Hi all. I read about the snorkel and have fallen in love. Sadly, I have not had much luck with winning any eBay auctions lately... but I'm going to persevere.

I have a few questions about them. Now, I've read the page at Penhero (http://www.penhero.com/PenGallery/Sheaffer/SheafferSnorkel.htm) and that's where I've gotten most of my information that I know so far.

Nibs: Until just today, I thought all the Triumph (closed) nibs (all white dot models, right?) were super firm just by design, suitable for carbon copies, even. However, today I read in this very forum about super flexy triumph nibs. How do I know what I'm buying? I'm not so sure I'm ready for a flexy nib yet. I've only had my first pen (Waterman Harmonie) for about six to eight months, and want to work my way up slowly. It'd be awesome to find one with a super super firm nib.

Bodies: what if there is someone's name engraved on the barrel and I want to get rid of it? Is that possible? How difficult would it be to buff some engraving out? Whatever I get, I will be looking for someone who restores Snorkels and has a turnaround time of a month or less. I'd rather have it fully looked over and cleaned/buffed before I try using it.

Thanks, everyone.

EDIT: Okay, even though I must stink at searching, by browsing and clicking on posts, I did find what may be the definitive answer to my nib question. dcjacobson said in the "Vintage Sheaffer Nibs" thread:



I guess I will make sure there is an incised line if I want a stiff nib. I can always get a more flexible nib (relatively speaking) with the open nibs on the non white dot models.

Still would like to know about the barrel engraving, though.

OK, first question - if you are buying at random on ebay you will get a stiff nib. If you don't you are just very, very lucky. Seriously, I wouldn't begin to worry that I could remotely get a flexy snork - just isn't going to happen.

If you don't want a name engraved don't buy those. Generally, you can't take the name out without a great deal of risk or damage and there are plenty of unengraved examples so just buy one of those. Again, not really a problem here.

Good luck, used to be super cheap and easy to get a snork - might cost a few dollars more today.

Roger W.

Thanks, Roger. Yeah, they're getting up there in price, sadly. What prompted my questions is that there's a nice two-set auction up right now, but one of them has the barrel engraved with someone's name. Would likely irritate me for some odd reason, mostly because my name isn't Leslie. But, I can't completely push it from my mind, simply because the pens seem unused, and the seller said the one with the Triumph nib (sadly the one that is engraved) is taking in and expelling water like a pro, though the other one doesn't.

How do most collectors feel about engraved pens? Does it add to the charm of a vintage pen for them? Or just the opposite?

Engraving just depends. Early engraving - 1920's or before - is usually very well done. Snorkel period engraving is usually quite bad unless it is the engraving on an autograph model. They auction snorkels all of the time so you should find one within a few weeks that suites you. I know, that is easily said from someone that owns 60 of them not counting desk set model snorkels. They are easy to repair if you like to tinker, they just take a little time and you need a sac and silicon and the proper gaskets - OK you can send it out but that does make it more costly.

Roger W.

As you've read, most all Snorkels nibs are the really firm ones. Comes from the time they were made and the need to write hard enough to get through many carbon copies. Finding a flexible snorkel would be unusual.

I personally enjoy someone's name on my pen. My opinion is that I can get it cheaper on ebay cuz less people bid, besides I just think it's nice. I like signed used books too. Someone else must tell you how hard it is to get out.

Do a search for repairers, restorers. Found one I liked then one time won an auction of a couple Sheaffers that needed new sacs. Had the seller send them straight to the repair person. No reason to come to my house then get shipped to the repair shop.

Another thought is to watch the Marketplace or go to websites of restorers and buy a fixed Snorkel. It's restored, nib in good shape and you know what nib it is... Fine, XF, Med. Sometimes the eBay seller doesn't know. After wining and fixing a number of pens, with the shipping back and forth, repair... think I'd come out ahead buying a fixed one. You don't have to buy a mint condition pen for using daily. Ask the restorers if they have some daily users. You might find something you really like. I have.

Oh, from my unofficial sample of Snorkels, the silver nibs one are great writers and cheaper than the two tone.

Think I will just need to be patient then and wait. Oh, the agony...

I've been going through google over the last few days, looking for restorers that sell online. But when I get there, if they have any snorkels, they are already sold. I'll keep looking.

And thanks for the tip about the silver nibs. I do like the look of the two tone, but I bet everyone else does, too. I want a good daily writer, so I will certainly take all this into account when shopping.

Thank you both.

i might have a few

d

Woohoo! I tell ya, it's raining snorkels now! Awesome! Ask and ye shall receive.

I got one from the classified's forum here, I got a near mint restored still tagged pen pencil set from Pendemonium Midnight Madness last night, and now I see one of the non w/d open nibbed ones on your site I want.

Thanks for the post! And thanks for everyone's guidance and advice here. I decided in the end it wasn't worth playing hit or miss on ebay unless it said "restored", so I've been looking only for pens that have been restored, figuring in the end the slightly higher price was worth it.

I look at it like this. Is it about the price I'd pay for a brand new current era pen and is it not looking significantly more expensive than other like specifmens? If yes, I'll go ahead and get it. One from your site, David, should fit my bill and quell my desire. Thanks again! Expect an email from me via your site soon.

Congratulations on these. I only have two snorkels, but I plan to increase my collection. Vintage Sheaffers write great, and the snorkel filling system is spectacular!

Thanks! I can't wait to get them in the mail and ink them up.

Martin Ferguson also sells restored Snorkels, as well as restoring them and selling parts for fixing them. He doesn't take PayPal, though, so the buying experience will take a little longer than buying from someone like Dr. Isaacson.

Oh, and when the Snorkels reach you, don't forget that when filling, you're supposed to extend the Touchdown tube with the pen completely out of the ink.

-Mike

Martin does very nice work. Well worth giving his website a peek.

regards

david

Hey, it is nice to know that I am not the only one who loves snorkels... they are so fun...

I am an user too. I love writing with them and trying different inks.


When I buy in ebay I use http://www.ezsniper.com/ so I can control the money I spend.