Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 30

Thread: Best Waterman nib?

  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2019
    Posts
    43
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Rep Power
    0

    Default Best Waterman nib?

    In your opinion

  2. #2
    Senior Member FredRydr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Carlisle, Pennsylvania USA
    Posts
    5,008
    Thanks
    1,470
    Thanked 6,603 Times in 2,576 Posts
    Rep Power
    20

    Default Re: Best Waterman nib?

    Waterman 7 era nibs.

  3. The Following User Says Thank You to FredRydr For This Useful Post:

    Adicus (February 23rd, 2022)

  4. #3
    Senior Member gbryal's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Texas, USA
    Posts
    435
    Thanks
    230
    Thanked 371 Times in 176 Posts
    Rep Power
    11

    Default Re: Best Waterman nib?

    Lots of them are unlabeled and luck of the draw. So far all the ones I own have been one of a kind, and all best.

  5. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to gbryal For This Useful Post:

    Adicus (February 23rd, 2022), Inkyfingers01 (May 27th, 2020)

  6. #4
    FPG Donor ♕ Chrissy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Posts
    11,849
    Thanks
    7,287
    Thanked 11,387 Times in 4,253 Posts
    Rep Power
    25

    Default Re: Best Waterman nib?

    I have several L'Etalon gold nibs fitted into Waterman Phileas pens and all of those nibs are excellent writers. Really smooth nibs.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

  7. #5
    Senior Member Pterodactylus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Austria
    Posts
    3,885
    Thanks
    2,412
    Thanked 4,810 Times in 1,697 Posts
    Rep Power
    16

    Default Re: Best Waterman nib?

    Best is relative, mostly also depended on the personal preferences.

    Imo there are a lot awesome vintage Waterman nibs out there.

    I own some vintage Waterman pens, out of these this tiny 12 1/2 has based on my preferences the „best“ nib (for me).

    Show_response_866 by Ptero Pterodactylus, auf Flickr

    (Waterman 12 1/2 ..... J. Herbin Emerald of Chivor)

    Show_response_838 by Ptero Pterodactylus, auf Flickr

    (Waterman 12 1/2 BCHR ..... Diamine Ancient Copper)

    Show_response_221 by Ptero Pterodactylus, auf Flickr

    I consider this a century old little pen as one of my all time favorite pens


    Another awesome vintage Waterman I own is this safety 45.

    Show_response_653 by Ptero Pterodactylus, auf Flickr

    (Waterman 45 Safety BCHR ..... Montblanc Mystery Black)


    Waterman45_picture_07 by Ptero Pterodactylus, auf Flickr


    So you will get very different answers what’s the best depending whom you will ask.

  8. The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to Pterodactylus For This Useful Post:

    Adicus (February 23rd, 2022), Cyril (April 19th, 2020), SchaumburgSwan (December 21st, 2019), Scrawler (August 11th, 2020)

  9. #6
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2018
    Posts
    490
    Thanks
    211
    Thanked 159 Times in 65 Posts
    Rep Power
    7

    Default Re: Best Waterman nib?

    Within last 40 years Le Man 100 from the 1st year (1983), fine grade in particular.

  10. #7
    Senior Member jbb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Posts
    844
    Thanks
    364
    Thanked 754 Times in 307 Posts
    Rep Power
    12

    Default Re: Best Waterman nib?

    My Waterman Hundred Year nib is pretty darn nice.
    JBBPensPaper an Etsy store

  11. #8
    Senior Member Cyril's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Posts
    868
    Thanks
    2,015
    Thanked 581 Times in 302 Posts
    Rep Power
    8

    Default Re: Best Waterman nib?

    Are all the Waretman 100 year Nibs are basically the Same ( good ) special quality? Are they different than other nibs like Ideal 3/4/5?

    I have seen one nib for sale. I am curious and interested in this nib.

  12. #9
    Senior Member pajaro's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Tecumseh, MI
    Posts
    1,373
    Thanks
    561
    Thanked 616 Times in 413 Posts
    Rep Power
    14

    Default Re: Best Waterman nib?

    I have used a lot of Waterman nibs, and most are superb. Some corroded, like Laureat. I found the best to be Carene fine, but I don't know if they will age with the grace of some other Waterman nibs.

  13. #10
    Senior Member Deb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Highlands of Scotland
    Posts
    1,764
    Thanks
    2,759
    Thanked 1,960 Times in 855 Posts
    Rep Power
    13

    Default Re: Best Waterman nib?

    The good old Ideal in the Waterman 52, for me, whether flexible or firm.
    Regards,
    Deb
    My Blog

  14. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Deb For This Useful Post:

    Adicus (February 23rd, 2022), Schaumburg_Swan (October 1st, 2021)

  15. #11
    Senior Member Scrawler's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    1,279
    Thanks
    1,922
    Thanked 1,272 Times in 569 Posts
    Rep Power
    13

    Default Re: Best Waterman nib?

    The one on the left

    W5 flex stub.

    keyhole2.png

  16. The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to Scrawler For This Useful Post:

    Adicus (March 2nd, 2023), Chrissy (April 6th, 2020), Cyril (April 8th, 2020), pajaro (March 21st, 2021), Robalone (March 17th, 2022), Schaumburg_Swan (October 1st, 2021)

  17. #12
    Senior Member penwash's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Dallas, as in the 80's TV Series
    Posts
    3,749
    Thanks
    3,627
    Thanked 7,347 Times in 2,053 Posts
    Rep Power
    15

    Default Re: Best Waterman nib?

    Ah, Waterman nibs...

    Having restored a lot of fountain pens (and being a flexible nib nut) for a number of years now, of course I've seen my share of Waterman nibs.

    Here are a few of my favorites, sorry the first three don't have the nib in the shot, but I promise the writing sample is from the Waterman IDEAL nibs in each pen:

    A beautiful blue Stalwart:



    I was so, sorry to see this one go, but the new owner loved it.

    And this little Thorobred:



    And this Waterman 3:



    Going back in time:



    And then this one:



    I have a couple more but I'll stop here.

    I often tell new owners of vintage pens that Waterman is not the only brand who make excellent flexible nibs, and not to get hung up on it. But there is definitely a legitimate reason why vintage Waterman pens are sought after even today.
    - Will
    Sketches and restored vintage pens: RedeemPens

  18. The Following 7 Users Say Thank You to penwash For This Useful Post:

    Adicus (February 23rd, 2022), amk (May 28th, 2022), Cyril (April 8th, 2020), FredRydr (April 6th, 2020), Robalone (March 17th, 2022), Schaumburg_Swan (October 1st, 2021), Scrawler (April 7th, 2020)

  19. #13
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Chartres, France
    Posts
    1,148
    Thanks
    2,679
    Thanked 847 Times in 452 Posts
    Rep Power
    14

    Default Re: Best Waterman nib?

    Bang per buck: The Hundred Year / Emblem nib.

    Why? Because it's a fantastic nib and often comes with a miserably rotten celluloid pen attached. Junk the pen, or fix the rotten ends, and you've probably paid peanuts for a real joy of a writer.

  20. The Following User Says Thank You to amk For This Useful Post:

    Adicus (February 23rd, 2022)

  21. #14
    Senior Member pajaro's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Tecumseh, MI
    Posts
    1,373
    Thanks
    561
    Thanked 616 Times in 413 Posts
    Rep Power
    14

    Default Re: Best Waterman nib?

    Quote Originally Posted by amk View Post
    Bang per buck: The Hundred Year / Emblem nib.

    Why? Because it's a fantastic nib and often comes with a miserably rotten celluloid pen attached. Junk the pen, or fix the rotten ends, and you've probably paid peanuts for a real joy of a writer.

    This I can agree with. I bought on ebay a fantasy pen, probably acrylic, that has an emblem nib in it. This is a sublime writer, but it's not flexy or anything like that. A firm nib, pleasing to me.

  22. #15
    Senior Member Cyril's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Posts
    868
    Thanks
    2,015
    Thanked 581 Times in 302 Posts
    Rep Power
    8

    Cool Re: Best Waterman nib?

    I have very little knowledge of vintage Watermans pens and that knowledge is growing up. When I bought my Watermans I was guessing the pen will be ok and have a good nib. As a result, I ended up getting to buy a lot of rubbish.
    Recently I won a Waterman nib and I was after A "PINK NIB" BUT THIS NIB WAS A PURPLE NIB. So when I purchased it I was completely mistaken. When I got it I had to pay about £100 plus the customs charges. Well, I am quite disappointed to learn this nib doesn't work, hard nail and very dry and have to put a lot of pressure to get very odd writing. So I had to debate days with the seller to it accept return and to get my money back. At last, I got it and preparing the nib to sent back.

    This nib is kind of Manifold nib and very large and writes very dry.

  23. #16
    Senior Member penwash's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Dallas, as in the 80's TV Series
    Posts
    3,749
    Thanks
    3,627
    Thanked 7,347 Times in 2,053 Posts
    Rep Power
    15

    Default Re: Best Waterman nib?

    One more I just got and restored:

    - Will
    Sketches and restored vintage pens: RedeemPens

  24. The Following 7 Users Say Thank You to penwash For This Useful Post:

    Adicus (February 23rd, 2022), azkid (August 10th, 2020), Cyril (August 12th, 2020), Robalone (March 17th, 2022), Schaumburg_Swan (October 1st, 2021), Scrawler (August 11th, 2020), sospiro (August 11th, 2020)

  25. #17
    Senior Member Cyril's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Posts
    868
    Thanks
    2,015
    Thanked 581 Times in 302 Posts
    Rep Power
    8

    Default Re: Best Waterman nib?

    Penwash , Your pen is amazing.
    Beautiful wrting and all the ink you are using is classic old colours.
    I am also a fan of brown/ coffee/ chocolate/ rusty red ink. What are these ink they are gorgeous ink, I must say!!

  26. #18
    Senior Member penwash's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Dallas, as in the 80's TV Series
    Posts
    3,749
    Thanks
    3,627
    Thanked 7,347 Times in 2,053 Posts
    Rep Power
    15

    Default Re: Best Waterman nib?

    Quote Originally Posted by Cyril View Post
    Penwash , Your pen is amazing.
    Beautiful wrting and all the ink you are using is classic old colours.
    I am also a fan of brown/ coffee/ chocolate/ rusty red ink. What are these ink they are gorgeous ink, I must say!!
    Thank you, Cryril.

    The ink was originally J. Herbin Rouge Caroubier, which has the right amount of "pastel" hues, but a bit light red for my taste. So I mix it a bit with black ink which produce the above dusky red color.

    Sometimes a little experiment with ink yields a unique and cool result.
    - Will
    Sketches and restored vintage pens: RedeemPens

  27. #19
    Senior Member pajaro's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Tecumseh, MI
    Posts
    1,373
    Thanks
    561
    Thanked 616 Times in 413 Posts
    Rep Power
    14

    Default Re: Best Waterman nib?

    Beautiful flex writing! Interesting and beautiful 52 1/2V pen. If I could use a flexible nib I would prefer a pen like that to a Carene. Can't walk and chew gum at the same time, though.

  28. The Following User Says Thank You to pajaro For This Useful Post:

    Cyril (August 22nd, 2020)

  29. #20
    Senior Member Cyril's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Posts
    868
    Thanks
    2,015
    Thanked 581 Times in 302 Posts
    Rep Power
    8

    Default Re: Best Waterman nib?

    My one of the favourites is this nib.
    Waterman Ideal REG.US No2 nib.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  30. The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to Cyril For This Useful Post:

    Adicus (February 23rd, 2022), pajaro (March 21st, 2021), penwash (March 21st, 2021), Robalone (March 17th, 2022)

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •