I was browsing around in a gift store and suddenly spotted several matt-red pens that looked a lot like slim Targas. Their clips all bore a stylised 'S' so I initially though they were Sailor pens but when the salesgirl handed over one, I immediately saw 'Sheaffer' and 'Made in Japan'!

Were there really such Sheaffers? They did not have inlaid nibs like the Targas but instead had gold-plated nibs that looked a lot like the nibs on older Sailors and Pilots. The pens, though slim, were quite heavy and pleasant to hold...maybe I'll get one...hmm...

Like this one? I do not know the model name, but the nib is a golden (don't think even gold) plated pleasant nib. They come marked as F-4, M-4, etc for size purposes, I think. Cartridge/c non included pen. I don't have one but I've seen them and look like good daily workhorses.

Hi,

You might want to have a look at this thread. There's some useful information there.

In this instance, I reckon the "S" on the clip stands for both Sheaffer and Sailor. The pen is a nice writer, as are most Sailors (and Sheaffers, for that matter). The resemblance to the slim Targa is more than skin deep: like the slim Targa, this pen takes the out-of-production - and rather scarce - slim Sheaffer cartridge/converter. I have been told reliably that the Monteverde mini converter, sold by Pendemonium, is a good substitute.

Cheers,

Jon

Thank you Univer, very useful, the info and the link to your previous thread. So they are Sailor Sheaffers. Coolpenz (no affiliation disclaimer, etc., is selling one right now at the Marketplace. I was wondering what it was. Not too keen on fine nibs, but is always interesting to know.

One pen dealer told me that the present-day Javelin is a Sailor product? Anybody know if that's true?

Dave

Hi Dave,

First I've heard of that...good question.

Does anyone know offhand - is the Javelin a pre- or post-BIC design? If the latter, I find it interesting (nothing more than that, but interesting) that BIC sought out a Sheaffer partner from the prior regime to manufacture the pen. Maybe the confidentiality agreements, etc., were already in place, so that was the path of least resistance.

Cheers,

Jon

Hi,

Sheaffer and Sailor had a partnership before in Japan. Some Sailor ballpoints even take Sheaffer refills.

Dillon

AFIAK Sheaffer terminated their partnership with Sailor in late 80s or early 90's.

Really interesting stuff! I also noticed that there was a single box of old, slim Sailor cartridges as well as some slim Sheaffer cartridges in the counter. Thats explains a lot.

Hmm...wonder if I should buy one just for fun?

If you like fine nibs and the price is reasonable, don't doubt it. Grab a couple converters, too.

Speerbob wrote about the (Japanese) Sheaffer Sentinel on the Zoss List a few years ago: http://listarchive.consultech.net/ZossPens...ex.cgi?0::24541

The link to the photos is long-gone, but I saved the images Bob (Speerbob) linked to, on my computer. His Sentinal looks exactly like Ondina's except it is stainless steel with chrome trim and a steel nib.

I don't have any Japanese Sheaffers myself, but given the quality of Sailor's nibs and the fact that I am a Sheaffer fan, I should probably try to acquire one sometime

Sailor did more than just low-end pens for Sheaffer during their partnership. They even produced a Maki-e version of the Targa, as can be seen at the following link:

http://www.sheaffertarga.com/maki-e%20pencil.html

Interesting, no?

-Cheers

The current (soon to be ax'd completely) Javelin is made in Japan. I believe they were the only company
that could create the rubberized texture on the barrel.

Dmac

Oooh...I wonder if the older Javelins in the translucent finishes were made in Japan. I picked up a few recently and their nibs are definitely smoother than my other lower-end Sheaffers.

Wonder if Sailor makes the nibs though. Some have reported here that the QC varies.

The Award also has a rubberised grip. Does anyone know if that's made in Japan too?

Dave[/quote]

The current (soon to be ax'd completely) Javelin is made in Japan. I believe they were the only company
that could create the rubberized texture on the barrel.

Dmac
[/quote]

The rubberised texture on the barrel seems to be just a bit of rubber tubing - it stretches and comes loose with time. I've taken one off and cut some off to try and make it fit better.

Hi, Here's what I know. The pen in the photo is a Sentinal. The "S" on the clip was used for a bit when Textron owned Sheaffer. The "S" was used on other Sheaffers during the Textron years. Every Sentinal like this that I have seen had the "S" and not the white dot. The Sentinal was made by Sailor for Sheaffer. Sailor and Sheaffer go back to after WW2 when Sheaffer helped out Sailor after the war. They really never did much co-development except this Sentinal and some other small projects. The Sentinal is the same pen as the Sailor Hi-Ace. The Hi-Ace just had a different clip and takes a Sailor vice a Sheaffer cartridge. It also says Sailor on the cap and nib instead of Sheaffer. I think I have a Hi-Ace someplace still. Sailor made them up to just 3-4 years ago. Sheaffer stopped selling the Sentinal in the 1990's I think. They may have sold it in Japan and Asia after they stopped in the USA. Hope this helps. Cheers, BOB

PS: I don't know about the Javalin, but it very well might be a Sailor product.