Nostalgic Writing Instrument, Still Charms and writes well!
When I went off to college, I was given a Silver Shaeffer pen by an uncle. It was a metal body one, with the one piece nib. I don't remember what model it was, but I knew that it was expensive from all the looks I got. It was the heaviest writing instrument I had ever held in my hand! I held it in my hand as if I had been handed a one pound ingot of gold! It felt good! It was even better at writing. Those were the days where you wrote with a pencil, or one of the Bic type ball pens that would leave a Morse Code trail of ink, and if you stopped for too long, they would leave a sticky puddle. This was before the days of roller ball pens, and felt tip pens, etc. I used that Shaeffer pen through out college, but after graduating, I found I had to fill in multi-part forms with carbon sheets, and checks with duplicates, which needed a ball point pen. So my Shaeffer, through which many ounces of ink had flowed, was retired. With all the moves I have made since then, it has been "lost". Probably in one of the un-opened moving boxes from three or four moves ago that still clutter my basement. Now with copying and fax machines, laser printers, the internet, digital photography, etc. There are less and less places that require a "carbon" copy of a document. You fill one in, and then fax it, or more often, you fill it in on-line and print or e-mail the completed copies to as many people as you need to. Because of this, it is now easier to use a fountain pen. Modern disposable pen technology has improved to the point that a fountain pen is redundant, but all the same, you can use one in regular writing situations, like signing a check, or writing out a list, etc. Surprisingly, it may also be more economical, with an ounce of ink going a long way. Factoring in the cost, and longevity of one of these pens, it could become cheaper in the long run than paying $12.00 - $15.00 for 10 disposable pens. But economy is not why you use a fountain pen. A fountain pen forces you to write with a more delicate stroke, to avoid damage to the nib. The modulation of the force varies the width of the stroke almost imperceptibly, but still noticeable in a side by side comparison. It forces you to form your letters better, and makes you remember those penmanship classes that you had to take! Almost every time I take out my pen to write something, people comment on the pen. The younger generation are fascinated, and the older ones become nostalgic, relating stories of their first or favorite fountain pen, and how it took them through school or college. This particular Shaeffer pen is similar to one I had owned in the past. It is metal bodied, with a deep black satin finish. It does not feel slippery in your hands. The gold accents really make it stand out. It is a handsome pen, and something you would be proud to display. The nib is a separate piece, and you grasp the nib holder away from the ink containing parts of the nib. This, I find works better for me, since I don't seem to get ink on my fingers as much. The one piece nib pens tend to hold some ink away from the tip, and if you are the type who grabs the nib close to the end, your finger ends up with ink stains. I bought ink and use the provided filler, after finishing the cartridges that came with it. Cartridge ink is way too expensive if you plan on using this as your main writing instrument. I would suggest Noodlers ink (Also bought on Amazon.com) which is great ink, and cheaper than Shaeffer Ink. One fill of ink lasts me about 3 to 4 days, but it is not a big deal. I have just made it a habit to fill up with ink before I leave home in the morning. If I forget a day or two, I still know I won't run out. I do carry a roller ball pen, for the odd carbon sheet form I may fill out. The packaging was very good, and protected the actual case that insturment came in. It was promptly delivered. Buy the pen as a fashion statement, or for nostalgia, or any other reason, but it is still a great practical writing instrument, which will improve your hand writing. I think they would make great graduation gifts once again! Noodler's Ink Refills Blue Bottled Ink Read more
