Questions about Ballpoint models; "Classic", "K-type"

[Hobiwan]

Hello, Sheaffer Pensters!

I'm looking to sell some semi-vintage gold & silver ballpoints (the thin ones with the short 'reminder' clip and pretty floral pattern) and I'd like to offer them with fresh refills. I'm finding that there are plenty of "Type K" refill deals on places like Amazon, but the graphic for them shows a round end, while the BPs I have come with the flattened end and it looks like they're called "classic" refills. 

 

So, does anyone know if the "K" types will fit the older ballpoints, and generally. what would a "K" type ballpoint mechanism be like?

 

Thanks in Advance for any help that can be rendered, and (hoping to cover all bases). Happy Holidays to all who dwell within!

 

Best Regards

Paul

 

Edited December 4, 2022 by Hobiwan
correct character size

[Targa]

I use the Monteverde Capless Gell S42 to fit Sheaffer.  They are a wee bit longer than the original Sheaffer refills, but that just means the tip sticks out a bit farther.  Otherwise they work just fine.  And the ink is soooo much nicer.  I'm partial to the blue-black, but the black is great too.  I have not tried the plain old blue.  My only complaint is they come only in fine.  I also use the Monteverde gel refills in Parker size, and that comes in a blue-black broad.  

[mrcharlie]

I'm surprised there isn't an answer here; hopefully you already found the answer somewhere.

 

The Sheaffer ballpoints produced in the 1960s through just recently mostly use what Sheaffer called the K type. The K type is what you want for reminder clip pens. The older K type refills had a different shape plastic bit at the back end (more rounded with a flat sort of "wing" crossing it), but that doesn't matter.

 

They only recently (BiC ownership era I think?) started making a few pens with a "standard" refill, aka Parker style refills, and they made refills for those pens as the some other letter, I think T, type.

 

As of the sale of Sheaffer by Cross to an Indian company, you can still find a few retailers with some K types in stock, but they aren't easy to find. I kind of doubt the new ownership cares about trying to service the Sheaffer ballpoint market, so I am doubting there will ever be more official Sheaffer refills for these pens.

 

You might need or want to buy Monteverde "Sheaffer K Type" refills, available in either ballpoint or capless gel ink. As someone with a dozen+ Sheaffer ballpoints, I hope Monteverde doesn't stop making these, as they are the only supplier remaining. You can modify (shorten) a Parker refill to fit some Sheaffer pens that take K type refills, but not others. I think shortened Parkers are too fat for Targas and the front part isn't shaped right for No Nonsense. However, I have been able to fit shortened Parker refills in several reminder clip pens.