Just Got A New Sheaffer Intrigue Set

[sexauerw]

Yesterday's mail brought me a Sheaffer Intrigue FP/BP set in the Whale Shark pattern, but with the colors reversed from normal. I'll start with a picture of a normal Whale Shark Intrigue:

 

http://bulk-share.slickpic.com/album/share/Jz1zUukMzDMNI3/3623106.1/1600/p/Sheaffer_Intrigue_Whale_Shark%2C_closed.jpg

 

 

Now here are the pictures of the new set. Has anyone ever seen this color before? Or seen a catalog or brochure showing it?

 

http://bulk-share.slickpic.com/album/share/NM1yNAgjjz1McM/3939630.1/1600/p/Sheaffer+Intrigue_Whale_Shark%2C_Reverse_Color_Pattern.jpg

http://bulk-share.slickpic.com/album/share/NM1yNAgjjz1McM/3939631.1/1600/p/Sheaffer_Intrigue_Whale_Shark_Ballpoint%2C_Reverse_Color_Pattern.jpg

[jar]

That's a new one on me as well; it kinda looks like the Seal but IIRC the Seal pattern used two colored dots in a random pattern.

[kpyeoman]

Perhaps a prototype? Was it an EBay buy?

[Freddy]

  On 4/4/2013 at 7:26 AM, sexauerw said:

Yesterday's mail brought me a Sheaffer Intrigue FP/BP set in the Whale Shark pattern, but with the colors reversed from normal. I'll start with a picture of a normal Whale Shark Intrigue:

 

http://bulk-share.slickpic.com/album/share/Jz1zUukMzDMNI3/3623106.1/1600/p/Sheaffer_Intrigue_Whale_Shark%2C_closed.jpg

 

 

Now here are the pictures of the new set. Has anyone ever seen this color before? Or seen a catalog or brochure showing it?

 

http://bulk-share.slickpic.com/album/share/NM1yNAgjjz1McM/3939630.1/1600/p/Sheaffer+Intrigue_Whale_Shark%2C_Reverse_Color_Pattern.jpg

http://bulk-share.slickpic.com/album/share/NM1yNAgjjz1McM/3939631.1/1600/p/Sheaffer_Intrigue_Whale_Shark_Ballpoint%2C_Reverse_Color_Pattern.jpg

 

 

First time with gray and dark blue dots was in Sam's Midnight Madness email

on April 1, 2013..

 

Fred

[sexauerw]

  On 4/4/2013 at 10:38 PM, Freddy said:

First time with gray and dark blue dots was in Sam's Midnight Madness email

on April 1, 2013..

 

Fred

 

Yes, that's where I got the set. I just got an e-mail from Sam and she told me that these pens were prototypes that she got from a former Sheaffer employee. I had a suspicion that this was the case. Unlike many, I'm rather fond of the Intrigue fountain pens. But this is my first experience with the matching ballpoint. The designer of that should have been whipped! The gripping section is sharply tapered and is smooooth metal. You can't write more than about two words before the pen has slipped up in your grip to the point where you have to let go of it and regrip it. And that was with a fresh gel refill in it. I shudder to think what it would have been like had I put a standard ballpoint refill in it.

[Harlequin]

I've never had the pleasure of trying an Intrigue, but have been kind of on the look out for the chance. I do have to say, like with the Valor, I appreciate the way Sheaffer has in recent years tried to add to and evolve their classic design motifs in certain ways on different models. Of course, that is coming form someone who really cannot stand the open, square Targa style clip <shudder>.

[kpyeoman]

I really like my Intrigue. They're a pretty under rated pen, and I think they have good collectible value for the future. It's a well balanced, wet writing pen. Worth buying, especially compared to the prices for a Legacy or a Valor. It's a shame Sheaffer no longer has a mid line gold nibbed pen...even an open nib version would be great.

[Harlequin]

Are Intrigues still in production? I didn't see it listed in the 2013 catalog/pamphlet thing.

[sexauerw]

I don't think Intrigues are still in production. As best I can tell, the period of production for the Intrigue began in 2000 and ended in 2004. I got this set from Pendemonium, they just had the one set. They got it from a former Sheaffer employee and I have no idea how long either the employee or Pendemonium held it before passing it on.

[kpyeoman]

Nope, haven't been in production for years. There are some NOS ones out there, but Peyton Street Pens has several gently used ones for pretty good prices.

[betsypreston]

That is fantastic! You are so lucky!

 

How interesting that it looks like a hybrid of the Whale Shark and Seal models.

 

I've been snapping up Intrigues for a year or two now. I agree that they are underrated. The prices seem pretty good to me, and I can't believe it will last. Hence my hoovering up one of each model while the getting is still good. I recently got one pencil and one ballpoint. Probably leave it at that for non-FPs. (Okay, maybe one RB - I'm pretty sure there are RBs).

 

The filing system gives me a little pause. It's so hard to tell which way the piston is moving, and it makes some nerve-wracking clicking noises when you get to the end but haven't figured out yet that you're there. I had one bad converter (probably bad from the factory). The plunger got cocked in the tube. I might be able to re-seat it with a toothpick up the hole or by dismantling it (if that's possible).

 

It's not that the filling system is unusable or anything. I'm just nervous that there's more to go wrong and wonder if the failures will be fixable.

 

But the pens...so beautiful and a joy to use.

 

Congrats again on your very unique set!!!

 

[editted for typo]

Edited April 28, 2013 by betsypreston

[Harlequin]

I want to try the Intrigue for the reason- the filling system. Brace yourselves for the bad pun, b/c for lack of a better word, it intrigues me! I've seen the Whale Shark and Seal versions, what are the other versions?

[Trebster]

  On 5/6/2013 at 8:05 AM, Harlequin said:

I want to try the Intrigue for the reason- the filling system.

 

I eventually came around to using my Intrigue as just a cartridge filler.

 

When I use the Intrugue as a "piston filler", there is a vagueness in the filling motion that makes it difficult to know when the converter is filled. I understand this extra motion can strip the teeth at the base of the converter, and replacement converters will be a challenge to find.

 

Edit: I see an Intrigue converter on the bay for $30. So likely it's a challenge to find a replacement Intrigue converter at a reasonable price.

Edited May 6, 2013 by Trebster

[ballboy]

I frustrated myself trying to remove said converter from the tray on my blue stencil, only to realise that I had yet to wind in the rear thread mechanism whereupon it prised out easily. The pen is delightful to use, but definitely as a cartridge fill for easier use.

[betsypreston]

  On 5/6/2013 at 8:05 AM, Harlequin said:

I want to try the Intrigue for the reason- the filling system. Brace yourselves for the bad pun, b/c for lack of a better word, it intrigues me! I've seen the Whale Shark and Seal versions, what are the other versions?

 

Here is a list of all of the different models.

 

http://www.sheaffertarga.com/Intrigue/Intrigue%20ref%20list.html

[betsypreston]

  On 5/16/2013 at 7:03 PM, ballboy said:

I frustrated myself trying to remove said converter from the tray on my blue stencil, only to realise that I had yet to wind in the rear thread mechanism whereupon it prised out easily. The pen is delightful to use, but definitely as a cartridge fill for easier use.

 

Whew.

 

I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one with issues/reservations about the fussy converter. I had great luck with a cartridge. I am continuing to use the converters, for the most part. But am glad that I have the cart option.