Sheaffer Connaisseur

[Easterner]

As I have mentioned in the Cross forum, I unearthed some of my pens today. One of them is a Sheaffer Connaisseur.

I would like to start using it again. Can I use the old cartridges, the old converter with new ink, or is it necessary to buy a new converter?

Since the pen was stored with ink in it, any problems with soaking the nib and converter in water?

What else should I do to put it back in rotation. Sounds great to say that! I have been using a new Pilot Plumix the last few days and enjoying it.

[jar]

Patience and soaking.

[Dennis B]

The Connaisseur is one of my favorite pens and I own many. Soak the nib and section good, maybe adding a little household ammonia to the water. Your old converter should be fine and I use old Sheaffer cartridges in my Connaisseurs all the time without any problems. I find the Connaisseur nibs to be better writers than newer Sheaffer nibs like the Balance II for example.

 

Just for fun, here's a pic of my Connaisseur collection.

 

Dennis B

 

http://www.parkvillepen.com/images/sheaffer/conncollection022009.jpg

[Easterner]

The Connaisseur is one of my favorite pens and I own many. Dennis B.

 

You sure do! That's like Warren Buffett's saying that he has a little disposable income.

Nice collection. Did not know there were so many different models.

I remember buying the pen from Staples around 1987. Another website says my Connaisseur is a Black 1st Edition made 1986 to 1988.

Well, I soaked it and exchanged the converter for an old Skrip cartridge in Jet Black. Seems to work fine. The old Skrip cartridges seem to have lost half their ink while the ones in the bottom of the Connaisseur box are sealed in a cellophane sleeve and are completely full.

I could not see any marking on the nib as to the size. There is a mark on the left side right next to the section but I can't make it out. The pen does write a very wet line. Seems to be a medium. By the way, I am having trouble reading or downloading the pdf files of your article. What can I do to access them?

Thanks.

Edited March 12, 2010 by Easterner

[Barry Gabay]

Good luck with your soaking. Ditto Dennis' observations. Although my collection is nowhere near as comprehensive as his, I own and use more than a dozen Grande Connaisseurs and fewer standard or Levenger Connaisseurs. The nibs on all styles of the Connaisseur and Grande Connaisseur pens are unmatched for smoothness and performance. I like to mix my own shades by combining Private Reserve, OMAS, Sheaffer, Montblanc, Waterman, Delta, et al inks. The old-style Sheaffer cartridges and a syringe allow for lots of ink variety with the Connaisseurs.

[Dennis B]

 

I could not see any marking on the nib as to the size.

By the way, I am having trouble reading or downloading the pdf files of your article. What can I do to access them?

Thanks.

 

The nib size markings were screened on the section in gold and wore off quickly. Sometimes catching the light just right you can still see the ghost image of what was there.

 

My Connaisseur articles should come up fine through these links using Firefox for sure.

 

Part 1

 

Part 2

 

Dennis B

[Skyppere]

Hey Dennis B.

 

In your photo you show one that seems to have a finish like the Targa laque "Grey Ronce." I've also see that in blue. Do you know how many other Targa finishes were also applied to the

Connaisseur? That is one gorgeous collection AND a terrific photo!

skyppere

Edited March 14, 2010 by Skyppere

[Dennis B]

Hey Dennis B.

 

In your photo you show one that seems to have a finish like the Targa laque "Grey Ronce." I've also see that in blue. Do you know how many other Targa finishes were also applied to the

Connaisseur? That is one gorgeous collection AND a terrific photo!

skyppere

 

Skyppere,

 

The Blue Ronce was a limited production of 10 FP/BP sets and the Gray Ronce was a prototype as far as I know. I do not know if there were any of the other Targa finishes were tried out on the Connaisseur.

 

Thanks,

 

Dennis

[Dennis B]

Hey Dennis B.

 

In your photo you show one that seems to have a finish like the Targa laque "Grey Ronce." I've also see that in blue. Do you know how many other Targa finishes were also applied to the

Connaisseur? That is one gorgeous collection AND a terrific photo!

skyppere

 

Skyppere,

 

The Blue Ronce was a limited production of 10 FP/BP sets and the Gray Ronce was a prototype as far as I know. I do not know if there were any of the other Targa finishes were tried out on the Connaisseur.

 

Thanks,

 

Dennis

[Easterner]

 

I could not see any marking on the nib as to the size.

By the way, I am having trouble reading or downloading the pdf files of your article. What can I do to access them?

Thanks.

 

The nib size markings were screened on the section in gold and wore off quickly. Sometimes catching the light just right you can still see the ghost image of what was there.

 

My Connaisseur articles should come up fine through these links using Firefox for sure.

 

Part 1

 

Part 2

 

Dennis B

 

 

Thanks for the links. Tried Firefox and IE but only downloads 368 KB and stops. The problem must be with my old computer. Time to build a new one. I will go to the library and read them there and perhaps pick up a book or two about fountain pens. This is starting to be a lot of fun and perhaps costly too!

[wide o pen spaces]

I could not see any marking on the nib as to the size.

By the way, I am having trouble reading or downloading the pdf files of your article. What can I do to access them?

Thanks.

 

The nib size markings were screened on the section in gold and wore off quickly. Sometimes catching the light just right you can still see the ghost image of what was there.

 

My Connaisseur articles should come up fine through these links using Firefox for sure.

 

Part 1

 

Part 2

 

Dennis B

 

 

Where on the gold was the size of the nib indicated?

Thanks,

Carol

[SkooterNB]

Dennis,

 

Absolutely love the desk set. What a beauty!

 

Nate

[Dennis B]

Where on the gold was the size of the nib indicated?

Thanks,

Carol

 

Carol,

 

The nib size was not stamped into the nib anywhere. The size marking was printed in gold on the back side of the section and quickly wore off with use. I'll get one out and shoot a photo and post it here.

 

Dennis B

 

Note how faint the marking is. (S=Stub)

http://www.parkvillepen.com/images/sheaffer/stubnibmarking.jpg

Edited April 13, 2010 by Dennis B

[wide o pen spaces]

Dennis,

 

Thank you for the picture, I appreciate it very much. I read your previous post too quickly and thought you were talking about the nib. I looked on the section of mine and the nib marking is completely worn off. I do think it's a medium, though. I found your articles about the Connaisseur very interesting and informative. I liked the detail you provided about distinguishing between the various editions of the pen. I purchased my Connaisseur at Seattle Pen in the late 90's and the salesperson said at the time that Sheaffer was discontinuing the line. It is one of my favorite pens because of the smooth nib.

 

Thanks again,

Carol

[Dennis B]

Dennis,

 

Thank you for the picture, I appreciate it very much. I read your previous post too quickly and thought you were talking about the nib. I looked on the section of mine and the nib marking is completely worn off. I do think it's a medium, though. I found your articles about the Connaisseur very interesting and informative. I liked the detail you provided about distinguishing between the various editions of the pen. I purchased my Connaisseur at Seattle Pen in the late 90's and the salesperson said at the time that Sheaffer was discontinuing the line. It is one of my favorite pens because of the smooth nib.

 

Thanks again,

Carol

 

Carol,

 

You're quite welcome and thanks for the compliment on my article. The Connaisseur has long been one of my favorite pens just because of what you said - the smooth nibs. I bought my first, a black FP/BP set at a Service Merchandise store in the Chicago western suburbs in 1988. I didn't know then what that would lead to.

 

Dennis B

Edited April 13, 2010 by Dennis B

[RUGMAN]

Hello,

I'm looking for a Connie, regular size or the large size. Since you have experience with them do you have any suggestions where I can find some? Writting with a BP Connie now!

Thanks,

LEE

 

The Connaisseur is one of my favorite pens and I own many. Soak the nib and section good, maybe adding a little household ammonia to the water. Your old converter should be fine and I use old Sheaffer cartridges in my Connaisseurs all the time without any problems. I find the Connaisseur nibs to be better writers than newer Sheaffer nibs like the Balance II for example.

 

Just for fun, here's a pic of my Connaisseur collection.

 

Dennis B

 

http://www.parkvillepen.com/images/sheaffer/conncollection022009.jpg

[Dennis B]

Hello,

I'm looking for a Connie, regular size or the large size. Since you have experience with them do you have any suggestions where I can find some? Writting with a BP Connie now!

Thanks,

LEE

 

Lee,

 

Actually all the Connaisseurs are the same size. The difference is in the materials. The Grand Connaisseurs are lacquered brass so quite a bit heavier. I can only suggest you watch here for one to come up for sale or check eBay as they do appear there fairly often. Really nice pens IMHO.

 

Dennis B

[pbhat]

Hello,

I'm looking for a Connie, regular size or the large size. Since you have experience with them do you have any suggestions where I can find some? Writting with a BP Connie now!

Thanks,

LEE

 

Lee,

 

Actually all the Connaisseurs are the same size. The difference is in the materials. The Grand Connaisseurs are lacquered brass so quite a bit heavier. I can only suggest you watch here for one to come up for sale or check eBay as they do appear there fairly often. Really nice pens IMHO.

 

Dennis B

Dear Dennis B,

What material is the regular Connaisseur made of and How much are they prone to scratches. This is in view of the pen not in production and whatever available in the wild may have some issues of usage.

pbhat

[Dennis B]

Dear Dennis B,

What material is the regular Connaisseur made of and How much are they prone to scratches. This is in view of the pen not in production and whatever available in the wild may have some issues of usage.

pbhat

 

The standard model Connaisseurs are made of some sort of plastic, typical for fountain pens, and over a period of time of use will develop micro marks as any plastic pen will in 15-25 years. It's not hard though to come up with a new or near new pen, but expect to pay more of course. Used ones will polish up quite well.

 

Dennis B

Edited May 5, 2010 by Dennis B

[pbhat]

Dear Dennis B,

What material is the regular Connaisseur made of and How much are they prone to scratches. This is in view of the pen not in production and whatever available in the wild may have some issues of usage.

pbhat

 

The standard model Connaisseurs are made of some sort of plastic, typical for fountain pens, and over a period of time of use will develop micro marks as any plastic pen will in 15-25 years. It's not hard though to come up with a new or near new pen, but expect to pay more of course. Used ones will polish up quite well.

 

Dennis B