New To Waterman: Thoughts Appreciated

[Thornton]

Hi All,

 

I've recently taken a shine to a couple of Watermans I've had for a while. One is a Waterman Gentleman that my father used to use, and the other is a Charleston that my father also gave me a couple years ago. Neither were quite my taste, but I've been using them a fair amount the past few weeks and love the gold nibs, especially on the Charleston.

 

I've been thinking of getting a Hemisphere fountain pen and ballpoint in blue obsession, and was wondering what people thought of Waterman's steel nibs and ballpoints. I've read a few points about the Hemisphere having flow issues. I'm considering a fine nib. I'm completely out of my element here so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Left FPN]

The Hemisphere is a popular and no doubt good pen.

 

In the main you will only read about those that have a problem. Most do not. If it does, return it to the supplier or post it to Waterman for a section change.

 

Although not on a Hemi and not steel, I have found Waterman fine nibs to be very nice BUT tippings do vary so you will not know until you have the pen you buy in your own mits and inked up.

[ashbeck001]

I have a Hemisphere with a fine nib. I got it about a year ago and it very quickly became my favourite everyday use pen. Has exactly the right flow, comfortable to use even for extended periods (I have used it to minute 4-5 hour meetings!) And the fine nib works very well for my small writing style.

 

The pens also have a surprising amount of weight to them for their size, which I think balances them nicely in the hand. As has been said, though, every pen will vary.

[RMN]

No personal knowledge of the Hemisphere, and of the Ballpoints, but the steel nibs on my Expert and on my Harley Davidson pens are quite nice.

 

All nibs are categorised in ranges, so you could have a M on the broad side and a L(Large= on the narrow side that would be almost identical.

 

 

So I agree with Force

 

 

D.ick

[Ernst Bitterman]

I had a Hemisphere for some time, and I liked the performance enough that I ended up giving it as a gift to someone. If there's anything to be said against them, it's probably a mainly subjective issue with the relatively slender section.

Edited January 27, 2015 by Ernst Bitterman

[Thornton]

Thanks everyone for your kind and insightful replies. I think I am going to go ahead with getting a Hemisphere FP and BP set, and will report back if I have any other questions. Looking forward to becoming obsessed with yet another brand of fountain pen.

[hbdk]

Hmm...I might have been unlucky but I have 2 Hemisphere pens. Both had very bad skipping troubles and hard starts from day one. Got a replacement section for one of them - same problem. Ended up sending one of them to Oxonian; not really worth it, but it was a gift and I really like the design. Nice pen after a good overhaul...

Edited January 27, 2015 by hbdk