A writer comprises a main pole, a write gap and a write shield. The main pole has a main pole tip for emitting magnetic flux. The write gap is adjacent the main pole tip along a center axis of the writer. The write shield is spaced from the main pole tip by the write gap. The write shield comprises a first component located above the main pole tip along the center axis and a second component having different magnetic properties from the first component. The second component extends perpendicularly to the center axis from opposing sides of the first component.