Sheaffer VFM

[PenHero]

Here is another probable new Sheaffer ballpoint line, called VFM. From the photos, it looks like a pushbutton take on the Sheaffer 100, with a solid, rather than a cut out clip.

 

I have no pricing or release information yet.

 

Here they are:

 

http://penhero.com/Temp/SheafferVFM.jpg

 

Cheers,

 

Jim Mamoulides

www.PenHero.com

[Hugh200au]

I don't think those will help the "bottom line".

 

Regards

Hugh

[Pepin]

lol. This is good. In 50 years, I may finally hit gold when an ebayer lists his PFM as VFM :-)

[ruud2904]

lol. This is good. In 50 years, I may finally hit gold when an ebayer lists his PFM as VFM :-)

 

I think they look nice. They seem kind of competitors to the modern P J*tter. What would the caracters VFM stand for ?

BTW I sure hope, Pepin, that when you buy a PFM for good money, that you don't receive one of these in the mail.

[Ernst Bitterman]

Value For Money, perhaps?

[PenHero]

Value For Money, perhaps?

 

Wow - that's a great guess!

 

Jim Mamoulides

www.PenHero.com

[Hugh200au]

I came up with the first and last words, the F has me stumped ....in polite company anyway.

 

Very _______ Mundane

 

Needless to say I wouldn't buy one.

 

Regards

Hugh

[davefoe]

I think these are nice-looking for what they are -- a fairly low-line ballpoint pen. I like the colors. The clip looks a little suggestive of a snorkel-era clip. If that's what the public's buying, then why not sell them?

 

Similar types of pens are being offered by the other pen makers.

 

Dave

[TechWriter]

Hi,

 

I like the colors but I'm curious about the white dot: Do all Sheaffers now wear the white dot?

[davefoe]

It seems that they all do feature the White Dot now. Not sure if that's good or bad.

 

Dave

[RLTodd]

random thoughts.......

 

1) nice style, but I don't see anything that makes me thing "Sheaffer" about it.

 

2) if it is a "K" refill, it is not going to get any interest until they start getting their refills back in the Office Depot type places.

 

2a) skip that if the price point is 3 bucks.

 

3) we are getting closer to my prediction that we would eventually see BIC STICs with the Sheaffer White Dot on them.

 

4) any clicker ball point in the over $3 price point is going to have an uphill struggle against the Parker Jotter.

[MLKirk]

Nice looking pen! I like it. I can't recall Sheaffer having a ballpoint with it's own identity like Parker does. Seems they all are a version of another model like Prelude or Targa, both very good pens I might add. This disagrees with Hugh's opinion but that's why there are so many different pens in the world, right? Something for everyone.

 

The colors are a good start and may show potential for variations if it's a good quality pen. Conversely, Parker has kept it's offering to a few basic colors and still ride on it's success and brand recognition with the pen.

 

I agree with RLTodd, specifically item 2 and 2a. Sheaffer refills are not easy to find and the price point will make all the difference in it's success. If it's feels cheap in the hand, it will be throwaway like all the others and there's little reason to set it apart from the others.

 

As far as RLTodd's item 3, well....er....sorry, I'm gagging. I truly hope we don't see that. Bic still has it's identity and Sheaffer is so identified with the white dot, I'd honestly be shocked if that ever happened. Highly doubtful IMHO.

 

Sheaffer truly needs a flagship ballpoint and good distribution of that and it's refills. A bit of good marketing is now in order.

[Hugh200au]

This disagrees with Hugh's opinion but that's why there are so many different pens in the world, right? Something for everyone.

 

Right!! I think these look better Intensity .

 

Regards

Hugh

[lovemy51]

just bought one of these in black (the FP, of course). it's quite smooth. the only draw back is that it only takes intl. carts. other than that, great pen for the money -$15 american.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sheaffer-VFM-Metal-Barrel-Fountain-Pen-Matte-Black-/330670323716?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cfd7cb804 (no affiliation.)

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Sheaffer-VFM-Metal-Barrel-Fountain-Pen-Matte-Black-/00/s/ODAwWDgwMA==/$(KGrHqF,!nME63S96nSnBPD,bMVv(w~~60_3.JPG

 

got mine at Flax in SF.

Edited January 27, 2012 by lovemy51

[nxn96]

We recently received the new American Stationery catalog at the house, and I noticed they are featuring the VFM ballpoint for $12.50 (which I think is the suggested retail price). Given the degree to which Sheaffer products seem to have "disappeared" from retail shelves in my area (Chicago), I was pleased to see the presence of the pen in the catalog. I'm not quite sure I'd pay $12.50 for a pen that strikes me as looking much like a 1960's-70's era PaperMate that you could get for about a buck back in the day, but I would say it's a pleasant looking pen.

[ticoun]

What would the caracters VFM stand for ?

 

according to gouletpens it's "Vibrant, Fun and Modern"

Edited January 27, 2012 by ticoun

[Ernst Bitterman]

I've got a "Maximum Orange" example of the FP, and I share Lovemy51's opinion almost entirely. One could wish that there were SOMEONE on it that country of origin appeared, so praise for the good aspects can go to the right quarter.