Best Sheaffer For The Buck

[myn]

So far my experience with Sheaffer pens has been mixed and very limited. My first encounter with a Sheaffer was an Agio. I absolutely hated it. It felt like I was holding a toothpick in my hand. No personality at all and I swore I'd never own another Sheaffer. Last famous words. My second encounter with a Sheaffer was with a lovely Sheaffer Admiral Touchdown that I absolutely love. It writes beautifully and feels so sweet as it floats across the paper. However I would like to find a Sheaffer (for everyday use) that is somewhat larger then the Admiral. I am leaning towards vintage unless there is something really good out there in a modern Sheaffer.

 

My budget is not huge - capped at the $200 and under range actually.

 

What would be your recommendations?

[andru]

Hello; I was just browsing Peyton Street Pens (no affiliation, and never been a customer), and they have two NOS Sterling Imperials which you might like to consider, both priced at $175. These can also usually be found for about $130 used on eBay, though more often in the coarser diamond pattern.

 

http://www.peytonstreetpens.com/servlet/the-280/Sheaffer-IMPERIAL-826-Fountain/Detail

http://www.peytonstreetpens.com/servlet/the-281/Sheaffer-IMPERIAL-834-Fountain/Detail

 

Or you may like to consider an old 1920's Jade Flat-Top, they can be had in pristine condition within your price range and are nice pens. These (esp. the caps) are rather fragile though, and also they are prone to evaporation so you'd want to be using it often, or flush it for down time.

 

http://www.peytonstreetpens.com/servlet/the-1244/Sheaffer-Lifetime-Flat-Top/Detail

http://www.peytonstreetpens.com/servlet/the-1279/Sheaffer-Lifetime-Flat-Top/Detail

 

And for good measure, another large pen they have in the same material (is it celluloid?) -- that green stuff I like so much, whatever it is:

 

http://www.peytonstreetpens.com/servlet/the-1031/Sheaffer-Balance-Lifetime-Fountain/Detail

 

These are the only larger Sheaffers I've had experience with. Neither is what you'd call understated, and may not be for you. I look forward to hearing what you settle on.

 

All my links were Peyton but that's just timing, you can find these pens all over of course.

[myn]

Thanks very much for the suggestions. I am wanting a Sheaffer that has a bit larger girth and have been eyeing the Imperials that you suggested as well as the OS Balance. My biggest concern is trying to understand which of these is the best, as well as sort out the main differences between an Imperial, a Triumph Imperial etc. For an everyday user I don't want something that is easily prone to damage, not that I am rough on my pens, far from it, so the Jade Flat Tops sound rather scary.

Edited August 4, 2012 by myn

[Ernst Bitterman]

If you want something that isn't disaster-prone, then looking at the same site I'd say cast your eyes towards the Imperial 440s (although I think they're more properly called Triumph 440s; it doesn't really matter, and it's a bit convoluted). They're sturdy, they write very nicely, and they're so far below your price limit that if the worst happens you won't weep for the money spent... you can weep for more valid reasons. On which topic; I wouldn't hesitate to recommend any Sheaffer made after 1950 as a daily writer. They all more or less occupy the same plateau of durability.

[jar]

Thanks very much for the suggestions. I am wanting a Sheaffer that has a bit larger girth and have been eyeing the Imperials that you suggested as well as the OS Balance. My biggest concern is trying to understand which of these is the best, as well as sort out the main differences between an Imperial, a Triumph Imperial etc. For an everyday user I don't want something that is easily prone to damage, not that I am rough on my pens, far from it, so the Jade Flat Tops sound rather scary.

 

In traditional Sheaffers "best" really doesn't apply. Sheaffer made very high quality pens ranging from their lowest priced blister pack school pens to their top of the line. The main differences between an Imperial and a Triumph Imperial were the inlay insert on the nib and sometimes size and filling systems.

 

None of the Imperial or Triumph Imperial were big pens, they are generally in the range of the Pelikan 400-600 range to give current size examples.

 

The OS Balance and the modern Balance 2 are about the same size. In this picture you can see the size of the OS Balance (third from right), the modern Balance (second from right) and the senior Flat Top (far right).

 

http://www.fototime.com/7A113FCC7B901B1/large.jpg

The big pens in today's Sheaffer line up are the Valor and the Legacy Heritage. Of the two I prefer the Legacy series pens which are patterned after the Sheaffer PFM.

[myn]

Thank you very much - you guys have really given me some excellent insights. I was really stumped trying to figure it all out. All I knew after my experience with the Sheaffer Admiral Touchdown was that I wanted to make a Sheaffer my daily writer but with a bit larger girth. Thanks to your help, I know know what to focus on.

[Happy Harry]

The Sterling silver mentioned above is a good pen, better is the touchdown version in that it seems better balanced. The gold plated equivalents are very good buying, same pen for less. I'm not a fan of some of the cheaper pens such as the Triumph 440 mentioned above only in that they don't post as well as I like but they do write far better than the price indicates. Other touchdowns worth a look are the Imperial VI and VIII (metal caps), you'd also get a PFM for the money or a Targa in a flash color. Of the modern pens the Legacy and Connaisseur are both large and well made. I own all the models listed, what do I carry most ? A gold plated Imperial (cartridge/ conv.).

[kpyeoman]

A Sheaffer 300 (new) may also be a good choice. Writes very smoothly, although is a bit heavy for some (especially if you like to post). It has much better girth than the Agio, and looks sharp in black with chrome accents. The Goulet Pen Company was clearing these out not long ago for a good buy, but I also think Peyton has them for around $65.00.

[georges zaslavsky]

a vintage pfm, a vintage balance or a triumph might do the trick

[79spitfire]

I'd say the PFM as well if you can find one, they demand a premium.

 

Having said that the PFM I with the Silver-Pladium nib might be a good choice, assuming it doesn't need a bunch of work to get restored.

[jar]

I'd say a modern Legacy Heritage. I used to prefer the PFMs but over the decades the Legacy series pens have really grown on me.

[tmcneil82]

I'll throw a vote in for the Legacy model. I used to hate how they looked, never really caring for inlaid nibs. But then I got one for a great price and tried it out, and now it's in my regular rotation. It's a very solid pen that writes like a dream. One of the smoothest and best balanced (although heavy) pens I own.

[tspin46]

Your Admiral Touchdown is a TM and you might like the models that immediately preceded it.

 

I would cast my vote for a Triumph vac-fill and the pre-TM Touchdown. The lovely celluloid bodies were still available on the Triumph vac-fills, and both the vac-fill and the pre-TM Touchdown have the Triumph nib which is still one of the best writing nibs ever designed. A properly restored pen will probably cost less than any of the modern high end Sheaffers and will also probably outlast the Touchdown converter in the modern Legacy.

[jirish1957]

Original Balance OS's are pricy, but Balance II's are nice pens in your price range and can use cartridges or converters. Jeff

[ticoun]

A freshly restored Snorkel will never be a bad choice. They're very reliable and have wonderful nibs.

[dst207]

I've had very good luck with my Balance II - plus it's a nice size.

[Penman222]

A freshly restored Snorkel will never be a bad choice. They're very reliable and have wonderful nibs.

 

+1. The combination of a Sheaffer triumph nib and the snorkel-touchdown filling system cant be beat. I am using a "user grade" Snorkel Statesman with a wonderful medium nib as my daily writer these days and I could not be more pleased. I have a fine nibbed Snorkel Valiant that is equally impressive.