Waterman 55 BCHR NPT

[artaddict]

Having collected mostly ringtops, I never thought I would like a full-sized fountain pen. This is the pen that changed that, a Waterman 55 BCHR lever filler with nickel plated trim (cap band right on the cap lip).

It is 5 1/4" capped and about 1/2" in diameter. Despite its length and huge #5 nib, it is light and easy to handle. It writes quite fine, and not too wet. With moderate pressure I can get decent line variation.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/artaddict/Fountain%20Pens/Waterman55Restored.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/artaddict/Fountain%20Pens/Waterman55Write.jpg

 

[Pensee]

Schweet!

 

Thanks for the writing sample. I'd been checking out vintage nibs looking for replacement #2.

 

Found a lot of #5's but figured too broad for my tastes. Looks like you were able to get good fine to medium lines out of it too.

 

Anyway enough about me & nib sizes.

 

Congratulations on your new pen! Enjoy!

 

--Burce

[artaddict]

Schweet!

 

Thanks for the writing sample. I'd been checking out vintage nibs looking for replacement #2.

 

Found a lot of #5's but figured too broad for my tastes. Looks like you were able to get good fine to medium lines out of it too.

 

Anyway enough about me & nib sizes.

 

Congratulations on your new pen! Enjoy!

 

Thanks, Bruce!

I wasn't sure whether to call it fine or medium fine or fine medium. Seems finer than a medium, but not fine fine. :blink:

Edited December 16, 2008 by artaddict

[wykpenguin]

I don't know about the nib, but a fine pen it surely is.

[Peter from Sherwood Park]

Thank you for this review -- I am new to the world of flex and semi-flex, so I can use all the information I can get. Would you term this nib a semi-flex?

[Ray-Vigo]

It's great looking, and has a nice little cap lip ring-- something you don't often get on the regular 52 fare.

 

The thing I love about the waterman 5x series is that they're so simple and functional. There really is no part of the pen I can described as "poorly designed"-- everything works well when it's in place. They're a lot like a Ford Model T, I think.

 

That nib you have is a pure flex writer's nib. I have a Mabie Todd with a similar point-- it starts out VERY fine, but can flex way out to a broad. It's not terribly useful for everyday writing because of the extreme fineness, but if flex writing is your goal, then the nib serves very well in that capacity.

Edited December 17, 2008 by Ray-Vigo

[artaddict]

Thanks, wykpenguin.

 

Thank you for this review -- I am new to the world of flex and semi-flex, so I can use all the information I can get. Would you term this nib a semi-flex?

 

Peter,

It's somewhere between semi-flex & full flex. I'd say closer to semi, in comparison to my other flexies. I've got a lot of flexies though and have high standards for flex.

 

Ray-Vigo,

Thanks for the comments re 5x series. It is indeed simple & functional.