A peek into the future... Sheaffer 300 line

[PenHero]

Fellow Collectors,

 

UPDATE 8/28/08:

 

The Gift Collection 2 will be called the Sheaffer 300 line and will be available in October, 2008.

 

Pricing will be:

 

Fountain pen, fine or medium nib - US $70.00

Rollerball pen - US $55.00

Ballpoint pen - US $45.00

Ballpoint / pencil set - US $70.00

 

Colors will be:

Glossy Black cap and barrel

Bright chrome cap / Glossy Black barrel

Bright chrome cap / Iridescent Red barrel

Bright chrome cap / Glossy Blue Marble barrel

 

I thought you might be interested in a "what if" scenario. What if Sheaffer broadened the Gift Collection 2 line by adding a fountain pen and rollerball to the ballpoint and pencil? What if Sheaffer added more color to the line?

 

Already this May Sheaffer released new Gift Collection 2 models that have a satin chrome cap, one of which has a red marbled barrel. Suppose Sheaffer added blue marble to this line?

 

We like the Gift Collection 2 pens as they fit a price point complimentary to the Prelude, but with a different look and feel. One of the best features of this line is the solid articulated clip, which keeps the Sheaffer bar and cutout theme introduced with the Targa. The new fountain pen and rollerball would probably use the same Prelude type nib and similar feed as do the current Prelude and Javelin pens.

 

Here are some proof shots of what these pens might look like. What do you think?

 

Possible Gift Collection 2 pens in all Gloss Black resin and Satin Chrome cap and Gloss Black resin barrel

 

Possible Gift Collection 2 pens in Satin Chrome cap with Red and Blue Marbled resin

 

We also think that Sheaffer missed out by giving this line a generic "Gift Collection" name. What about something from the Sheaffer past? Any suggestions?

 

Cheers,

 

Jim Mamoulides

www.PenHero.com

Edited October 24, 2008 by PenHero

[juhtolv]

 

That blue marbled fountain pen would be good match with blue-black inks. I would probably buy it.

 

[PenHero]

In response to some questions about size and weight, the ballpoint and pencil are the following dimensions:

 

Dimensions: 5 1/2 inches long / 1/2 inches across (a large pen)

Weight: 1 oz (a medium weight pen)

 

My guess is a fountain and rollerball version would be slightly longer, perhaps 5 3/8 capped and 5 7/8 posted.

 

I, too like the blue. The red is very similar to the Valor resin, BTW.

 

Cheers,

 

Jim Mamoulides

www.PenHero.com

[Glenn-SC]

Forget the black completely.

 

The Blue and Red IF it came in a gold nib version.

 

Otherwise, yaaaaawn, another cheap squarish chrome plated pen.

[RLTodd]

My take on it.

 

(0) The general style is satisfactory, but looks a little un Sheaffer like. A little too much hold over from the Valor design.

 

(1) If they use plastic instead of brass for the caps and barrels. Around 0.7 ounce would be a better target.

 

(2) Gold plate instead of chrome/rhodium for the furnishings.

 

(3) Under no circumstances use the Prelude nib. (I have had the worst luck with those things and even the good ones use overly soft tipping material. Occasional use and I have alread worn foots on them.)

 

(4) Cast clip, not pressed like the Preludes. Everytime I roll the pen and see that lip I just hear "cheap" being screemed in my mind.

 

 

[Univer]

Hmmm...interesting, if not ground-shaking. I've called more than once for a return to color (and resin) in the Sheaffer model range, so I won't be a hypocrite and damn this hypothetical model with faint praise. I will say this much: if this is an isolated model launch, it may not be seen as fully delivering on recent promises to introduce new, great Sheaffer pens. On the other hand, if it is the opening salvo of a broader line-wide campaign, it might be as good a place as any to begin.

 

It may well be that the most promising piece of news - for me, at least - is the willingness to consider a model name drawn from Sheaffer history. A few thoughts:

 

It might be nice to revisit Sheaffer's past naming practices for pens with resin/celluloid barrels and metal caps. That gives us:

 

Crest: A good name, to be sure, but probably ruled out by virtue of its recent Snorkel-inspired reincarnation.

 

Sentinel: Another fitting choice, but there have been so many Sentinels over the years - including, if memory serves, a fairly recent entry-level ballpoint - that it may not be the best option.

 

Sovereign: I don't know...somehow this name seems to be overreaching for this model. It's OK, but it's certainly not fountain-pen royalty.

 

Clipper: This would be my recommendation. It has historical precedent as a metal-capped-Sheaffer name; it still sounds modern enough; and "Clipper Collection" has some nice alliteration going for it. (I think we can safely dismiss any concerns about associations with the second-tier WASP Clipper, except possibly on the pen boards.)

 

Moving beyond names with metal-cap credentials, the choices don't seem terribly numerous. Valiant is much too close to Valor. Statesman, Cadet, Saratoga, Vigilant (and the other wartime names, which escape me at the moment)...they sound old, somehow. Triumph: it's been so overused, over the years, that it has already created a fair amount of confusion. Imperial: nope, an Imperial has an Inlaid Nib, case closed (I'm not forgetting the Imperial I, II and III; but they're simply not the models one thinks of when one thinks "Imperial.") Craftsman: to modern ears, I wonder if it would suggest a combination pen/adjustable wrench. Fashion is too recent, TRZ has no established equity. Oddly, I think "Stylist" might work; but I fear that asking Sheaffer to revive that name might be like asking Ford to produce the Edsel II.

 

I can't imagine much enthusiasm for reaching way back to 46 Special, Secretary or Oriental Mosaic.

 

So "Clipper" is my suggestion, for what it's worth.

 

Cheers,

 

Jon

Edited May 26, 2008 by Univer

[purpledog]

The blue and red marbled pens appeal to me. If there is a purple-marbled design, that is even better.

 

purpledog

[satrap]

The blue and red marbled pens appeal to me. If there is a purple-marbled design, that is even better.

 

purpledog

===

 

I'm with Purple on this one. What's the price point?

[PenHero]

The blue and red marbled pens appeal to me. If there is a purple-marbled design, that is even better.

 

purpledog

===

 

I'm with Purple on this one. What's the price point?

 

 

I don't know the price point on the FP or RB, but the ballpoint and pencil are available now and retail for US $45.00 for the ballpoint and $70.00 for the ballpoint / pencil set.

 

Cheers,

 

Jim Mamoulides

www.PenHero.com

[PenHero]

So "Clipper" is my suggestion, for what it's worth.

 

Cheers,

 

Jon

 

Wow - Clipper is a great choice!

 

Cheers,

 

Jim Mamoulides

www.PenHero.com

[Martius]

Mmm, love that marbled resin. Any word on whether Sheaffer will continue production of inlaid nibs? Also, a return to steel inlaid nibs would be wonderful, judging by the quality of the Triumph Imperials. (But only if they could make them as well as before.)

 

Best,

Summer Greer

[davefoe]

I like the resin and the colors, but I do think we need more colors than blue and red -- too basic. The pens look a little cheap . . . like a cheap pen trying to look fancy. Compare that to the Triumph Imperials, for instance, which were inexpensive pens but had a little more quality feel to them. I don't dislike the Prelude nibs, but they seem fairly low-end. So, I would say this is better than nothing, but is Sheaffer no longer capable of making something like a stainless inlaid nib in a simple but quality pen with interesting color choices? Quality should be understated . . . a simple quality pen, vs. a cheap pen gussied up to look "fancy."

 

Still, I encourage more efforts towards new stuff. My suggestion: new Prelude finishes and put a Triumph nib on that pen. Call it Prelude II.

 

I have not handled these Gift Collection II pens. I have only handled the Gift Collection I pens, and they seem cheap.

 

Here's hoping for more good things from Sheaffer!

 

Dave

[ericthered2004]

I think they're beautiful, solid but stylish, and hence very sheaffer-y. They remind me of the Javelin, which I find a lovely pen, with the cap also being quite redolent of the Pura. My only concern would be heft (the lighter the better) and I second reservations about the Prelude nib, because I found the fine too fine and the medium too thick.

 

cheers

eric

[rowdy]

They are kind of cool. I have both the Gift Collection and the Gift Collection II in BP/MP. They are a seriously nice pen and pencil set. Pretty heavy though but they are well balanced. Funny though the original gift collection looks like a Cross pen/pencil. Century II? I also have to admit Sheaffer BP refills made in China are quite nice. Parker made in China BP refills (stock refill in the new IM's) are pretty crappy.

 

I've not had too many problems with the Prelude nib but I'm thinking is there any way you could put an inlaid nib on those puppies? I remember the original Targas I used to own in Brushed chrome had inlaid nibs (although steel) and the price point CDN was 30 bucks.

 

I do like the Clipper name, As I have a Snorkel Clipper set with metal/gold cap, or is it the Sentinel? Hmm can't remember. Pen needs repair so haven't looked at it much:).

 

I know some people have posted here that wouldn't look at these but I'd be tempted to own one or three if they were produced.

 

Still enjoying my Valor:)

 

my thoughts.

 

Rowdy

 

 

 

[PenHero]

Here's an update:

 

Suppose the target price for the new pens are:

 

Fountain Pen: $70.00

Rollerball Pen: $55.00

 

Cheers,

 

Jim Mamoulides

www.PenHero.com

[FPUZR]

Mmm, love that marbled resin. Any word on whether Sheaffer will continue production of inlaid nibs? Also, a return to steel inlaid nibs would be wonderful, judging by the quality of the Triumph Imperials. (But only if they could make them as well as before.)

 

Best,

Summer Greer

 

Summer-

 

Sheaffer WILL continue production of the inlaid nib. They have already sourced a manufacturer for the nib and for the integrated grip/nib section. When I was in Ft. Madison I thought that they were still making them there since I saw (I have pictures) people finishing the nibs. The fact is, the inlaid nib has not actually been manufactured in Ft. Madison for 2 years. The gold parts are made in Germany and the plastic bits are made by the same factory that Sheaffer has used from time to time and is located north of Ft. Madison. The injection molding company employs several former Sheaffer Ft. Madison employees. When I spoke with the Sheaffer product engineer last month he told me that they had resourced the nib manufacture a couple years ago and what I saw in Ft. Madison was the polishing and final assembly. So, you have German nibs, USA made plastic bits, assembled in Ft. Madison writing units on the pens in circulation right now. In the next few months it will be German made nibs, USA made plastic bits and assembled in Slovakia. As much as we would like to think that only the God Blessed hands of people in Ft. Madison were the only ones who could get it right; we're wrong.

 

For your enjoyment, here are some Ft. Madison nib finishing pictures.

Dave Mac

[michael_s]

Jim, thanks for giving us a chance to participate in the pen-design process.

 

I think an affordable, wide-barrel Sheaffer fp will be a nice alternative to the narrower Prelude. Do you have mock-ups that depict the end of the barrel? Will it have a posting ring, so the cap doesn't mar the finish?

 

Suppose the target price for the new pens are:

 

Fountain Pen: $70.00

Rollerball Pen: $55.00

 

By "target price," do you mean MSRP, or the price most dealers will be selling them?

 

I guess the current fashion is black-and-silver, but I think a gold-colored clip will better highlight the Sheaffer "White Dot." With the current mock-up, the "White Dot" blends into the silver-colored clip, so it's not noticeable. Or maybe have a dark colored clip on the models with chrome caps?

 

If the clip is gold-colored, I think the nib should be two-tone. Otherwise, keep it silver.

 

For all the models, I hope the pens remain nicely balanced, both posted and unposted.

 

It'd be nice if Sheaffer could add a distinctive feature to differentiate these pens from the others on the market by Cross, Waterman, etc. Since Sheaffer appears to reserve the inlaid nib for their more expensive models, maybe something like an ink-view window? Fossil has some watches that expose the movement (or fake movement, since timekeeping is actually quartz-based), so maybe more buyers would be interested in an ink-view window, or some other feature, that elegantly exposes the "inside" of a fountain pen? Maybe bring back the visulated section?

 

-Mike

Edited May 27, 2008 by michael_s

[PenHero]

Fountain Pen: $70.00

Rollerball Pen: $55.00

 

These numbers are MSRP. I do not know the final numbers.

 

Cheers,

 

Jim Mamoulides

www.PenHero.com

[PenHero]

Updated - more information added to the first post above.

 

Cheers,

 

Jim Mamoulides

www.PenHero.com

Edited August 28, 2008 by PenHero

[RevAaron]

Sheaffer 300? Better than the original possible name by far, but it'll sure confuse things. People already think 300, 875, 1000, 1250, etc are Sheaffer models... And now, they'll be right.

 

Aaron