My Waterman Phileas Marble Blue with the Medium nib finally arrived via UPS today. I love it so much I wish I could write on my monitor with it in order to post this!!!

I was reluctant to walk the dog today for fear of missing the UPS guy and luckily I spotted the brown truck 2 blocks away!!! I walked up to the truck (I just happened to grow up with the delivery guy) and received my precious cargo.

I flushed it with soap and water before inking it. It still required a few shakes in order to get the ink flowing but it's been heaven ever since. This is only my second fountain pen and all I have to compare it to is a medium nib Sheaffer Prelude but it is by far a much smoother writer. What a difference between the two medium lines! The Phileas' version of medium is much broader than the Sheaffer's.

I've written about 5 pages with it in my journal (using waterman black ink cartridges). You guys were right...Waterman black is more gray than black (don't really dig that too much). I'm gonna try to pick up some different inks over the weekend.

I feel like a kid with a new toy. The funny thing is I'm already planning my next acquisition. What shall it be?

Hello Nightwriter,

How about a blue Waterman Kultur with either a F or M nib? It would be a nice, and inexpensive, companion to your blue Phileas. There are several on eBay, both translucent blue and soft frosted blue.

Cheers,

Richard in Plano, Texas

The Waterman is a great entry-level pen.
Maybe you should buy a nice Pelikan as your next pen. What about a M215? Or maybe even an M400 (or a larger model, if your hands need bigger pens).

The first real fountain pen that I bought was a Pelikan M400 about 14 years ago. Needless to say, that thing works as nicely today as it worked then.

I've been researching the Pelikan 200 and 215. Leaning more toward the 215. Also interested in a Parker 45 or 51 maybe. A Pelikan just may be my next pen.

Hey,

Not really impressed by the aesthetics of the Kulturs. Or the Phileas for that matter. I made the purchase based on reviews I've read on FPN and it was an inexpensive way to temporarily satisfy my pen lust. Overall I am satisfied with the Phileas though. It adds a bit of color to my small collection which mostly consists of chromes and blacks. Something Green is next on my list. Probably a Pelikan. Thanks for the suggestion. I like the frosty pink Kulturfor my wife though. I want to wet her appetite for fountain pens so I can have a companion in this growing obsession. Then maybe I'l get her a Waterman Audace after that.

Congrats on the new pen. Take your time and enjoy it before rushing onto the next. Though I know it's hard to do that when you start imagining that you could get more pens and have still more great writing experiences.

I don't know what pen (pelikan) you should buy next (pelikan). There are some great pens (pelikan) out there that are reasonably priced (pelikan) but well made and a joy to use (pelikan).

Have fun!

Yeah I suppose you're right about the taking my time part. My wife and my wallet would probably appreciate that.

Thank God for FPN. Prior to becoming a member I would see the Pelikans in a catalog I get from Fountain Pen Hospital here in NY but knew nothing about them and wouldn't have dreamt of buying one until now. Knowledge truly is power! Or addictive in this case. Im not sure which.

You sounds just like me.You hardly got the new pens and you already planing the purchase of your new pens.

When people ask me what is the best pen you can buy for the price of around 40$ I always tell them Waterman Phileas.
I used to own one and from the moment I used it I loved it.It is really a nice writer actualy better them many other pens I have and it feels very solid in the hand.You did the right thing for getting this pen and mark my words you will remember this pen for years to come even if you decide to sell it.

What next pen you should get ?
Mont Blanc 149

I know too expensive so I would recomend you to buy Pelikan M605.It cost about 120$ from Pam Braun and this is a high quality great pen.
You can also go vintage and then Parker 51 or Vacumatic or even Sheaffer Snorkel are nice resonable priced pens.

I'm glad your pen finally arrived safely. I hope you get a lot of use out of it. I know my Phileas gets its share of use.

I cant understand why you didnt tell him to get a Pelikan

Because they know a Carene is a better choice.

A Carene is on my list as well. Amber Shimmer to match the rollerball I have.

Next pen -- Lominchay Nine Dragons. There is no UP from there.

Enjoy your Phileas and spend your time writing rather than pen shopping.

Twotone

For me, that pen would be the solid gold Perchin or the squid pen (Jules) in platinum.

Can't I do both?

Good answer!! Another board I am on, that is a common reply when confronted with a choice, "Get both!".

I am also a newbee,

I started last year with a green medium point Phileas.

Love it.

Next I tried a Duke Charlie Chaplin medium. Dry and scratchy.

My Pelikan honey M400 broad point is in the mail and I am waiting for it with baited breath.

So I guess I followed the advice given here before I even read it. (Pelikan Pelikan ...)

Can you get the Phileas with a fine point? I have a Safari XF Nib and I like it a lot.

Glad to see you're happy with your purchase.

Yes , you can. I have a fine and 2 mediums... and they sell a broad but I have decided that is too wide for me....Greg