Sheaffer Royal Selangor

[furple]

Despite the fact that I didn't pay the asking price, I'm still willing to bet that I overestimated the market value of the Sheaffer Royal Selangor I just purchased.

 

Without me saying what I paid, would anyone care to express an opinion on what you think this pen is really worth? I mean, I paid what I paid because I like the look of it, and I'm hoping it will be a good writer. Plus, it looks quite durable, and so will be a LE I won't be reluctant to carry and use. A lot will depend on how comfortable it is to write with, though. I've heard it's quite unbalanced if posted, so it's likely I'd never use it that way.

 

Anyway, I've already bought the thing and I'm not likely to ever sell it, so this is a purely academic inquiry. Feel free to respond or ignore at your discretion (but I'd love some input on the subject).

 

Thanks!

[Lorna Reed]

I can't tell you what it's really worth, but I can tell you I paid $105 + shipping in May 2010, and as I love the pen, it is worth that much to me.

I love the smooth 18K nib and the beautiful bamboo design. It writes consistantly and well. Starts first time, every time - even when I haven't used it for a while. I would think it could be unbalanced when posted, but I never post pens so that's not a problem for me.

[MLKirk]

Several years ago, a dealer was blowing them out at about $85 each, best price. He sold a lot of Sheaffer NOS stuff so I figured he had bought up much of their discontinued inventory. I haven't seen them that cheap since then.

 

Regards,

[furple]

  On 3/19/2011 at 5:36 PM, Lorna Reed said:

I can't tell you what it's really worth, but I can tell you I paid $105 + shipping in May 2010, and as I love the pen, it is worth that much to me.

I love the smooth 18K nib and the beautiful bamboo design. It writes consistantly and well. Starts first time, every time - even when I haven't used it for a while. I would think it could be unbalanced when posted, but I never post pens so that's not a problem for me.

Well, what anything is "really" worth is merely what the market will bear. So your answer is just the sort of thing I'm looking for. The rate of inflation and availability considered, I suppose I got good market value. Glad to hear it's a good writer, but could you tell me what nib width you chose? I ordered what I hope will be a fine nib (a bit of a discrepancy between the description and the pics). They can be tricky, but most Sheaffer fine nibs I have write with a problem.

 

Thanks for your input!

[furple]

  On 3/19/2011 at 5:55 PM, MLKirk said:

Several years ago, a dealer was blowing them out at about $85 each, best price. He sold a lot of Sheaffer NOS stuff so I figured he had bought up much of their discontinued inventory. I haven't seen them that cheap since then.

 

Regards,

Oh, I wish I'd been paying attention back then! Knowing then what I know now, I'd have snapped up a couple at that price. I mean even if I hated them, I'm sure I would have been able to resell at least one. Still, I'm pretty sure I could have done worse even with what I paid today.

 

Thanks much!

[bogiesan]

Be sure to return here and tell us what you think about it after you've inked it up and written a few pages.

 

I have a medium nib and I enjoy writing with it tremendously. One of the things I like about the medium nib is how wet it can get and this allows my inks--except the darkest--to shade dramatically. If you researched the pen at all, you've noticed opinions vary on the appropriateness of the plastic section with its flourished nib attached to the elegantly sculpted body. To me, the section is too long, meaning the nib is too far from the body and, yes, the pewter is massive so it's a bit top heavy when posted so I leave the cap on the desk.

 

I paid about $100 for it when Teri at Peyton had a few for sale in early 2010.

 

I think you will be delighted with your Selangor Bamboo.

 

david boise ID

[Lorna Reed]

I just did a quick 'google' and there don't seem many of these pens around. I got mine from Teri at Peyton Pens, and they no longer have any in stock. I found one pre-owned which sold for $159.00 and a new one on sale at $189.99 so it seems we did quite well. :clap1:

[furple]

  On 3/21/2011 at 4:41 AM, bogiesan said:

Be sure to return here and tell us what you think about it after you've inked it up and written a few pages.

 

I have a medium nib and I enjoy writing with it tremendously. One of the things I like about the medium nib is how wet it can get and this allows my inks--except the darkest--to shade dramatically. If you researched the pen at all, you've noticed opinions vary on the appropriateness of the plastic section with its flourished nib attached to the elegantly sculpted body. To me, the section is too long, meaning the nib is too far from the body and, yes, the pewter is massive so it's a bit top heavy when posted so I leave the cap on the desk.

 

I paid about $100 for it when Teri at Peyton had a few for sale in early 2010.

 

I think you will be delighted with your Selangor Bamboo.

 

david boise ID

I'll do that!

 

Thanks for the info. That's the problem with buying a pen online, of course. You don't get to hold it to see if it really fits your hand, etc. Still, I think I did all right on price, and since I really liked the look and I wanted it, that's (almost entirely) good enough for me. Plus, it has a nice presentation case!

[furple]

  On 3/21/2011 at 8:06 AM, Lorna Reed said:

I just did a quick 'google' and there don't seem many of these pens around. I got mine from Teri at Peyton Pens, and they no longer have any in stock. I found one pre-owned which sold for $159.00 and a new one on sale at $189.99 so it seems we did quite well. :clap1:

Hey, not bad. I did better than both those prices! :clap1:

[penmanila]

i think the royal selangor bamboo pen is one of the best bargains there is in the market. it's a great writer to begin with. i have one with a broad nib, and even at $115 (what i paid for it) it's still a steal. the box is also quite impressive. but of course, it's really the bamboo-themed pewter barrel that's distinctive. years from now, people are going to be looking at this pen and saying, "now why didn't i get one of those when they were practically giving them away?"

[furple]

  On 3/21/2011 at 12:45 PM, penmanila said:

i think the royal selangor bamboo pen is one of the best bargains there is in the market. it's a great writer to begin with. i have one with a broad nib, and even at $115 (what i paid for it) it's still a steal. the box is also quite impressive. but of course, it's really the bamboo-themed pewter barrel that's distinctive. years from now, people are going to be looking at this pen and saying, "now why didn't i get one of those when they were practically giving them away?"

You did a fair deal better than I, price-wise. Still, the $150.00 I offered didn't feel outrageous.

 

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I'd have later regretted not getting one of these. I think the NOS are going to become hard to find, and then only used ones will be around. Could be a fair few of those in time, should a lot of current owners find the weight daunting.

 

Can't wait to have mine in hand!

Edited March 21, 2011 by furple

[njagota]

I purchased on a few months back, and rather enjoy the purchase. The nib is an extra fine, and its superb though only dip written. The pen is not well balanced posted, but other than that, its a beauty. I paid $135 shipped and am quite happy with it as it stands. I cant remember which web site, but I remember reading that there were only 300 (600?) of these made. If true, then I think its value will continue to grow. The nib/feed is apparently identical to a Grand Connaisseur, which makes it a steal. I cant bring myself to ink it - its too pretty! Hope it brings you much long term joy! Nimesh

[furple]

  On 3/21/2011 at 7:11 PM, njagota said:

I purchased on a few months back, and rather enjoy the purchase. The nib is an extra fine, and its superb though only dip written. The pen is not well balanced posted, but other than that, its a beauty. I paid $135 shipped and am quite happy with it as it stands. I cant remember which web site, but I remember reading that there were only 300 (600?) of these made. If true, then I think its value will continue to grow. The nib/feed is apparently identical to a Grand Connaisseur, which makes it a steal. I cant bring myself to ink it - its too pretty! Hope it brings you much long term joy! Nimesh

I honestly think that this is a LE I won't mind inking and using. Yeah, it's great looking, but it also looks very sturdy. It won't be my daily writer, but it will certainly be making appearances here and there!

[penmanila]

considering that these retailed for over $300 when they first came out, i think that anything below $200 is a bargain.

 

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll296/penmanila/Selangor.jpg

 

 

  On 3/21/2011 at 1:44 PM, furple said:

  On 3/21/2011 at 12:45 PM, penmanila said:

i think the royal selangor bamboo pen is one of the best bargains there is in the market. it's a great writer to begin with. i have one with a broad nib, and even at $115 (what i paid for it) it's still a steal. the box is also quite impressive. but of course, it's really the bamboo-themed pewter barrel that's distinctive. years from now, people are going to be looking at this pen and saying, "now why didn't i get one of those when they were practically giving them away?"

You did a fair deal better than I, price-wise. Still, the $150.00 I offered didn't feel outrageous.

 

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I'd have later regretted not getting one of these. I think the NOS are going to become hard to find, and then only used ones will be around. Could be a fair few of those in time, should a lot of current owners find the weight daunting.

 

Can't wait to have mine in hand!

Edited March 22, 2011 by penmanila

[DRP]

Njagota accurately pointed out that the Royal Selangor pen is a Grand Connaisseur with a hand-made pewter barrel & cap. As a writing instrument it is top quality. My personal complaint is that it is a bit heavier and a bit wider than what I generally like. Also, as noted, it is poorly balanced unless posted. I'm speculating that this was intended to be more of a collector's pen than a user's pen, though it writes so well that it calls out to be used.

 

I bought mine a few years ago and paid about $150. In the long term, I suspect these will become highly valued on the collector's market because of the quality of workmanship, both of the pen and the pewter.

 

However, I don't buy pens to collect but rather to use. Working parts are so well made that writing satisfaction is assurred.

 

Njagota also said, "I can't bring myself to ink it - it's too pretty!" Let me encourage you to give it the drink of ink it deserves. As a writer, it is too smooth and reliable not to!

[Pepin]

I think sub 100 USD is a good value. It does feel cheap and suffers from poor cosmetic design and mechanical engineering. The clip has a tendency to swivel, the plastic nib section has seam lines, and center of gravity is too high up, especially with posted cap. I paid only $120 for it but I would gladly trade it for a few vintage vacfils if I could do it over again.

[bogiesan]

  On 3/29/2011 at 12:45 PM, Pepin said:

I think sub 100 USD is a good value. It does feel cheap and suffers from poor cosmetic design and mechanical engineering. The clip has a tendency to swivel, the plastic nib section has seam lines, and center of gravity is too high up, especially with posted cap. I paid only $120 for it but I would gladly trade it for a few vintage vacfils if I could do it over again.

 

That's the interesting thing about opinions and the experiences that form the confidence to voice them. Your ability to compare the Selangor with other pens in the same price range to point out the flaws is cool. I would not have looked for them, I simply would have enjoyed an interesting pen with a pewter body. Good thing for me it's such a fabulously smooth writer, delivering a lusciously gooey, variably shaded line that dries to interesting results while feeling satisfyingly massive and stout and solid in my hand. And it' a great conversation piece. The Sheaffer Selangor Bamboo is the coolest pen I will probably ever own and I was able to add it to my little clutch of Sheaffers only because of the price Teri was offering. Best c-note I will ever spend on a Sheaffer fountain pen, of a certainty.

 

David Boise id

[bogiesan]

Wonder why it did not sell? That's probably what killed what was supposed to be a series.

I hope you will consider inking it up, I think you will enjoy the feel of this pen your hand and like writing with it.

 

David Boise id

Edited April 1, 2011 by bogiesan

[furple]

  On 3/29/2011 at 12:45 PM, Pepin said:

I think sub 100 USD is a good value. It does feel cheap and suffers from poor cosmetic design and mechanical engineering. The clip has a tendency to swivel, the plastic nib section has seam lines, and center of gravity is too high up, especially with posted cap. I paid only $120 for it but I would gladly trade it for a few vintage vacfils if I could do it over again.

It's about time somebody had some criticism for this pen. I'm hoping that clip issue will be an isolated incident, though. I mean, I've already ordered the pen and all. Thanks for the input!

[furple]

  On 4/1/2011 at 3:50 AM, bogiesan said:

Wonder why it did not sell? That's probably what killed what was supposed to be a series.

I hope you will consider inking it up, I think you will enjoy the feel of this pen your hand and like writing with it.

 

David Boise id

Not sure if I mind about it being the first and last of a series this time.

 

I had, however, counted on the "Holiday Originals" series to go on or a few more years, though. Oh well, at least I can say I have the whole series!