Legacy 2 - Legacy Heritage

[solaris]

Probably this has been discussed before, and in that case I am very sorry, but I can´t find more info.

I would like to know about the differences between the Sheaffer Legacy 2 and the Sheaffer Legacy Heritage.

If I understand correctly, the Heritage is the actual version in production, but then when was the 2 produced? Is there any difference in the filling mechanism?

 

I know, being a Sheaffer lover I should know about this, but...

 

 

Thanks a lot in advance!

[Blade Runner]

2 has the touch down filler

Heritage has the screw type convertor filler.

[solaris]

2 has the touch down filler

Heritage has the screw type convertor filler.

So the Legacy II uses the REAL touchdown system, with the sac in the same fashion that my beloved Valiant? Or is a mechanism that resembles the TD filling system?

If it is the REAL TD, is the Legacy II the last Sheaffer with that mechanism?

 

 

Ah, questions... :ph34r:

Thanks for the help...

[Arkanabar]

I'd also like to know if any Legacy IIs were made of resin, or were they all brass? I love my PFM, but I'd love it just as much if it was TD instead of snorkel.

 

uh, the Legacies are the ones made to about the same dimensions as the PFM, right?

[PenHero]

So the Legacy II uses the REAL touchdown system, with the sac in the same fashion that my beloved Valiant? Or is a mechanism that resembles the TD filling system?

The Legacy 2 uses a removeable converter that has a sac in it. This serves as the sac and sac protector as in an earlier Touchdown pen. It's essentially like a squeeze converter with no press bar. The Legacy 2 Touchdown is a little less efficient than the original, taking 2 strokes to fill fully.

 

Cheers,

 

Jim Mamoulides

www.PenHero.com

[PenHero]

I'd also like to know if any Legacy IIs were made of resin, or were they all brass? I love my PFM, but I'd love it just as much if it was TD instead of snorkel.

 

uh, the Legacies are the ones made to about the same dimensions as the PFM, right?

All Legacy pens are all metal. They are similar in size to the PFM, but are heavier.

 

Cheers,

 

Jim Mamoulides

www.PenHero.com

[solaris]

The Legacy 2 uses a removeable converter that has a sac in it.  This serves as the sac and sac protector as in an earlier Touchdown pen.  It's essentially like a squeeze converter with no press bar.  The Legacy 2 Touchdown is a little less efficient than the original, taking 2 strokes to fill fully.

 

Jim, thanks a lot for your answer.

I've reading your review of the Look of Leather model, and noted your comments about the TD mechanism and the need to make a sellable product. Your idea to keep a TD pen for collectors in the Sheaffer line seems great.

I want a Legacy as my next pen. I tested a couple here in Paris and I have to say that I found them AMAZING pens (well, I love Sheaffers and the inlaid nib...) But both were the Heritage model (c/c). I wonder if is still possible to find NOS Legacy II...

 

 

 

On a side note: I consider a Legacy in black barrel and palladium cap with gold trims the ultimate elegance in fountain pens. A true dream pen.

[CharlieB]

You can still buy Legacy 1 and Legacy 2 pens on eBay. There are about 3 vendors who are selling off "new old stock" at a steady rate, so do a search on Legacy in the category Fountain Pens, and you'll immediately find several to choose from. The prices are quite good right now, so buy soon.

[jcs864]

I just purchased a Legacy 2. Here is some detailed info on the Legacy 2 verses the Legacy 1: (Information from the authorized Sheaffer dealer from which I bought my pen)

 

* The Legacy 2 has an integral touchdown filling mechanism and the Heritage has had this feature deleted and replaced with a far cheaper piston converter.

* The Legacy 2 has its barrel chamber sealed with an o-ring gasket, which effectively prevents any ink leakage from the pens barrel chamber. This is a consideration if your pen may be subject to changes in atmospheric pressure as frequenly occurs during air travel. The Heritage model lacks this o-ring seal as its piston filler does not require the control of air pressure in the barrel chamber and it probably saves Sheaffer/Bic a few cents to omit it.

* The Legacy 2 has a MSRP $75 higher than the Heritage.

* Legacy and Legacy 2 from 1995-2004 had an MSRP of $275.00.

* Legacy Heritage 2005 MSRP was $200.00.

* The Heritage model is only offered with fine or medium size nib.

 

The Legacy Heritage is still undoubtedly an exceptionally fine writing instrument but be aware, it has been produced with changes that make its manufacture more economical and which sacrifice some of the unique features of its predecessor.

 

Produced in limited numbers the Sheaffer Legacy is made almost entirely by hand! Definitely not a unit of mass production. This is evident from moment you pick up this fountain pen.

 

Its external appearance is almost an exact replica of the famed Sheaffer "Pen For Men" (PFM), but the PFM was made of injection molded plastic and was never offered in a platinum finish.

 

The Sheaffer Legacy 2 is the improved version of the original 1990's vintage Sheaffer Legacy fountain pen. The Legacy's introduction sought to emulate and capitalize on the nostalgia associated with one of Sheaffer's most successful and respected classic pens; the 1959 Sheaffer "Pen For Men".

 

The difference between the original Legacy and the Legacy 2 are slight but distinctive:

 

The Legacy has squared corners at the cap and filler knob ends which resulted in an unacceptable level of production flaws and were prone to denting. The Legacy 2 has ends which are rounded.

 

The Legacy has raised studs to retain the cap. The Legacy 2 has a compression ring and decorative gold accent ring, which provides a better air seal and is more attractive.

 

It was found in production, that the sharp edges that replicate the lines of the PFM, were difficult to finish without excessive quality control rejections. The filler knob on the Legacy 2 is all metal and has rounded edges in place of the Legacy’s sharper edges on its plastic filler knob.

 

The nib sections of the Legacy and Legacy 2 are not interchangeable.

 

Both Legacy 1 and Legacy 2 are no longer in production having been replaced by the Legacy "Heritage" model. I imagine this was a cost cutting measure as the Heritage lacks the "touchdown" filler mechanism, (A very sad thing for Sheaffer Pen lovers.), and retails for $75.00 less than the Legacy 2.

 

The Legacy 1 and 2 may be the last of the truly great Sheaffers. Both were introduced before Sheaffer was acquired by BIC.

 

The nib section of the Legacy 2 and the latest edition, Legacy Heritage, are interchangeable but sadly, the Heritage model is only available with a fine or medium size nib.

 

The Sheaffer Pen Company, the last quality pen manufacturer in the U.S.A., now owned by the BIC Corporation of France, is slated to end operations May 1, 2006, with production scheduled to be moved overseas.

 

The Sheaffer name will remain but the roots of its legacy and heritage (pun intended) in the town of its foundation will have been severed.

 

Sheaffer no longer makes a pen that approaches the superlative quality of the Legacy and Legacy 2. Under BIC ownership it is unlikely that they ever will again.

 

Both the Legacy and Legacy 2 have the look and styling of the classic1950's Sheaffer PFM snorkel filler, but are made of modern materials and have a unique filling mechanism utilizing the "Touchdown" system for filling from an ink bottle and allowing the use of ink cartridges as well.

 

 

· 18k gold, inlaid, size medium nib, is marked: SHEAFFER 18K .750 U.S.A.

 

· Nib is hand cast and hand set in the traditional Sheaffer way to assure ultimate quality.

 

· PFM styling.

 

· Polished 23K gold filled cap and pocket clip.

 

· Cap band is marked: SHEAFFER U.S.A.

 

· Sheaffer's famed white dot logo is set by hand.

 

· A lifetime warranty.

 

This is truly one of the very finest writing instruments ever made. Once you feel its substantial quality in your hand and test the smoothness and flexibility of its 18K gold nib, you'll see for yourself why this flagship of the Sheaffer line sets the standard for the world's finest fountain pens.

[jcs864]

Oh, I forgot...here is a picture of my new Legacy 2 Limited Edition.

[jcs864]

Let's try again.

[Guest PeteWK]

That certainly was among the most thorough posts I've ever read, thanks. As for me I have but one Legacy. Its one of the first models copying the PFM IV which I've photographed both here. The Legacy is a wonderful pen but its too heavy for the type of heavy use I generally put my pens through. After about 15 minutes of constant use, my hand tires of it. I think the PFM is just the right balance of weight, girth, balance and style for an everyday user.

 

PeteWK

[solaris]

jcs864,

just amazing post!!! Thank you a lot, specially for the info about the Legacy 1, completely unknown to me...

 

On a side note, the day I tested one Legacy Heritage at a pen shop I was carrying my MontBlanc 146. After my almost spritual experience with the Sheaffer, my 146 seemed flimsy, light and almost uninteresting!!! :ph34r:

 

I believe the Legacy line contain some of the best pens ever made, and probably the most elegant.

[Velma]

I continue to be confused. I have a 2003 Sheaffer Legacy Heritage -- or so said the box -- which is a piston fill, with an extra fine nib. The Legacy Heritage did exist in 2003, right?

 

(Either that, or I have a mutant anomalous pen. I think I'll bring it with me to the Long Island Pen Show, and compare it to others.)

[solaris]

Velma, it is really a "piston fill" (Pelikan style) or the TouchDown fill system?