Waterman 513

[amongsttheleaves]

Edited to include a photo - sorry it isn't very good - rubbish phone camera.

 

The subheading should read 'advice needed for someone new to vintage pens' - left out the important word! Thanks in advance.

 

Today my most recent purchase arrived in the post - a Blue Pearl Waterman 513 'NM', with a W-3 nib, circa 1945/46. The colour of this pen caught my eye, otherwise I would not have given it a second glance, but I am glad it caught my eye and I managed to get it.

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wYgLMfWqy1Y/TjgTkmf7KVI/AAAAAAAAABo/DCWmWJdfQVY/s320/IMAG0164.jpg

 

On unpacking the pen I was pleasantly surprised to discover it is quite a small and light pen - about 13cm capped, 11.5cm uncapped, and 15.5cm posted (measurements approx). I have small hands and suffer from problems with the nerves in my arms and hands, and so far writing with the 513 has been a comfortable experience. The flow is nice and wet, but not overly so, and although the nib isn't 100% smooth, I'm pleased with the way it feels when I write. There is a slight, occasional, scratchiness, and if this persists I'll look into sending it to be looked at/fixed.

 

This is my first vintage pen and I would like to make sure I care for it properly. Are there inks I should avoid using? Is there anything I should do differently when cleaning/flushing it? I just use cool water to clean/flush my modern pens, which are all cartridge/converter or piston fillers. This Waterman is a lever filler. The sac is new.

 

I'd also like to give it a slight polish on the cap, barrel and the clip. Any recommendations for polish? I've read the various threads on polishing in the Repair forum, but would really appreciate any advice anyone would like to share. I've given it a quick buff with the cloth I use to clean my glasses and that has given the cap and barrel a bit of a shine, but the clip is a bit dull. I don't want to do anything heavy duty, and am happy to take my time doing this, as I don't want to make mistakes.

 

Thanks.

Edited August 2, 2011 by amongsttheleaves

[Oldtimer]

No photo :-(

[Uncle Red]

The OP is from 2011, it's a pity there were no responses at the time.