There was an interesting review by Doug on Inkquiring Minds where he basically said exactly the same as you about this pen. However he then swapped the sheaffer nib for one of the "Bobby" bent hooded nibs which really improved the writing experience of the pen. Apologies to Nelson F. I posted this before I noticed it basically echoes' your comment.
Several people have commented on Doug's review. I need to find it. I apparently missed it. With a different nib, I think I could really like this pen...
My father had a Schaeffer fountain pen. I still remember that bottle of Skrip ink with the little well molded into the glass. Tip the bottle to fill the well the unscrew the lid so you didn't have to dip the pen all the way into the bottle. I used a cheap Schaeffer cartridge pen in high school. Looks like their cartridges are the same design after all these years.
I nearly bought this pen. A friend gave me a gift token for a UK shop that sells pens. I was looking closely at the Icon but your review came along at the perfect time. I will heed the warning and look for an alternative.
@@sajjadhusain4146 Thank you for your suggestion Sajjad. The Lamy Aion is not sold by the shop that I have a gift card for so I am struggling to make a choice. Sadly it's not the best place to buy fountain pens. I shouldn't be ungrateful because the pen will not cost anything unless I add some money to the gift amount.
@@davidanderson3425 ..Ha, I know, David. Gift amounts like these can often be tough to avail because of circumstances like you described. Make the most of it anyway. In that price bracket there are many very decent pens. TWSBIs, too, if possible there. Something must be found and had. 🙂
Many thanks Jason for another excellent review. Having become a bit of a Sheaffer nut in the last year or so, having bought too many from the 40's through to the great pens they were making up until the first half of the 2000's, I'm a bit sad that the modern Sheaffer's are just not that great.
@@davidverney6834 Oh ok. I asked because I’m an undying fan of vintage Sheaffer. And your comment made me smile. Yes, the PFMs really carry daunting price tags. I desired them so greatly that I saved enough to.eventually buy five of them over a few years. The Legacy II is the PFM’s close cousin and a great pen in its own right. I like the Legacy I even more. And need I even start on the Sheaffer Balance pens? 🙂
Aloha Jason! I was excited to hear that you bought this pen and was even more excited to see this first impression. When I first saw this pen introduced (and delayed), the red and black made it automatically appealing since those two colors are my favorite. But it would need to write well and be priced accordingly. All other reviews I have seen have all said that the nibs do run small, which may not be a bad thing for me as I seem to be in the fine to medium sweet spot at the moment, so a medium would be my choice. I was quite surprised you got a fine, but maybe all the other pens you bought in this "haul" may of been medium nibs, so you got a fine to provide variety? I am still interested in picking one up, but not at the going street price of a little over $70. I guess since you bought in a few months ago, you are beyond the return period? Mahalo for reviewing this set of pens and a wrap-up of some sort would be great. Thomas
This really is a beautiful pen. I love this color combination! You're right that the nib runs small. From what I hear, I would have liked the medium nib a lot better. I'll be honest: I bought the fine because the medium nib was at the price you mentioned, while the fine was quite a lot less than half that. Since I was using a single RUclips check, I got the fine so I could buy more pens. I'm planning a wrap-up in about 3 weeks. School is close to ending, so I'm tempted to save the wrap-up for just after the end of school.
@@WaskiSquirrel Thanks Jason for the reply and the circumstances between your choice of the fine nib. My first choice was the black with red, but after seeing the review of the green color and how it has some shimmer?, I thought maybe the red would be the same and you seemed to have confirmed that. Cult Pens has it for about $52, so I may put together an order with some ink and other entry level/budget pens to reach the minimum for free shipping! Looking forward to the final pen (did you give use a sneak peak?) and your wrap-up video. Thomas
I think you're right, it was returned merchandise. I bought one of these in green when they first came out, and it was pretty close to a keeper for me. I liked the fine nib, it seemed to have a good effect on my writing. But I did end up selling it on, I suppose mostly because I'm not a big fan of metal pens.
That explanation makes the most sense to me. I do like the pen, except for writing with it. I may have to try some of the suggestions about replacing the nib.
I have two of these - a black fountain pen and a black Ballpoint (don't tell Doug) with a red fp on order. It posts very well. Good that it comes with a quality converter. Very robust pen.
Same experience I had. I really liked the finish and the general quality of the pen, even the ergonomics, fitting very well in the hands, but the nib really leaves something to be desired. In the comments of one of your videos mentioning this pen, someone talked about "Inkquiring minds" review, and that because the model uses a generic Chinese nib, that can be easily replaced. So, as suggested by Douglas, I ordered a Bobby's mini fude nib, which greatly improved the writing experience. Thanks for the video.
I like the Icon, all round. What initially most appealed to me about the pen is its shape that is very reminiscent of the classic Sheaffer PFM/Legacy pens that I love dearly. The Icon’s design aesthetics are really nice, the size, weight and feel in hand are great. Much better than any of the other earlier modern Sheaffer pens. But I also don’t like a few things about the pen. Uncapped, I just don’t like the sight of the tacky looking strip over the section with Sheaffer stamped on it. Then, the identical semi-hooded nib of the Taranis (hardly a good thing). Also, the medium nib writes like a fine. Just like a standard Chinese fine nib on a pen made in China. This almost always pisses me off. The price is just about acceptable…maybe. Such a nice looking pen marred by that forgettable nib. What a pity. A pretty, well made pen let down by some glaring faults. I have the black one. I’ll keep it. But I don’t think I’ll get to use it much. I’ve too many other better pens, including many better Sheaffers for that. And oh, the name is Skrip.
The strip is tacky, but I can accept it as a design choice. Like you say, it's a good pen. Side by side with my Legacy II, I see why I like this pen. But, it absolutely needs a better nib! And thanks for the spelling note!
@@WaskiSquirrel There’s a similar,inexpensive pen by Hongdian C1. Fine nib- blue,black,red, and yellow. I bought a few,handy scribbler. May work well with the Sfeaffer Icon,
This is a nice, slightly overpriced "nib holder" for standard 18.5mm Chinese hooded nibs. Unfortunately, the nibs are the same 15¢ nibs found on $2 Chinese fountain pens, and the contact of the nib with the paper gives the same cheap writing feel. For this pen to be a success, Sheaffer must manufacture its nibs in-house. But I think the plan is to maximise profits by putting the cheapest nibs they can outsource instead. I much prefer the Hero 565's 19.5mm nib, despite being mounted on a $5 fountain pen. Its only flaw is that the cap is not airtight so the nib dries out if you don't use it every day.
Mine was ok, but the frigging logo on the pen nib came off! It was cheap painted film, Now I have a pen nib with an ugly gray metal strip where the logo was😡
They should be! Originally, I conceived of the "First Impressions" as something to do when a pen first showed up. But filming those ahead meant I started doing the writing at first and the impressions a few weeks later. But these videos were nice because there was no research. I need to start revisiting these pens. I want to do more than just the quote, but, yes, I do want to start doing the full, researched reviews.
Sorta new to fountain pens, huh? It's Skrip; I started using Skrip in school before you were born. Fantastic ink back then when made in Ft. Madison; this Slovenian mess is muck, unfortunately.
I've been buying fountain pens for 36 years. But I'll admit that Sheaffer was never high on my list, and I honestly could not recall right then how to spell the ink.
There was an interesting review by Doug on Inkquiring Minds where he basically said exactly the same as you about this pen. However he then swapped the sheaffer nib for one of the "Bobby" bent hooded nibs which really improved the writing experience of the pen. Apologies to Nelson F. I posted this before I noticed it basically echoes' your comment.
Several people have commented on Doug's review. I need to find it. I apparently missed it. With a different nib, I think I could really like this pen...
the most wonderful person in the world again with his pens ,you make my day hello from Russia.
I'm glad you enjoyed! Hopefully spring is coming for you too!
My father had a Schaeffer fountain pen. I still remember that bottle of Skrip ink with the little well molded into the glass. Tip the bottle to fill the well the unscrew the lid so you didn't have to dip the pen all the way into the bottle. I used a cheap Schaeffer cartridge pen in high school. Looks like their cartridges are the same design after all these years.
I think Sheaffer has used this same cartridge for a long time. The new bottles don't have the nice well as the bottles you described.
I nearly bought this pen. A friend gave me a gift token for a UK shop that sells pens. I was looking closely at the Icon but your review came along at the perfect time. I will heed the warning and look for an alternative.
For a very comparable price, the Lamy Aion, for one, is such a good pen and an alternative choice.
I'm glad this helped. I think pushing a decision whether yes or no is an important part of showing these pens.
@@sajjadhusain4146 Thank you for your suggestion Sajjad. The Lamy Aion is not sold by the shop that I have a gift card for so I am struggling to make a choice. Sadly it's not the best place to buy fountain pens. I shouldn't be ungrateful because the pen will not cost anything unless I add some money to the gift amount.
@@davidanderson3425 ..Ha, I know, David. Gift amounts like these can often be tough to avail because of circumstances like you described. Make the most of it anyway. In that price bracket there are many very decent pens. TWSBIs, too, if possible there. Something must be found and had. 🙂
This might be a good candidate for a video of at home nib smoothing this summer?
Good idea, especially since some commenters tell me I could pick up better nibs!
Many thanks Jason for another excellent review. Having become a bit of a Sheaffer nut in the last year or so, having bought too many from the 40's through to the great pens they were making up until the first half of the 2000's, I'm a bit sad that the modern Sheaffer's are just not that great.
Do you have any of the PFM pens, David?
@@sajjadhusain4146 Sadly no, Sajjid, they always stretch beyond my budget! But definitely on the wishlist. Best modern I have is a Legacy 2.
@@davidverney6834 Oh ok. I asked because I’m an undying fan of vintage Sheaffer. And your comment made me smile. Yes, the PFMs really carry daunting price tags. I desired them so greatly that I saved enough to.eventually buy five of them over a few years. The Legacy II is the PFM’s close cousin and a great pen in its own right. I like the Legacy I even more.
And need I even start on the Sheaffer Balance pens? 🙂
I have several very nice vintage pens. I think they're wonderful. But my modern experience is just underwhelming, aside from the Legacy 2.
One could always pick up a Taranis with a medium nib...Very comfortable pen with a smooth nib.
I once owned a Taranis, but I ended up giving it away.
Aloha Jason! I was excited to hear that you bought this pen and was even more excited to see this first impression. When I first saw this pen introduced (and delayed), the red and black made it automatically appealing since those two colors are my favorite. But it would need to write well and be priced accordingly. All other reviews I have seen have all said that the nibs do run small, which may not be a bad thing for me as I seem to be in the fine to medium sweet spot at the moment, so a medium would be my choice. I was quite surprised you got a fine, but maybe all the other pens you bought in this "haul" may of been medium nibs, so you got a fine to provide variety? I am still interested in picking one up, but not at the going street price of a little over $70. I guess since you bought in a few months ago, you are beyond the return period? Mahalo for reviewing this set of pens and a wrap-up of some sort would be great. Thomas
This really is a beautiful pen. I love this color combination!
You're right that the nib runs small. From what I hear, I would have liked the medium nib a lot better. I'll be honest: I bought the fine because the medium nib was at the price you mentioned, while the fine was quite a lot less than half that. Since I was using a single RUclips check, I got the fine so I could buy more pens.
I'm planning a wrap-up in about 3 weeks. School is close to ending, so I'm tempted to save the wrap-up for just after the end of school.
@@WaskiSquirrel Thanks Jason for the reply and the circumstances between your choice of the fine nib. My first choice was the black with red, but after seeing the review of the green color and how it has some shimmer?, I thought maybe the red would be the same and you seemed to have confirmed that. Cult Pens has it for about $52, so I may put together an order with some ink and other entry level/budget pens to reach the minimum for free shipping! Looking forward to the final pen (did you give use a sneak peak?) and your wrap-up video. Thomas
I think you're right, it was returned merchandise. I bought one of these in green when they first came out, and it was pretty close to a keeper for me. I liked the fine nib, it seemed to have a good effect on my writing. But I did end up selling it on, I suppose mostly because I'm not a big fan of metal pens.
That explanation makes the most sense to me. I do like the pen, except for writing with it. I may have to try some of the suggestions about replacing the nib.
I have two of these - a black fountain pen and a black Ballpoint (don't tell Doug) with a red fp on order. It posts very well. Good that it comes with a quality converter. Very robust pen.
I agree on the robustness! My only problem is the nib.
@@WaskiSquirrel Recommend you get in touch with Doug Rathbun. He did a video on a nib replacement for the Sheaffer Icon.
Same experience I had. I really liked the finish and the general quality of the pen, even the ergonomics, fitting very well in the hands, but the nib really leaves something to be desired.
In the comments of one of your videos mentioning this pen, someone talked about "Inkquiring minds" review, and that because the model uses a generic Chinese nib, that can be easily replaced. So, as suggested by Douglas, I ordered a Bobby's mini fude nib, which greatly improved the writing experience.
Thanks for the video.
Thanks for sharing! I had not even thought of that. I'll have to check out the review and look at Bobby's choices.
I like the Icon, all round. What initially most appealed to me about the pen is its shape that is very reminiscent of the classic Sheaffer PFM/Legacy pens that I love dearly. The Icon’s design aesthetics are really nice, the size, weight and feel in hand are great. Much better than any of the other earlier modern Sheaffer pens.
But I also don’t like a few things about the pen. Uncapped, I just don’t like the sight of the tacky looking strip over the section with Sheaffer stamped on it. Then, the identical semi-hooded nib of the Taranis (hardly a good thing). Also, the medium nib writes like a fine. Just like a standard Chinese fine nib on a pen made in China. This almost always pisses me off. The price is just about acceptable…maybe.
Such a nice looking pen marred by that forgettable nib. What a pity. A pretty, well made pen let down by some glaring faults. I have the black one. I’ll keep it. But I don’t think I’ll get to use it much. I’ve too many other better pens, including many better Sheaffers for that.
And oh, the name is Skrip.
The strip is tacky, but I can accept it as a design choice. Like you say, it's a good pen. Side by side with my Legacy II, I see why I like this pen. But, it absolutely needs a better nib!
And thanks for the spelling note!
Maybe a store demonstrator ?
I suspect either a demonstrator or a customer return.
Greetings from Australia.
I think you were sold returned merchandise. Can you return it and get it in medium nib or a refund?
I could have returned it a few months ago. The nice thing is that I feel free to experiment now.
Maybe ghosts?
I ain't afraid of no ghosts!🐿🐿😂👻👻👻
So perhaps it was a customer return due to it not being smooth.
I don't know why it would have been returned, but I agree with you that this pen may have been a return.
This old comment just appeared on my list of comments! That's possible. I remember being surprised by the cost cited by some viewers.
From what my regular penman says these pens weren’t very successful and were withdrawn by Sheaffer from the market.
They must still be on the market in the US. I own one, but it wasn't particularly memorable.
@@WaskiSquirrel There’s a similar,inexpensive pen by Hongdian C1. Fine nib- blue,black,red, and yellow. I bought a few,handy scribbler. May work well with the Sfeaffer Icon,
This is a nice, slightly overpriced "nib holder" for standard 18.5mm Chinese hooded nibs. Unfortunately, the nibs are the same 15¢ nibs found on $2 Chinese fountain pens, and the contact of the nib with the paper gives the same cheap writing feel. For this pen to be a success, Sheaffer must manufacture its nibs in-house. But I think the plan is to maximise profits by putting the cheapest nibs they can outsource instead.
I much prefer the Hero 565's 19.5mm nib, despite being mounted on a $5 fountain pen. Its only flaw is that the cap is not airtight so the nib dries out if you don't use it every day.
Thank you! Yes, this nib is disappointing. And I've seen it on several cheap penss. I'm hoping to find something else for it.
Mine was ok, but the frigging logo on the pen nib came off! It was cheap painted film, Now I have a pen nib with an ugly gray metal strip where the logo was😡
I'm not confident in the quality of this pen, and your experience shows my feeling is right.
I miss those days when you had excellent quotes on “full reviews”. Are those quotes coming back anytime?
They should be! Originally, I conceived of the "First Impressions" as something to do when a pen first showed up. But filming those ahead meant I started doing the writing at first and the impressions a few weeks later. But these videos were nice because there was no research.
I need to start revisiting these pens. I want to do more than just the quote, but, yes, I do want to start doing the full, researched reviews.
@@WaskiSquirrel Thanks,. Do anything that is convenient to you. Many of the quotes were thought provoking 🤓.
so if you like fine tactile writinting I'm guess this is for you ... ???
That is true! This is a good pen, but definitely one that writes very fine.
Sorta new to fountain pens, huh? It's Skrip; I started using Skrip in school before you were born. Fantastic ink back then when made in Ft. Madison; this Slovenian mess is muck, unfortunately.
I've been buying fountain pens for 36 years. But I'll admit that Sheaffer was never high on my list, and I honestly could not recall right then how to spell the ink.