Warming Up To The Connaisseur

[Manalto]

A quick search tells me the Connaisseur hasn't been a topic for a while here. (Spelling variations, maybe?) The size of the humble No Nonsense is comfortable for me (and the italic nibs are fun), so have been on the lookout for a Connaisseur which it loosely resembles, with obvious improvements. I recently made a gamble buy on eBay and got one for $80 (not the Grand). It's not without its problems. The cap ring was loose; I glued it in place. White Dot was missing; ordered one from Robert at Memphis Pen Shop. There must be a slight warp in the cap because when closing the pen, I encounter a snug fit before it reaches the threads. At this point I'm wondering if I should have glued that cap ring in place (maybe someone could do the eyeglass shop thing - plunge the cap in hot sand and correct the warp?) and, if I made a wise buy.

 

There was a dried-up cartridge still connected. I removed it, soaked the nib and washed out the cartridge. Impatient to try it out, (what if it were a lousy, scratchy writer on top of all its other problems?) I only soaked it for a few hours. I filled the cartridge with Noodler's 'Antietam' and plugged it in. Pretty nice, the Antietam contaminated by the black-ink residue, but not a big deal. Now that it's sat overnight, the ink is a color I'd name Scab (were I foolish enough to market such a ghoulish hue) and the 18K nib rivals any pen I've tried; its characteristics are nearly identical to my Pelikan 800. Rigid, perfect medium-wet flow and silky smooth with a whisper of feedback. This is a terrific writer on a handsome but unremarkable pen. It's my understanding that the NN or Balance II will fit this pen - but who would want to?

Edited December 24, 2015 by Manalto

[Calamus plasticus]

This pen is an elegant workhorse: I use mine a lot and I am happy with it.

[corgicoupe]

I'd never heard of this pen until day before yestrerday, when I spotted it NIB on the shelf in an antique store. I noticed the *incorrect* spelling of Connaisseur, and thought it might be a fake. I did some searching that evening and decided it was legit and returned yesterday to purchase it. Even got a small discount that covered the Atlanta sales tax. It had apparently never been inked, as flushing the converter produced clear water. The unopened box of 5 cartridges were, surprisingly, only half full. Where did that ink go? This one is the 1st series from 1986, with the plastic body and the monochrome 18K gold nib, and Sheaffer's & USA engraved on the cap band . No size mark on the nib, but I think it's a medium.

 

Agreeing with Manalto, it is very similar to my Pelikan 800 in size. Length capped and posted is identical at 5.5" & 6.5", but it has less barrel girth...0.475" compared to 0.525". My Pelikan has a fine nib, but the Sheaffer writes equally well, in my inexperienced opinion.

 

I have a Parker Centennial, 1992 LE, and a new Aurora TU, both of which are just a bit shorter and slimmer, but I would say they all are an equal pleasure to write with. (Keep in mind that I am a neophyte with limited experience.) But, for less than $100, it is a great pen?

Edited December 25, 2015 by corgicoupe

[corgicoupe]

I just read that the first edition has Sheaffer's engraved on the clip, and the second edition on the cap band, so mine must be the second edition from 1988?

[Manalto]

This one is the 1st series from 1986, with the plastic body and the monochrome 18K gold nib, and Sheaffer's & USA engraved on the cap band . No size mark on the nib, but I think it's a medium.

 

Others will know better than I but I think the first series had Sheaffer on the clip and a blank cap band.

 

ETA: Simultaneous posts; yes, I think so. It's the same as mine (but yours sounds in better shape.)

 

Congratulations on finding one of those No Nonsense in a tux.

Edited December 25, 2015 by Manalto

[kernando]

The cap fit is a good thing.

[corgicoupe]

Others will know better than I but I think the first series had Sheaffer on the clip and a blank cap band.

 

ETA: Simultaneous posts; yes, I think so. It's the same as mine (but yours sounds in better shape.)

 

Congratulations on finding one of those No Nonsense in a tux.

It writes very smoothly with the Parker Sapphire ink. The nib is the broadest I have and it forces me to write larger than I usually do. And it seems I got it for a good price. I'll try another ink after this one is empty. I may require a dryer ink for my style.

[Manalto]

The cap fit is a good thing.

 

I'm not sure what you mean.

 

It writes very smoothly with the Parker Sapphire ink. The nib is the broadest I have and it forces me to write larger than I usually do. And it seems I got it for a good price. I'll try another ink after this one is empty. I may require a dryer ink for my style.

 

Or you could develop a style for broad, wet nibs. Don't you find getting out of your comfort zone once in a while informs and improves performance within your comfort zone?

[FredRydr]

The unopened box of 5 cartridges were, surprisingly, only half full. Where did that ink go?

 

Magic.

 

Fred

[kernando]

It's not a bad thing. It's normal. It's supposed to do that.

[Manalto]

No kidding (It was the third sentence that conveyed the idea that this is how the pen is designed; the others could be interpreted as individual opinion). White dot has been glued into position; I'm good to go, Antietam Scab and all.

[PAKMAN]

Mine is one of the Levenger Seas series and I love it! Wonderful size and a great writer!

[Freddy]

 

Others will know better than I but I think the first series had Sheaffer on the clip and a blank cap band.

 

 

 

 

Great article in the Pennant, The Sheaffer Connaisseur by Dennis Bowden {rip}

Enjoy.

http://www.parkvillepen.com/images/sheaffer/connaisseurarticle/connaisseur1.pdf

http://www.parkvillepen.com/images/sheaffer/connaisseurarticle/connaisseur2.pdf

 

Fred

I gave a young couple tickets to see Duchess at the Jazz Standard,

E. 27th St NY,NY........{bigfreakinhappysmileyfacetimethingie}

[corgicoupe]

 

I'm not sure what you mean.

 

 

Or you could develop a style for broad, wet nibs. Don't you find getting out of your comfort zone once in a while informs and improves performance within your comfort zone?

I will soon discover whether this is true. I just ordered an Esterbrook with a 9968 Broad nib. I'm sure I'll have to write larger.

[corgicoupe]

 

 

Great article in the Pennant, The Sheaffer Connaisseur by Dennis Bowden {rip}

Enjoy.

http://www.parkvillepen.com/images/sheaffer/connaisseurarticle/connaisseur1.pdf

http://www.parkvillepen.com/images/sheaffer/connaisseurarticle/connaisseur2.pdf

 

Fred

I gave a young couple tickets to see Duchess at the Jazz Standard,

E. 27th St NY,NY........{bigfreakinhappysmileyfacetimethingie}

According to the 1st PDF, my 2nd edition pen has the Type III cap, so it is 1989 or later.

[Pincel]

According to the 1st PDF, my 2nd edition pen has the Type III cap, so it is 1989 or later.

 

...and your second edition Connie will accept all writing sections (nibs) of the series including the those exclusive for the Grande Connaisseurs . No problem also using sections made for Balance II and the NoNonsense. You got all of them covered.

Edited December 31, 2015 by Haribon

[corgicoupe]

And the obvious question is, where to look for all these nibs?

[mitto]

... in the wild.

[corgicoupe]

The few that I've seen are priced more than what I paid for the pen.

[Manalto]

Clearly, you have to start paying more for pens.