Waterman Edson

[BernardB]

Hello,

 

I posted a rather similar question in the more general part of this forum.

Please excuse me if this is against the rules, but I think the question would be better asked here.

 

I am a long time lurker with a few posts here. After years of low activity, I recently returned to my fountain pen-collecting.

 

I have just been offered a Waterman Edson in decent shape. It was used, but is still looking good, some swirlies on the cap, but nothing serious.

The pen - it is a fountain pen - is blue, it has an F-nib (I have written a LeMan 200 with an F-nib for many years).

 

Could you please tell me if the amount charged - 300 Euro - is decent, or if it is too much.

If I wouldn't like the pen after all, would I be able to sell at a similar price?

 

Could the Edson-owners please tell me what they have to say about the Edson?

 

I usually write with my Sheaffer Snorkels, Triumph, MB 149, Aurora limited and S.T. Duponts.

They are (with exception of the MB 149) smaller and lighter than the Edson, I suppose.

What would you have to say about the size and girth of the Edson?

 

I am looking forward to your reactions.

[zaddick]

See the other thread for my price comments.

 

I think the Edson is a great pen with a 1980s concept of what the future would look like. To me is has a charm like other retro-modern interpretations such as the Ford Mustang. My daughter rarely comments on my pens, but when she saw the Edson she said it looks really cool and futuristic (she is 10).

 

I think it has a great weight and since the step from the barrel to the section is rather small and smooth, I can hold the pen in several positions along the section. I think it is a more substantial pen than the 149, but it is hard to compare them directly as they have very different characters. I have had maybe 10 149s and 3 Edsons. I will always have at least one of each in my stable of pens. I will say that the Edson nib is a nail with no spring at all. Most of my 149s are from the 1960s or 1970s and have some spring in the nib. Right now I am favoring my Edson with a stub nib as a daily carry.

 

Maybe it would be helpful to give you some pros and cons from my perspective.

 

PROS:

- If you like the color of the resin/plastic, the Edson has a real depth to it

- It is a bold pen

- A stunning nib design (not original, but a nice evolution on older pens)

- Smooth nail of a nib

- Converter is easy to clean and no mechanicals to break

- A good value on the used market

- Colorful and less common

- A good amount of heft

- Easy to switch nibs yourself with extra sections

- a factory stub option that gives nice line variation

 

CONS:

- no spring to the nib

- that's a lot of gold

- cap top prone to dents

- frosting on cap comes off easily with normal use

- Ink breather hole can leak ink on your fingers is you hold the pen close to the nib

- too big and heavy for some people

- high list price and discontinued

[torstar]

excellent summation!

[terim]

What a great summary! Can I add:

 

Avoid getting the original blue Waterman box unless you want your hands, clothing and everything you own to be covered with strange, smeary blue debris.

 

TERI

[Left FPN]

- discontinued

This has not yet been confirmed either way by Waterman and not really a con because it will be supported for many years.

[zaddick]

This has not yet been confirmed either way by Waterman and not really a con because it will be supported for many years.

I was going off the announcement from Classic Fountain Pens from Sept. 22 that indicated Waterman decided to discontinue the pen model.

[Left FPN]

I was going off the announcement from Classic Fountain Pens from Sept. 22 that indicated Waterman decided to discontinue the pen model.

Topic

[BernardB]

Thanks for your help!

As I like the looks of the Edson, I bought it.

 

Hopefully it writes as good as it looks. If not, I'll offer it for sale.

[zaddick]

Topic

Thank you for the update.

[Left FPN]

From my experience, Edson buyers are a picky bunch. They would rather pay close to top $ for a mint/mint- S/H pen than bottom $ for one with signs of use. I have monitored ebay for many years and those in the latter condition do run for a long time. I think people assume if someone has let the pen get into that condition, how have they respected its other features.

 

The Edson has been around 20 years and will be around for much longer. In particular the Sapphire will have been manufactured in the 100's of 1000's so no worry there. Now the Ruby and Emerald models were not produced in such numbers and will, if they are already not, become the most wanted model for that collection...whether the plastic coated box is in tatters or not.

 

They are large and lovely pens.

 

My Ruby and Emerald, bought for £225 and £290 respectively both boxed and in mint condition. The cap of the Ruby suffered the known split and was replaced by Waterman FOC even though it is probably 15+ years old and I not the original buyer. In all honesty I purchased them to sell on but they have remained with me. They are better than 1% from the bank. I will get a Sapphire when the write pen appears at the write price.

 

Sorry about this blurred picture...it's low light here.

 

 

I MUST tidy my desk

 

Edited October 22, 2015 by Force

[BernardB]

Well, I didn't buy a bad example. I know the owner and he just used it over the last 15 or so years.

So it isn't a safe queen, but it was most certainly not neglected. It has some swirls on the cap from being laid on the table, being put in a pocket etc.

He knew I liked it and offered it as he just doesn't write any more. He just uses his laptop, his ipad and iphone.

I've been told that he has put it away about a year ago, so I'll probably have to clean it (I have an ultrasonic cleaner), as I expect it to be inked but not cleaned over the years.

 

I am going to use the Edson, I don't buy pens to look at them, but to use (in rotation) them.

So frankly, I don't need a new / mint pen.

 

The only pen I really am trying to keep in a mint condition is my limited edition Aurora Firenze, which I only use at my desk.

The others are taken with me to my work, to court etc.

[torstar]

Enjoy BernardB!!!

[Left FPN]

They do appear at the appropriate time and sometimes a good price...if you haggle.

[BernardB]

Yes, but in that case I would be hit with some 25-30% import taxes ;-)

Buying from the Netherlands (or Europe) is effectively cheaper.

[Left FPN]

Difficult call

 

I very much doubt that this is/was a test set. I suspect it was a salesman's set as there is no room in the box for the pen itself.

 

It may go for a lesser price than say buying 5 sections alone but could you ever bring yourself to split them because it would totally mess up the boxed set.

 

I suspect there is a good £900+ worth there inc the barrel and cap.

[wspohn]

I am sorry that they discontinued the Edson, simply because I was hoping that Classic Pens would be able to do a guilloche sterling version eventually (I own the Waterman sterling already). A well....

[BernardB]

I am sorry that they discontinued the Edson, simply because I was hoping that Classic Pens would be able to do a guilloche sterling version eventually (I own the Waterman sterling already). A well....

 

It isn't discontinued. False information.

[gerigo]

Really BernardB? I hope what you're saying is true.

 

That's because I just chatted with my favorite pen store staff in Asia and they have said Waterman is going to discontinue many fountain pen models, including the Edson and Exception. The store is not able to get any more stock from the distributors in this part of the world and this is what their distributors have told them.

 

From this point on, Waterman's future strategy is focus on rollerballs and ballpoints. It has been very successful for both the brand and also this particular store.

[BernardB]

http://www.waterman.com/en/6-pens

 

Still on their site, further: they have denied that they have communicated about discontinuation.

 

I'd say: false unless they come up with a decision.

In the end, the Edson won't be the top of the bill for Waterman forever.

Pens come and go.

 

I had an Edson for some time, but in the end the seller and I "undid" the deal.