Ok, this is really about Flat-Top pens, I couldn’t pass on an opportunity for a Freddy Mercury parody.
Fountain pens come in just about any and every size and shape imaginable. I have a preference for flat-top pens including those referred to as “baseball bat” & “tube” pens. Contrary to the “Balance” style pens aka torpedo or cigar shape.
Flat-top pens are characterized as having a larger, prominent cap and a smaller body. There is a noticeable step between the cap and the pen body when the pen is capped, while the cap and the bottom end horizontally. I know “flat-top” means the top is flat, so who cares about the aft end, welp I do. Ever look at a cigar before it is smoked? Flat on one end and round on the other.
Little Flat-Top History
The Sheaffer Pen Company produced Flat-Top fountain pens from 1912 until some time after the middle of the 1930s, possibly as late as 1940. It is important to note that the name flat-top (or flat-top) is a collector-coined name for the earliest Sheaffer pens. Sheaffer never referred to them as such.
The Sheaffer Pen Company produced Flat-Top fountain pens from 1912 until some time after the middle of the 1930s, possibly as late as 1940. It is important to note that the name flat-top (or flat-top) is a collector-coined name for the earliest Sheaffer pens. Sheaffer never referred to them as such.
Aesthetics of a Flat-Top & Bottom Pen
My interest in vintage pens is well established and yes Sheaffer Balance is the progenitor of torpedo or cigar shape pens and it is vintage but no. For me, it is aesthetically pleasing to see sharp angles created by the flat ends (maybe I should have named this post “Flat Ends”?). They provide a pleasant contrast to the curved tapered body of a Balance-style pen.
When I was a young man prior to attending university I was interested in architecture. I enjoyed trips which offered an opportunity to view historic architecture. Yes, I love arches but my real enjoyment was always the angles of a structure. “Good design is about the beauty of line.” A flat-top pen is all about lines. Yes, a Balance-style pen has smooth lines but I find them boring as the pen gradually begins and fades away.
Apparently, I am not in the majority. Balance-style pens are more popular, they sell better. I came across a thread on Reddit that is interesting. The contributor preferred round-end pens because “geometrical discontinuities lead to jumps in the stress of a body [pens in our case] under load or in the event of impact [drop the pen].” Interesting rationale but these are pens, not bridges.
My Pens
As mentioned, my Flat-Top pens can be categorized into two groups; fo-real Flat-Top pens and what I’ll call hybrid Flat-Top pens. Sheaffer doesn’t have a monopoly on Flat-Top pens. I have pens manufactured by Sheaffer, Parker, Osmiroid, Esterbrook, TWSBI, Pilot and Inkograph.
Hybrid Flat-Tops are more prevalent thus I have excluded them. Pens in this category include Mabie Todd, Gold Starry, Conway Stewart, Waterman, Geo W. Heath, Esterbrook, Worth, Hero, Kaigelu, Pilot, and Sheaffer. Can you imagine the size of that pile?
Why own something that reminds me of a banana (shape not color), a torpedo, or cigarish when you could have these beauties? As is evident, my idea of a Flat-Top pen is broad. These pens have soooo much more personality and appeal – to me.
Oh, and BTW, I own Balance-style pens; however, I do not own a Sheaffer Balance pen.
COPYRIGHT © 2021-2023 DANNY WATTS and CHRONICLES OF A FOUTAIN PEN.
Chronicles of a Fountain Pen 
You make a good case, but I think I still prefer my cigar shaped pens…..
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It’s all about personal preference. enjoy and thanks for visiting.
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Interesting, I learned something new. Nice colorful collection. 🙂
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I had to go dig out my pens to see what I have. The two I personally picked – a Shaeffer and a Waterman are both flat. My mum gave me one that is what I think you mean by balance and I hate to say it, but I dont like it. 😐
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Balance is the name Shaeffer gave to their new pen that was tapered on both ends. It was supposed to be balanced when you wrote with it. As for shape, think a loaf of French bread, long, tapered and round on each end.
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I’ll leave that to the baguette I think 🙂
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I like the flatter tops too. I actually prefer the overall look and ambience over all other shapes. Great write up. Cheers.
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I have a lifetime jade too, but it doesn’t have a black band like yours. I love these flat tops!
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I spent a lot of time looking for a jade. Then I stumbled upon that one and thought it was in very good shape and unique. I consider myself very fortunate. If you are interested in it, consider reading my post “Fountain Pen Mystery Theatre” it is all about the jade pen.
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