Sheaffer Connaisseurs

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

This is a fantasy Sheaffer Connaisseur created by Ron Zorn from a NoNonsense Vintage Red Marble cap and barrel, with added hand made cap and barrel end buttons with trim bands, an added White Dot above the clip, a Connaisseur cap band, and a Sheaffer Balance II 14 karat gold nib section. The cap and barrel buttons on these marble pens are made from clear color pieces turned from square rod stock. It's 5 1/2 inches long.

http://www.penhero.com/Temp/ZornConnaisseurRed_1280_04a.jpg

Thanks!

[corgicoupe]

Although, admittedly, it does not compare to Ron's modifications, I upgraded this No Nonsense by adding an 18k nib from a Connaiseur, and added a brass button to the end of the barrel. The cap already had a button, but the barrel had a hexagonal depression, so I turned this button on my wood lathe using a file on a small brass machine screw. I also made one that covered the whole end of the barrel, but decided this one looked better. And if I used that one I'd have to make another for the cap.

 

 

[AL01]

So...

 

Whadya guys think of the Connaisseur???

[andyk]

So...

 

Whadya guys think of the Connaisseur???

I think they are great pens, I really like the nibs, having said that I have sold three of my four, but kept a rather battered one for my own use.

 

They are greatly underated in my view as are the Balance II (the nibs can be swapped and generally write really well).

 

Andy

Edited November 20, 2017 by andyk

[AL01]

That's interesting.

 

The Balance II and the Conn. both look interesting, but I seem to be paranoid about the clips.

 

Are they good on jean pockets??

 

Thanks...

 

Al.

[Ron Z]

That's interesting.

 

The Balance II and the Conn. both look interesting, but I seem to be paranoid about the clips.

 

Are they good on jean pockets??

 

Thanks...

 

Al.

 

Connaisseur, maybe. Balance II, no, too weak.

[AL01]

Hmm...

 

That's what I thought.

 

Thanks for the help...

 

Al.

[mitto]

I like the grande.

[bob_hayden]

There were Sheaffer models, and a few Chinese pens, that have a stiff clip attached to a spring inside the cap. You can pull the clip W-A-Y out without harming anything so these are good for jeans, parkas, space suits, etc.

[Ron Z]

There were Sheaffer models, and a few Chinese pens, that have a stiff clip attached to a spring inside the cap. You can pull the clip W-A-Y out without harming anything so these are good for jeans, parkas, space suits, etc.

 

The pens of the 40s had spring loaded clips, and the snorkels did too. Oddly enough, so does the Nostalgia. The Connaisseur and Balance pens however have the clips firmly attached by tabs that are bent toward the middle, inside. I have yet to find a way to get them out of a cap, or bend them back in place, without damaging the cap.

[bob_hayden]

You would probably need special tools, but you might be able to make those yourself. Off the top of my head, I can imagine filing down the tip of a screwdriver with a long narrow blade to make it V-shaped to slip under and between the tabs and separate and raise them. To close them a snug fitting cylindrical tool with a slot that both raised tabs fit into might be rotated first one way and then the other to bash down the tabs (as you hold the clip very tightly against the cap). The dollar pens had the same means of attaching the clip and might be cheap pens to practice on.

[Ron Z]

You would probably need special tools, but you might be able to make those yourself.

 

Believe me, I've tried, and I've managed on vintage pens. As adept as I am at making my own tools, the results have not been satisfactory.

[AL01]

The pens of the 40s had spring loaded clips, and the snorkels did too. Oddly enough, so does the Nostalgia. The Connaisseur and Balance pens however have the clips firmly attached by tabs that are bent toward the middle, inside. I have yet to find a way to get them out of a cap, or bend them back in place, without damaging the cap.

This is cool!

 

The issue is that I always clip my pens to my jeans pocket.

 

... So that's kinda why I avoided getting the Balance and the Snorkel.

 

Thank you very very very very very much!!

[Ron Z]

I hate to say it, but the clip of a Lamy Safari is more suited to a jeans pocket than a Sheaffer. If you do clip a Sheaffer to a jeans pocket, go for a metal cap. The plastic caps tend to crack from the pressure of the spring. You can not repair the cap when that happens. I took a cap apart and solvent welded the plastic cap of a snorkel, then put everything back in. The crack just ripped open again. That wouldn't happen with a metal cap.

[AL01]

Hmm...

 

Good to know.

 

(BTW: I kinda like my Sheaffer school pen more than my Al Star. After 15 years, it's clip is kinda useless.)

[3rdlakerobert]

 

Hi, Folks!

This is a Sheaffer Connaisseur Herringbone fountain pen c1991-1992. The Herringbone finish is model 815 and the pen begins as a black resin pen that is machine turned. It's 5 1/2 inches long and has an 18 karat gold palladium plated nib and 23 karat gold electroplated trim. It is a cartridge / converter filler with an original retail price of $250.

Let's see some more! I'd love to see the Tulle one!

 

A beautiful Tulle just arrived!

 

[PenHero]

 

A beautiful Tulle just arrived!

Wow! Never seen one! Congrats!

[3rdlakerobert]

Wow! Never seen one! Congrats!

 

Sold to me as new without papers and box.

Edited December 3, 2017 by Robert111

[Barry Gabay]

Several favorites: In my opinion, it's the best c/c filler ever made. Four Grande Connaisseurs: black lacquer, tortoise lacquer, sterling, gold plate. Pictured with them is a fairly rare blue ronce Grande Connaisseur. According to Bonham's Auctions, there were 10 sets of fountain pen & ball pen created. I have seen 3 of these: Andy Lambrou's set (since sold), the late Dennis Bowden's set, and my fountain pen.

 

After I am gone, I understand that my two good friends, Ron Zorn and Gary Ellison, Yorkshireman & leading UK Sheaffer authority, will duel with weapons not yet determined for possession of the blue ronce GC.

 

Enjoy!

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

This photo was featured on the cover of the Spring 2007 Pennant, published by the Pen Collectors of America.

This is a Sheaffer Connaisseur Herringbone fountain pen c. 1991-1992. The Herringbone finish is model 815 and the pen begins as a black resin pen with a machine engraved alternating five line zigzag pattern. It's a 5 1/2 inch long cartridge / converter pen with an 18 karat gold nib stamped SHEAFFER'S over 18K and 750 over MADE IN USA. The pen has 23 karat gold electroplated trim including bands near the rounded ends of the cap and barrel, a double band on the section, a single band near the nib, and a double ring cap band with Sheaffer's stamped on the front face. The Sheaffer White Dot is just above the ball end clip. The original retail price was $250. Matching ballpoint and rollerball pens were also made.

http://www.penhero.com/Temp/SheafferConnaisseurHerringbone_2048_01.jpg

Thanks!