Caran d'Ache Leman

[Little Bill]

Anyone out there own a Caran d'Ache Leman and can comment on it's size, width, etc. as well as your experience with it as a writing instrument? I can't find one locally to examine nor can I find any specs anywhere on the web. Thanks.

[Louis R]

I own a Caran d'Ache Leman Rhodium Miroir, with a fine nib. I purchased it about 4 1/2 years ago. It was my every day pen for about 8 months.

 

It is a very nice writer, but if uncapped, it is small for my big hands.

 

I was very happy with it until the cap started falling off. The pen then became unconfortable as it end was pressing on the skin between my thumb and index. This caused it to get a beating. I have had it repaired, for free just a few months ago. It is back as an occasional writer. This may not be a problem with the plastic models, whose cap may interact differently than the all metal model.

 

The Miroir is Rhodium plated, its surface scratches easily. That would not be a problem with the other models.

 

I guess its size is similar to an M400. My current every day pens are a Pelikan M800 and a similar sized, but longer, Visconti Palazzo Ducale di Sassuolo.

 

In a nutshell.

- A great writer,

- for medium hands unposted, or big hands if posted

- the miroir should not be posted on the long run, the cap will not hold (plastic models may not have this problem)

[lordjeebus]

I have a Leman (black rhodium, B nib) and I like it a lot. It is second in frequency of use for me behind my Sailor Pro. Gear.

 

It is similar in girth to the current version of the Pilot Vanishing Point. Unposted it is a little shorter.

 

It is a very heavy pen! I like this but be aware. The lacquer is quite nice.

 

I find that it is unusable with the cap posted. It throws the balance off, plus the cap is never completely stable. I don't mind the length unposted but any shorter (or if my hands were bigger) and it could be a problem.

 

I bought mine used; for what it costs new I would probably buy a different pen.

[Little Bill]

Hey thanks. I'm going ahead and ordering a blue/silver for $329, new. I do have smallish hands and never write posted (it's too much bother for me to align the clip exactly with the nib's tip), so I think the Lemans will work fine for me. If not, I have 30 days to return the pen. Thanks again!

[lordjeebus]

I don't think you can find it new at a better price. I hope you like it!

 

If you're patient, and don't mind used, this pen occaisionally hits ebay -- and when it does, it sells for less than $200. The last one I saw sold for about $115.

[marklavar]

There is actually a gold plated Leman on Ebay at this moment in time, in a no reserve auction. Brand new, as well!

[titrisol]

I received one of these (black lacquer) as present for my graduation from University, never used it then and has been stored for the last 12 years in my mother's place. I finally got it back form my mother's and decided to give it a try.

 

APPEARANCE: The lacquer is perfect, nice and not slippery. Gold trim adds to it.

Nib is luxurious and really looks like the high end pen this one is.

The cap is screw-on, so is the barrel for filling, and both have a o-rings to prevent ink profm leaking to the shirt

 

FEEL: The barrel diameter is nice and good for my grip.

The pen feels wonderful, balanced towards the nib a little and heavy enough for me

Filling ink in the reservoir was easy after unscreweing the barrel

 

WRITING: The flow of the ink is very nice, and smoothness of the nib is excellent. (Parker Quink blue-black)

I used a white paper notebook (nothing special) and the lines are always crisp, the down stroke thend to produce some wider lines but that just adds character to the writing.

Rotating the nib produces a bit more of shading

 

 

 

 

[titrisol]

Measurements:

 

Pen with cap:

Pen without cap:

Pen with cap posted:

Barrow: .

 

First impression was this pen is extremely beautiful, the lacquer is perfect and the gold trim makes it stand out.

The lacquer gloss is great. Nib is luxurious with gold and rhodium sections and really looks like the high end pen this one is.

 

http://www.carandache.ch/_img/produits/others/zoom/4799_282.jpg

Image from Caran d'Ache website

 

Body design and balance 5/5

 

This pen is very well balanced, the barrel diameter is thick enough for my grip (I have small hands)

The pen feels wonderful, balanced towards the nib a little and heavy enough for me once posted.

The balance without posting is good but better once posted

 

The cap and the barrel are screw-on, and both have a o-rings to prevent ink from leaking to the shirt and that is a nice detail

Filling ink in the reservoir was easy after unscrewing the barrel, the converter worked nicely

 

 

Nib design and actual usage 4.5/5

 

The two tone nib looks really beautiful, with rhodium details in a form with "rounded" ends.

It has been polished to mirror like finish.

The flow of the ink and smoothness of the nib is excellent. (Parker Quink blue-black used)

I tested on a white paper notebook (nothing special) and the lines are always crisp, the down stroke thend to produce some wider lines but that just adds character to the writing. Rotating the nib produces a bit more of shading

What I didn;t like is the cleaning after filling is not as easy as in others.

 

Overall (4.75/5)

 

This is a really well made pen, as expected for the price range.

The looks are outstanding and the writing quality is excellent.

For me this pen is for home use, since I would be scared to carry it around in my pocket and risk getting it stolen

 

Updated using template from Sailor PG review

Edited February 1, 2008 by titrisol

[jack34]

I have Caran d'Ache - Leman Ebony Black Rhodium Fountain Pen that I purchased $650.00 last month. It comes with Caran d' Ache Ink Wells and Cartridges for Caran d' Ache Fountain Pens. This is really a nice pen with beautiful shape.

[gsbhatia]

Anyone out there own a Caran d'Ache Leman and can comment on it's size, width, etc. as well as your experience with it as a writing instrument? I can't find one locally to examine nor can I find any specs anywhere on the web. Thanks.

 

 

Hi,

 

This is Gurpreet from India.

 

I looked at various pens and the shopkeeper was kind enough to let me try various pens.

 

I was down to 3 choices: Waterman, Mont Blanc and Caran D'Ache

 

Mont Blanc is too common, so rejected that, besides it was little light

 

Settled for waterman but it stooped working the next day!

 

Exchanged it with Caran D'Ache Leman Ebony.

 

But its nib wasn't working properly too

 

Went back and got a new Caran D'Ache with fine nib (earlier was middle one)

 

Its been more than an year and its working properly

 

I am using pelikan ink

 

The pen is heavy, writes fantastic and is classic.

 

Buy this unless you want to show Mont Blanc logo in your pocket-top to people :roflmho:

 

[jul31]

Hi everyone!

 

I'm new here,and I'm proud to have a Caran d'Ache Leman black fountain pen gold.This is a gift from a friend...

Edited October 27, 2009 by jul31

[jar]

Hi everyone!

 

I'm new here,and I'm proud to have a Caran d'Ache Leman black fountain pen gold.This is a gift from a friend...

 

Welcome home. Pull up a stump and set a spell.

[jul31]

Thank you Jar!

I can't post my photos here,why?

Edited October 27, 2009 by jul31

[jar]

Thank you Jar!

I can't post my photos here,why?

 

For now inserting images must be hosted on some other site. Consider photobucket or flikr or such.

[alphamem]

Hello,

 

Quite new to the world of FPs, although I have owned a Lamy Safari for 2 years now. I bought it as a simpe model to see if I will really like to use an FP daily. And it turns out I do!

 

Now I want to move up one or two divisions and buy a better pen. It also coincides with a celebration, so timing is good.

 

I've been soaking up some of the wisdom here in FPN, and currently it's coming down to three models:

CdA Leman Bicolor White

Pelikan M600 or M800

Sailor Pro in Ebonite

 

There is a good offer in a store nearby where I can get the Leman in White for $375. But in all honesty, I like the Sailor Pro in Ebonite better for looks, or the M6/800 in classig black/green. The Sailor Pro seems rather lightweight though, and the Ebonite style is rather pricey compared to the other Pro styles.

 

Something about me and my wants:

- Medium-to-big sized hands

- I think I want a bit more weight on the pen, but perhaps this is more to newbie wanting 'look and feel' of an exclusive pen rather than true convenience in use? Any advice?

- Being practical rather than purist, I'd really want a converter/cartridge option. Ideally switching opportunity, as the Leman has.

- Budget ca $300-500

 

Thanks in advance for any advice and guidance for a beginner on what to choose out of these!

[Fab75]

Hi guys

 

I saw two kinds of feeder on leman model, may i have a pict of your feeder

 

Thanks for your help

Fab

Edited January 6, 2013 by Fab75

[brownargus]

Hello,

 

Quite new to the world of FPs, although I have owned a Lamy Safari for 2 years now. I bought it as a simpe model to see if I will really like to use an FP daily. And it turns out I do!

 

Now I want to move up one or two divisions and buy a better pen. It also coincides with a celebration, so timing is good.

 

I've been soaking up some of the wisdom here in FPN, and currently it's coming down to three models:

CdA Leman Bicolor White

Pelikan M600 or M800

Sailor Pro in Ebonite

 

There is a good offer in a store nearby where I can get the Leman in White for $375. But in all honesty, I like the Sailor Pro in Ebonite better for looks, or the M6/800 in classig black/green. The Sailor Pro seems rather lightweight though, and the Ebonite style is rather pricey compared to the other Pro styles.

 

Something about me and my wants:

- Medium-to-big sized hands

- I think I want a bit more weight on the pen, but perhaps this is more to newbie wanting 'look and feel' of an exclusive pen rather than true convenience in use? Any advice?

- Being practical rather than purist, I'd really want a converter/cartridge option. Ideally switching opportunity, as the Leman has.

- Budget ca $300-500

 

Thanks in advance for any advice and guidance for a beginner on what to choose out of these!

I can recommend the Leman - I have the black and silver version and, although I had a problem with a minor leak from new around the nib section which was replaced under warranty, it is an excellent pen which is heavier than other pens in my collection which also includes a Sailor 1911 in black/gold. That too is an excellent pen but it is much lighter. However the balance on both is excellent when unposted. I can't comment on the Pelikan. To be honest, if I had to choose between them I wouldn't know which to pick as they both have their favoured place in my collection and tend to be inked continuously.

[Fab75]

Hi,

 

Please see this feeder on a Leman, do you have the same on your Leman?

 

Kind regards

Fab

 

http://data.imagup.com/10/1172170967.jpg

[brownargus]

Hi,

 

Please see this feeder on a Leman, do you have the same on your Leman?

 

Kind regards

Fab

 

http://data.imagup.com/10/1172170967.jpg

No. The nib section on the current models is now all silver - mine was like yours, i.e. black with a silver ring prior to the leak at that ring but when it was returned from Cd'A the new style section was fitted. The feeder on the nib is also different. While mine has the central longitudinal groove, there are also a series of ten or so lateral fins whereas yours appears to be solid.

[brownargus]

This is an image of my Caran d'Ache Leman nib section showing the lateral fins on the collector.http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr269/brownargus/lemannibfeed_zpsbeb6061f.jpg