Waterman Sérénité

[Stylo]

I was just amazed, because I don't normally hear people complaining about problems with Watermans, that's all. It wasn't meant as criticism. My apologies if I gave that impression.

Oh, you didn't give that impression at all!

 

I got the chance over the weekend to do some thourough cleaning of some of my pens, and this times I used a spare bulbe syringe (unexpected advantage of having a young kid ) to force-flush them.

 

I inked one of my Expert IIs with a brand new bottle of Pelikan green (my first ever green!), and this fairly dry writing pen that required a some pressure to write now writes like a nice wet noodle, gliding effortlessly on paper, not skiping a single line. So it's either the super-flushing or the ink that transformed the pen. Since I had done some semi-decent flushing before, I think it is more likely the ink. But I will have to try the pen again with a previously used ink to confirm. In any case, the way it writes now, I have raised the writing performance grade of this pen to a very solid A :bunny1:

 

But my Liason imprved only marginally. However, I tried something else: I ran it very very gently on 0.3 micron nib smoothing film a few times, which definitely improved things. When I trace quick circles, the down stroke skips far less frequently, and when it does, it leaves much smaller gaps. Does this meanmy Liaison has the so called baby bottom problem? Would some careful polishing take care of it? I want to read up a little more on smoothing before proceeding further though.

[Maja]

<snip>

 

.... so it'll write like a Liaison except that it weighs less. A lot less. (This, actually, is an official Good Thing in my book, as I find the vast majority of modern pens to be too heavy for all-day use day in and day out.)

OK, so I'm not going nuts...I have the same thought about modern pen weights, too.

 

Sorry to hear about problems re: your Serenite, Wil; it must be really disappointing to want a certain pen for half a dozen years and then discover it's not all you expected. Well, a lot of things in life are like that, I guess

I am sure, however, that Richard can fine-tune it for you so that it will be a favourite pen for many years to come.

 

Thank you for the super review and nice photos. I enjoyed looking at your other fountain pen photos on flickr.

 

~Maja

[wil]

Maja,

 

I find Flickr to be a great site to share photos. Of course, I've learned a great deal right here on FPN re: pen photography. It's been a blast so far.

 

As for the Serenite. Writing characteristics has definitely improved. However, the occasional hard start means it's going back to Sanford once the cart is finish.

 

Of all of new moderns that I've purchased over the past little while, the Serenite has been the one pen that took the longest to prep/clean/flush. I think I might have mentioned this before by how come manufacturers aren't including a simple flushing process to clean up the pens after QA before they leave the factory?

[Jerryagain]

I'm glad that someone else has the "splat" problem with the Serenite. I have sent it to Parker/Waterman service twice, gotten new nibs etc, still have the same problem. It is a beautiful pen, and I like writing with it. But, each time you uncap it..ink all over. If I am very, very, very careful in taking off the cap, it's 50/50 there will be ink all over the nib. I guess I'll just look at it.

Edited May 2, 2006 by Jerryagain

[Bogtrotter]

I have a Waterman Serenite Cocobolo with a medium nib and like it very much.

 

It's my most reliable fountain pen.

 

It's never splashed on opening, or any other time.

I've let it sit for weeks in my pen box without using it and when I take it out, the pen writes the first time, every time. I can't say that about my Deltas or Montblancs. (I use Waterman cartridges in it.)

The unconventional shape took some time to get used to, but it hasn't bothered me in quite a while.

 

I'm nervous about carrying it in my shirt pocket, because the pen is so long (14.5 cm) it has to sit diagonally in my pocket, so the clip can grip the top of the pocket.

 

The Serenite is the only pen I own that can stand upright on its own, which I find amusing.

 

bt

[georges zaslavsky]

I tried a serenite but the lack of smoothness in the nib made me not to like the pen that much. Plus I didn't the ergonomics of the pen that great. The edson was better than the serenite on many points. However the serenite is an interesting pen in terms of design and use of materials but it is not what I would use as a daily writer.

[Bogtrotter]

I have the Serenite Coco Bolo with medium nib.

 

I've used Waterman ink cartridges in it and it's never skipped or clogged. I can't say that about my Mont Blanc or Delta.

 

The barrel arches in my hand, which took some getting used to.

 

I consider the Waterman Serenite to be my most reliable pen, followed closely by my Waterman Edson.

 

I had an opportunity to sell it for a nice profit. It's not for sale.

 

bt

[proton]

After so many years reading about this pen and searching for one in good conditions, I finally found mine on an auction here in my country.

Soon I'll make a review of mine!

Very happy!!!!!!!

[mallymal1]

After so many years reading about this pen and searching for one in good conditions, I finally found mine on an auction here in my country.

Soon I'll make a review of mine!

Very happy!!!!!!!

 

Congratulations, proton.

 

Looking forward to your review.

[Iittala]

It's always nice to finally find a pen you've been looking for for a long time!

 

I was initially happy when I got mine as well. The look was what appealed to me first and it certainly didn't disappoint in that respect. The samurai sword look is quite unique.

The curve makes it comfortable to hold and write with, even though not everybody agrees with this.

The nib is stiff as a nail, but mine writes very smoothly. I am not into flex, so the stiffness doesn't bother me at all.

 

But the pen has been sitting in its box for a long time now. Mine is simply not usable as an everyday pen. When I take of the cap there is ink everywhere

 

I won't sell it because it is so unique, but in the end it's a disappointment