Anyone out there own a Caran d'Ache Leman and can comment on it's size, width, etc. as well as your experience with it as a writing instrument? I can't find one locally to examine nor can I find any specs anywhere on the web. Thanks.

I own a Caran d'Ache Leman Rhodium Miroir, with a fine nib. I purchased it about 4 1/2 years ago. It was my every day pen for about 8 months.

It is a very nice writer, but if uncapped, it is small for my big hands.

I was very happy with it until the cap started falling off. The pen then became unconfortable as it end was pressing on the skin between my thumb and index. This caused it to get a beating. I have had it repaired, for free just a few months ago. It is back as an occasional writer. This may not be a problem with the plastic models, whose cap may interact differently than the all metal model.

The Miroir is Rhodium plated, its surface scratches easily. That would not be a problem with the other models.

I guess its size is similar to an M400. My current every day pens are a Pelikan M800 and a similar sized, but longer, Visconti Palazzo Ducale di Sassuolo.

In a nutshell.
- A great writer,
- for medium hands unposted, or big hands if posted
- the miroir should not be posted on the long run, the cap will not hold (plastic models may not have this problem)

I have a Leman (black rhodium, B nib) and I like it a lot. It is second in frequency of use for me behind my Sailor Pro. Gear.

It is similar in girth to the current version of the Pilot Vanishing Point. Unposted it is a little shorter.

It is a very heavy pen! I like this but be aware. The lacquer is quite nice.

I find that it is unusable with the cap posted. It throws the balance off, plus the cap is never completely stable. I don't mind the length unposted but any shorter (or if my hands were bigger) and it could be a problem.

I bought mine used; for what it costs new I would probably buy a different pen.

Hey thanks. I'm going ahead and ordering a blue/silver for $329, new. I do have smallish hands and never write posted (it's too much bother for me to align the clip exactly with the nib's tip), so I think the Lemans will work fine for me. If not, I have 30 days to return the pen. Thanks again!

I don't think you can find it new at a better price. I hope you like it!

If you're patient, and don't mind used, this pen occaisionally hits ebay -- and when it does, it sells for less than $200. The last one I saw sold for about $115.

There is actually a gold plated Leman on Ebay at this moment in time, in a no reserve auction. Brand new, as well!

I received one of these (black lacquer) as present for my graduation from University, never used it then and has been stored for the last 12 years in my mother's place. I finally got it back form my mother's and decided to give it a try.

APPEARANCE: The lacquer is perfect, nice and not slippery. Gold trim adds to it.
Nib is luxurious and really looks like the high end pen this one is.
The cap is screw-on, so is the barrel for filling, and both have a o-rings to prevent ink profm leaking to the shirt

FEEL: The barrel diameter is nice and good for my grip.
The pen feels wonderful, balanced towards the nib a little and heavy enough for me
Filling ink in the reservoir was easy after unscreweing the barrel

WRITING: The flow of the ink is very nice, and smoothness of the nib is excellent. (Parker Quink blue-black)
I used a white paper notebook (nothing special) and the lines are always crisp, the down stroke thend to produce some wider lines but that just adds character to the writing.
Rotating the nib produces a bit more of shading

Measurements:

Pen with cap:
Pen without cap:
Pen with cap posted:
Barrow: .

First impression was this pen is extremely beautiful, the lacquer is perfect and the gold trim makes it stand out.
The lacquer gloss is great. Nib is luxurious with gold and rhodium sections and really looks like the high end pen this one is.


Image from Caran d'Ache website

Body design and balance 5/5

This pen is very well balanced, the barrel diameter is thick enough for my grip (I have small hands)
The pen feels wonderful, balanced towards the nib a little and heavy enough for me once posted.
The balance without posting is good but better once posted

The cap and the barrel are screw-on, and both have a o-rings to prevent ink from leaking to the shirt and that is a nice detail
Filling ink in the reservoir was easy after unscrewing the barrel, the converter worked nicely


Nib design and actual usage 4.5/5

The two tone nib looks really beautiful, with rhodium details in a form with "rounded" ends.
It has been polished to mirror like finish.
The flow of the ink and smoothness of the nib is excellent. (Parker Quink blue-black used)
I tested on a white paper notebook (nothing special) and the lines are always crisp, the down stroke thend to produce some wider lines but that just adds character to the writing. Rotating the nib produces a bit more of shading
What I didn;t like is the cleaning after filling is not as easy as in others.

Overall (4.75/5)

This is a really well made pen, as expected for the price range.
The looks are outstanding and the writing quality is excellent.
For me this pen is for home use, since I would be scared to carry it around in my pocket and risk getting it stolen

Updated using template from Sailor PG review