choosing first vintage pen.
I am choosing my first vintage pen and it is a toss up between a pfm in black or blue and a balance oversize in carmine red or grey striated. Originally i was dead set on a flex or semi flex, but i think i can accept a stiff medium or broad. What say you? Any advice? Where is the best place to get one that is fully restored?
Last edited by tarheel1; July 2nd, 2014 at 03:43 PM.
WTB Sheaffer Balance oversized with a flex nib, semi flex, broad, or medium in carmine red or grey striated.
Wtb Sheaffer Pfm in black or blue with a medium or broad nib.
Re: choosing first v8ntage pen.
I can't speak to "best", but I think I just received couple gray-stripe OS's back from restorers, one a well worn but intact "user", one fairly sharp. Should goto website soon, but they don't have to.
regards
d
David R. Isaacson, MD
http://www.vacumania.com : Sales site for guaranteed, restored collectible pens.
The Fountain Pen Board /FPnuts : Archived Message Board with focus on vintage.
The Fountain Pen Journal: The new glossy full-color print magazine, published/edited by iconic fountain pen author Paul Erano.
Facebook pen group "Fountain Pens"/FPnuts: Davey's casual Facebook group for collectible pens.
31000 members and growing. World's heftiest daily vintage pen eye candy
Re: choosing first v8ntage pen.
What nib on the nicer one and filling system?
WTB Sheaffer Balance oversized with a flex nib, semi flex, broad, or medium in carmine red or grey striated.
Wtb Sheaffer Pfm in black or blue with a medium or broad nib.
Re: choosing first v8ntage pen.
My choice would be a PFM. A nice weight and size, snorkel fill, spring loaded clip and a slip cap that also posts well make this a good choice from a usability aspect. The metal Imperials are likewise good and often overlooked. To me the clip and slip cap are the features I think seperate them, if that's not an issue then either would be a fine choice.
Regards
Hugh
Re: choosing first v8ntage pen.
I prefer a Balance, but both are excellent. I would buy at a pen show, personally. If you can't wait that long, I highly recommend Joel and Sherrell at Inkpen. They are wonderful people, do great work and offer a very long warranty. Oh, Ron Zorn at Main Street Pens is another terrific Sheaffer restorer/seller.
tarheel1 (July 2nd, 2014)
Re: choosing first v8ntage pen.
I just cant make it to a pen show anytime in the next few years.
WTB Sheaffer Balance oversized with a flex nib, semi flex, broad, or medium in carmine red or grey striated.
Wtb Sheaffer Pfm in black or blue with a medium or broad nib.
Re: choosing first v8ntage pen.
Both lever fillers. I will be home next week to check points, but generally these turn up with Fine or Medium.Originally Posted by tarheel1
regards
d
David R. Isaacson, MD
http://www.vacumania.com : Sales site for guaranteed, restored collectible pens.
The Fountain Pen Board /FPnuts : Archived Message Board with focus on vintage.
The Fountain Pen Journal: The new glossy full-color print magazine, published/edited by iconic fountain pen author Paul Erano.
Facebook pen group "Fountain Pens"/FPnuts: Davey's casual Facebook group for collectible pens.
31000 members and growing. World's heftiest daily vintage pen eye candy
Re: choosing first v8ntage pen.
Between the two, my vote goes to the PFM.
Re: choosing first v8ntage pen.
I'm going to side with the Balance, although my own inclination would be something a little later-- something with a Triumph point, which can also be had in the striated bodies if you get in before '47. There's nothing wrong with PFMs, but they are a little less visually interesting and tend to have a slightly lower cost/writing joy quotient.
Flex is pretty rare in Sheaffers, as the company seems to have inclined towards firmness, so don't anticipate anything in that line (it CAN happen, but better to be prepared against it).
Given to daily lunatic raving, but also capable of more prolonged pen-centricity.
Re: choosing first v8ntage pen.
I am not stuck on flex. There is a nice flex pen in wrong color on the bay right now, but I need to wait.
WTB Sheaffer Balance oversized with a flex nib, semi flex, broad, or medium in carmine red or grey striated.
Wtb Sheaffer Pfm in black or blue with a medium or broad nib.
Re: choosing first v8ntage pen.
I have a nice black PfM I from Tom Bickman. Ebay as TBICKIII, I think. Also a blue PfM I from Peyton Street. Both medium nibs. The inlaid nib is something special. Furthermore, the PfM is the last classic fountain pen, by which I mean that Sheaffer expected you to return it to Sheaffer service...user was not expected to fix problems. I call a "modern" pen anything built with components, such as the Parker 45 and P75.
Not convinced to buy the PfM? Let Sheaffer advertising persuade:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_Ql2TT4pAU
Re: choosing first v8ntage pen.
The PFM is one of the most modern "vintage" pens imaginable. It might be the best pen ever made, but if the point is to wade into the world of "vintage" pens, it's the kiddie pool. The water doesn't even reach the knee.
Last edited by mhosea; July 4th, 2014 at 12:27 AM.
--
Mike
Re: choosing first v8ntage pen.
Sheaffer makes for nice eye candy
regards
d
David R. Isaacson, MD
http://www.vacumania.com : Sales site for guaranteed, restored collectible pens.
The Fountain Pen Board /FPnuts : Archived Message Board with focus on vintage.
The Fountain Pen Journal: The new glossy full-color print magazine, published/edited by iconic fountain pen author Paul Erano.
Facebook pen group "Fountain Pens"/FPnuts: Davey's casual Facebook group for collectible pens.
31000 members and growing. World's heftiest daily vintage pen eye candy
mhosea (July 4th, 2014)
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