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Thread: Best Waterman nib?

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    Default Best Waterman nib?

    In your opinion

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    Senior Member FredRydr's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best Waterman nib?

    Waterman 7 era nibs.

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    Senior Member gbryal's Avatar
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    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.

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    FPG Donor ♕ Chrissy's Avatar
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    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

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    Senior Member Pterodactylus's Avatar
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    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.

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    Default Re: Best Waterman nib?

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

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    Senior Member jbb's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best Waterman nib?

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

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    Senior Member Cyril's Avatar
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    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.

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    Senior Member pajaro's Avatar
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    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
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    Default Re: Best Waterman nib?

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

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    Senior Member Scrawler's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best Waterman nib?

    The one on the left

    W5 flex stub.

    keyhole2.png

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    Senior Member penwash's Avatar
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    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
    Unique and restored vintage pens: Redeem Pens

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    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.

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    Senior Member pajaro's Avatar
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    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
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    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
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    Default Re: Best Waterman nib?

    One more I just got and restored:

    - Will
    Unique and restored vintage pens: Redeem Pens

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    Senior Member Cyril's Avatar
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    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
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    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
    Unique and restored vintage pens: Redeem Pens

  27. #19
    Senior Member pajaro's Avatar
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    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.

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    Senior Member Cyril's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best Waterman nib?

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

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