Pen Rambling - Sheaffer Icon

[Mike B]

I've found that, for this hooded nib, the flow stays pretty good for five days. Day six will require a dip in water before it writes well.

 

Mine is the fine nib, and I am using Sheaffer Black ink from Slovenia (it seems somehow appropriate).

 

For for the record, it is a spectacularly good nib, with a fine leaning more toward an extra fine, and with very good ink flow.

 

Amazon Canada is promising to ship on December 13, but PenHero was where I made my purchase.

 

I think this one is a keeper.

[LizEF]

Thanks, @Mike B!

[LizEF]

Well, they have the pen in stock now, but not the converter.  Anyone want to place bets on whether the converter comes in before or after they run out of the pen?

 

Meanwhile, me talking to me: "You don't need a pen."  "But it sounds like such a nice writer."  "Just use your Vanishing Points more." "But, but, I wanna new pen."  "You have more than enough pens already!"  "But I wanna Christmas present!"  "Maybe, but only if you can get the converter at the same time." 🙏 "Please get the converter in stock.  Please get the converter in stock." "Good grief."

[inkstainedruth]

Can you get the converter from another vendor?  

(Yeah, I know, I know -- being a total enabler here.... )

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[LizEF]

16 minutes ago, inkstainedruth said:

Can you get the converter from another vendor?  

Well of course I can.  I'm using fate to replace discipline.  Or something.

 

17 minutes ago, inkstainedruth said:

(Yeah, I know, I know -- being a total enabler here.... )

[Mike B]

 

of course, the problem with discipline is that if you exercise it too effectively, somebody else will buy the pen which was meant for you.

[LizEF]

4 minutes ago, Mike B said:

 

of course, the problem with discipline is that if you exercise it too effectively, somebody else will buy the pen which was meant for you.

    We can only hope.

[Mike B]

We must also hope that they do EFNIRs as good as yours...

[LizEF]

6 minutes ago, Mike B said:

We must also hope that they do EFNIRs as good as yours...

I would welcome folks doing FNIRs, MNIRs, BNIRs, etc.

[Tas]

On 12/7/2021 at 3:31 AM, Mike B said:

I

For for the record, it is a spectacularly good nib, with a fine leaning more toward an extra fine, and with very good ink flow

 

I think this one is a keeper.

I couldn't agree more, so happy you think so too. 🥰
 

11 hours ago, LizEF said:

Well, they have the pen in stock now, but not the converter.  Anyone want to place bets on whether the converter comes in before or after they run out of the pen?

 

Meanwhile, me talking to me: "You don't need a pen."  "But it sounds like such a nice writer."  "Just use your Vanishing Points more." "But, but, I wanna new pen."  "You have more than enough pens already!"  "But I wanna Christmas present!"  "Maybe, but only if you can get the converter at the same time." 🙏 "Please get the converter in stock.  Please get the converter in stock." "Good grief."

Hand on heart, the metal to metal contact with Sheaffer converters is what caused my first Taranis to fail - well, the actual cause was me trying to remove the rusted and siezed converter from the section but hey . . .

Consider using just cartridges. I'll probably revert to using cartridges in my Icon too just to be on the safe side. £40 to replace a Taranis wasn't too bad but something tells me these Icons will not stay sub £50 for long.

Enjoy the wait . . . it's part of the process.

[LizEF]

3 hours ago, Tas said:

rusted and siezed converter

Yikes!  That's scary.  Thanks for the heads up.

 

3 hours ago, Tas said:

Enjoy the wait . . . it's part of the process.

Pffff.  Ain't that the truth!

[Paul-in-SF]

On 12/6/2021 at 7:31 PM, Mike B said:

I've found that, for this hooded nib, the flow stays pretty good for five days. Day six will require a dip in water before it writes well.

I'm glad you tested that. I have to report that after 12 days idle (average for me) the nib was again

bone dry and took a couple of minutes to get flowing again. Once flowing, of course, it flows very well. 

 

On 12/8/2021 at 1:47 AM, Tas said:

Hand on heart, the metal to metal contact with Sheaffer converters is what caused my first Taranis to fail - well, the actual cause was me trying to remove the rusted and siezed converter from the section but hey . . .

If I am concerned about that, and I am, I wonder if it would suffice to store the converter outside of the pen after cleaning, until the next inking? I'd rather not use a cartridge for reasons. Generally, I suspect this pen would stay inked for about 3 months, and considering how many pens it is competing with, an indefinite period un-inked. 

 

[LizEF]

Sorry for leaving everyone in suspense.  I can tell you've all been biting your nails.   I got this pen for myself for Christmas - blue, fine nib.  I really like it!  The nib is much finer than I expected - more like a western EF.  It came with a converter (contrary to AndersonPens' claim - thus giving me 2 converters).  I started with a cartridge of Sheaffer Skrip Turquoise instead and am enjoying that, too (got cartridges of all the Sheaffer inks that were in stock, except Brown, which I somehow missed - reviews will happen as they get voted to the top of the poll).  The Icon makes a very nice journaling pen - good balance, easy to write with a relaxed grip (it seems to encourage a relaxed grip).  It seems to prefer cursive over print, which suits my journal just fine.  I use it unposted (never post my pens) and the weight is quite nice.  The nib is smooth, but with interesting and unique feedback.

 

I noticed after some time that it sounded like something was rattling in the end of the barrel.  Examination revealed a spring loose in there.  I don't know if it's supposed to be loose or not (I don't remember it from day one, but noticed it at some later point).  I'm sure it's to help keep cartridges from coming (too?) loose, and knowing what it is, it no longer bothers me - was rather worried until I solved the puzzle.  (Given that it's rattling, I'm not sure how well it might hold the cartridge, but whatever.)

 

The cap is not as tight as I would like, but it's not so loose as to dry out in a day or two of not using it, and that's sufficient for me.  I do notice the ink is a little darker when I start up the next day, but it actually looks better that way, so it's all good.  I'll just keep permanent inks out of this pen.

 

I do seem to have trouble writing with it when my thumb is bandaged - seems I rely on tactile feedback to tell me if the pen is rotated correctly, and that doesn't happen when my thumb is bandaged.  This, of course, has nothing to do with the pen.

 

So, unless you literally live in the Sahara (or someplace with similar humidity levels), or your thumb is permanently bandaged, I can happily recommend this pen - assuming it ticks all the right boxes for you.   

[Tas]

14 hours ago, LizEF said:

Sorry for leaving everyone in suspense.  I can tell you've all been biting your nails.   I got this pen for myself for Christmas - blue, fine nib.  I really like it!  The nib is much finer than I expected - more like a western EF.  It came with a converter (contrary to AndersonPens' claim - thus giving me 2 converters).  I started with a cartridge of Sheaffer Skrip Turquoise instead and am enjoying that, too (got cartridges of all the Sheaffer inks that were in stock, except Brown, which I somehow missed - reviews will happen as they get voted to the top of the poll).  The Icon makes a very nice journaling pen - good balance, easy to write with a relaxed grip (it seems to encourage a relaxed grip).  It seems to prefer cursive over print, which suits my journal just fine.  I use it unposted (never post my pens) and the weight is quite nice.  The nib is smooth, but with interesting and unique feedback.

 

I noticed after some time that it sounded like something was rattling in the end of the barrel.  Examination revealed a spring loose in there.  I don't know if it's supposed to be loose or not (I don't remember it from day one, but noticed it at some later point).  I'm sure it's to help keep cartridges from coming (too?) loose, and knowing what it is, it no longer bothers me - was rather worried until I solved the puzzle.  (Given that it's rattling, I'm not sure how well it might hold the cartridge, but whatever.)

 

The cap is not as tight as I would like, but it's not so loose as to dry out in a day or two of not using it, and that's sufficient for me.  I do notice the ink is a little darker when I start up the next day, but it actually looks better that way, so it's all good.  I'll just keep permanent inks out of this pen.

 

I do seem to have trouble writing with it when my thumb is bandaged - seems I rely on tactile feedback to tell me if the pen is rotated correctly, and that doesn't happen when my thumb is bandaged.  This, of course, has nothing to do with the pen.

 

So, unless you literally live in the Sahara (or someplace with similar humidity levels), or your thumb is permanently bandaged, I can happily recommend this pen - assuming it ticks all the right boxes for you.   

Yay! So pleased for you.

It (and the sublime little black Kaweco AL Star I received for Christmas) have seriously scratched any FP itch I had.

I'm slowly but surely unsubscribing from manufacturer mailouts and have a calm feeling of contentment right now with pens. Last time I said that was when my Namisu Nova arrived.

If I kept a graph of purchases, a sharp downturn occurred there and I'm pretty sure the same thing will happen again now with the Icon. 

Sadly though, I've bought two typewriters since Chirstmas 🥺. My goodness, if you think FPs are addictive, just start tappety tapping on a 1950s machine or two. Pure gorgeous fuzzy vibes flow start flowing down the spine...

NB A word of warning. Typing is a LOT like drumming. The rest of the house may have words to say about it 🤷‍♂️

[LizEF]

2 hours ago, Tas said:

I'm slowly but surely unsubscribing from manufacturer mailouts and have a calm feeling of contentment right now with pens. Last time I said that was when my Namisu Nova arrived.

I did similar after I got my London Fog (Visconti Homo Sapiens): my pen acquisitions dropped dramatically, and I stopped paying attention to pen channels on YT, etc.  I've gotten some pens since then, mostly inexpensive and out of curiosity.  Every now and then, the Lamy 2000 tempts me, not because I like the look (don't) or much of anything about how folks describe it (wet, small sweet spot), but just because it's so common, I want to know what all the raving is about.  But it wouldn't get used, so I get over my curiosity.

 

2 hours ago, Tas said:

Sadly though, I've bought two typewriters since Chirstmas 🥺. My goodness, if you think FPs are addictive, just start tappety tapping on a 1950s machine or two. Pure gorgeous fuzzy vibes flow start flowing down the spine...

  Glad you're enjoying your new typewriters.  I'm tempted by those, too, but not that tempted.  (On January 1st, something weird happened to me - no idea what - and I can't stop going through the house collecting things I neither need nor want, and either trashing them, or donating them to the local thrift store.  I've loaded up my car three times already, and I'm working on load #4!  So, more new stuff sounds very unappealing right now.  Maybe later, after I finish dejunking, cleaning, and reorganizing, but maybe not, cuz I do like empty space!)

 

2 hours ago, Tas said:

NB A word of warning. Typing is a LOT like drumming. The rest of the house may have words to say about it 🤷‍♂️

You could buy them all noise-cancelling headphones for after-Christmas presents!  Or tickets to somewhere else, so you can type madly while they're away!

[Tas]

1 hour ago, LizEF said:

I did similar after I got my London Fog (Visconti Homo Sapiens): my pen acquisitions dropped dramatically, and I stopped paying attention to pen channels on YT, etc.  I've gotten some pens since then, mostly inexpensive and out of curiosity.  Every now and then, the Lamy 2000 tempts me, not because I like the look (don't) or much of anything about how folks describe it (wet, small sweet spot), but just because it's so common, I want to know what all the raving is about.  But it wouldn't get used, so I get over my curiosity.

Happy to post out my Lamy 2K for you to try if you can't get hold of one where you are. I bought mine via ebay, from Germany, without ever having tried one. Got lucky. It's old and a doozy. I love it.

 

[LizEF]

1 hour ago, Tas said:

Happy to post out my Lamy 2K for you to try if you can't get hold of one where you are. I bought mine via ebay, from Germany, without ever having tried one. Got lucky. It's old and a doozy. I love it.

Thanks, Tas, but no, you keep it there at home.  I'm sure if I really wanted to, I could find one around here.