The Sheaffer No-nonsense, introduced in 1969, is so derivative of the classic Sheaffer flat top pens from 1914 through 1929 that one almost expects to find a
lever on the side. Like many Sheaffer designs, the No-nonsense is so simple and
straightforward that it is Not in production today. The No-nonsense follows the
simple, tubular design that was practical for making lever-fill pens before the
streamlining phenomenon that Shaffer itself started in 1929
The No-nonsense shares many of the design elements of the early flat tops in
addition to the cap and barrel. The ball-end clip is a direct lift from the
early straight clip pens, though the Shaffer name is stamped "SHEAFFER" in
simple block letters, instead of the classic bold "SHEAFFER'S" on
vintage pens. The single wide cap band recalls pre-1928 single band pens,
though the band is wider and closer to the cap lip. The nib and section are in
the same proportion, with the new pen being stainless steel and a plainer
stamping. And of course, as there is much less hardware in the newer pen, it's
quite a bit lighter.
The
No Nonsense pens were solid color navy blue and khaki with chrome trim and
stainless steel nibs. The first pens likely had hard rubber feeds, which were
still being produced in the 1960s, though this has long since changed to
plastic. The pen quickly gained wide acceptance, and Shaffer was making the
pens in numerous colors, solid and translucent, and special screen-printed
models. The pen became a workhorse for Shaffer's promotions department as an imprint able gift pen.
Later
on Sheaffer would produce upscale versions, including models with all gold
plate hardware and nibs, chased plastic, and an all-stainless steel pen. The
No Nonsense became Sheaffer's Calligraphy set pen, and still holds that position
today.
Performance
To review the
NoNonsense is to write a something old, something new, something borrowed
story. No-nonsense pens are large, but very lightweight. The original
"1969" pen measures 5 1/4 inches capped, very comparable to the
vintage Sheaffer senior size flat top pens it emulates, but the cap posts
deeper, making the pen 6 1/8 inches long posted rather than the 6 3/4 inches
one would expect from a vintage Sheaffer Jade. The new "snap-cap"
version is slightly shorter at 5 1/8 inches capped, 6 inches posted.
The look,
capped or posted, is very favorable to the early Sheaffer flat tops. If I could
change anything in the design, I would have changed the stamping on the clip to
match the vintage pens bigger and heavier "SHEAFFER'S" logo. Not even the
Old Timer version,
Sheaffer Viewpoint Translucent Red New Version (Left) And No-nonsense Orange Old Version
Having tried
the Vintage, Old Timer, and stainless No-nonsense pens, I'm left a little cold
by the new snap-cap version. The big rubberized grip feels nice, but to me it's
gimmicky and adds nothing to the pen that it was really missing. On several
ballpoint / rollerball pens of the first version, the section has a coarse feel
that would accomplish the same thing. The pull off cap may appeal to kids, and
is the method for many successful school pens, so this is in the plus column. I
do like the wider cap band on the older version.
The section and feed are completely redesigned. The new feed is a wide, flat notched plastic piece, instead of the finned feed of the first pen, which, along with the original nib, has its roots in the original Sheaffer cartridge pen from the 1950s. The section has a recessed cavity and a plastic nipple to cut and hold the cartridge, instead of the shorter, flat end design with an angled metal nipple. The new nib is a little flatter and wider, and is stamped "GERMANY", which makes me think the pen is an outsource contract, made to look like a No-nonsense. This says "cheaper to make" to me, which is surprising, considering Sheaffer must have cranked these out by the carload.
Packing, Shipping & Delivery
Delivery time :
Product will be shipped from Northen India, Haryana. depending upon
destination country, transit time will be 15-25 days after we ship the
item. Always check the possible delivery time displayed to you by ebay,
and purchase this item only if you are comfortable with the delivery
delay.
Customs and clearance :
We always declare items like this as a 'personal gift' and we put only
value to make it easy at customs clearance in your country. Still some
countries has a policy to inspect every package landing in their
country. if you are in doubt, please check with your country's customs
department if its OK to import this item for personal use. Buy the item
only if they approve (99% of countries has no problems on a personal use
import). Some time you will be asked by customs to provide a
declaration about the import (e.g, you declare the actual usage of the
item).
Customs duty :
though we declare the item as personal gift and put only 2-3 USD value,
in some rare cases customs officers will physically inspect the item,
and they decide to charge you with an import duty. Please check with
your customs department if there is any import duty for such items when
buying for personal use (guide : 99.99% of the time import duties are
charged only when the imported items has value of higher range XXX USD,
and definitely doesn't apply here since we are declaring the value of
the item is considerably low).
Packing : Three layer packing is free
Delivery time :
Product will be shipped from Northen India, Haryana. Delivery will take
place within 15 to 25 days depending upon destination country.
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