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After watching how excited I was when I took delivery of my two CS pens over the last few months, my partner also decided to take the plunge and finally go for her grail pen. Her pen collection is quite varied and over a great many years has collected many makes and models. These include a Mont Blanc Boheme, TWSBI ROC special edition, baby TSWBI, Pelikan M400 Tortoise Shell, a couple of inexpensive Parkers, a Jinhao (can't remember the actual model but it is covered in dragon markings, a Parsons Essentials Italix and a Lamy Safari in Lime Green. I think there is a Waterman and a Shaeffer in the pen box as well! After handling my Conway Stewarts and having had a play with them on various papers and inks, followed by days poring over the Conway Stewart catalogue, a reasonably quick conclusion was made. It HAD to be the Elegance Blue Laurel, with a fine nib. We found one available at "Andy's Pens" based in Kent, who checked stock with Conway Stewart for us after a quick email enquiry. I say quick, I sent the email and got a reply measured in minutes! Delivery was just as quick, we had the pen in our hands within 48 hours of placing the order. Now, as this is definitely NOT my pen, I really have to hold off on doing a proper review, but I think I can get away with sharing our first impressions. Unboxing: Typical CS, box within a box within a box. There is NO WAY a Conway Stewart will get damaged in transit. Imagine peeling the layers off an onion, you get the idea, but each layer has a surprise! Just check the pictures. LOL. Final Box Opened: Wow. Thats the word. WOW. The pictures DO NOT do the finish justice. It is not a pen, it is a work of art. The depth of the blue with the abundance of silver is just mind blowing. The attention to detail is just so apparent and that is just first impressions. In the hand: Heavy. VERY heavy. The pen is crafted from a rid of solid silver and as such is heavy. The pen is quite small, similar to the Belliver or a TWSBI, but the weight is a shocker. It subconsciously makes the pen feel much bigger than it's physical size. If this is dropped nib first, the weight of the pen behind it will trash the nib first time I am sure. If it is me that drops the pen, I had better get my passport and a one way ticket in the direction of "away".... :-) Prepping: Following reading the forums here, and reading advice given to another CS owner by Mary Burke, I took no chances. I flushed the pen with a very mild ammonia/water solution, followed by a further flush with copious amounts of fresh water. I used a rubber bulb to force the liquids thru the nib/feed to be double sure. All gentle and sensible. Inked: I cracked open a bottle of Iroshizuku tsuki-yo which I bought just for this pen and loaded it up. The pen has a captive converter fitted (all that means is that the converter screws in securely). Good to go. My partner then offered it up to a fresh sheet of Rhodia 80gm and...... First touch, first character, perfect line. First whole paragraph, not a single problem, no skipping, flooding, or burping. Spot on. All the problems I have previously read about, issues with the converters etc, none of them. I am sure this is down to the pre-use flushing given. I was then passed the pen for me to have a go myself. I wrote a single line then passed the pen back. It is a fine nib, on Rhodia it is fine to extra fine. It is really smooth (for a fine) and has a nice amount of feedback. I do suspect that the ink plays a part in this, I will try it in one of my pens and see what happens. The pictures: We took the snaps in a bit of a hurry so we could get to the fun part so I do apologise for the blurring on the pictures. We think we have caught the colours, but believe me, they really do not do the pen justice. Final thoughts: A grail pen. My Partner chose carefully and has declared this is her last pen. We shall see. There is a thread somewhere about a potential doctor who pen. Well, the colour of the pen here is almost tardis blue and the pattern is quite doctor-who-ish, or baystate-blue-ish? All the same, its awesome. Did I say it is heavy? Anyhow, we hope you like the unboxing/Pics/mini review. Phew! D.

http://www.iguanasell-pics.com/photos/logos/fpn_logo_45_45.png See all our items @ FPN Waterman Fountain Pen - Elegance Black Lacquer & Gold Plated TrimsBrand New in Box - Warranty by authorised Dealer - Free Shipping CHARACTERISTICS: Brand Waterman Description Waterman Fountain Pen Nib 18K solid gold Finish Lacquer and gold plated trims. Filling System Converter/cartridge filling system Closure System Snap-on Length (capped/uncapped) 13,2cm (12,3cm) / 5.2" (4.8") Line Elegance Reference S0898630 Retail Price 455€ / $590 / £385 Special features: Waterman pens are high quality French made writing instruments, finished in elegant and luxurious designs.The Waterman Elegance ligne is finished in beautiful lacquer and gold or silver plated trims. A sturdy fountain pen with a subtle nib and cap.This design presents a 23K gold plated section engraved with flowers and the top of the cap is marked with Waterman's icon.The solid 18K gold nib is treated with rhodium to offer a two-colour finish.The pen works with converter or cartridge, and includes both of these items, along with a Waterman presentation box.The pen comes with a three year interantional warranty. CONDITIONS:The item is brand new in original box and comes with all papers and warranty stamped at the moment of the purchase by authorised dealerPrice: 320€ / $415 Payment Methods: PayPalCredit cardGoogle CheckoutMoney Order (We have Bank accounts in the US as well as in Europe)Cash on Delivery (Euro Countries) Free Expedited Shipping (UPS or Fedex) to the US, Canada and European Union. Other countries, $18 (shared shipping costs) ABOUT US: We are an international company with more than three (3) years of experience in e-commerce, duly registered in the US and Europe. We are present on the most important Marketplaces such as eBay and Amazon, ecommerce sites: shopping.com, yahoo shopping... and our own website You can take a look at our eBay feedback here or read the opinions of other forum members: 1 , 2, or 3 CONTACT:To contact us, just write us a pm, orsend us an email to info@iguanasell.com http://iguanasell-pics.com/photos/C833/Waterman-Fountain-Pen-Elegance-Black-Gold-Plated-Trims-S0898630-1.jpg http://iguanasell-pics.com/photos/C833/Waterman-Fountain-Pen-Elegance-Black-Gold-Plated-Trims-S0898630-2.jpg http://iguanasell-pics.com/photos/C833/Waterman-Fountain-Pen-Elegance-Black-Gold-Plated-Trims-S0898630-3.jpg http://iguanasell-pics.com/photos/C833/Waterman-Fountain-Pen-Elegance-Black-Gold-Plated-Trims-S0898630-4.jpg http://iguanasell-pics.com/photos/C833/Waterman-Fountain-Pen-Elegance-Black-Gold-Plated-Trims-S0898630-5.jpg http://iguanasell-pics.com/photos/C833/Waterman-Fountain-Pen-Elegance-Black-Gold-Plated-Trims-S0898630-6.jpg http://iguanasell-pics.com/photos/C833/Waterman-Fountain-Pen-Elegance-Black-Gold-Plated-Trims-S0898630-7.jpg http://iguanasell-pics.com/photos/C833/Waterman-Fountain-Pen-Elegance-Black-Gold-Plated-Trims-S0898630-8.jpg http://iguanasell-pics.com/photos/C833/Waterman-Fountain-Pen-Elegance-Black-Gold-Plated-Trims-S0898630-9.jpg Don't miss the video!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N66mgvklDlk CONDITIONS:The item is brand new in original box and comes with all papers and warranty stamped at the moment of the purchase by authorised dealerPrice: 320€ / $415 Payment Methods: PayPalCredit cardGoogle CheckoutMoney Order (We have Bank accounts in the US as well as in Europe)Cash on Delivery (Euro Countries) Free Expedited Shipping (UPS or Fedex) to the US, Canada and European Union. Other countries, $18 (shared shipping costs) ABOUT US: We are an international company with more than three (3) years of experience in e-commerce, duly registered in the US and Europe. We are present on the most important Marketplaces such as eBay and Amazon, ecommerce sites: shopping.com, yahoo shopping... and our own website You can take a look at our eBay feedback here or read the opinions of other forum members: 1 , 2, or 3 CONTACT:To contact us, just write us a pm, orsend us an email to info@iguanasell.com More Waterman pens on our website Thanks for looking!----------------------------- Website: www.iguanasell.comJoin our newsletter for special promotions and news http://static.anuncios.ebay.es/images/dailydeals/dm/icon_facebook_24.png Follow us on Facebookhttp://static.anuncios.ebay.es/images/dailydeals/dm/icon_twitter_24.png Follow us on Twitter: @Iguana_sell