Sheaffer Connaisseur Review

[johnr55]

First, an apology; I am not able to upload photos yet, still struggling with this, teaching an old dog, etc. If another member is able to add a photo or two it would be appreciated.

 

I purchased my Sheaffer Connaisseur (sic) NOS on EBay. It is the 'standard' black pen, which was what I wanted. From reading on the web I had learned that Sheaffer produced these pens for roughly 10 years beginning in 1986; they were produced in several colors and editions. As I already own several Balance II's and a Legacy II, I was curious whether its handling was a delightful as the other modern Sheaffer pens I own.

 

1) First Impressions: the pen arrived in a red box quite similar to the one Sheaffer used for the Balance II, with a lifting divider covering a set of cartridges and the warranty.

 

2) Appearance/Finish: my pen is the black model with gold-plated trim. It is a high gloss quite similar to the black Balance II. Though the clip has a ball on its end, it doesn't have the 'hump' present on the Balance II pens, therefore looking somewhat more modern. Finish of the plating is flawless on my pen. Also, the white dot is smaller and less conspicuous than on the Balance II, still mounted above the clip. Both ends of the pen are slightly rounded, smooth and glossy to match the rest of the pen. The ball on the clip is quite smooth and is a complete ball, as opposed to the flat front on the clip ball on the Balance II.

 

3) Design/Size/Weight: This pen was obviously designed to have a 'retro' appearance, executed in modern materials. It is a screwcap design with coarser threads than the Balance II, but still tightening quite securely. Capped, it measures roughly 5.5 inches. Posting adds another inch to the length. I normally post my pens, but prefer using this one unposted. It appears top-heavy when I write with it posted. Diameter of the pen is closer to the Balance II than the Legacy; for my hand this smaller diameter is more comfortable. Additionally, the nib section has the same type of curvature as that on the Balance II; this is very comfortable for my medium-sized hand for extended writing. There are no finger guides, which I appreciate, being left-handed. The pen is made of plastic and is quite light, lighter than it might appear. This is also a preference of mine; I gather it was also available in a laquer of some type and metal. As I prefer lighter pens, it is very comfortable.

 

4) Nib Design & Performance: This is a Sheaffer 18k nib, highly decorated. Mine is a fine nib, perhaps a little broader than some fine nibs but nowhere near as broad as my Legacy II medium or Balance II medium. As expected from Sheaffer, there is very little to no flex, and this suits me fine also. The nib is roughly the same size as that on the various Balance II models--not a harpoon, but not small, either. I have had the pen loaded with Waterman Florida Blue since receiving it, and flow is perfect for me for this ink. It's not as wet as my Balance II nibs, but not dry. Additionally, it is extremely smooth on the several types of paper on which I've used it. I can detect no tooth at all.

 

5) Filling System: The pen is furnished with an Aerometric-type squeeze converter along with Skrip cartridges. The converter has a transparent sac, enabling the user to see the ink filling. I haven't used the pen with cartridges. As I travel with my work, I prefer the converter/cartridge system. With many converter fills so far, no problems or temperament whatsoever.

 

6) Cost/Value: These pens were fairly expensive when new (by my standards); I paid roughly $75.00 on EBay for the NOS in box that I purchased. For that price, I feel the pen is an excellent value. This places it in the Pelikan M200 price range, and it certainly is the writing and quality equivalent of my M200's. Some might decry the cartridge/converter system; in my opinion and working environment, this is ideal, as this is a working pen, not a display.

 

7) Conclusion: As I hadn't seen one of these pens in probably fifteen years in a store, I was quite unsure whether I'd like it or not. I've got a Conklin that looked so nice on the web, but is just plain uncomfortable to use. This pen is much like a Balance II with an equally attractive, more formal-looking body. It is equally comfortable for writing for extended periods. If I come across another NOS for the same price I'll certainly be snapping it up!

[Maja]

Thanks for the review, johnr55! I have a Sheaffer Levenger Seas fountain pen and I believe it's the same pen design as the Connaisseur (I don't know why the word is spelled differently in English ) except the "Seas" pens are clear.

It's a nice pen, and the nib unit unscrews, so you can swap nibs with the Balance II pens and the old Sheaffer No Nonsense nibs as well, I believe

[jjb_13]

Here's a picture of a Levenger Seas. The nib was originally a Broad but has been reground to cursive Italic. As supplied by Levinger, the nibs were 14K and I recall the MSRP as being just about $110.

Edited December 25, 2006 by jjb_13

[blopplop]

I've owned my Levenger Sea-fine point (same color as the one in the posted picture) for 5 years, and I can tell you it is one of the smoothest writing fountain pens I own. I paid $80 for it when Levenger was phasing them out.

 

Dave

[Dennis B]

Connaisseurs, you want Connaisseurs? I have a few of what I consider to be among the very best of modern made C/C filler pens.

 

http://www.parkvillepen.com/images/sheaffer/connaisseurall2.jpg

 

Here's a group shot of "almost" every color made in the standard, Grand, and Levenger Seas Connaissuers, including the only GB-07 Connaisseur desk base I've ever seen and the rare Blue Ronce prototype Grand Connaisseur.

 

Want to know more? The Summer 2006 issue of The Pennant, from the PCA has part 1 of my article on the Connaisseur Collection. Part 2 should appear this year, possibly in the Summer 2007 issue.

 

Great pens!

 

Dennis B

[rroossinck]

Dennis, you kill me every time you post that shot. That bluish-gray with the silver-tone furniture is still on my want list...

[Dennis B]

My Connaisseur want list is pretty short -

 

A Turquoise Tasman Seas pen (sort of like a Yeti I suspect), and a sterling silver ballpoint.

 

Dennis B

 

These make a great collection and only a couple are really expensive.

[georges zaslavsky]

that is one nice pen

[johnr55]

If it's okay to say so, I noticed that Pendemonium still has some of the Levenger matching BP's if anyone's looking for one--

[southpaw]

Excellent review! Thanks. Post photos when you can.

 

Dennis, as always, WOW!!! I'll be happy to take that Blue Ronce off of your hands. What say you pay me $20 for doing you the favor so you can quit worrying about having such a rare beauty around?

[JRodriguez]

Congrats on the pen John, and thanks for the review. Looks like another pen to add to my wishlist. And yeah Dennis ... wow!

[andyk]

Didn't realise they had made so many different designs, I had only seen the plain black, chased black and the reddish/brown mottled ones before.

 

These are great pens, I have two fountain pens and a ballpoint all in black, one of the fountain pens is a bit marked bought it very cheaply on Ebay mainly for a cheap spare nib just in case, but writes well, so use it in my rotation rather than risk the newer one.

 

Only problem is that they only seem to take the older squeeze style converters, but luckily had couple of those. Are those the standard twist coverters I can see in the transparent models or do my eyes deceive.

Edited February 23, 2007 by andyk

[Dennis B]

QUOTE (andyk @ Feb 23 2007, 03:29 PM)

Didn't realise they had made so many different designs, I had only seen the plain black, chased black and the reddish/brown mottled ones before. These are great pens, I have two fountain pens and a ballpoint all in black, one of the fountain pens is a bit marked bought it very cheaply on Ebay mainly for a cheap spare nib just in case, but writes well, so use it in my rotation rather than risk the newer one. Only problem is that they only seem to take the older squeeze style converters, but luckily had couple of those. Are those the standard twist coverters I can see in the transparent models or do my eyes deceive.

I agree that these are great pens and there is enough variety to make an interesting collection.

 

The later transparent Levenger models with the curved Balance II type sections all have the twist type converters. The one Levenger pen I have with the straight sided Connaisseur section has the older style squeeze converter.

 

Dennis B

[FredRydr]

FYI- The Balance II nib units screw into the Connaisseur barrel. It's how I am giving my fragile Balance II amber cap and barrel a rest, but using the excellent factory italic nib in the stronger pen body of a black and gold Connaisseur.

 

Fred

 

Whoops, I didn't realize how old this thread was. Oh well.

Edited November 30, 2008 by FredRydr

[Brian]

Thanks for a review of an interesting pen I was wondering about. Funny how when they were available some ten or so years ago that there was little interest. Now when they are all gone from dealers shelves they are finding new life!

[rogerb]

I've just bought one from Richard B ..a NOS Levenger Seas II in green with a Binderised 18k stub...should be yummy!

 

If I'd realised it was descended from such a horrible mis-spelling, I might have thought again (No I wouldn't...this has a completely different name!)

[Gretchen]

  On 11/30/2008 at 6:21 PM, FredRydr said:

FYI- The Balance II nib units screw into the Connaisseur barrel. It's how I am giving my fragile Balance II amber cap and barrel a rest, but using the excellent factory italic nib in the stronger pen body of a black and gold Connaisseur.

 

Fred

 

YEAH! Thank you Fred for mentioning this! I further discovered that the italic nibs from the Sheaffer Simplicity (?) calligraphy pens also fit both -- they are, after all, just Connoisseurs without the trimming. I had picked up both a Millennium and a Balance II with fine nibs, then discovered that I really prefer mediums or italics.

 

Gretchen

[andyk]

Hi,

 

I think you mean No Nonsense nibs which are a perfect fit, the gold plated ones that came with some of the more expensive No Nonsense pens look better.

 

Quite nice to be able swap the nibs around, for a while I had an OB Balance II nib in one of my Connaisseurs, but found it too broad for everyday writing but great for signatures.

 

Andy