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Thread: The "Dolphin"

  1. #1
    Senior Member penwash's Avatar
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    Default The "Dolphin"

    This post is my appreciation for the "Dolphin", the pen that probably split pen people right in the middle as far as whether you love or hate its looks.

    As far as Sheaffer goes, at least back when they were still in Iowa, breaking new grounds and causing their competitors to scramble are just another day at work.

    Maybe because that was the case, we see this curious model from them in the early part of the 1960's that were only in production for what, 2 years?

    Seen here is the top of the line model 1000 which is characterized by the nice and solid, gold-plated cap with lines engraved on it, and the 14K nib ... and cartridge only according to PenHero.com.



    The other models offered were: 500 (steel cap, steel nib), and 800 (plastic cap, 14K gold nib).

    Hands On: This pen shares the same dimension and heft with the famous Imperial family, the reason they are famous is because they are excellent writers, well made, with outstanding balance in the hand. So is this pen.

    Lights On: I think this pen looks gorgeous. The cap on this 1000 model is beefy, very nice heft and quite the opposite of "cheap feeling". And I like burgundy colored barrels, I think they look stately, especially with a beefy gold plated cap.

    Write On: The nib is gold, size is Fine. It's *springy*. Don't know what that means? Head over to the thread that goes multi pages deep talking about *Springy nibs* right here on FPGeeks.

    Move On: If it's not clear to you by now, I am in the camp who love the "Dolphin". I think it's one of Sheaffer's model that deserve a lot more exposure than it does now. Plus, it's a dang good writer. I thoroughly enjoy sketching with it.

    (And no, I wasn't trying to lit the pen on fire, it already is).
    - Will
    Unique and restored vintage pens: Redeem Pens

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  3. #2
    Senior Member silverlifter's Avatar
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    Default Re: The "Dolphin"

    I love Sheaffer's inlaid nibs. All of them. Except the Dolphin. There is something about it that reminds me of a toenail. It's an image I just can't shake...
    Vintage. Cursive italic. Iron gall.

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  5. #3
    Senior Member Sailor Kenshin's Avatar
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    Default Re: The "Dolphin"

    I want one. I love Sheaffer, and I like offbeat nibs. And ps, I really love your sketches. When I grow up I want to draw like that. And I was a published illustrator.
    My other pen is a Montblanc.

    And my other blog is a tumblr!


    And my latest ebook, for spooky wintery reading:

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CM2NGSSD

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  7. #4
    Senior Member penwash's Avatar
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    Default Re: The "Dolphin"

    1 dislike vs 1 like.

    See what I mean?

    PS: S.K. you are too kind.
    - Will
    Unique and restored vintage pens: Redeem Pens

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    Senior Member FredRydr's Avatar
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    Default Re: The "Dolphin"

    Is the inlaid "V" part of the nib or just ornament?

  10. #6
    Senior Member penwash's Avatar
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    Default Re: The "Dolphin"

    Quote Originally Posted by FredRydr View Post
    Is the inlaid "V" part of the nib or just ornament?
    Ornament. Maybe so the dolphin would feel like a part of the Imperial family.
    - Will
    Unique and restored vintage pens: Redeem Pens

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    Senior Member Jon Szanto's Avatar
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    Default Re: The "Dolphin"

    Excellent write-up, fine photo, quality sketch.

    And the business end of the pen still creeps me out. Completely aesthetic, as it likely writes as well as you say, just makes me want to put the cap on and hide it in the drawer. More pens for everybody else this way!
    "When Men differ in Opinion, both Sides ought equally to have the Advantage of being heard by the Publick;
    and that when Truth and Error have fair Play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter."

    ~ Benjamin Franklin

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    Senior Member grainweevil's Avatar
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    Default Re: The "Dolphin"

    To me it looks like someone trying to do a cheap knock-off of a Sheaffer inlaid nib - I suppose Sheaffer were more entitled to do that than anyone else. Have to put me in the no-likey camp, I'm afraid.
    In the words of Paul Simon, you can call me Al.

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  15. #9
    Senior Member penwash's Avatar
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    Default Re: The "Dolphin"

    Quote Originally Posted by Jon Szanto View Post
    Excellent write-up, fine photo, quality sketch.

    And the business end of the pen still creeps me out. Completely aesthetic, as it likely writes as well as you say, just makes me want to put the cap on and hide it in the drawer. More pens for everybody else this way!
    LOL. I knew we are in different camps on this one.

    Interestingly, I get a lot more inquiry and interest on the "Dolphin" from the reddit crowd.
    - Will
    Unique and restored vintage pens: Redeem Pens

  16. #10
    Senior Member penwash's Avatar
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    Default Re: The "Dolphin"

    Quote Originally Posted by grainweevil View Post
    To me it looks like someone trying to do a cheap knock-off of a Sheaffer inlaid nib - I suppose Sheaffer were more entitled to do that than anyone else. Have to put me in the no-likey camp, I'm afraid.
    All right, I'll put you down on the no-likey camp.

    Who's next?
    - Will
    Unique and restored vintage pens: Redeem Pens

  17. #11
    FPG Donor ♕ Chrissy's Avatar
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    Default Re: The "Dolphin"

    Will you can put me in the like camp.

    Like the pen and really like the sketch.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Senior Member FredRydr's Avatar
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    Default Re: The "Dolphin"

    Quote Originally Posted by penwash View Post
    ...Who's next?
    Meh. I think it's because the inlaid and Triumph nibs have spoiled me. I'd have to hold it in my hand to get a proper feel for it.

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    Default Re: The "Dolphin"

    It's an interesting design... I'm leaning towards nope but not super strongly. I would much rather have an imperial (that's one pen on my "to collect" list).

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  23. #14
    Senior Member penwash's Avatar
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    Default Re: The "Dolphin"

    So the tally so far:

    Camp Me-likey: 3 pen people.

    Camp No-likey: 5 pen people (grumpy ones ... just kidding).
    - Will
    Unique and restored vintage pens: Redeem Pens

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    Senior Member welch's Avatar
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    Default Re: The "Dolphin"

    I have one. It's a "no big deal" pen that sits in a coffee-mug at the back of my desk. I used it a little about ten years ago, when I bought it. Either EBay or from Peyton Street. It's about the last Sheaffer I would use, having given away a Sheaffer school pen. I think mine is a gold-plated steel nib, since the tip is as golden as the nib. Plastic cap without the white dot. Touch-down filling system.

    Nothing wrong with the Dolphin, but life is too short to bother with a mediocre fountain pen...and I have a half-dozen Imperials of various sorts which, though none is so good that it demands to be used, all are better than the Dolphin.

  26. #16
    Senior Member penwash's Avatar
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    Default Re: The "Dolphin"

    Quote Originally Posted by welch View Post
    Nothing wrong with the Dolphin, but life is too short to bother with a mediocre fountain pen...and I have a half-dozen Imperials of various sorts which, though none is so good that it demands to be used, all are better than the Dolphin.
    Wow, alright, shall we say Camp No-Likey, then!

    Oh, by the way, the pen was spoken for before I even had the chance to list it on my website.

    Next!
    - Will
    Unique and restored vintage pens: Redeem Pens

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    FPG Donor ♕ Chrissy's Avatar
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    Default Re: The "Dolphin"

    Quote Originally Posted by penwash View Post
    So the tally so far:

    Camp Me-likey: 3 pen people.

    Camp No-likey: 5 pen people (grumpy ones ... just kidding).
    Whoah just a minute: I'm grumpy but I still like it.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Senior Member grainweevil's Avatar
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    Default Re: The "Dolphin"

    Quote Originally Posted by Chrissy View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by penwash View Post
    So the tally so far:

    Camp Me-likey: 3 pen people.

    Camp No-likey: 5 pen people (grumpy ones ... just kidding).
    Whoah just a minute: I'm grumpy but I still like it.
    Whereas I am the life and soul of the party and still don't lik-

    Oh, all right. Yes, I'm grumpy. You got me.
    In the words of Paul Simon, you can call me Al.

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    Senior Member Sailor Kenshin's Avatar
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    Default Re: The "Dolphin"

    I still want one!
    My other pen is a Montblanc.

    And my other blog is a tumblr!


    And my latest ebook, for spooky wintery reading:

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CM2NGSSD

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    Default Re: The "Dolphin"

    I did not originally like the dolphin. I love the long inlaid nib Targas but, I only had the two that I had bought new in the 80's. Until a few years ago snorkel was as new as I got. Having mostly completed the early stuff though, I wanted to hunt some new items. So I turned to Targas. PFM's are a bit pricey so I expanded into the Imperial IV's. Well it is not a stretch to go to the VI's and VIII's. Then you have to ask yourself what about the dolphin? It grew on me and I have 21 of the 25 styles made. I'll have to contact them at Sheaffertarga.com as they say the 1000 is available in touchdown though I don't have any and I think Jim is right. Now the ones I can't stand are the I's, II's, and III's and that stupid arrowhead nib...

    Roger W.

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