Snorkel With Flex Nib

[jwynn9154]

I recently came into possession of a burgundy Crest with a flex nib -

 

It is a Triumph nib, monotone 14k gold, very flexy, with no markings other than the Sheaffer's imprint

 

I'd not seen reference to a monotone gold flex nib in a snorkel before - is this a true oddity or just a bit unusual pen?

 

Thanks,

 

Jim Wynn

Edited September 26, 2016 by jwynn9154

[AG_ORD]

Aloha Jwynn9154,

 

I have a similar Sheaffer. Are there any markings on the underside of nib? My is marked with the annotation "FX5". I believe the nib is monochrome because the palladium two tone plating does not hold up to flex action. From what I gather, the F designates flexible; X designates extra fine; 5 designates a Triumph nib.

 

I love mine as the X nib gives a nice hairline and the F portion gives a nice thick line on the down stroke. I need to be cognizant of making sure tines are parallel on the down stroke so I don't spring the tines. Also, I do need to make sure I go slow as the sharpness of nib sometimes catches on the upstroke, splattering ink, LOL!

 

Have fun with the pen; they are a joy to write with.

[FarmBoy]

Aloha Jwynn9154,

 

"FX5". I believe the nib is monochrome because the palladium two tone plating does not hold up to flex action.

I do not believe this statement is correct.

[3rdlakerobert]

Aloha Jwynn9154,

 

I have a similar Sheaffer. Are there any markings on the underside of nib? My is marked with the annotation "FX5". I believe the nib is monochrome because the palladium two tone plating does not hold up to flex action. From what I gather, the F designates flexible; X designates extra fine; 5 designates a Triumph nib.

 

I love mine as the X nib gives a nice hairline and the F portion gives a nice thick line on the down stroke. I need to be cognizant of making sure tines are parallel on the down stroke so I don't spring the tines. Also, I do need to make sure I go slow as the sharpness of nib sometimes catches on the upstroke, splattering ink, LOL!

 

Have fun with the pen; they are a joy to write with.

 

According to Richard Binder's site (see Reference Pages--Sheaffer Snorkel), "5" in the nib code indicates a two-tone Triumph nib, but I think going back to the 1930s, Sheaffer made flex nibs that looked like their Lifetime two-tone nibs but lacked a platinum mask. I've had a couple OS Balance pens with maskless flex nibs. OP's Snorkel flex nib is a little different from the Balance flex nibs I've had in that his has no inscribed line across the nib. In any case, the reason these flex nibs lacked a mask is a mystery to me.

[AG_ORD]

Aloha Robert111,

 

I like that term, "maskless", as that perfectly describes the Triumph nib I have! As Sheaffer made a bunch of different nib configurations, I am not surprised they double dipped on the Triumph designation.

[jwynn9154]

Mine does not have a nib type descriptor at all (i.e. no 'FX5' . . .)

 

Another interesting difference from the usual Triumph nib is that it is not upturned on the end at all.

 

Thanks to all for the informative info and feedback. My first flex nib and it is a SWEET writer

 

Jim