Waterman Phileas

[tntaylor]

Just got a second fp, a Waterman Phileas (blue marble, fine point), as I've heard that they're quite good for "beginners" (and I'm definitely one of those). Not sure when it will arrive, but I'm not too terribly anxious, as I've just received a Namiki Vanishing Point in the post, today (which has SO rocked my whole entire world!!!! the VP writes like a lucid dream!).

 

I'm definitely open to any suggestions as to anything I might need or like to know about this pen.

 

Are there certain makes of ink that work best with it (I'm kind of partial to getting round a nice rich brown ink as my signature color).

 

All in all, this has been a damn good day. Three Robert Rankin books, one VP, and another pen on its way... Yep, a pretty damn good day.

 

t!

[Lee]

I have a Phileas that I keep inked with Waterman Florida Blue. It is a very smooth writer with a nice wet flow. The only problem I have with it is that it is a medium nib and I prefer fine. I have small compact handwriting and that doesn't mix well with a medium nib. There are occasions when I can use it and I prefer it because of its smooth writing style. I'm sure you will enjoy it. They are terrific pens.

[southpaw]

T,

Sheaffer Skrip Brown is a nice, warm brown. Also, you may want to consider Noodler's Red-Black. Check out some of the reviews in the Ink Reviews section - there are quite a few on various browns. HTH

 

Lee said,

I have small compact handwriting and that doesn't mix well with a medium nib. There are occasions when I can use it and I prefer it because of its smooth writing style.

 

Lee, you can get another nib to pop into your VP from Pam at www.oscarbraunpens.com (no affiliation, just a happy customer) for $13.98. Don't be unhappy with your VP, outfit it with a nice fine nib and enjoy! HTH

[KCat]

I'm sure you'll like Phil.

 

I have two and have had at least 8 or 10 pass through my hands (given as gifts to others because they are such good starter pens.)

 

I have found most to tolerate just about any ink out there. My green Phil has Kiowa Pecan in it (Noodler's) and my blue gets anything from PR Tanzanite to Levenger Cobalt to.. well, I like dark blues/purples in it.

[tntaylor]

I have found most to tolerate just about any ink out there. My green Phil has Kiowa Pecan in it (Noodler's) and my blue gets anything from PR Tanzanite to Levenger Cobalt to.. well, I like dark blues/purples in it.

Good to hear it's not a finicky pen!

 

t!

[Apollo]

The Phileas is one of my favorites. I own 2, one black, one blue marble which write smoothly and reliably every time. You made a good choice in going for a fine nib as Waterman's medium nibs write more like broad nibs.

[Titivillus]

Just got a second fp, a Waterman Phileas (blue marble, fine point), as I've heard that they're quite good for "beginners" (and I'm definitely one of those). Not sure when it will arrive, but I'm not too terribly anxious, as I've just received a Namiki Vanishing Point in the post, today (which has SO rocked my whole entire world!!!! the VP writes like a lucid dream!).

 

I'm definitely open to any suggestions as to anything I might need or like to know about this pen.

 

Are there certain makes of ink that work best with it (I'm kind of partial to getting round a nice rich brown ink as my signature color).

 

All in all, this has been a damn good day. Three Robert Rankin books, one VP, and another pen on its way... Yep, a pretty damn good day.

 

t!

If you're starting to collect already don't forget that Phileas has a younger brother in the Kultur which is pretty much the same pen but with a steel nib and cheaper to buy.

 

 

 

And you haven't even seen any of the vintage pens! Some smooth, some flexy and all less than a comparable modern pen.!

 

 

K H

[wimg]

Hi tnt,

 

Swisher may still have a special on the Phileas. A few weeks ago they advertised it for $22 something.

 

Swisher's website

 

No affiliation etc., other than a satisfied customer.

 

Warm regards, Wim

 

Update: Yes, they stil do, at $22.95. Click on clearance, and then go to the last page (page 4), last pen .

[grasshopper]

Are there certain makes of ink that work best with it (I'm kind of partial to getting round a nice rich brown ink as my signature color).

Ah T... you're more than welcome to join me as I wander through the desert... getting into adventures... all the while searching for that long lost brown ink that is destined to be mine... (sorry, just watched another episode of one of my favourite tv programmes)

 

As Southpaw said, take a gander at the ink reviews section for a start. Maybe you'd like to start with a Waterman Havana. Quite a few people here have Waterman inks as their basic ink set, apparently as they are good primer inks, so you can't go wrong really

[tntaylor]

And you haven't even seen any of the vintage pens!  Some smooth, some flexy and all less than a comparable modern pen.!

 

K H

 

Somehow I'd got it in my head that older/vintage pens were bound to be shockingly more expensive than today's modern pens (excluding those hope-diamond-encrusted numbers that look uncomfortable to hold). Glad that's not the case!

 

wimg, I actually had a look at that Swisher pen, but it's green and that's not exactly what I've been looking for (granted, I've only been looking for a short while). Hang on, no, I've just looked. I must be thinking about a different site, because the Swisher pen is the blue pen I got. Ah, well. It's the thought that counts, so thanks anyway! Anyway, now I've seen those pens on Swisher, I kinda like the look of the Conklin/Swisher Nozac and the Rotring 600 pens.

 

Hang on another minute...although the thumbnail of the Phileas looks blue, the actual pen available is green. So, it was the Swisher site I saw.

 

I'm rambling, now.

 

grasshopper, I've got Waterman's Havana on my list of browns to try. Also, Noodler's Kiowa Pecan and Antietam. (and hey, you should hear me after an episode of Jeeves & Wooster!)

 

Can I just say, you are all SO shamelessly helpful, here! It's great!

 

Lalalaaaaa!!

 

t!

Edited July 3, 2005 by tntaylor

[wimg]

Hi tnt (hope you don't mind, I really like that ),

 

Well, I must admit, I read too quickly, and had posted my reply already before it began to dawn on me you had gotten one already. It happens sometimes .

 

Anyway, we're not only shamelessly helpful, but as KCat says, we're enablers .

 

Warm regards, Wim

[grasshopper]

(and hey, you should hear me after an episode of Jeeves & Wooster!)

I love Hugh and Laurie (have I got the right version?)!! As much as I love Reeves and Mortimer. Iranoo!! Uvavuuuu!! What are the scores, George Dawes!!!

 

(It's Sunday morning here, so my brain will not be switched on until tomorrow morning... actually, hang on... when was the last time I switched it on...)

[tburke0]

I have a Phileas that I keep inked with Waterman Florida Blue. It is a very smooth writer with a nice wet flow. The only problem I have with it is that it is a medium nib and I prefer fine. I have small compact handwriting and that doesn't mix well with a medium nib. There are occasions when I can use it and I prefer it because of its smooth writing style. I'm sure you will enjoy it. They are terrific pens.

I will second the nomination for the Kultur, the Phileas' (es's' ?) younger brother. These are all over ebay in the fine point you seek. The sections are even swappable between the pens so you can mix and match!

 

Have fun!

Tom

[Leslie J.]

I have two, a black Phileas in M nib, and old stock blue in F nib. Both have great smooth, reliable nibs. I've put every kind of ink in these pens, they are workhorses. Very sturdy and forgiving.

 

Next off, you'll need to dip into the pool called Pelikan.

[Lee]

Thanks tburke0 for the suggestion of the Kultur - I'll look for one.

Lee

[tntaylor]

Next off, you'll need to dip into the pool called Pelikan.

The Pelikan Pharo is one I was looking at. Thing is, I don't want to just leap in like an eejit and buy pens just because I like the look of them and they turn out to be sh!te, y'know? But I have got a weakness for all things silver...

 

t!