Caran D'ache Leman Review

[lewis]

Did anyone think to tell CdA that "leman" is an old English word for mistress or prostitute? :roflmho:

 

 

Ha! Well I expect they were the best call girls in the land!

[Doug1426]

Did anyone think to tell CdA that "leman" is an old English word for mistress or prostitute? :roflmho:

 

 

Ha! Well I expect they were the best call girls in the land!

 

Uh, perhaps the folks at GM who came up with the "Nova" and then wondered why it didn't sell well in Spanish speaking countries had a hand in naming Leman. Regardless, they are wonderful pens.

[Doug1426]

I wonder why CdA is not that talked about here...........maybe because it's utilitarian lines are too utilitarian and those limited editions are, well, uber-expensive.

 

Anyway the Leman I dare say is one of the very BEST fountain pen out there - the very BEST balance, and the very BEST nib quality. I was so surprised by the perfect balance when I was first handed a Leman. All other attributes are alright - not much bling and not a conversation piece but very fine lacquer technique and built like a tank - but for its writing abilities, 10 stars are just not enough.

 

Highly and whole-heartedly recommended as a work pen.

 

 

I think you sum it up very well well there.

 

Another similarly noteworthy pen is Cleo Skribent. Wonderful pens, dull (read as non-existent?) marketing.

[tanburi]

What I like best about CdA is that none of the models (except the lower-end Dunas, which is also a very good pen) comes with a shiny plastic barrel decorated with some shiny chrome/gold material. They produce 'things' that (also) function as writing instruments.

Edited November 25, 2010 by tanburi

[danny_n]

A very good and interesting review...thanks for sharing! I have 3 CdA'a, all r/b's, and I think they're great pens - very comfortasble to write with with a styling all of their own.

[Sidestreaker]

Thanks for the review, I am considering of getting the Leman but torn between silver and gold. I just happened to walk into one of their modest boutique last week and can't stop thinking about it (it was their colour pencil range that enticed me to check out the rest of the store).....

[lewis]

I was in a meeting today with a husband and wife who are both multi millionaires, to the tune that they have several high end sports cars, a huge house and a helicopter. In the meeting, the wife pulled out a stunning LE Montblanc fountain pen to use. To her surprise (not mine really) it wouldn't start, and back it went into its case, to be replaced by a throw away biro!! Whilst I didn't show it, I had great pleasure in pulling the Leman out and watching it start straight away!

 

Sidestreaker, I think you will be happy with either finish. Check my photo's out on my Flickr page (link in the review).

 

I have the same problem with my Duofold, it is extremely temperamental. It has been away for repair but it doesn't work anywhere near as good as my Leman.

 

Don't get me wrong, I think MB's make some of the nicest pens around, and I still crave a 149, but I do think it goes to show that in some cases, buying a badge, doesn't mean you've bought a quality pen.

[DRP]

Great review!

 

Hope you write more!

[Frac]

Hello,

 

I'm new to this forum but I grew in Geneva where Caran d'ache make their pens. For your information, CdA is not a luxury goods manufacturer but a century old specialist of writing and painting materials. Even if in the later years they added lighters and leather goods to their assortment.

They produce what is probably one of the best choice of artist color pens in the world, pastels, paints etc http://www.carandache.ch/m/la-couleur/artistes-et-professionnels/les-crayons/index.lbl

 

By the way leman may well mean prostitute, but Leman is the french name of Lake Geneva, where the CdA are made...

 

I am myself buying a Leman fountain pen, but still hesitating between M and B nibs...

[John Cullen]

Isn't it wonderful to find a pen you really love and then have the pleasure of writing with it!

 

I hope you two are together a long time!

 

J

[Montblanc owner and lover]

nice for a 1st review and nice pen too,sober classic and useful

[ballboy]

My Blue bodied/Rhodium capped Leman is now my oldest pen in my collection, since 2010, having seen off Mont Blancs and other pens not quite working for me in a solid everyday way. I took it apart for rinsing and drying yesterday and enjoyed putting it back together in a satisfyingly serviceable way that some (piston) pens might be daunting or warranty-voiding to do.

 

I've since gone on to acquire said quality pencils and fibre-tips but stopped short of bidding on a £120 CdA pencil sharpener; build quality notwithstanding.

[jar]

Hello,

 

I'm new to this forum but I grew in Geneva where Caran d'ache make their pens. For your information, CdA is not a luxury goods manufacturer but a century old specialist of writing and painting materials. Even if in the later years they added lighters and leather goods to their assortment.

They produce what is probably one of the best choice of artist color pens in the world, pastels, paints etc http://www.carandach...ayons/index.lbl

 

By the way leman may well mean prostitute, but Leman is the french name of Lake Geneva, where the CdA are made...

 

I am myself buying a Leman fountain pen, but still hesitating between M and B nibs...

 

Welcome home. Pull up a stump and set a spell. Once you get your Leman be sure to add a review for us.

[Frac]

 

Welcome home. Pull up a stump and set a spell. Once you get your Leman be sure to add a review for us.

 

 

I'll Do it. I'm sorry but english is not my mother tongue and I have some trouble understanding "pull up a stump and set a spell". Someone to help ?

[dorala1]

Thanks Ballboy. It's a truly great pen. The craftsmanship is second to none. The materials are perfect. I have had / used several more expensive pens I don't recall having this much satisfaction.

 

I must stop with the superlatives!! :embarrassed_smile:

 

I have to agree! I picked up one of these (red) at the Ohio pen show a few years ago and was immediately impressed with it. Taken as a "total package" (nib, construction, writing quality, etc) one would be hard pressed to find a better pen. I'm keepin' mine.

 

Tom Connell

[jar]

 

Welcome home. Pull up a stump and set a spell. Once you get your Leman be sure to add a review for us.

 

 

I'll Do it. I'm sorry but english is not my mother tongue and I have some trouble understanding "pull up a stump and set a spell". Someone to help ?

 

Imagine camping and sitting out around the fire at night.

 

"Pull up a stump and set a spell" means "get something to sit on and join us for awhile".

[Frac]

 

 

Imagine camping and sitting out around the fire at night.

 

"Pull up a stump and set a spell" means "get something to sit on and join us for awhile".

 

Ok then. Thank's a lot

[chad234]

CdA makes wonderful writing pens indeed. My rhodium Leman is frequently used, it has nice heft and balance and a wonderfully smooth fine nib. Loaded with PR Spearmint it is my current favorite paper grading pen. Thanks for the interesting review.

[de_pen_dent]

I've only tried the LeMan at a store, but it is definitely a pen I will be buying soon. Am leaning towards the orange

[Daedalus1]

CdA leMan has been on my mind for many years. Only that there are only M and B nib available here in my neighbourhood. I recently enjoy as small nib as F or EF. And CdA M wrote like other's B, rather wet. That was why I held my horse. But the look and the built is gorgeous. One day......when I enjoy B........maybe.....