PenHero 365: Sheaffer Balance Blue
by Jim Mamoulides, January 14, 2010
Sheaffer Balance Blue fountain pen open
Blue was definitely not one of the popular colors for Sheaffer or Parker's top models in the 1930s. It was 1941 when Parker added Transparent Azure Blue to the Vacumatic finishes, the same year that the Vacumatic was bumped from the top spot in the Parker line by the introduction of the game changing Parker 51. No blue Vacumatics in the 1930s at all. Sheaffer only took one shot at blue in the Balance line, and only in 1932, with this color, named simply, "Blue", and only offered on the lower rank non-White Dot pens. Though many collectors call this finish, "blue and black," examined in bright light the colors are actually a marble of different shades of blue.
Comparison of perfect color Sheaffer Balance Blue fountain pen closed (top) and author's more discolored pen (bottom) open
This particular Sheaffer Balance Blue was an eBay find, and as it already showed typical discoloration due to the original ink sac, I did not mind having it restored to useable condition. I have another one with much better color that I don't use. Sheaffer made Balance pens in this color in sizes from the "thin" standard size shown here down to the "petite" size. There is a matching pencil for both size fountain pens, as well as ringtop pens and pencils, and a very chunky, short ringtop golf or handbag pencil in this color scheme.
Comparison of perfect color Sheaffer Balance Blue fountain pen closed (top) and author's more discolored pen (bottom) open
Collectors also refer to these pens as "3-25" pens, referring to the stamping on the nib face, which indicates the part of the model number that indicated the nib type used. These were not Lifetime pens, having no White Dot or Lifetime marked nib. One Sheaffer catalog even states that "Sheaffer's No. 3-25 Standard fountain-pens are admittedly the best low priced pens on the market."
Comparison of perfect color Sheaffer Balance Blue fountain pen (right) and author's more discolored pen (left) closed
This Sheaffer Balance Blue is a lighter weight pen, typical for a slender all plastic model from the 1930s, weighing 0.5 ounce and being 5 7/16 inches long with the cap on and 6 1/8 inches with the cap posted on the end of the barrel. I generally don't post older Sheaffer Balance pens as the pressure of pressing the cap onto the end of the barrel may crack these thinner, older, fragile plastics. These are simple pens to fill, simply insert the nib in an ink bottle, flip the lever, count to ten, wipe and write.
Sheaffer Balance Blue fountain pen nib and cap detail
This is an eye-catching pen, always getting attention at pen club meetings. They are not common and command a premium price, an interesting situation for a pen clearly situated at the bottom of the Balance line. The Parker "True Blue" is another low cost pen that has at lot of collector attention. I think they are nice pens and write very well, as should be expected from a Sheaffer. If you find one at a great price, don't pass on it.
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