Inlaid nib questions

[g33klibrarian]

Having a list of questions, this is where I wish I could go to a pen shop or show right now...

 

I recently purchased a steel-nibbed Targa 1002. I'm really enjoying the nib! It's a great writer and the pen feels premium. Yet the pen also bugs me— it's too back-heavy to post and, being a lefty, I keep unscrewing the section as I write. Meanwhile, I own a conical-nibbed Imperial III and I enjoy its lightweight balance.

 

Thus, I'm curious how the inlaid steel nibs from the Sheaffer 330 (or Triumph-Imperial from the 90s) would compare to the Targa's steel nib.

 

• Are the steel inlaid nibs on these pens essentially the same as the Targa steel nib or do they vary in smoothness-feedback-stiffness, etc?
• Do the varying nib shapes (short diamond vs long diamond) have any real impact on how they write?
• Also how much thicker a line are the mediums have than the fines?
• Should I instead save up for an Imperial IV? How does its gold inlaid nib compare to its steel-nibbed cousin?

 

I searched here and found a few comparisons, but didn't quite see the answers I was looking for. Yet, if you even have nuggets of info, it might be enough I can probably match it up with what I've already read here.

 

Many, many thanks!!!! I appreciate your time and thoughts!

[Dione]

In my own experience Sheaffer inlaid nibs have all been excellent writers although I happen to prefer Targa gold nibs to Targa steel nibs. I don't believe that there is any significant variation of writing with those that are short diamonds compared with those that are longer diamonds. The Sheaffer medium is a typical western type medium. Mine are quite firm nibs.

[g33klibrarian]

Many Thanks @Dione!

[Paul-in-SF]

All of my inlaid Sheaffer Imperial IVs (5 of them, four cartridge/converter, one Touchdown) were purchased on eBay in the last 14 months for $65 to $80 (one exception went up to $95). They all have 14K nibs and they all write beautifully. I can't compare them to a steel nib because I don't have any inlaid steel-nib Sheaffers. I have heard that the steel nibs are excellent, so my point here is just that these are among the most affordable vintage gold-nib pens, if you have the time to bargain-hunt. 

 

The difference between Fine and Medium on these pens is noticeable but not extreme, just about what I would expect for average western nibs in these sizes (sorry if that isn't much help). 

 

All these pens have the long diamond shape. I'm not sure if this model came with the short diamond shape. 

 

These are all plastic pens, so lighter than a Targa. I have one Targa that is metal and is noticeably heavier, which is why I don't like it quite as much, even though it too writes beautifully. 

[VersoFolio]

My first Sheaffer..ever..arrived last week! I just traveled along a different pen 'path', knowing these brands were there to explore at my leisure.

However, this has changed. I bought a tiny, burgundy coloured, Sheaffer 330 and have not regretted it for a second. I have filled it with Robert Oster 'Chocolate' which is as rich a red/brown ink as I could find and it is quite remarkable for its firmness and smoothness and such a treat to write with.

Now I wish to try other Sheaffers and my expectation is that the inlaid nib experience will be a turning point for me.

Sorry I don't have the experience or comparisons to be of help g33klib

pp

[g33klibrarian]

Thanks y'all! I appreciate the feedback!

 

@aprettypenny -- I heard you about stumbling onto Sheaffers. I was a Parker diehard (seriously how can a person not love a Vacumatic) and thought 1950s thin Sheaffers are some of the ugliest pens I've ever seen. So I ignored the brand.

But then on a lark I got my paws on a green and gold Crest Deluxe (courtesy of the fine work by Gary of Midnight Pens). Holy cow, that triumph nib was a revelation. So I tried another Sheaffer, and another. Heck, even their school pen is a great writer. They're still not sexy pens really, but I really don't care. I want that nib.