Which Sheaffer Imperial Should I Buy?

[Pichak]

I am interesting in old Sheaffer Imperial. The NOS pen from Peyton Street Pens (via eBay) cost around $65 include shipping to Thailand. My question is which Sheaffer Imperial should I get between the Imperial 330, Imperial 440 and Imperial II Touchdown?

Edited December 19, 2016 by Pichak

[Bluey]

Well it depends what you want. If you're after an unusual filling system try the touchdown. Another factor to consider is the shape of the nib. There are 3 different types of inlaid nib for Sheaffer - the long diamond, the short diamond, and the other one on the 330 that's heart shaped. My favourite is the long diamond.

 

The 330 and 440 aren't true imperials. They're referred to as quasi-imperials.

Edited December 19, 2016 by Bluey

[ink-syringe]

Imperial II

 

Great great pens.

 

I have 4 of them. All are fantastic, particularly the B nib, but all are great. I love pneumatic fillers and conical nibs, even these short ones.

[Water Ouzel]

My question is which Sheaffer Imperial should I get between the Imperial 330, Imperial 440 and Imperial II Touchdown?

 

I've got a couple Imperial II and III pens, mostly from Peyton Street, as it happens. I would strongly support going for one of the Triumph-nibbed ones, all of mine have been lovely writers. (You might also plan to replace the odd sac, given their age, even as NOS.)

 

I've got some other Sheaffer inlaid-nib models, and while there's nothing wrong with them, I do prefer the Triumph nibs by quite a bit.

[vicpen123]

I recently held an Australian made Sheaffer Imperial 11 with conical nib and touchdown filler. The combination of conical nib and touchdown filler set the pen apart. As it wasn't mine, I did not get to write with it so I can't comment on that side.

 

I own a Sheaffer 330 quasi Imperial as well as a 1990s Australian made Sheaffer Triumph Imperial, both with inlay nib and converter. Not the same feeling.

 

I concur with ink-syringe - the Sheaffer conical nibs is a joy to behold and a touchdown pneumatic filler could be great if you are sure about maintenance.

[Pichak]

Thank you for all respond.

[Mister5]

I have a NOS Imperial II Deluxe (Seconds) that I got from Peyton Street, and it is a really good writer. Its definitely not a large pen, but is one of my favorite writers. I've found that the Touchdown mechanism probably holds as much ink as you would get from a converter. Its a smooth writer, and has a "waverly" type nib - slightly upturned at the tip - I believe that is one of the characteristics of those Sheaffer triumph-type nibs.

 

Highly recommend.

Edited December 19, 2016 by Mister5

[Pichak]

Now I decided to go with the Imperial II. One more question is how about the Fine nib of Sheaffer Triump nib?

Edited December 20, 2016 by Pichak

[Water Ouzel]

Now I decided to go with the Imperial II. One more question is how about the Fine nib of Sheaffer Triump nib?

 

I've got mostly F Imperials, and one XF. I'd say they are a lot closer to Japanese than German fines.

[Pichak]

I've got mostly F Imperials, and one XF. I'd say they are a lot closer to Japanese than German fines.

I only have sheaffer M nib it is a wet and smooth. Is the F as smooth and wet as the M?

[ink-syringe]

Only have Ms and Bs so can't really help you but I have a couple F and XF snorkels and they are the best non-Japanese F nibs I have used. Precise as can be and the unbroken line from barrel to point makes it like using a pencil. Great for careful work.

[Pichak]

Only have Ms and Bs so can't really help you but I have a couple F and XF snorkels and they are the best non-Japanese F nibs I have used. Precise as can be and the unbroken line from barrel to point makes it like using a pencil. Great for careful work.

 

Thank you again

[pajaro]

I only have sheaffer M nib it is a wet and smooth. Is the F as smooth and wet as the M?

 

Yes. Even the XF is very smooth.