Any Help For A Sheaffer Ignoramus..?

[missuslovett]

I have what I think is a Canadian Sheaffer Balance. It has a firm 5-30 medium 14k nib and some hard to read bibble about Toronto on the side. I think it's a Balance but should it have a white dot (it doesn't)? What is the significance of the white dot? Why is the sky blue..??

 

Even though I'm a flex slut and this is firm, it's a lovely pen to hold. Comfortable and well named (if indeed it is so...). Where might I look for flex nibs in Sheaffers? The combination seems drool-worthy.

 

 

I'm very much a Sheaffer newbie and will happily snaffle any information you can spare.Sorry about the rubbish pictures.

 

 

 

[jar]

The White Dot was only found on Sheaffer's top of the line pens and at that time would have had a "Lifetime" imprint nib.

 

Nib on right:

http://www.fototime.com/EDC78A0FE2AB101/medium800.jpg

 

What you have is a Balance from the next step down, still a top tier pen with the Sheaffer name and very high quality.

 

Sheaffer had other ranges that sold under different brand names like "WASP" (Walter A Sheaffer Pen).

[kirchh]

I have what I think is a Canadian Sheaffer Balance. It has a firm 5-30 medium 14k nib and some hard to read bibble about Toronto on the side. I think it's a Balance but should it have a white dot (it doesn't)? What is the significance of the white dot? Why is the sky blue..??

 

At the time, the White Dot indicated a Lifetime pen, which had a lifetime guarantee that covered even accidental damage. Your pen was a somewhat less-expensive model with a more modest guarantee; it was only guaranteed against defects.

 

Even though I'm a flex slut and this is firm, it's a lovely pen to hold. Comfortable and well named (if indeed it is so...). Where might I look for flex nibs in Sheaffers? The combination seems drool-worthy.

 

Well, all the usual places; eBay, pen dealers' sites, pen shows, pen board classifieds...

 

--Daniel

[missuslovett]

Ah, the white dot explained. Thank you. And it's a testament to the quality of Sheaffer as a marque that even their 'lower tier' pens remain in 1st class working order after 80 years hard scribbling.

[pen lady]

I think your pen is from the early 30's, maybe 1933, judging by the clip design and the colour is "Marine Green". You might come across a flexible Sheaffer nib, but they are a bit hard to find. Sheaffer, on the whole, were not known for their "flexies", but, stranger things have happened. Sheaffer's Canadian factory was in Toronto for many years then in the 50's (?) they moved production to Goderich Ontario on the shores of Lake Huron. They are, of course, no longer there.

[missuslovett]

I think your pen is from the early 30's, maybe 1933, judging by the clip design and the colour is "Marine Green". You might come across a flexible Sheaffer nib, but they are a bit hard to find. Sheaffer, on the whole, were not known for their "flexies", but, stranger things have happened. Sheaffer's Canadian factory was in Toronto for many years then in the 50's (?) they moved production to Goderich Ontario on the shores of Lake Huron. They are, of course, no longer there.

 

 

That's great info, thanks. I have gained the impression that Sheaffer didn't concentrate too much on flex. It scarcely matters really as that streamlined design takes to the hand so readily, they're a joy to use. Saying that, I haven't had a chance to put it through it's proper paces yet because my husband's snaffled it - "Ooooo, this is nice!". I think I may be lucky to see it again!