Sheaffer Balance Ii

[deherrerajames]

What are your thoughts about Sheaffer Balance II pens from the 1990's.

[Gojira]

Some of them came in rather attractive finishes, like the Cobalt Glow and Aspen. But I honestly don't really find them to be very interesting in use and they do have a reputation for being rather fragile. However, I think this only applies to models in the marbled finishes, not the plain ones. My Amber Glow came with a notch on the cap lip and it's clearly visible that the material used is on the thin side.

 

For the money I'd prefer taking some time to search for a decent vintage Balance. But I definitely would go for a modern Balance if it came with a factory stub nib.

[Glenn-SC]

I really like the Balance II design and I have collected all the colors.

They write very very well and I like the size, weight, shape, etc. etc.

 

The down side is that the "glow" colors do on occasion crack; typically at the clip mount.

I have had a Crimson Glow and a Tiger Eye both do this.

The Crimson was replaced under warrantee.

The parts for the Tiger Eye (as now all these pens) has long since been used up.

 

I sit have a set of "extra" Balance IIs that I use as writers (and a full set that I have saved.)

[jar]

I like the Balance II and with the issues mentioned above prefer the solid colored ones. I do think though that I like the modern Crest even more than the Balance II.

[nxn96]

I have one, Black with a RO nib. I don't use it very often, but find it a very smooth writer.

 

Hope this helps.

[Ray-Vigo]

I've found them to be rather large pens that are often fragile. I have had 4 of them, 2 of which cracked and one of which broke at the cap lip. Only the solid black roller ball remains. Their nibs are usually pretty good. The new Sheaffer refills that you would use for ballpoint/roller ball are poor. Monteverde was little better it seemed. I'd buy one if I found it as a fleamarket find, but I wouldn't pay full retail/collector price for one.

Edited June 7, 2012 by Ray-Vigo

[dannyboy]

I have the "set" of Balance II fountain pens and I love them for the range of colors and most importantly for the way they write. Great for daily use, very nicely balanced and dependable. In my set the Jade has cracked just above the cap lip--a significant crack that runs almost completely around the cap. Also my Tiger Eye has cracked--neither of these cracked during use but while in storage. Shame on Sheaffer for knowing the instability of these materials and yet going ahead and producing the pens in these unstable materials. So--you takes yer chances!

[andyk]

Hi,

 

As others have said nice pens but the patterned ones are a bit fragile, although I have had a plain BP crack in the same way. Great to write with, mine have all been smooth writers (I still have 2 that are uninked, just in case).

 

Andy

[Glenn-SC]

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j95/glenn-sc/SheafferBalanceIIs.jpg

 

You have to love those colors!

[davefoe]

I found the couple that I purchased to be rather scratchy. I didn't like the semi-flex nibs and the caps didn't stay on. Not my favorite pen.

 

Dave

[deherrerajames]

Thank you all for your comments and practical feedback. It appears no pun intended to be a "balance" between appearance, form and function. I really like the Balance II colors from an artistic perspective. But if one wants a workhorse pen built to last a Pelikan may be the ticket. Thanks again. --- Jim

[JeanManuel]

I have had mine for about 15 years. It is dark green and F or EF. Paid it about 60€ at that time. It was the most expensive pen I had ever bought. I didn't like it as much as my sheaffer "fashion deluxe".

But it's a great pen I still have it and I write my personal correspondence with it. Ah.. and I got an autograph from my fav. nobel prizer signed with this pen. He spent quite a while studying the pen, then my notebook.. before signing and smiling

[Clancy]

I've got a Balance II in the dark green and really love the pen. I bought it a few years back as NOS from 'ISell pens' with a broad nib which I have since had custom ground to a cursive italic. The size and weight of the pen are truly comfortable for long periods of writing. I use it for much of my correspondence.

[georges zaslavsky]

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j95/glenn-sc/SheafferBalanceIIs.jpg

 

You have to love those colors!

yes very nice collection glenn

[deherrerajames]

Some of them came in rather attractive finishes, like the Cobalt Glow and Aspen. But I honestly don't really find them to be very interesting in use and they do have a reputation for being rather fragile. However, I think this only applies to models in the marbled finishes, not the plain ones. My Amber Glow came with a notch on the cap lip and it's clearly visible that the material used is on the thin side.

 

For the money I'd prefer taking some time to search for a decent vintage Balance. But I definitely would go for a modern Balance if it came with a factory stub nib.

Thanks for the insight.

[deherrerajames]

I really like the Balance II design and I have collected all the colors.

They write very very well and I like the size, weight, shape, etc. etc.

 

The down side is that the "glow" colors do on occasion crack; typically at the clip mount.

I have had a Crimson Glow and a Tiger Eye both do this.

The Crimson was replaced under warrantee.

The parts for the Tiger Eye (as now all these pens) has long since been used up.

 

I sit have a set of "extra" Balance IIs that I use as writers (and a full set that I have saved.)

Did not know about the Clip Mount issues. Thanks for the comments.

[deherrerajames]

I like the Balance II and with the issues mentioned above prefer the solid colored ones. I do think though that I like the modern Crest even more than the Balance II.

Thanks will check out the Sheaffer Crest celluloid marbled pattern pens.

[deherrerajames]

I have one, Black with a RO nib. I don't use it very often, but find it a very smooth writer.

 

Hope this helps.

Thanks

[deherrerajames]

Hi,

 

As others have said nice pens but the patterned ones are a bit fragile, although I have had a plain BP crack in the same way. Great to write with, mine have all been smooth writers (I still have 2 that are uninked, just in case).

 

Andy

Thanks Andy and Cheers.

[deherrerajames]

I've found them to be rather large pens that are often fragile. I have had 4 of them, 2 of which cracked and one of which broke at the cap lip. Only the solid black roller ball remains. Their nibs are usually pretty good. The new Sheaffer refills that you would use for ballpoint/roller ball are poor. Monteverde was little better it seemed. I'd buy one if I found it as a fleamarket find, but I wouldn't pay full retail/collector price for one.

Thanks for the Monteverde alternative recommendation.