Review: Sheaffer Legacy Heritage Black/Palladium Fountain Pen - Broad @ThePenCompany @Sheaffer_Page

A huge thank you to Sheaffer for sending this Legacy Heritage over for review!

ABOUT

Body Material: Lacquer
Trim: Palladium + Gold
Length (capped): 137.8 mm/5.42"
Length (uncapped nib-end): 120.1 mm/4.72"
Length (posted): 147.0 mm/5.78"
Barrel Diameter: 8.3 - 12.1 mm/0.33" - 0.47"
Section Diameter: 8.9 - 12.0 mm/0.35" - 0.47"
Nib material: 18K Gold
Weight (all): 38 g
Weight (cap): 12 g
Weight (body): 26 g
Fill type: Converter
Price: £215.00 (€ 271,11) - Currently price matched to meet a competitor's offer
Where to buy: The Pen Company

PACKAGING

The Sheaffer Legacy Heritage's packaging was not exactly thrilling, but it is good enough to keep the pen safe. It's a simple clam shell black cardboard box with a silver rim on the top, and on two sides around the opening. The top is marked with the Sheaffer logo in the bottom right hand corner. Inside is a removable beige felt bed that holds the pen, in a plastic sleeve. Underneath is two cartridges - in blue and black - and the warranty/care guide booklet.

It's very basic, straightforward packaging. Often you get more "pretty" packaging at this price point, but I don't mind it as I rarely keep my boxes anyway.

APPEARANCE

This definitely says Sheaffer. This model has a black lacquer barrel with palladium cap and 22KT gold trim - a combination that always makes me think of Sheaffer. The pen is larger than I thought it would be - wider at the middle, and tapering towards the ends. the back end is a slightly rounded blunt end and the cap end is the same. The barrel is shiny black, and well-polished. It extends all the way to the nib and is only interrupted at the center with a gold band where the cap clicks on.

The cap is palladium with a gold clip, and a wide gold center band, both marked Sheaffer. The finial is just smooth and shiny. The top of the clip has Sheaffer's white dot - you cannot miss this as a Sheaffer! The clip's appearance suits the pen very well, extending halfway down the cap. It's just straight and squared off, matching the slightly rounded flat ends well.

I think the nib is beautiful and it looks great on this model. The nib is marked Sheaffer and has the gold details on it. The end of the section has B marked on it, on the underside of the pen. The section tapers towards the nib gradually and is flush with the nib.

NIB & PERFORMANCE

The 18KT yellow gold nib is inlaid, spreading in a triangle up most of the section. The broad nib is very pleasant. I did not flush the pen and inked it immediately with Diamine Merlot. The nib wrote as soon as it hit the paper! Ink flow was good and quite wet, and the nib is smooth, soft, and springy. I have not experienced any skipping or hard starts, which makes me thoroughly pleased. It performed very well on a variety of papers.

Despite the nib's springiness, the ink flow cannot keep up if too much pressure is applied. This isn't unusual - it works perfectly well with normal pressure.

IN HAND

The clip is spring-loaded and is very functional and practical. I really like it. The section is very comfortable to use, even though there is no designated area for your fingers. It works so well for me because, unposted, the pen has a very comfortable length, weight, and balance. The barrel feels fairly solid and heavy, but the balance keeps it right in place. As such, the section fits in perfectly. It posts deeply, securely, and is still comfortable, but it becomes top heavy for me.

PROS & CONS

OVERALL

Having used the Sheaffer Sagaris, Taranis, Prelude (new and old), and Valor, I find I prefer the nib of on the Legacy Heritage, and I like the elegant, classic design. It feels so good in hand, and it writes very well. If inlaid nibs do not appeal to you, steer clear. Keep in mind your fingers will end up touching the nib because of the design. For me, I very much enjoy the pen and nib. There are several other finishes to choose from as well, if this one doesn't suit your fancy!

I received this item free of charge for the purposes of this review. I was not compensated monetarily for my review. Everything you've read here is my own opinion.