sheaffer pens?

Sheaffer Snorkels were made in a variety of colors, so one could conceivably load blue ink into a blue Snorkel, black ink into a black Snorkel, etc. However, Snorkels were made in the late 1950's, and are considered vintage pens. Also, some colors, such as red, are quite expensive. But the more common colors can be purchased, fully restored, for less than $100 --- a lot cheaper than a Valor.

More info on Snorkels is available at PenHero.

I'm sure other posters can recommend good sources for restored Snorkels.

-Mike

I hear that the LegacyI have a plastic version, is that true? If it is, then we have a well weight and interesting-filling pen.

The Valor would be perfect for me, if they had executed the section threads like on the old TM pens. Or if they would have made it a slip cap.

Just a quick comment or two on the Valor's threads. The cap unscrews smooth in a quite reasonable 1 1/4 turns - not forever like some. Also, they are not sharp. I have a high grip and often end up griping on threads. They are very well executed, imho.

I don't have a Valor but have several Legacy pens that I enjoy using. They are, as noted, rather heavy. For day to day usage, I prefer a Targa though enjoy both Targas and Legacy's. My Legacy pens are well made and well designed.

I much prefer the Legacy to the Valor for the simple reason that the Valor's section is too narrow for me to grip comfortably, whereas the Legacy's section fits my grip quite well.

I am in the same boat as you, Charlie. As I grow older, my old service connected injury has caused arthritis in the thumb of my writing hand, and I have had to look at pens with larger diameters. Pelikan M-600's and even M-400's are okay for me for limited use with their "tube" shaped barrels and sections. But the Valor has a significant taper at the section that is very uncomfortable for me. The Legacy, on the other hand, has a girth that suits me very well. The extra weight does not bother me.

I also have a wonderful stub nib on my Legacy that is more like an Italic nib. Does the Valor even have a stub nib option?

I have solved my problem, I will get both. Start with a Legacy Heritage, and than follow up with the Valor. You can never have enough fountain pens anyway. I have a preference for black and gold pens, so the Legacy Heritage in brushed gold and the Valor in Black with gold trim. Both fine point nibs, as I tend to write small, typical for engineers.

The two pens will go well with my two black and gold Cross pens, one matt finish and one gloss. My other colored pens will remain office pens for office use only.

Thanks for everyones input.

Dave

kaos wrote:

"I have solved my problem, I will get both. ... "

Ah, you are a man after my own heart! Have fun!

For some of the reasons above, and mainly because I really dig the styling and the way it fit in my hand, I'm a fan of the heritage over the Valor. I'm also fond of this particular pen, as it has had some Binder-mojo put on it to make it a beautiful italic nib as well.

Greetings from the land of Jim Mamoulides!

Brent
Click to view attachment

One of each?

A sensible conclusion!

Well, my Legacy Heritage is on the way, my Valentine's Day gift to myself from my wife. Fine Point in brushed gold finish. My personal pen collection consists only of black and gold pens, my favorite combination. Will order the Valor next, think my one year old son will buy it for me as a father's day gift.