Hello all

I have lurked on these forums for a while and have finally joined as a member. This introduction is my first post.

While I do not currently use a fountain pen, recently I have been looking to purchase one which led me to this site while doing some online research. My current “main” every day pen is a Mont Blanc Meisterstück rollerball. I am looking for a fountain pen to use mostly for signatures and certain personal correspondence.

In the past I have used a variety of rather inexpensive fountain pens especially many years ago while in college. After spending some time reading the forums here I dug through a few boxes until I found the small collection of pens I used at that time. I was rather amused to find that the one pen I used the most appears to be much older than I thought it was at the time I was using it. It seems to be a 40’s era Sheaffer. I am certain it’s not valuable but seeing it does bring back a load of memories, especially of all those note books I filled using it.

While I do not consider that I will ever be a serious collector, I do foresee having a small assortment of good pens to choose from. Using the “right” pen has always been important to me, especially when it comes to important documents. Having a fountain pen or two to choose from will make certain “singings” all the more special.

I look forward to reading these forums and perhaps picking the brains of you far more experienced “FP” users.

~ Agatsu

Welcome!

You may find yourself using your fountain pens for more than just signings, though. Some will just pull you in, for just the pure joy of using them.

Your old Sheaffer sounds interesting. If it brings back good memories, all the more reason to smile when you pick it up.

Hello Agatsu. Welcome to FPN.

Greetings and welcome!

Welcome to FPN. Give it a little time, you'll find yourself using your fountain pens more and more.

Welcome!

I'd love to see pictures of all your old pens.

Welcome Agatsu. "a small assortment of pens... a fountain pen or two..." Hm. We'll see how long that lasts!

Thanks for the warm welcome all.

Hehe, I have to agree one hundred percent with those who have said I would find myself using a fountain pen more than my current rollerball. I’m not sure I expressed myself correctly in my original post. I probably should have said something more along these lines:

…While I currently use a rollerball as my main pen I find it lacks any sort of personal self expression. This is especially noticeable when writing my signature or writing personal correspondence. This is why I have decided to buy a fountain pen (or two)…

I am certain once I have a nice fountain pen I will find myself reaching for it for much more than just signatures or short personal notes.

Sailor Kenshin,
As far as pictures go, I’m sorry to say that I do not own any sort of digital camera so uploading a picture on here would be a long time in coming. However, after spending some time looking at various sites and examining the “collection” with a magnifying glass this is what I can currently tell you about my pens:

Parker “21” Black with a “chrome” top - no idea on year

Parker “51” Special, Maroon with a “chrome” top - no idea on year

Parker: this one has “Parker Vacumatic” stamped on the body of the pen - possibly from the 40’s? – What appears to be black and pearl horizontal stripes, it says "Parker" on the clip.

Sheaffer 1940’s? (’47 ?) ..possibly a Sheaffer Triumph Lifetime – it says Sheaffer’s Lifetime on the nib. Black and white vertical stripes- The following is stamped on the body: "W.A. Shaeffer Pen Co, Fort Madison Iowa U.S.A., Made In USA"

Sheaffer – it says “Feather Touch” on the nib – possibly from the 50’s? - maroon body and cap, with gold clip and gold band at the base of the cap, also say" Sheaffer's on the clip.

Each pen has the respective manufacturer’s name stamped on it, I’ve roughly dated them my comparing them to various pictures of similar pens I’ve found on the web. However, I do not claim to be an expert. I realise all the descriptions mean very little compared to photos, but I thought I'd add what I believe I know about them just for the fun of it.

I bought them all from one person at a flea market for twenty dollars about twenty years ago. Probably not a very good deal but they looked like fun at the time.
If you could see them you would cringe, they are all in rather sad shape.
The Sheaffer Lifetime is the pen I’ve used the most and is the one I refer to in my original post.

They sound cool. I have some older Sheaffers and Parkers that people gave to me. Most of 'em don't work either.

*should take some pics myself*

Try cleaning / buffing them, you will be surprised what can be achieved. Look around on Repair Q&A for tips on restoration.

Welcome to FPN, Agatsu!
sign up for pendemonium.com midnight madness and inky greetings emails. Sam and Frank list many pens for sale with cursive italic nibs and if you want to add some character to your writing, those will do it. Sam lives near the old Sheaffer factory and is quite knowledgable on all thing Sheaffer. Ask her about these pens of yours, she will surprise you. She posts here as pengoddess. She is incredible. I am a big fan of excellent customer service and pendemonium is the best. With Swisherpens as a close second.

I paid $100 for a Sheaffer Lifetime from the 40's with a two tone triumph nib. So don't count those Sheaffers as not valuable.

Welcome to FPN.