Waterman Edson Or Dupont Olympio?

[Jonz]

Okay...So I've decided it's time for me to buy another 'higher end' pen (whatever that means). I have narrowed it down to two that scream 'buy me' - the Waterman Edson and the S.T. Dupont Olympio. I have read the reviews of each on here, but I was just looking for any other insights from owners of either/both. For example, I have heard that the 'not quite' inlaid nib on the Edson is prone to getting scuffed, which would probably irritate me.

 

Does anyone have experience of one or both of these pens. Which one would you recommend that I damage my bank balance for?

 

If it helps, of the more expensive pens I have thus far I have a Visconti Opera (which I dislike intensely - the single micron gold plating scratched and then began to wear off with the polishing cloth they supplied, it skips and floods and I have found their customer service dreadful...grrrr), I love my C'aran D'Ache (the smoothest nib I own), love my Pelikan M800, love my Graf von Faber Castell.

 

By the way, in case I sound like a snob, or a prat with more money than sense, I also own and love my Lamy Safari (and Al-Star), Parker 51 and Pilot Prera... I just want to add something a bit more premium to my collection.

 

Nib smoothness is perhaps the thing I appreciate most.

 

Any advice/insights appreciated :-) I attach a picture of both pens, just 'cos I love them both!

 

Jon

Edited November 16, 2011 by Jonz

[SHK]

Go for the Waterman!

[ticoun]

both very nice, but i like the Edson better.

[jar]

I have always chosen the ST Dupont over an Edson. Both nice pens but ST Dupont just seems to pay far more attention to even the most mundane details. If you get a chance, simply cap and uncap the two and notice the difference.

[Jonz]

Thanks - 2:1 to the Edson so far

 

And, I'd love to actually try both out, but being British and therefore genetically self-conscious (!) I can't bring myself to walk into a store, try them... and then go and buy them online for significantly less!

Edited November 16, 2011 by Jonz

[jameswatts]

As much as I enjoy the two ST Duponts I have, the Edson I have is such a marvelous pen that, if you can get one, GET ONE!

[RudyR]

I would personally go for the Waterman. I just recently bought my first Waterman (Carene Amber Shimmer) and just love the looks and feel of the nib. The blue and gold of the Edson go so well together. I was eyeballing a similar pen at my favorite pen place and when I came back a few weeks later, it had disappeared. And I just had gotten enough money to buy it. Well maybe later then.

[nardo800]

I only have experience with the S.T. Dupont, but I haven't come across a better nib. Period.

 

It might come down to whether you want the sleek styling that will start conversations or want the understated business-meeting look.

[D.C. in PA]

I have no experience with the Dupont, but my wife an I both have Edsons. Very attractive, dependable, great writers. The Edson nib is nail-like, but smooth and pleasant.

No contest here - Edson.

D.C.

[watch_art]

Having never handled either - I'd go for the Dupont based on what I've read from other FPNers about customer service from Waterman. If you get a dud of a pen - don't expect them to help you out. Sure they'll take it from you and "fix" it (this is all from what I've read, remember) but you'll get it back the same as when you sent it. Hopefully it's not like that for everybody.

[Freddy]

Of the same opinion as jar.. .I'm alive with Edson and S.T. Dupont.. .

For your consideration...try to purchase older large Olympio..Vertigo or Gold Dust <smile>...

S.T. Dupont nibs are superb..

 

Fred

[raging.dragon]

I have an Edson (the silver LE) and the ST Dupont is on my wishlist. I prefere the Edson for aesthetic reasons, and it's a very well made pen, thoug Jar is probably right about the ST Duponts being even higher quality. The Edson nibs may be nail, but they're wonderfully smooth nails.

[His Nibs]

Having both pens...I'd have to say the S.T. Dupont. The attention to fit and finish is second to none. As a previous poster mentioned, re-capping the pen is like closing the door on a Rolls Royce (I'm told. All of my RR money is tied up in fountain pens ). Both have stiff nibs -- but the Edson doesn't give at all. You really can't go wrong with adding either to your collection...but the Dupont (primarily a jewelry company) shows pen manufacturers how a pen should be made.

[picautomaton]

I would go for the Dupont, the nib looks nice and large which I think gives a more responsive writing experience. In addition the way a Dupont cap apparently 'clicks' closed is something to behold.. and the attention to detail.

 

 

 

ermm... get both?

[John Cullen]

I have both. I would say the Dupont, assuming we are talking about the Oversized Dupont. Both are beautiful writers, but the Dupont feels a bit better made. I am not sure the cap mechanism on the Edson will hold up over the long run and if it stops working it would be a major repair. I could easily be wrong and I am not saying the Edson is bad.

[JLT]

I'll chime in with support for the Waterman. It is a pleasure to use and completely dependable. There is no 'give' to the nib at all, but my Edson is incredibly smooth and it delivers ink to the page very efficiently. Want to know what superior quality feels like in a modern fountain pen? Pick up an Edson . . .

[onebeagle]

I'll chime in with support for the Waterman. It is a pleasure to use and completely dependable. There is no 'give' to the nib at all, but my Edson is incredibly smooth and it delivers ink to the page very efficiently. Want to know what superior quality feels like in a modern fountain pen? Pick up an Edson . . .

 

I Second the Edson. it took it with me to work Today. its very smooth.

[kauloltran]

Jonz would you like to sell me your Visconti Opera fountain pen lol?

- To answer the original inquiry, I favor the Waterman Edson due to its highly-engineered design and sophistcated look. The Edson was designed to resists ink leakage at very high altitude during air flights. Also, the inlaid nib of the Edson will give you a completely different and hopefully, new writing experience compared to the open nibs that you are used to with your other fountain pens. While St Dupont looks like your typical workhorse fountain pen, the Waterman Edson is more like exotic piece of jewelry or something out of this world.

[FLJeepGuy]

I have an Edson (sapphire and gold with broad nib) and absolutely love it. I've never had a problem with it and the nib is smooth as glass on the paper.

[skipwilliams]

Not an easy decision, but I have had a Vertigo Olympio (large) for 15 years and had an Edson for a few months last year. For my money, the Dupont is more to my liking. I found the Edson a bit "blingy" for me with the gold-adonized cap.

 

Construction quality is similar, as both are ultra-high quality.

 

Nibs are both very firm, with the Edson more like a weapon.

 

I don't use pens posted as a general rule and the Dupont was the better balanced pen.

 

YMMV......I'd go pick them up in person before you make such a decision.

 

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