Sheaffer 300 Review

[a.lachlan]

Initial impressions:

This was my second fountain pen I purchased after getting into them about a year ago, before this I had only used a Lamy Al Star on a regular basis. I got it from Cultpens for £36, with the medium nib.

When it first arried it arrived in the usual Sheaffer gift box Sheaffer pens come in - a very nice box and I did use it for storing the pen when I wasn’t using it but have since grown my collection and now store them all in a display case so the box is not effectively useless. It would be nice if pens started coming in boxes that were either more useful as a box (i.e. Could be used to store more pens or different items entirely) or that could double as a pen case you could put in your pocket! I think this has been done before - I think Kaweco have poxes that can store multiple pens and one that’s even like a glasses case so could be used to store a pen in your pocket comfortably... Anyway, on with the review!

The pen felt very solid, being made of laquered metal (I got the all black version) and having a very tough spring-loaded clip. The cap is help on securely but comes off with just the right amount of pressure and of course goes back on with a lovely *click* sound. The pen is definitely on the heavy side and admittedly this put me off the pen for a while but I have since grown more used to heavier pens and now it doesn’t feel nearly as heavy to me.

Design:

The clip as I said is spring-loaded which makes the pen feel of very high quality to me, maybe because the clip is made of a very thick piece of metal as a result. At the end of the body is a ring to hold onto the cap when it is posted making it post very securely, but alas the cap is too heavy to post (I don’t post usually but I’ve heard even those who do find it too top-heavy posted).

The grip section tapers to the tip but is very broad which I like, having big hands and find it appriopriate for a pen of this weight. It is made of plastic which is comfortable to hold onto but unfortunately the threads that hold it onto the body are a little fine for my liking so I always feel I have to be careful screwing it onto the body and it doesn’t do so with as much ease as I’d like.

The nib meanwhile is relatively small which I quite like as I find smaller nibs help my handwriting, not entirely sure why. It has some nice decoration but is overall not an overly flashy nib, just tasteful, solid, and well made!

9/10

Nib and Performance:

The nib is quite smooth, the type that is smooth but has clear feedback that I find very satisfying to use. It’s also quite wet and lays quite a thick line on the thicker end of the scale of medium nibs I’ve used. However if you like a nib that has some springiness to it, this isn’t going to cut as it’s almost completely solid. Personally I don’t find this a problem and rather like but it may not be for everyone. It always starts, always, and keeps up with long-term writing just fine, not going dry one bit. The grip section makes it very comfortable for longer writing sessions as well, the large girth is very well-suited for the larger-handed like me.

10/10

Conclusion:

A very nice pen indeed, not for everyone with its weight but a very classy-looking, functional and comfortable pen. I would recommend it to everyone especially at the price I paid for it, I would certainly pay a lot more for it!

Score: 19/20

Pics!

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7354/12254268063_733fa3c06e_c.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3745/12254093545_c85d5eeeaa_c.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5527/12254666696_e84bccf076_c.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3708/12254264663_6c863e4402_c.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2811/12254526754_8898a79594_c.jpg

Writing samples, with comparisons...

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7111/13166469895_cdd475c8b5_c.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3810/13166733894_12567bc433_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7007/13166733314_51ccd3a148_c.jpg

And finally, size comparisons...

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2857/12254281983_82b552b578_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7440/12254281053_a872506103_c.jpg

[perth]

Good review. I haven't tried the 300, as I think the 100's design is superior. Does it feel back heavy? The cap looks quite big and bulky.

[a.lachlan]

Good review. I haven't tried the 300, as I think the 100's design is superior. Does it feel back heavy? The cap looks quite big and bulky.

 

With the cap posted, definitely, but otherwise it feels fine

I'm a big fan of the Sheaffer 100 as well, but find the thicker, plastic grip section on the 300 more comfortable than the slimmer, metal grip section on the 100

[senzen]

Good review, I really like the looks of this pen.

[a.lachlan]

Good review, I really like the looks of this pen.

The looks are what initially drew me to it, I wanted a "classic" looking pen and this pen looks, well, classic! Overall a very classy pen

[pagama]

I have the exact same pen and I too found it heavy at the beginning, but I've gotten used to it now.

[mknoblauch]

Thanks for the review. Only nine months into the hobby myself, I appreciate your point of view as the 300 was the second pen you purchased. I have been admiring the 300 for some time. All the reviews, including yours, heap praise upon the aesthetics of the pen and the buttery smooth quality of the nib. Since I like full-size, weighty pens, and will have to put this one on my list.

[specimen]

I had this pen and found that the look and feel of this pen is higher than the price.

When you cap, it quite soft.

 

When I had try this pen at the shop, I try 3 pens. All are medium.

The line is different, one of them is very thick another one is smaller.

The one I had select is small and smooth.

 

With this price, this is one of the good choice.

[The Blue Knight]

A good review! may Have to buy one myself I really like sheaffer fine points.

[lovemy51]

thanx for the review. i like the 300 more than the 100 -the 100 is probably the worst Sheaffer i own.

 

about the 300, not my fav pen... but it does the job.

 

regards,

[Albinoni]

Would you say the size of this pen is between a Targa and a Legacy