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Which Sheaffer Imperial Should I Buy?

Pichak

By Pichak
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Pichak

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I am interesting in old Sheaffer Imperial. The NOS pen from Peyton Street Pens (via eBay) cost around $65 include shipping to Thailand. My question is which Sheaffer Imperial should I get between the Imperial 330, Imperial 440 and Imperial II Touchdown?

Edited by Pichak

https://pichakmayakarn.wixsite.com/writelikedream

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Bluey Collectors Item

Bluey

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Well it depends what you want. If you're after an unusual filling system try the touchdown. Another factor to consider is the shape of the nib. There are 3 different types of inlaid nib for Sheaffer - the long diamond, the short diamond, and the other one on the 330 that's heart shaped. My favourite is the long diamond.

 

The 330 and 440 aren't true imperials. They're referred to as quasi-imperials.

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ink-syringe Collectors Item

ink-syringe

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Imperial II

 

Great great pens.

 

I have 4 of them. All are fantastic, particularly the B nib, but all are great. I love pneumatic fillers and conical nibs, even these short ones.

Looking for a cap for a Sheaffer Touchdown Sentinel Deluxe Fat version

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Water Ouzel Extremely Rare

Water Ouzel

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My question is which Sheaffer Imperial should I get between the Imperial 330, Imperial 440 and Imperial II Touchdown?

 

I've got a couple Imperial II and III pens, mostly from Peyton Street, as it happens. I would strongly support going for one of the Triumph-nibbed ones, all of mine have been lovely writers. (You might also plan to replace the odd sac, given their age, even as NOS.)

 

I've got some other Sheaffer inlaid-nib models, and while there's nothing wrong with them, I do prefer the Triumph nibs by quite a bit.

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vicpen123 Extremely Rare

vicpen123

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I recently held an Australian made Sheaffer Imperial 11 with conical nib and touchdown filler. The combination of conical nib and touchdown filler set the pen apart. As it wasn't mine, I did not get to write with it so I can't comment on that side.

 

I own a Sheaffer 330 quasi Imperial as well as a 1990s Australian made Sheaffer Triumph Imperial, both with inlay nib and converter. Not the same feeling.

 

I concur with ink-syringe - the Sheaffer conical nibs is a joy to behold and a touchdown pneumatic filler could be great if you are sure about maintenance.

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Mister5 Extremely Rare

Mister5

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I have a NOS Imperial II Deluxe (Seconds) that I got from Peyton Street, and it is a really good writer. Its definitely not a large pen, but is one of my favorite writers. I've found that the Touchdown mechanism probably holds as much ink as you would get from a converter. Its a smooth writer, and has a "waverly" type nib - slightly upturned at the tip - I believe that is one of the characteristics of those Sheaffer triumph-type nibs.

 

Highly recommend.

Edited by Mister5

Inked: Aurora Optima EF (Pelikan Tanzanite); Franklin Christoph Pocket 20 Needlepoint (Sailor Kiwa Guro); Sheaffers PFM I Reporter/Fine (Diamine Oxblood); Franklin Christoph 02 Medium Stub (Aurora Black); Platinum Plaisir Gunmetal EF (Platinum Brown); Platinum Preppy M (Platinum Blue-Black). Leaded: Palomino Blackwing 602; Lamy Scribble 0.7 (Pentel Ain Stein 2B); Uni Kuru Toga Roulette 0.5 (Uni Kuru Toga HB); Parker 51 Plum 0.9 (Pilot Neox HB)

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Water Ouzel Extremely Rare

Water Ouzel

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Now I decided to go with the Imperial II. One more question is how about the Fine nib of Sheaffer Triump nib?

 

I've got mostly F Imperials, and one XF. I'd say they are a lot closer to Japanese than German fines.

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ink-syringe Collectors Item

ink-syringe

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Only have Ms and Bs so can't really help you but I have a couple F and XF snorkels and they are the best non-Japanese F nibs I have used. Precise as can be and the unbroken line from barrel to point makes it like using a pencil. Great for careful work.

Looking for a cap for a Sheaffer Touchdown Sentinel Deluxe Fat version

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Pichak Rare

Pichak

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Only have Ms and Bs so can't really help you but I have a couple F and XF snorkels and they are the best non-Japanese F nibs I have used. Precise as can be and the unbroken line from barrel to point makes it like using a pencil. Great for careful work.

 

Thank you again :)

https://pichakmayakarn.wixsite.com/writelikedream

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pajaro Museum Piece

pajaro

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I only have sheaffer M nib it is a wet and smooth. Is the F as smooth and wet as the M?

 

Yes. Even the XF is very smooth.

"Don't hurry, don't worry. It's better to be late at the Golden Gate than to arrive in Hell on time."
--Sign in a bar and grill, Ormond Beach, Florida, 1960.

 

 

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