Sheaffer Prelude

[Waterman]

Hi everyone, I was just thinking of getting a SHeaffer Prelude as a budget pen. I want to know if it's worth the price, reliable(does it start off even if it hasn't been used for a week or two), balanced and most important of all, how it feels on the hand.

 

THanks

Brad

[rp209]

I have two Preludes that I haven't inked yet, so I can't weigh in too much. I'll rave about my Agios, though. I bought them (the Agios) as everyday budget pens, and they have turned out to be quite nice. I love the weight and size, and the fine and medium nibs write beautifully and smooth. I've even ordered two more nibs from Sheaffer (1 M and 1 F) so that if ever needed my Agios will be ready to write.

 

Ron

[RLTodd]

Hi everyone, I was just thinking of getting a SHeaffer Prelude as a budget pen. I want to know if it's worth the price, reliable(does it start off even if it hasn't been used for a week or two), balanced and most important of all, how it feels on the hand.

 

THanks

Brad

Great little pens, IF you get a good nib. I have three of them, seven nibs, one failed return to Ft. Madison for repair (BIC refused to address the problem after explaining it to them and in writing), and after it all I have one with a good nib. Various problems most common being the slits are cut off center and they scrape up paper fluff.

[auscan]

I Have 2 preludes, I picked them up on clearance for $24 AUD each (RRP $169 AUD) One had a problem with the nib, it scrached realy bad but I played with the nib and now its smooth, the other one worked fine staight out of the box. The nibs are nails. I find the pens to be a good size and weight.

 

Both have medium nibs but write finer than my parker or waterman nibs. I use my preludes with red ink and green ink and often they arnt used for over a week, but start up fine every time (I keep my pens lying down, I dont know if this helps).

 

Great value for money, although I dont find them to be the most exciting pens on the market.

[hatherton_wood]

I've been lucky - have several different finishes and all have been good nibs. Those plated gold or two tone or marked "Sheaffers" seem the best. I like the weight of this pen - the brass barrel makes all the difference. They always start first time, even after several weeks and never skip. Overall very reliable and I like the somewhat finer medium nib. Apparently now being made in China so what the quality is like now I don't know.

[Armchop]

:meow:

I have a discontinued Cranberry Prelude from penhero. Originally with a Medium gold nib that was very thin and scratchy. Swapped it for a Broad Steel nib thst is nice a wet but writes like a thick medium. It is a good knockabout pen for everyday use.

Armchop

[Bradley]

I own a few Preludes, as well: two medium nibs and one broad. I must say the broad is my favorite, though a "bit much" for some everyday writing tasks. As others have noted here, the mediums are on the fine side, which appeals to some. I would not call my mediums "wet" writers. I have flossed the nibs and the space between the nib and feed, etc., but I find the pens to be a little dry for my taste -- which is unfortunate, because I love everything else about the Prelude: the weight, the quality of construction, the look and feel, etc.

 

My signature below was signed using my Petrol Blue and Palladium broad-nibbed Prelude.

[Mary P]

I have one Prelude and two nib/section units for it. The fine nib that came with my pen is really smooth and has been wonderful since I got it about 6 years ago. I ordered and italic nib for it and sent it to Stubhead (David Mason) for transformation into a fine stub. It is now one of my favorite nibs.

 

I think the Prelude is an excellent value for the money.

[pvdiamon]

Hi everyone, I was just thinking of getting a SHeaffer Prelude as a budget pen. I want to know if it's worth the price, reliable(does it start off even if it hasn't been used for a week or two), balanced and most important of all, how it feels on the hand.

 

THanks

Brad

Great little pens, IF you get a good nib. I have three of them, seven nibs, one failed return to Ft. Madison for repair (BIC refused to address the problem after explaining it to them and in writing), and after it all I have one with a good nib. Various problems most common being the slits are cut off center and they scrape up paper fluff.

Hi, I was wondering if your Preludes with slit problems had a lot of nib creep?

 

John

[Nellie]

I used to have one that I got as a present in 1997 and it was perfect!! I'm not sure about their quality now, though.

[Velma]

I used to use Preludes on a daily basis, and am still fond of them. Good solid, sturdy pens, and mine always worked well (I bought extra-fine nibs, though).

[auscan]

Hi, I was wondering if your Preludes with slit problems had a lot of nib creep?

Both my Preludes had a problem with nib creep. The one pen that started off scratchy was far worse, but originaly I was using Parker Black ink in them, I was unaware of parker black inks reputation. I have since changed to other brands of ink and the nib creep had completely disapeared

[hatherton_wood]

I think you have to say that the Preludes have a feel of quality about them which many other pens in the same price range do not have. My only worry is the snap on caps having such bad experiences of Parker Frontier snap on caps becoming loose with time. The Prelude caps have been fine so far though. I do like some of the finishes on the Prelude.

[Blacksheep95]

My prelude is my favorite pen. I've had it for over 6 years (inked the whole time) and it has never failed me even after sitting idle for a month or so and it has always been an extremely smooth writer. My only complaint is the nib creep but even that is really no problem that a tissue won't handle.

Edited February 15, 2007 by Blacksheep95

[Mary P]

QUOTE

My only worry is the snap on caps having such bad experiences of Parker Frontier snap on caps becoming loose with time. The Prelude caps have been fine so far though. I do like some of the finishes on the Prelude.

 

I have 40 year old Lady Sheaffer Skripserts that have never developed problems with their snap on caps. I even have an old cartridge pen frm the mid 50s, the bottom of Sheaffers line at the time, that still grips and holds the cap as it should. On the other hand, I had the cap on my Parker 75 repaired when it was 3 years old.

 

I think Sheaffer mastered the snap on cap some time ago.

[mike1]

I have a Prelude with a steel nib and it has never, ever failed to lay down a good line of ink unless , of course, I forget and let run out of ink.

[pvdiamon]

QUOTE (Blacksheep95 @ Feb 14 2007, 09:41 PM)

My prelude is my favorite pen. I've had it for over 6 years (inked the whole time) and it has never failed me even after sitting idle for a month or so and it has always been an extremely smooth writer. My only complaint is the nib creep but even that is really no problem that a tissue won't handle.

I've used the tissue method (you know, wiping periodically) but I found that within 2 converter fills or so, the inside of the cap got inky and began getting on the pen and then my hands. So I have to rinse the cap periodically (more often than I would flush the pen if not changing inks).

 

John

[RLTodd]

QUOTE (pvdiamon @ Feb 13 2007, 01:27 PM)

QUOTE (RLTodd @ Feb 12 2007, 11:30 PM) QUOTE (Waterman @ Feb 12 2007, 06:22 PM) Hi everyone, I was just thinking of getting a SHeaffer Prelude as a budget pen. I want to know if it's worth the price, reliable(does it start off even if it hasn't been used for a week or two), balanced and most important of all, how it feels on the hand. THanks Brad Great little pens, IF you get a good nib. I have three of them, seven nibs, one failed return to Ft. Madison for repair (BIC refused to address the problem after explaining it to them and in writing), and after it all I have one with a good nib. Various problems most common being the slits are cut off center and they scrape up paper fluff. Hi, I was wondering if your Preludes with slit problems had a lot of nib creep?   John All of my Preludes had nib creep with Noodlers Black and AirCorps BB. I don't recall trying them with anything else.   For the record nib creep, as the deepest black issue, does not bother me and I ignore it. Therefore, I might have tried other inks in the pens but I don't recall if there was a creep issue.

[Mary P]

I haven't had nib creep issues with my Prelude with either its orginial fine nib or the Stubhead stub. I usually use Sheaffer or Private Reserve inks in this pen alternating between my NOS Sheaffer Burgundy and Private Reserve Blue Suede.

[Mac in Alberta]

I love my Preludes. I have three -- medium two-tone nib, medium steel nib and a cursive italic from Pendemonium that was born as a medium two-tone. They all start right away and write smoothly. The finger pad moulding of the section makes them comfortable to hold and they hold a good supply of ink in the converter.

I think Preludes have become the focus of my accumulation. I think I shall add more. It's a rare day that I don't have at least two of them inked.

 

Murdoch