Nos Sheaffer Imperial 827 Review

[rochester21]

Today i finally received the nos sheaffer 827(1970s production) that i ordered a few weeks back. This is my first sheaffer, so I was curious about it. And now, to the actual review.

 

Design 9.5/10

The 827 is 12k gold filled, and has a standard 14k gold inlaid nib, which looks very interesting. The body has the so-called “barleycorn design”, very pleasant to the touch. It`s a classy design, the short clip on the cap, fitted with with a plastic white dot, is also an interesting detail. From the online pictures the 827 looked like a beautiful pen, with a specific sheaffer design, and it actually is like that- so nothing to complain about that aspect.

 

Construction and quality 9/10

The 827 has a metal cap and body, but the construction quality isn`t really top notch- this shows when you take the cap off, or put it back on. The action itself isn`t very smooth, the user has to push/pull a little harder than usual. Also, I somewhat dislike the fact that the americans use 14k gold on the nibs, instead of 18k, or more. These aren`t real inconvenients, but I couldn`t help noticing them.

 

Size and weight 9.7/10

Initially I imagined the pen to be larger than average, but it actually is medium-sized. Which is a good thing, because I prefer smaller pens. It` a little thick around the middle, but that doesn`t bother me one bit. The weight is average, another good thing about it. I only wished it was half a centimeter longer than it actually is, although the balance with the cap posted is very good.

 

Nib performance 9.5/10

Sheaffer inlaid nib- had some high expectations about it. Luckily, it really performs as well as it looks. Mine has a fine nib, and writes beautifully, even though today was the first day it was ever filled with ink since it was made, 40 years ago. The ink flow is not too wet, not to dry, and the nib itself is smooth and rigid. It`s a good writer

 

Filling system 7/10

The pen uses sheaffer cartridges, which are impossible to find in my country- it`s a good thing I requested a few from Tery Morris, the seller- using a syringe to refill the ink cartridges has become the standard procedure for me The pen came with a converter, but I don`t like aerometric fillers, simply because they are not efficient and messy.

 

Value 10/10

Because it`s a nos second(a few marks on the gold plating), I paid only 75 usd for this imperial 827. Considering the fact that it has a gold nib, I think the price is very good indeed. And because it`s a model that is no longer produced, it`s definitely worth the money.

 

Conclusion.

In my opinion, the 827 is another modern classic. It looks and feels good, writes good, and the selling price was fair, in my case. For me, it seems to be the first “luxury” fountain pen that has an equal performance in terms of aspect and writing quality- it`s an all-round, balanced pen that does the job with grace. I`il have to keep this one

Edited July 13, 2011 by rochester21

[Fountainpenlover]

Congratulations on your nice pen.

Regarding the nib being 14K, that is no bad thing. Obviously 18K is more expensive as it contains more gold, but in actual writing terms 14K might and probably is better than 18K gold.

Check out the expert's site, namely, Richard Binder's website:

http://www.richardspens.com/

Go to "Reference pages", and then to "Nib Materials".

Mario

[jar]

Glad you like the pen. You might try that converter though since the Sheaffer squeeze type converter was one of the best designs ever IMHO.

[lovemy51]

pretty! i like that body finish.

 

thx for showing it and congrats!

[hari317]

The Sheaffer's inlaid nib is unlike any other. It has fascinated me from childhood, since when I first held my father's Sheaffer Imperial.

 

Enjoy your new pen!

[akrishna59]

The Sheaffer's inlaid nib is unlike any other. It has fascinated me from childhood, since when I first held my father's Sheaffer Imperial.

 

Enjoy your new pen!

 

same here.

 

that is a fine pen and it will give you decades of writing pleasure.

 

rgds.

 

krishna.

[Richard]

The Sheaffer's inlaid nib is unlike any other. It has fascinated me from childhood, since when I first held my father's Sheaffer Imperial.

I think it's a true classic -- it's elegant and virtually timeless.

[georges zaslavsky]

very nice classic and timeless pen

[ianmedium]

That is a beauty indeed. I have a feeling that you ordered it from Teri, I have just purchased a 777 from her and can't wait for it to arrive. One thing. I think you will find that yours is electroplated rather than gold filled like the 777 I can see the word "electroplated in your pictures. Gold filled is a bit different to electroplating. Electroplating is a plating process in which metal ions in a solution are moved by an electric field to coat an electrode where as gold filled is literally a thin sheet of gold fused to a base metal. I have watches with gold fill and it wears much better than plate I have found. Still, it is a minor thing and your pen is a think of beauty!

Edited February 5, 2012 by ianmedium

[JonSzanto]

I have nearly that same pen (mine's an 826), and it really is another of the fine Sheaffers. How lucky a man am I, that after telling me I could order a pen of my choice (as a birthday present) from Teri, my wife went behind my back and added an 826, surprising me on my birthday with it.

 

Enjoy your pen!

Edited February 5, 2012 by JonSzanto

[ianmedium]

What a wonderful Surprise Jon, congratulations!

[breaker]

nice review and pics!

thanks!

[Toolattack]

I like this pen, especially the nib. I have not found the 14K reduces the way it performs.

[Rofl Copter]

Super late question here, I have this pen and it seems a bit scratchy to me. It definitely catches the page when writing horizontally. Is something wrong with mine?

[lovemy51]

Super late question here, I have this pen and it seems a bit scratchy to me. It definitely catches the page when writing horizontally. Is something wrong with mine?

hi. have you tried checking the tines with a loupe. they could be miss-aligned.

[cajosekutty]

Hi,

 

I have been using this pen for the last 2 months. Really a very good pen for everyday use. Why don't we add luxury to everyday writing. I love it.

 

CA.Josekutty Jacob

[FLZapped]

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