Please Advise - Sheaffer Oversize

[Denizzz]

Dear Friends and fellow hobby enthusiasts, would you be so kind to advise!

 

i am currently in a search of one Sheaffer vintage pen, but am not sure about which should i pick.

 

I like the size of the M800 Pelikan pens, and not smaller as in size as well and in girth, the grip section should be very similar in girth.

 

I am fond of Lifetime nibs, especially triumph ones, but would definitely like the normal lifetime ones.

 

Please advise regarding the filling system. i want to choose between vac and the lever filler.

 

Thank you in advance for you kind advices!

 

p.s. i had several Sheaffer admirals with triumph nibs and they were a bit to narrow for my hand.

Edited July 18, 2017 by Sfeccollector

[Ron Z]

Either is good, though if properly restored the plunger filler is likely to be working long after the sac in the lever filler has failed. It'll also hold more in.

[Denizzz]

Either is good, though if properly restored the plunger filler is likely to be working long after the sac in the lever filler has failed. It'll also hold more in.

 

Great Thank you very much for information Ron!

[adyf]

Have you seen this thread, I think one of the vac fill versions could suit your requirements. Perhaps a little smaller in girth to a Pelikan M800 but not too far off.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/325480-sheaffer-early-sentinels-c1947-1949/

[ink-syringe]

The Sheaffer Balance Premier (or Oversized Balance) is roughly the size of the MB 146 (the Balance is what the 146 modeled after all), which makes it roughly the size of the M800 but with a radically different morphology so a bit apples to oranges. However that is as close as you will get in the Sheaffer line to an M800.

 

For the record, I have, adore and frequently use a nice Pelikan M805 which I find very nice in the hand but I find the OS Balance (which I am fortunate to own 3 examples of, 2 lever-fil, one plunger) to be ergonomically superior, with my first year moo cow Balance to be about the best fit in my hand of any pen I own.

 

Past that you are looking at OS Crests, Sentinels, and Valiants which are 1mm chubbier than the normal size versions and the so-called fat Touchdowns, which are about 1mm fatter than the TM. Beware that what are called OS pens in Sheaffer land only applies to girth. To be sure the Triumph nib OS Crests, Sentinels and Valiants are actually pretty short pens.

 

If you want a truly big Sheaffer your real options are: PFM, Balance Premier and the occasional vac or '49(ish) TD desk pen.

 

Lastly, I'll just say that Balance Premier, in level or Vac is about as good as your pen can be </opinion>

 

& as Ron said a PROPERLY RESTORED vacuum-fil Sheaffer hold a lot of ink and will work a nice long time. Sadly most "restored" vacuum-fil pens you find on the market are not properly restored but just plugged and often kludged at that. The plug usually doesn't hold all that long and pen does not fill full like it should. So there is less risk in buy in a lever but if you buy a Vac you should factor in the restore costs with the proper rebuild of the packing unit because 90% chance your plugged or kludged "restoration" is going to need it pretty quickly. BUT: usually, it is worth it as a properly restored vacuum-fill Sheaffer is a great piece of kit. Cue John Szanto's usual youtube link of the Gerry Berg restoration. haha. (originally uploaded by nibsmith)

Edited July 25, 2017 by ink-syringe

[parban]

The modern versions of Crest with converter seems to be a good choicel They have both the smoothness of the triumph nib and the ease of cleaning or inking being a C/C pen with probability of creating problem the least.