Howdy Waterman experts,

I have a Phileas and the Harley Davidson model Watermans. Most of my other pen brands only fit their proprietary cartridges (Lamy, Sheaffer, Parker) but I think the Watermans will take the "universal" cartridge. I am interested in J. Herbin inks or other fancy cartridges, but does anyone have experience with these? Best to use Waterman or OK to branch out?

(Please don't tell me to use bottled inks, I'm just not ready for those yet. I am too much of a messy klutz and don't have the space for the bottles.)

Any advice is appreciated, thanks!

Shoot. I just read up more and I think Waterman's cartridges are proprietary, too.

Ugh.

Sorry.

You can use Pelikan cartridges and other universals in your W'man.

Oh, one day you will go bottled-ink crazy. I'll be here.

Thanks for the info! I had myself convinced I could only use Watermans and just placed a cartridge order, but I'll go through 'em fast enough. Maybe by then I'll have convinced myself to go bottled.

Once you try the converter, you'll be amazed you worried about it. And Herbin inks are incredibly well behaved - I use them in my limited edition pens. Just be aware the colors run lighter than they appear in the bottles.

100% agree, once you'll get the knack of the converter you will never look back at cartdrige, so many nice inks to chose from! As for Herbin inks they really are superbs.

Ghost Plane I knew you were a large nib advocate but never realised you were fan of Herbin now it all make sense! Herbin plus large nibs = masterpiece of shading

You've got me sussed.

I have PR International cartridges in 2 Waterman pens without a problem. I think its not a problem unless its a very slim bodied pen.

I use Diamine and Rotring cartridges in my Watermans wihtout any problems. One is a Kultur and the other an Expert. The Diamine inks come in fab colours just the sort of the thing to introduce you to bottled inks

Oh, this is all very encouraging! Thanks!

I find my Noodler's Blue is doing a nice job in my Phileas and, while dipped, my Carene, though I'm saving the latter for some nice Havana Brown bottled