Caran D'ache 849

[gwet432]

Hello!

 

Since I still use ball-points I decided to do a review on my favourite and current daily user: Caran d'Ache 849.

 

!WARNING! Due to extreme nature of pen colour, some readers might experience eye damage!

 

I got this pen a while ago and use it in conjunction with my fountain pens for taking notes on the fly. This is a very iconic pen (designed in 1960, I think...) that has remained virtually unchanged over the years. I got this colour because it makes an extraordinary pen even more extraordinary .

 

It comes in a nice white case, slim enough to fit in an inner pocket (although I think it would be kind of weird to use as an everyday pen case).

 

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5515/9143734929_acbd62afc7_b.jpg

IMG_0074 by tamasilyes, on Flickr

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7326/9143739483_4df8cdc16e_b.jpg

IMG_0076 by tamasilyes, on Flickr

So... here's the pen itself (note: colour is more vivid highliter yellow in reality...)

 

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5540/9143739055_073742bdb7_b.jpg

IMG_0077 by tamasilyes, on Flickr

 

There is no noticeable click when engaging the button, it has a smooth swiss watch like action.

 

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5341/9143738567_0e31302d03_b.jpg

IMG_0079 by tamasilyes, on Flickr

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3750/9143738123_f4489b307c_b.jpg

IMG_0080 by tamasilyes, on Flickr

 

Here it is disassembled, that is the original Goliath "blot free" refill ("blot free" as in it writes so dry there's nothing to blot). It's a little shorter than a Parker type refill, so I had to cut a portion off of the Faber-Castell and change the spring to a shorter one.

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3700/9145961870_68459ee9bf_b.jpg

IMG_0084 by tamasilyes, on Flickr

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3724/9145961332_6c0579cb78_b.jpg

IMG_0086 by tamasilyes, on Flickr

 

And also a writing sample with both refills.

 

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5492/9144016483_5f1b778f34_b.jpg

001 by tamasilyes, on Flickr

 

In case you can't read my "beautiful" writing:

 

(1) Caran d'Ache 849 with Goliath refill

 

"The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and to get up eight times."

(Paulo Coelho, By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept)

------ Pressure

------ Light pressure

------ Pen's own weight

 

This refill might be advertised to write 8000 m without blots but no one said it is to do so smoothly. The flow is appalling, the smoothness more so.

 

(2) Caran d'Ache 849 with Faber-Castell refill

 

"The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and to get up eight times."

(Paulo Coelho, By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept)

 

Aaahh...! It's soooo nice to write with this one compared to the Goliath. I found this refill to be even smoother than a Parker.

 

------ Pressure

------ Light pressure

------ Pen's own weight

 

Bonus: Still, nothing beats a fountain pen (Picasso 916)

My writing is so much nicer with fountain pens but I still use ball-points now and then.

[Darkman]

Good review. Strange though. All seven or eight Goliath refills I have in use are incredibly smooth, even the fines.

 

Thanks,

-DM

[gwet432]

Good review. Strange though. All seven or eight Goliath refills I have in use are incredibly smooth, even the fines.

 

Thanks,

-DM

 

Yes, it could be that I was just unlucky and got a faulty one ( when i first tried it I was like: "Hmm... I expected more from a company like CdA") but it's like it has crayon ground to a paste and put inside instead of ink.

[allebannep]

Simple and very elegant. It is one of my favorite pens for everyday use. My colors are blue, orange and white.

[gwet432]

Simple and very elegant. It is one of my favorite pens for everyday use. My colors are blue, orange and white.

I totally agree! I only have this one and was thinking of getting the gold version (saw it the other day).

BTW, how do your refills write?

Edited June 27, 2013 by gwet432

[WriteAway]

 

I have the 849 in grey, black and yellow, plus the gold version. The gold example is a beautiful pen, but I hate to take a chance on damaging the finish by using it, so the others are used instead. The refills perform well most of the time, with only a rare blob to show on cheap paper. Now if the pen body were larger to fit my hands better, I'd be even more pleased.

 

 

[NedC]

I have several, in different widths and colours, and have never had any problems with the Goliath refills. Other than locating them in the pre-internet era:) I first discovered the C d'A 849 in a sale bin at an art supply over 20 years ago and realized I had discovered the perfect ballpoint and since I was doing a lot of shipping and receiving work which meant filling out endless carbonless forms it was a great discovery. I have real soft spot for these pens.

[azizpen]

The best ball pen made, for people who hate rollers

the refill is more expensive than Parker

check this video for changing refill

 

[Rednaxela]

Terrific pen, great design. Thanks for sharing!

[touzeen]

I think this thread is in the wrong section, but This is the only non-fountain pen I have ever considered buying. Love the design.

[gwet432]

Terrific pen, great design. Thanks for sharing!

Considering this thread is officially 10 days short of being 3 yers old, you're welcome

[Rednaxela]

Ah hadn't noticed. 😊

[Jeremy93]

I have the caran d ache chevron ecridor and interestingly enough it to has the same mechanism. Unfortunately the swiss mechanism doesnt push the ink refill out now i suppose due to time. I sent it for servicing but other than that they write very smooth.