Shaefer convert

[Pointyscratchy]

Hi, I joined fpn to learn about pens.I got a lammy 2k, an MB149, a few other pens.I like ef or f nibs.I also have a couple of cross pens.I was in a cross shop one day and they were selling a Shaefer pen.It was cheap so I bought it.

 

This pen has grown on me.But it goes against the grain.For one thing the nib is stainless steel and I have many gold nibs.It feels great and it makes my handwriting so much better.I decided to find out a bit more about it.

 

I looked through the sheafer product range but couldn't find it.I looked on this forum ditto.Finally I googled using hooded nib and the sheafer and got a pic and a name ;Taranis.

 

I found out it was made in China, the nib was stainless steel, it was sold off cheap because cross took over and dropped it from the line.A lot of online revues didn't like the brash chrome sheafer on it's front.What I couldn't understand was how could I still think it was one of the best pens ever?

 

I've only ever read about the Parker 51, but I do have a lammy2k (two actually), I've already mentioned my 149, but I think this Taranis is the best pen ever.Looking at the revues the one bad thing they can pin on it is the filler system.Several people say it skips, but if you look at tw browns youtube revue even though he doesn't like the pen he nails the cause.(Surface tension issue in converto which is nothing a bit of soap won't curer).

 

Why is a stainless steel nib so good?Why does it feel so good in the hand? It turn out an American architect designed it, and before that he'd designed an ergo pen.Obviously this Taranis didn't catch on which just goes to show just because this is/was a world beater didn't mean it was a money spinner.But then Parker don't make 51's do they?

 

I wouldn't mind another Sheafer hooded nib f, but they don't make any (I like new pens).

 

I just wondered if you people who have a bit more pen and product knowledge  have any comments on my infatuation with this pen (I have the gun metal grey one).Or if you think my estimation is mistaken.

[Pointyscratchy]

Ahttp://Apologies spelling.Sheaffer- part me part auto correct, and I haven't found a way to edit a post.

[Mr Bill]

Hello Pointyscratchy,

My number 1 pen is Scheaffer's Targa with a 14k gold nib.  Not in production anymore but the internet may advise you of new old stock.  Then there is the new  Cross Scheaffer's Triumph Imperial which looks pretty good, Amazon has for about $170 USD.

Best of luck on the quest.                                        

 

 

                                   

[silverlifter]

Don't be shy of vintage Sheaffers: they made excellent pens and , provided they have been restored properly, will outlive you. Check out Peyton Street Pens and Main Street Pens for some options.

 

LIke @Mr Bill I have a Targa (1003), I bought it in 1983 and have used it constantly ever since. It's inlaid nib is flawless. I also have a PFM II from the sixties with the same type of inlaid nib, as well as a couple of older ones, the most senior was made in 1936. Still writes beautifully.

 

[SoulSamurai]

There isn't really much difference between a lot of modern steel and gold nibs; both can be hard or slightly soft, and both don't actually touch the paper as the tipping is made of another material.

 

Perhaps the reason why you like this Sheaffer so much is not the nib, but the ergonomics of the pen body itself? My experience is very limited, but Sheaffer pens generally tend to feel good in my hand, having good weight, balance and ergonomics.

 

I don't think Sheaffer has ever made hooded nibs? I could be wrong on that. What I know is that they made inlaid nibs (which of course are similar). I thought they still made the Legacy inlaid-nib fountain pens, but while they are listed on the website, they all appear to be out of stock, so maybe not?

 

Well, even if you can't find a brand new Legacy, you can still sometimes find New Old Stock (old but unused) variants like the 440 or 444. And of course a well-serviced PFM or older Legacy should work just fine.

[Pointyscratchy]

Mr Bill-silverlifter; I looked at the pens you suggest and the amazon revues mentioned a lot of leaking pens returned with cracks and duff convertors.

 

soulsamuri; I'm not sure about the nibs.I certainly think the teranis is hooded? And I also thought the stainless steel mean't it wasn't tipped.Are- I'm asking because I don't know- stainless steel nibs or at least this one tipped?Lammy safari nibs seem to have a tip, but is the Taranis? It's buttery smooth as my MB's

 

This pen came out in 2013 and someone called Charles Debbas designed it.He had previously designed something called the ergo pen and sold a lot of them at pen shows.You can find an interview with a local paper on the net but it doesn't say much.I looked for his ergo pen but couldn't find it, the website mentioned in the paper no longer exists and you can buy the domain name.

 

This is only my opinion but what I think is that hooded nibs were the best solution for working people- hence the popularity of Parker 51.People who buy fountain pens now want the look of an obvious nib, and I think that's why this pen didn't catch on.Plus the lammy 2k was already serving the working user market.

 

It would be interesting to get Mr Debbas' view. He was(is) an architect, but who asks you to design a fountain pen? Did he have an input on the actual nib? It's certainly a very good pen. and an exceptional nib, let down that by it's propierty filling system and you can't blame him for that.

[SoulSamurai]

6 hours ago, Pointyscratchy said:

soulsamuri; I'm not sure about the nibs.I certainly think the teranis is hooded? And I also thought the stainless steel mean't it wasn't tipped.Are- I'm asking because I don't know- stainless steel nibs or at least this one tipped?Lammy safari nibs seem to have a tip, but is the Taranis? It's buttery smooth as my MB's

 

Sorry, you are correct, the Taranis is a hooded nib, I had forgotten about that... despite the pen being the subject of the thread... let me tell you, I'm feeling pretty embarrased right now!

 

I agree that pens with hooded nibs are very practical and I am quite fond of them myself. However I personally do not like aesthetics of the Taranis very much. Personal taste and so on. Meanwhile Sheaffer's inlaid nib pens like the PFM are pretty much my absolute favourites, aesthetically speaking.

 

Almost all fountain pen nibs, both gold and steel, have a harder material applied to the tip (with the exception of disposable steel dip pen nibs and I believe some cheaper Asian fountain pens). Normally referred to generically as "iridium" because this was one of the earliest materials used, steel pen nibs stamped with "Iridium Point Germany" are very common.

[langere]

Sheaffer is an old company and one of the most innovative ones in pen history.  There are so many cool inventions from Sheaffer that it is impossible to list all of them in this short space.  I suggest you look at Richard Binder's website at http://www.richardspens.com/ref/00_refp.htm if you want to see more.  

 

I have 20 different vintage Sheaffers, trying to get at least one of each technology that they pioneered.  I am sure I am still missing some. 

 

And yes, I like my Taranis too.

 

Erick

[pajaro]

Some of my favorite pwns are 1960s Sheaffers with a mix of gold and steel nibs, some of the steel ones being gold plated.   But then I had two strokes a few weeks ago.

 

I like the '60s pens better than most later pens.  Touchdown fillers are my favorites.   You unscrew the blind cap, draw the blind cap back, then put the nib in the ink and push the blind cap all the way in and screw it back in.