I have a Lauréat, which suits me perfectly (I have small hands). I recently bought a Philéas, which is much too large for me (currently selling it so not a problem any longer). A friend of mine has a Hémisphère, which is also the right size for me. How does the Expert II compare with them? I'm thinking I might acquire one if I can't get hold of a Hémisphère. Is it much bigger and heavier, or similar?

Thanking you in advance. :-)

Think of it like this: Expert ll meets Jenny Craig, and becomes the Hemisphere in 3 weeks.
Your next Waterman, after you get the Hemi, should probably be the Ici et la.

I had to google Jenny Craig. I'm in the UK and didn't have a clue who that person was. LOL!

If I understand correctly, the Expert II is larger than the Hémisphère. How much larger? I have never dieted in my life and don't know whether three weeks is a long time in slimming terms, or not.

I'm afraid I don't like the look of the Ici et Là. Saying that is probably sacrilegious around these parts (just like getting rid of a Philéas, I expect). Sorry.

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Expert is a bit wider/thicker/fatter than Phileas. Like Fergie before Weight Watchers commercials.

that big!

Thanks, guys, you may have saved me from making another expensive mistake.

Well, Hemisphere lovers are quite fortunate these days, as that pen comes in a whole range of colours; so does the Ici et la. Laureat gets resurrected once in a while as well, so keep your eyes open. Waterman used to produce a series of pens called the Le Lady pens. Those would likely be found on eBay. Short pens, more narrow than your Laureat, just a bit longer than a tube of lipstick. There is one on eBay now, the Lady Agathe, which was one of the more expensive versions.

If you are inclined to do a paradigm shift, check out pens by Cross. Look at their Century line at www.penhero.com. As a matter of fact, at that same site, check out the Parker Sonnet and the Sheaffer Agio.

Thank you very much for all the info, Satrap.

I've just seen the Lady Agathe on eBay. I'm afraid I don't have that kind of money. I'm not a collector (although I would be if I could afford it): I just want another FP (or two) to use with different inks. Since I am using my Lauréat with red ink for proofreading purposes, I need at least another one for ordinary writing, and I'd like it to be a Waterman because I'm used to them and I have a spare converter. All very prosaic, I know. :-(

Well, I am not sure what you mean by "not a collector". I have to collect them so I can use them. I do not know of many collectors who DO have a lot of money (except Bill Cosby....www.fountainpenhospital.com). OK, think of it like, uh, shopping for purses, earrings, etc. . This is why we enjoy the thrill of the hunt, as you can see from some examples from my own personal acquisitions. To name only a few:

Waterman LeMan 100 for 175.00 (50 % off the retail price at the time)

Waterman Carene for 40.00 (retail 200.00)

Sheaffer Legacy 90.00 (retail 295.00)



diane

Hmm... I've been thinking about what 'collecting' means to me, Diane. I think of it as acquiring objects just for the sake of owning those objects, not necessarily in order to use them. Some people do, don't they? I love beautiful things, but I don't feel I have to own them. I meant that I would only buy as many FPs as I needed. I'm the same with everything else - shoes, bags, jewellery, etc. I don't have the collecting bug, but I enjoy reading about other people's findings and I love the way passionate collectors talk about their items and how they came to buy them, etc. I love this forum: everyone is so knowledgeable and enthusiastic. :-)

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Well, like I said, I don't know any "collectors", as in, "I just wanna have this so you won't have it, and plus it costs a lot and you will think I am important and plus you will be jealous of me..." and that other prozackish (is /-kish/ a morpheme yet? I don't want to get ahead of myself) stuff. I think those people are wacko:

"I have a bazillion pens!"

"Oh? Where are they?"

"Hanging on my favourite wall in the den."
ewwwk

You, like most of us, I think, simply buy what you like, when it is attractively priced. NOW, there's the thing. "Attractively priced" is going to differ with each individual, from royalty to riff-raff (I think I am on the left of the hyphen, not sure).

Earrings!! I love earrings!! Big cheap gaudy (Potty Mouth), rhinestones, stars and garters. Love it!

I do use all of my pens, from the fancy sterling silver, to the 10 dollar rOtring Core (love those hideous pens!). Now, I am not going to say just how many pens I have, because there could be psychiatrists on the board, trolling for someone to medicate, and I don't want to blow my cover...

diane

LOL! You do look blissfully happy on your little cloud.