Full Version: Waterman Pileas and Kultur
could someone please let me know what are the major differences...as they really look the same pen
QUOTE (giles7 @ Sep 26 2008, 04:36 PM) 
could someone please let me know what are the major differences...as they really look the same pen
From what I understand the Pileas has a brass insert in the barrel for weight a I think the nib on the Kulture is not a gold two tone. Others should be able to name all the differences.
I have a Pileas with a medium nib and it is a great writer for the money.
Dan
I have both models. While they are similar in appearance and share the same type of nib, I much prefer the Kultur.
The brass insert in the Phileas prevents me from stacking two, small int’l ink cartridges in the barrel; there is room for only one cartridge.
The Kultur, lacking this insert, has room for one cartridge to be in use and another to be kept in the pen body as a back-up.
Of the ones I’ve seen, the Phileas have black sections and opaque bodies. While I have two Kulturs that share these qualities with the Phileas, the Kulturs I really enjoy have translucent bodies and clear sections. When cleaning these Kulturs, I can see if the ink is completely rinsed out by holding it up to the light; I often use these pens to test ink characteristics & colors. Although not real easy to see thru, the translucent bodies allow me something of an idea of the amount of ink I have left when I’m writing too. A nice plus.
The Phileas and the opaque Kulturs have gold toned hardware and decorative rings at the top and bottom of the pen cap and at the other end of the pen body. I have seen chrome toned hardware on opaque Kulturs too. The translucent Kulturs I own all have chrome toned hardware and do not have the rings mentioned above.
The Kulturs are slightly lighter in weight and, to my eye, have a simpler, cleaner look.
Lastly, my Kulturs cost me about $15-20 U.S. Phileas retail for $50-60 U.S. You may be able to find a Phileas at a better price; the Kulturs were not sold in the U.S. and are now discontinued. You can still find Kulturs on eBay. Last year, I picked up the one Phileas I own in a kit with a bottle of WM Black, assorted carts, and a converter during a blow-out sale at Office Max for $10.
HTH
The brass insert in the Phileas prevents me from stacking two, small int’l ink cartridges in the barrel; there is room for only one cartridge.
The Kultur, lacking this insert, has room for one cartridge to be in use and another to be kept in the pen body as a back-up.
Of the ones I’ve seen, the Phileas have black sections and opaque bodies. While I have two Kulturs that share these qualities with the Phileas, the Kulturs I really enjoy have translucent bodies and clear sections. When cleaning these Kulturs, I can see if the ink is completely rinsed out by holding it up to the light; I often use these pens to test ink characteristics & colors. Although not real easy to see thru, the translucent bodies allow me something of an idea of the amount of ink I have left when I’m writing too. A nice plus.
The Phileas and the opaque Kulturs have gold toned hardware and decorative rings at the top and bottom of the pen cap and at the other end of the pen body. I have seen chrome toned hardware on opaque Kulturs too. The translucent Kulturs I own all have chrome toned hardware and do not have the rings mentioned above.
The Kulturs are slightly lighter in weight and, to my eye, have a simpler, cleaner look.
Lastly, my Kulturs cost me about $15-20 U.S. Phileas retail for $50-60 U.S. You may be able to find a Phileas at a better price; the Kulturs were not sold in the U.S. and are now discontinued. You can still find Kulturs on eBay. Last year, I picked up the one Phileas I own in a kit with a bottle of WM Black, assorted carts, and a converter during a blow-out sale at Office Max for $10.
HTH
The differences are very well explained by the previous posters... I'll just like to state that there is a third, in between model, the limited Harley Davidson editions, with same nib/body and that can be found on the bay for reasonable money. Could be an alternative if you like the looks. Great writers for everyday.
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