Waterman Edson

[spilled ink]

I am considering the Edson having read about and seeing it on the internet all the time.I hve not yet seen the pen in person and would not make a purchase without writing with the pen first.The pen is obviously very beautiful but is it too flashy?I enjoy the highest quality writing instruments but do not like something that draws instant attention and is too flashy.Is the Edson the epitome of flash and an attention gathering magnet?If so maybe I would be better off with the Carene.

[wspohn]

QUOTE (spilled ink @ Apr 2 2007, 11:37 AM)

Is the Edson the epitome of flash and an attention gathering magnet?If so maybe I would be better off with the Carene.

I wouldn't say so. The regular Edson IS a nice looking pen and it does look enough out of the ordinary that it will draw attention form pen fans, but in my experience, except for pen fanciers, most other people are completely blind to what pen you are using.

 

It is sort of like watches - unless bells are ringing and lights are flashing, you can wear just about any sort of watch without anyone but a watch fan noticing.

 

I WOULD say that a Boucheron version would be enough over the top in terms of appearance that a non-pen person would wonder what it is, but the regular Edson would blend in. The new platinum and black might suit you better, although the price is higher.

 

If you are absolutely set against anyone noticing your pen, I would add this comment - the Carene offers 80% of the writing pleasure the Edson does, and I doubt anyone would notice it. It is also anywhere up to 1/4 the price!

 

PS - my Edson sterling LE arrived today! Zowie - if there is any pen that a picture doesn't do justice to, it is a shiny silver pen, or a patterned black one (my Man 100 Opera just doesn't take a good picture either).

 

And always remember, the guy that is LOOKING for flash wears a Rolex, writes with a Montblanc and drives a Rolls Royce.

 

The guy that just enjoys using nice things and isn't out to get noticed wears a Le Coultre, writes with an Edson, and drives a Bentley....

[spilled ink]

The Edson weighs 46 grams and is nearly 6" long from what I have read.Isn't it considered an oversized pen?When questioning people who I usually purchase pens from over the internet(vendors I really trust), they said there is really no comparison between the Edson and Carene and that they would choose the Edson hands down(not financially motivated since they talked me out of a Pelikan 450 over a Carene which is at least $100 more).To those who have used both the Carene and Edson is one much lighter and more comfortable than the other?

[wspohn]

I hope you appreciate this

 

I just dug the Edson SE out of the boxes - there is an inner box the pen actually rests in (the sarcphagus), an outer blue Waterman box, then a white outer box, and then a brown cardboard protective outer box.....yes, it is just under 6"

 

It is a wonderful pen. Is it worth 4X the Carene? Personal call. I have both and use both.

 

The Edson never strikes me as being as large as a MB 149, for instance. It is very solid and writes very stiffly. If you are in doubt, then the only way would be to find one and try it, or buy one on approval with a right to return it if you don't like it.

 

I doubt that you would find it too 'flashy', but again, that is a personal thing.

[petra]

I don't know if this will help, but I currently own 3 Carenes & 2 Edsons. They are both terrific models, similar in some ways and very different in others.

 

1- price: ... obviously a BIG difference there!

 

2 - size, weight & styling:

 

The Edson is bigger, heavier & flashier; I mean... there's just no way to miss the brushed gold cap, the shiny translucent barrel. The nib is definitely much sexier. You can get a variety of nibs, free exchange (for new nibs) from Waterman service. Both of mine are excellent writers. They are among the biggest pens I own. I ALWAYS get comments when I use them - people notice them & want to know what I'm writing with.

 

The Carene is slightly smaller, weighs less, and the grip section width is a bit more narrow (and slightly more comfortable for me, for that reason). The nib has a cool design, but it's not in the Edson "totally sexy" category. You can get a whole range of finishes, from elegant to sporty to subtle. They are among my favorite "take everywhere " pens. -- I think you can also get a stub nib for the Carene.

 

The nibs on both are typically Waterman -- very firm, not soft or even remotely flexy. I happen to like that, but not everyone does. I feel totally comfortable using either of these pens on things like carbon-copy forms.

 

Perhaps this is just my good luck, but all 5 of these pens worked perfectly right out of the box -- no fussy flushing, flossing or anything else. That's probably why I keep getting more!

 

I'd say, start with a Carene & work your way up to an Edson!

 

Petra

 

 

[spilled ink]

WS,I really do appreciate you going through allthe effort and Petra I appreciate your oponopn.Who better to ask than people who each have the very two models I am considering.I am going to write with both this week at Fahrneys and then make a decision.

[marklavar]

Go for neither. Go for the Exception instead.

[spilled ink]

One point that I thought about now that I am becoming aware of the Edson size is that in general I like thinner pens.I love my Parker 51,75,and Pelikans 100N.400NN,200.I find the Pelikan ok in length,but probably a little too much girth for my liking.The Pelikan 800 would definitely be too large and that is why I think that if choosing between the 2(Edson and Carene) I would be better off with the Carene.Girth wise,is the Edson comparable to a Pelikan 800 or 600?

[petra]

If you like thinner pens, both the Carene and the Edson would take some real getting used to. A Pelikan 400 is more slender than either of these... and I'd second marklavar's suggestion -- check out the Exception, slim model.

 

I have an Exception, but the gold trim model, not the slim model -- also a terrific writer. I think the slim version is a handsome pen.

 

Petra

[wspohn]

If you like the Parker 75 for heft you probably won't like the Edson or Carene.

 

If you want a really neat vintage Waterman, I am realy fond of the slender, elegant CF model.

[ccwomack]

Great...

 

Sorry to hijack the post but now I want a Black Sea Carene!

 

I have an Expert II.

 

Can anyone tell me if it is it similar in size/weight??

 

cheers