Full Version: Waterman Liaison
Beautiful pen! Thanks for the review. ENJOY!!!
Wonderful review, Roy! 
Please clarify what you mean by, "You turn the nob/end cap to slowly release the section."? Is the converter twist end married internally to the black blind cap, thus moving the piston when the blind cap is rotated? That's the style of the Stipula integrated converters.
Did Pam have all three nib widths available? Also, being made of ebonite, I wonder if it has an ebonite feed? If it does, I'll bet that had something to do with its being discontinued. Too expensive, but alas, I speculate!
Please clarify what you mean by, "You turn the nob/end cap to slowly release the section."? Is the converter twist end married internally to the black blind cap, thus moving the piston when the blind cap is rotated? That's the style of the Stipula integrated converters.
Did Pam have all three nib widths available? Also, being made of ebonite, I wonder if it has an ebonite feed? If it does, I'll bet that had something to do with its being discontinued. Too expensive, but alas, I speculate!
I was at Pams store on Tuesday and she showed me the pen. I was very impressed with the pen and the price, but I had made up my mind that I NEEDED a new Pilot VP. I like the Pilot, but the Liason is a much classier pen. Thanks for the review, now where did I leave my checkbook? 
Larry
Larry
Hi Roy,
Thanks for the review and photos. It's a handsome pen indeed, and I am glad that it writes as good as it looks; sadly, that is not always the case with expensive pens. I love how Waterman tried to copy the Sheaffer Triumph nib's design
(gotta love the shape of those Triumphs!) and the look of vintage woodgrain pens. I have been looking for a vintage Wahl or other flat-top in that woodgrain look for some time now; it's a nice look.
Congrats on the pen and the good deal you got from Pam Braun!
Thanks for the review and photos. It's a handsome pen indeed, and I am glad that it writes as good as it looks; sadly, that is not always the case with expensive pens. I love how Waterman tried to copy the Sheaffer Triumph nib's design
(gotta love the shape of those Triumphs!) and the look of vintage woodgrain pens. I have been looking for a vintage Wahl or other flat-top in that woodgrain look for some time now; it's a nice look.Congrats on the pen and the good deal you got from Pam Braun!
Way to go Roy.
Great review of a terrific pen. I bought mine at the Toronto pen show from a friend who did give me a good deal in CDN dollars, but there was no instruction booklet. Imagine my surprise when I figured out where the converter was
:bunny1:
Great review of a terrific pen. I bought mine at the Toronto pen show from a friend who did give me a good deal in CDN dollars, but there was no instruction booklet. Imagine my surprise when I figured out where the converter was
:bunny1:
Wow! What apen.
Must be my 'dense day' since I still don't understand about the use of the converter. 
If the blind cap (I guess that's what you mean by the end cap) operates the release mechanism why is the section even threaded? I don't know what you mean by the release mechanism. I'm all messed up with unfamiliar terminology.
I guess the section must be removable in order to access the converter/cart and it's merely a different method of separating the barrel from the section. If that's all it amounts to, I guess I understand...maybe. I have days like this.
If the blind cap (I guess that's what you mean by the end cap) operates the release mechanism why is the section even threaded? I don't know what you mean by the release mechanism. I'm all messed up with unfamiliar terminology.
I guess the section must be removable in order to access the converter/cart and it's merely a different method of separating the barrel from the section. If that's all it amounts to, I guess I understand...maybe. I have days like this.
thanks for the great review. nice vintage look to the pen. i had a conway stewart churchill in orange woodgrain ebonite which unfortunately i had to return due to a leaking problem. i miss that pen!
wow, is that the price for your liason listed at the top of oscar braun's specials page?
wow, is that the price for your liason listed at the top of oscar braun's specials page?
QUOTE (NoSnow @ Nov 12 2005, 01:29 PM)
Maybe this picture will help (it's a little out of focus):
The section is threaded in order to engage the release mechanism. That release is operated by the blind cap or end cap. My understanding is this is an update to a "safety catch" mechanism used by Waterman in the first part of the 20th Century.
On most pens today that use a convertor, you grasp and twist the section itself to unscrew it from the barrel. On some pens, for me, they loosen while I'm thinking and turning the pen around in my fingers. That doesn't happen here. In fact, very little of the section is even visible when it is fully secured in the barrel.
The section is threaded in order to engage the release mechanism. That release is operated by the blind cap or end cap. My understanding is this is an update to a "safety catch" mechanism used by Waterman in the first part of the 20th Century.
On most pens today that use a convertor, you grasp and twist the section itself to unscrew it from the barrel. On some pens, for me, they loosen while I'm thinking and turning the pen around in my fingers. That doesn't happen here. In fact, very little of the section is even visible when it is fully secured in the barrel.
Thanks for that, Roy. Now I see the deal. The threads are placed quite a bit away from the nib, and it is those threads that are engaged or disengaged by the mechanism operated by the blind cap!
Clever, but I'm sure that it was a pricey way to do it. I've not had any problems with standard threaded sections coming loose. I guess I don't twiddle with the pen that much while writing and I do firm up that section pretty well without "eeking" it. I think we have a new term on the board. EEK! Do you know whether the feed is also ebonite?
Roy,
Great looking pen and excellent review. By the way, deutschepens.com carries the Pelikan Berlin fountain pen. I have never ordered from them so I can't state how their service is. Others on this site can comment if they have. I am glad to hear that things went well with Pam. I will have to order from her in the future.
Great looking pen and excellent review. By the way, deutschepens.com carries the Pelikan Berlin fountain pen. I have never ordered from them so I can't state how their service is. Others on this site can comment if they have. I am glad to hear that things went well with Pam. I will have to order from her in the future.
QUOTE (NoSnow @ Nov 12 2005, 11:12 AM)
It should be noted that Waterman has ceased production of the Liaison line. If you want one, you'd better get one now.
That might not necessarly be true. I remember seeing Levengers did a special snakeskin version of the pen and there might be other versions/ materials of the line available.
The ebonite is tempting, now where did I put that Braun link
K
Quick Note On LEvenger Cobra
The Cobra is a Liaison, but when I sent my Cobra in to Waterman for a nib exchange they sent the pen back and said they did not have the parts to do an exchange on this pen.
Let me point out the Levengers was gracious enough to take the pen back and refund me my money.
I just want people to know that if they get the Cobra/Liaison they can't do a nib exchange.......Or at least Waterman did not have a Fine to swap out for the Medium that came on the Cobra.
The Cobra is a Liaison, but when I sent my Cobra in to Waterman for a nib exchange they sent the pen back and said they did not have the parts to do an exchange on this pen.
Let me point out the Levengers was gracious enough to take the pen back and refund me my money.
I just want people to know that if they get the Cobra/Liaison they can't do a nib exchange.......Or at least Waterman did not have a Fine to swap out for the Medium that came on the Cobra.
Roy,
Living so close to Pam is great for my collection, but not for my bank account. I was wondering if I should go back and get the Liason, your review helped me make up my mind. I'm going to pick up my new Orange Ebonite Liason with fine nib tomorrow. Thanks again for the review.
Larry
Living so close to Pam is great for my collection, but not for my bank account. I was wondering if I should go back and get the Liason, your review helped me make up my mind. I'm going to pick up my new Orange Ebonite Liason with fine nib tomorrow. Thanks again for the review.
Larry
As always, thanks for the fun to read and informative review. If Pam had the black Liaison, I would have bought one too on the day she listed them on her site. Perhaps Sanford will clear out the black version of the pen at a later time 
Roy, I picked up my Liaison from Pam this morning. I really like the nib on this pen. It looks good and performs great. I would say the line is just slightly wider than a true fine. I tend to write small and fast. The Liaison keeps up with me without filling the loops on some of my letters. It may seem strange, but I have a number of pens that write beautifully when I slow down, but skip if I write normally. No problems with this one. I'm afraid it's much to late to worry about my budget. At least I''ll have something nice to write with in the poorhouse.
i had not considered a liason but some kind soul emailed me to consider it. i was considering the charleston ivory in an extra fine nib for $50, but i dont know whether it is steel or gold or it was made in both. that price is about half the price of the liason. i tend to write fast and sloppy and wonder if the liason, being fatter, would slow me down. i could also get a fine nib on the liason.
any thoughts, comparisons, things to suggest to me?
sam
any thoughts, comparisons, things to suggest to me?
sam
Hi Sam,
I have both pens and for fast sloppy writing I would recommend the Charleston. My pen has an 18K gold nib. Best to ask though because I think that some of these pens don`t have gold nibs.
I like my Liason but it`s a bit of a dry writer. I`m not sure if that would help or hinder your writing style. I have the F nib.
Kind regards,
Karin
I have both pens and for fast sloppy writing I would recommend the Charleston. My pen has an 18K gold nib. Best to ask though because I think that some of these pens don`t have gold nibs.
I like my Liason but it`s a bit of a dry writer. I`m not sure if that would help or hinder your writing style. I have the F nib.
Kind regards,
Karin
QUOTE (NoSnow @ Dec 29 2005, 07:04 AM)
QUOTE (memphislawyer @ Dec 28 2005, 09:23 PM)
i had not considered a liason but some kind soul emailed me to consider it. i was considering the charleston ivory in an extra fine nib for $50, but i dont know whether it is steel or gold or it was made in both. that price is about half the price of the liason. i tend to write fast and sloppy and wonder if the liason, being fatter, would slow me down. i could also get a fine nib on the liason.
any thoughts, comparisons, things to suggest to me?
sam
any thoughts, comparisons, things to suggest to me?
sam
Sam,
I am very happy with my Liaison. Depending on what Pam has in stock, it could be a very fine pen for your use at work. If you do a search on the Charleston here, you'll find a range of reviews from good to not so good. The Liaison has had only good reviews so far.
It is a large pen which is something to consider. Though, I found that slowing down my writing made it vastly more readable not only for others, but for myself as well.
Happy Hunting for your pen!
--Roy
Well I bought one just before xmas and got it yesterday.
The first thing you notice is that the pen is heavier than you'd expect for a ebonite pen, must be the brass internal sleeve.
I got mine with a fine nib and popped a Florida blue cartridge in it. I forgot how much I enjoy the fine Waterman nib. It is a little bit flexible and a real joy to write with.
The cap closure is by two little tabs on the body that seem to be a solid click.
All in all a 4/5 rank on the pen
Kurt H
QUOTE (NoSnow @ Dec 29 2005, 12:50 PM)
QUOTE (Tytyvyllus @ Dec 29 2005, 12:36 PM)
Well I bought one just before xmas and got it yesterday.
The first thing you notice is that the pen is heavier than you'd expect for a ebonite pen, must be the brass internal sleeve.
I got mine with a fine nib and popped a Florida blue cartridge in it. I forgot how much I enjoy the fine Waterman nib. It is a little bit flexible and a real joy to write with.
The cap closure is by two little tabs on the body that seem to be a solid click.
All in all a 4/5 rank on the pen
Kurt H
The first thing you notice is that the pen is heavier than you'd expect for a ebonite pen, must be the brass internal sleeve.
I got mine with a fine nib and popped a Florida blue cartridge in it. I forgot how much I enjoy the fine Waterman nib. It is a little bit flexible and a real joy to write with.
The cap closure is by two little tabs on the body that seem to be a solid click.
All in all a 4/5 rank on the pen
Kurt H
Hi Kurt,
Which finish did you get? Mine has stayed in my daily rotation since I got it. I've had to refill it twice so far, keeping WM Havana Brown in it.
--Roy
It's the orange ebonite. It's such a vintage look I just have to get it. Now I've got 3 pens that are ebonite and enjoy them all.
Kurt H
I received a brown ebonite one from Pam 2 days ago (which you know if you read my blabbing in the Chatter ). Its quality, finish and performance are simply amazing. I ordered a medium that I reground to a .6mm stub.
). Its quality, finish and performance are simply amazing. I ordered a medium that I reground to a .6mm stub.
QUOTE (NoSnow @ Dec 29 2005, 02:54 PM)
Hi Denis,
Yes, I saw that you'd purchased one. I think my only fault with the pen is the snap cap instead of one that screws on.
Enjoy!
--Roy
Yes, I saw that you'd purchased one. I think my only fault with the pen is the snap cap instead of one that screws on.
Enjoy!
--Roy
Hi Roy,
it's funny because I used to have a preference for threaded caps. Then I realized that the only accidents I've had, pulling a lonely cap from my pocket and trying to fish the rest of the pen without staining my shirt were with screw caps whose threads started to be worn.
Denis.
QUOTE (NoSnow @ Dec 29 2005, 03:10 PM)
Yikes Denis!
I haven't had that happen yet. Though now I'll keep an eye out for it.
--Roy
I haven't had that happen yet. Though now I'll keep an eye out for it.
--Roy
The thing is that, with a snap, you notice right away when you cap if it does not close securely. With worn thread you can easily miss it until it unscrew while you climb the stairs... <_<
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