Sheaffer VFM Fountain Pen - Matte Blue/Black Ombre
Vibrant. Fun. Modern. The sleek tapered profile of the Sheaffer VFM has an almost aerodynamic quality, and comes in a variety of finishes to suit any taste.
This matte navy blue to black ombré lacquered fountain pen is complemented by sleek matte black trim. It features a satisfying snap cap that posts securely onto the back of the barrel when writing. The clip features a Sheaffer White Dot, the trademark symbol of writing excellence. It comes with a black steel nib.
Unlike other Sheaffer pen models, the VFM accepts a standard international converter or cartridges. The fountain pen comes in a gift box with a standard international converter, ink cartridge, and warranty information included.
- Condition
- New
- Brand
- Sheaffer
- Type
- Fountain Pens
- Color
- Blue
- Demonstrator
Whether or not the barrel of the pen is translucent, allowing you to see the ink and filling mechanism inside.
- No
- Body Material
- Lacquered metal
- Cap Type
How the cap is opened/closed from the barrel of the pen. Some common options include Snap-Cap, Screw-Cap, Magnetic Cap, or Capless (no cap).
- Snap-cap
- Compatible inks & refills
Which ink this pen will accept. Choices include bottled ink and various styles of pre-filled ink cartridges.
- Bottled ink, Standard international short ink cartridges, Standard international long ink cartridges
- Filling Mechanism
How the pen fills with ink. Click here to watch our video tutorial on common filling mechanisms.
- Cartridge, Converter
- Grip Material
- Metal
- Nib Size
- Fine, Medium
- Nib Color
- Black
- Nib Material
- Steel
- Postable
Whether or not the cap fits securely onto the back of the barrel when open.
- Yes
- Retractable
Whether or not the nib/tip can retract into the body of the pen (usually for click or twist-open style pens).
- No
- Trim
- Black
- Diameter - Body
- 11.4mm (0.45in)
- Diameter - Cap (without clip)
- 11.4mm (0.45in)
- Diameter - Cap (with clip)
- 14.5mm (0.57in)
- Diameter - Grip (mm)
Measured from the place most people choose to rest their fingers, which varies with each pen.
- 7.5mm
- Length - Body
The measurement from the back end of the barrel to the tip of the nib.
- 120.2mm (4.73in)
- Length - Cap
- 57.9mm (2.28in)
- Length - Nib
The measured length of the visible portion of the nib when it is installed in the pen, from grip to tip.
- 16.0mm (0.63in)
- Length - Overall (Closed)
- 137.2mm (5.40in)
- Length - Overall (Posted)
When the cap of the pen is posted onto the back of the pen body, this is the measurement of the entire pen including the nib.
- 152.4mm (6.00in)
- Weight - Body
If a converter is included with the pen, this weight is reflected in the total.
- 13g (0.46oz)
- Weight - Cap
- 7g (0.25oz)
- Weight - Overall (g)
- 20.0g
- Max Ink Capacity - Cartridge
The maximum volume of ink that can fit in the pen when using a cartridge.
- 1.55ml
- Max Ink Capacity - Converter
The maximum volume of ink that can fit in the pen when using a converter.
- 0.75ml
Customer Reviews
I like the look of this pen, but I'm not a huge fan of how it functions. I just popped the black ink cartridge in it because I didn't want to fuss with a bottle of ink. Getting the pen to start writing originally wasn't difficult, but it's not smooth, the nib dries out quickly, and, when I brought it out after about 10 days since I last used it, it wouldn't start (despite being stored horizontally, which keeps most of my pens in good shape for quite some time). After fussing with it, it's working again, but it's still rough. So I like the styling quite a lot, and it certainly wasn't expensive. Maybe I'll be happier with it if I ink it with a wetter ink and smooth the nib a bit.
However, a 5-star pen should both look good and work really well. I own any number of similarly inexpensive pens that aren't as sleek, but do function perfectly every time.
This just arrived. I like it. It writes well. I like the blue/black hombre which is interesting without being excessively conspicuous. It's not a chonky boi, but it fits my hand well. The cap needs to be snugged down before it feels secure, but it's lined, so it doesn't feel like I'm likely to scratch the finish. Also, I bet that liner improves the seal so the nib won't dry out too quickly if I don't use it for a bit.
I think this is a good choice for when you want a pen with you that won't require constant attention and concerns about damaging or losing it. I'm happy with my purchase.
I have had this pen since November. Changed the ink often when I needed to. I have used it to write *a lot* and it was my favorite pen until recently. Lately, the converter leaks and I can’t figure out how or why. I can’t find any cracks, so maybe I’m overlooking something. I connect it completely and ensure it's properly sealed, but after carrying it around for a bit (I do a lot of writing on the go), it winds up leaking and spilling out of the base and nib. However, on the off chance the converter *is* cracked, I can’t replace it without buying a whole new pen and $20-30 is a lot to spend on a single converter, especially on a tight budget. I will update my rating if I solve the problem once I determine the cause. Until then, buyer beware.
EDIT: After re-reading the pen's description, it uses a Standard international converter, easily replaceable. I ordered a set of 5 from Amazon and will swap out the converter with one of those from the set. As long as I ordered the right converter (shape, size, etc.), I should be able to use the pen again. Out of the three fountain pens I own (Diplomat Magnum, Hongdian Black Forest, and this one), the Sheaffer VFM is by far my favorite to use and the fact this has happened twice now was a bit discouraging and upsetting. (I chalked up the first leak to being on a plane, and a result of a change in air pressure). I still have yet to figure out the causes of the leak, because I couldn't find any cracks in the converter or the casing, so I'm going to leave this product at 3 Stars. I don't know whether my initial converter was just faulty or there was some other manufacture issue involved, but I'm not a huge fan of sitting down to write and then losing all of my pen's ink because it leaked out onto my hand and pages.
Update 2: The converters were the wrong size for this pen, but fit my Black Forest, which leads me to believe that I may have swapped the two converters at some point, because of how similar they look. I had my Diplomat's SIC, so I swapped that out tonight and we will see if that fixes the problem. If so, I will pump up the pen's rating again to make up for potential user error.
Update 3: The problem has been resolved. I wound up having to order the Schmidt K5 Converter, which is the only one I could find that fit the pen properly, but it works, which is the most important part.
I bought this on a whim (I was just here for ink!), and because a drugstore Sheaffer was my very first fountain pen back in 1975. Lovely finish, a nice fine nib and excellent ink flow – works perfectly every time, fits my not-large hands nicely and isn't tiring to write with. No reason not to love this for the price!
The nib is smooth, the pen is balanced in my hand when not posted, which I like, and I like the look of the blue and black combination. Great pen for the money.
