Waterman Phileas Review

[helius]

I've just very recently caught the fountain pen bug, and have been acquiring quite a few lower-priced/budget pens with decent price-performance ratios (rOtring 600, Lamy Safari, a few Heros, Dukes). After reading about how the Waterman Phileas pens are great values, I decided to get one at the local store (Office Depot). So far they've been like crack, or should I say those Pokemon monsters... After writing with the nib for a few pages, I just had this urge to collect them all! That's how I ended up with a total of four of them - black, marbled blue, marbled red, and marbled green.

 

I won't go into the basic descriptions of the pens, so without further ado (and cribbing from The Noble Savage's previous reviews):

 

Appearance/Finish: 3 out of 5

From afar, the pens look very, very good. Much more expensive than the the ~$US40 price tag would suggest. However, if you inspect the pen closely, you start to see the flaws.

- The marble swirls on the barrels of the blue/red/green pens are attractive... until you notice the ugly seam where the lines don't exactly match up. The black pen doesn't have this problem as it's just a plain black plastic barrel.

- The gold trim at the end of the barrel has a large gap near these seams, and is rather unsightly. When I got my first pen, I thought it was a manufacturing defect that somehow got past QC, but now I have four pens that have the exact same 'feature.'

- The little cap at the end of the barrel twists off, and reveals a white plastic body that has a little bit of 'overspray' of the appropriate color. Not something you'd notice usually, since there's no reason why you'd want to take that cap off (other than to convert the pen into an eyedropper pen, or so I've read somewhere else on this board).

- The caps don't fit the same for all the pens. When capped, twisting/turning the cap of the four pens produce four distinct levels of resistance and clicking noises, not grating but also not something I was expecting.

- Physically the pens are somewhat sub-par, compared to the cheaper pens that I have (Lamy Safari, Heros, and Dukes). Maybe I've been lucky with my budget pen purchases, but the Phileas just looks (when examined up close) and feels cheaper than pens that sell for half its price.

 

 

Design/Size/Weight: 4 out of 5

A medium sized, light-medium weight pen that's comfortably smooth all over except for the ring of ribbed plastic on the section. This provides just enough texture/friction so that the pen isn't too slippery to grip. The clip works perfectly on my thin shirt pockets as well as on thicker fabric. It's hard to fault it for anything (given the price) besides the materials used.

 

 

Nib Design and Performance: 4 out of 5

The nib is a gold-plated two-toned affair, not distinctive but not ugly either. As a (previously) confirmed dry and extra-fine writer, I was at first very reluctant to give the Phileas a try. Compared to my other pens, it's width is just... atrociously wide, not to mention wet as a tropical monsoon. But with the number of satisfied users out there, I thought I'd give it a try. The first few lines I wrote with it were plain awful as I concentrated on trying to form legible letters and keeping my hand from smudging the page. Then all of a sudden, it hit me! The pen seemed to be gliding on the page. There was no scratchy feedback that I liked from my fine/extra-fine nibs! I do like the German-style feedback from my Lamy Safari, but this was pleasant in an entirely different way! I've tested the pens using the included Waterman blue cartridge and bottled PR Sherwood Green and PR Orange Crush, and have been very happy with how the nib just glides along.

 

All four pens seem to hesitate just a bit before starting up after they've been left along for awhile.

 

The one problem I've had with them is their tendency to leak. By this I don't mean the 'covers half my shirt front' kind of leak, but rather the nibs just get drops of ink on it after it's been jostled about in my bag.

 

 

The Filling System: 4 out of 5

Cartridge/converter fill. I don't really mind converters, despite their small reservoirs. These are my first Watermans and good lord are these cartridges long! My Lamy is probably cowering in the opposite corner of the drawer suffering from cartridge envy.

 

 

Cost: 5 out of 5

At around US$40 at a B&M store (Office Depot), a very good bargain.

 

 

Overall: 4 out of 5

Given my history of fountain pen usage, I'm really surprised by how often I've reached for these pens. Their smoothness have not totally won me over from the scratchy/fine camp but they'll probably be used as much as my rOtring 600 (the previously undisputed medium-nibbed favorite of mine).

 

I probably sound like I expect too much from these pens, and in truth, I'd probably rate them much higher if I didn't have four of them right in front of me to show just how inconsistent the products can be. In short, if you can overlook the flaws in appearance/fit/finish these pens are a great bargain, especially if you shop online for them.

[LapsangS]

Thanks for the nice review. Although I own only one black Phileas with a fine nib, I totally agree with you. I like the fat "art deco" design and the beautiful, big two-tone steel nib that has just a little bit of tooth. It makes writing easier on most papers than an absolute butter-smooth pen like Parker Frontier with medium nib.

 

But you're right when you say that it is a plastic-looking pen and perhaps we should just respect it as an obedient everyday workhorse and not as some pen that is kept in a drawer, gathering dust and waiting for a once-a-year polishing. :ph34r:

[sonia_simone]

For me, if it's going to be cheap plastic, I prefer something very unpretentious like the Safari. The Phileas looks like it is trying to be grand, and that makes it look even cheaper.

 

I really like the way it writes, though. Very comfortable for any amount of time, and very reliable. It feels a little more like a "real pen" (I am at a loss to say what I even mean by that) than the Safari does. A little more feedback, maybe.

[Neecerie]

For me, if it's going to be cheap plastic, I prefer something very unpretentious like the Safari.  The Phileas looks like it is trying to be grand, and that makes it look even cheaper.

 

I really like the way it writes, though.  Very comfortable for any amount of time, and very reliable.  It feels a little more like a "real pen" (I am at a loss to say what I even mean by that) than the Safari does.  A little more feedback, maybe.

See I loved my Phileas when it was my only pen worth more then 5 dollars. I still love how it writes and its a great entry level pen.

 

 

It's still my nicest 'name brand' new pen, but my heart now longs for something with more depth to the material and visuals.

 

Even my Esterbrook has the internal glow of having subtle changes in the material. which is something the Phileas really lacks.

 

 

Alas, I am currently on a budget and cannot buy the glorious pens I drool over.

Edited October 3, 2006 by Neecerie

[helius]

It's all a conspiracy Neecerie...

 

They suck you in with something cheap and nice, and before you know it, you'll be dreaming about dropping a few hundred on something "just a little bit nicer."

[sonia_simone]

That is the sad and painful truth.

[thn]

You're so right. I haven't even gotten the Phileas that I ordered last week and already I'm looking at an Edson.

 

Good thing that it's really out of my price range so I can only fantasize.

[James P]

The Edson may be out of your price range, but there are loads of great pens that are very affordable - the Sailor 1911M leaps to mind, as well as many of the pens by Lamy. And let's not forget the Waterman Charleston. I know there are others, but these are the ones I use (and sell - hint hint )

 

James P.

[mmoncur]

For me, if it's going to be cheap plastic, I prefer something very unpretentious like the Safari.  The Phileas looks like it is trying to be grand, and that makes it look even cheaper.

Thanks for describing perfectly my problem with the design of the Phileas pens. I didn't like the "pseudo-fancy" appearance.

 

Fortunately, the Waterman Kultur (the European version of the Phileas) comes in a wide variety of unpretentious "demonstrator" clear plastic colors. And you can find one on eBay for about $15. I have a translucent blue one and I love the way it writes.

[arvadajames]

Hey, you guys leave my "pseudo-cheap," "pseudo-art deco, "pseudo-tacky" Phileas alone The Phileas was my first fountain pen and because of its wonderful writing, I was hooked Now, I admit that my first thought was this is a tacky looking ugly pen, but it is the cheapest thing in the store, so I'll buy it :bunny1: But, several fp later, I look at my collection and I see some very sleek pens, I see some classic pens, and I see some very dignified pens. Yes, I see pens that cringe at the thought of being next to my "pseudo-cheap," "pseudo-art deco, "pseudo-tacky" Phileas :ph34r: But, I just smile and pick up my Phileas on a regular bases and leave those others at home. And, you know what? I am started to like the looks of my "pseudo-cheap," "pseudo-art deco, "pseudo-tacky" Phileas. In a counter cultural way of course :roflmho: :roflmho: :roflmho: :roflmho: :roflmho:

[BobR]

Someone (I forget who) did an informal survey of non-fp users a while back, and the consensus was that the Phileas was among the most expensive pens, based upon looks alone. So it's impressive in a tacky way. I found the medium nib on mine too broad for my liking, but the fine point on my Kultur is just about perfect. Some say it's scratchy, but I think it's got the right amount of tooth. As suggested, helius, you ought to try one. I find that the quality of my handwriting varies based upon the pen I'm using, and that it's at its best with the fine-nibbed Kultur.

 

And thanks for the review.

[Neecerie]

Hey, you guys leave my "pseudo-cheap," "pseudo-art deco, "pseudo-tacky" Phileas alone The Phileas was my first fountain pen and because of its wonderful writing, I was hooked Now, I admit that my first thought was this is a tacky looking ugly pen, but it is the cheapest thing in the store, so I'll buy it :bunny1: But, several fp later, I look at my collection and I see some very sleek pens, I see some classic pens, and I see some very dignified pens. Yes, I see pens that cringe at the thought of being next to my "pseudo-cheap," "pseudo-art deco, "pseudo-tacky" Phileas :ph34r: But, I just smile and pick up my Phileas on a regular bases and leave those others at home. And, you know what? I am started to like the looks of my "pseudo-cheap," "pseudo-art deco, "pseudo-tacky" Phileas. In a counter cultural way of course :roflmho: :roflmho: :roflmho: :roflmho: :roflmho:

oh no no.....was in no way knocking the Phileas at all!

 

I still use it all the time.

 

Just saying it inspires the want more and better pens instinct.

[lisa]

Someone (I forget who) did an informal survey of non-fp users a while back, and the consensus was that the Phileas was among the most expensive pens, based upon looks alone. So it's impressive in a tacky way. I found the medium nib on mine too broad for my liking, but the fine point on my Kultur is just about perfect. Some say it's scratchy, but I think it's got the right amount of tooth. As suggested, helius, you ought to try one. I find that the quality of my handwriting varies based upon the pen I'm using, and that it's at its best with the fine-nibbed Kultur.

 

And thanks for the review.

The F kultur is scratchy allright. I got mine yesterday and the line is just a tad bit finer then the apostrophe F, a budget waterman pen too. But the apostrophe is so much smoother. I do agree with you though, with a toothy nib I have my handwriting under controll much better. I like a smooth nib better to write with but my handwrinting does look sloppier with it.

[sonia_simone]

I gave my F Phileas some quality time with a brown paper bag and now it's just toothy rather than crossing that line to scratchy. Or maybe I just got used to it. I didn't like it at first, and the more I use it, the better I think it is. It's rapidly becoming one of my favorites.

 

And James, I hope I have not offended the honor of your beloved pen.

[antigone]

Strange, my Kultur F nib is smooth as hell. I didn't know Waterman's quality varied that much... maybe only with their cheaper pens?

I love the Phileas/Kultur anyway. Has anyone ever tried a B nib?

[arvadajames]

And James, I hope I have not offended the honor of your beloved pen.

Hey when you dress like a Phileas, its hard to get insulted! :meow:

[tonydacrow]

What everyone forgets is that celluloid, ebonite, etc were attempts to make cheap pens that looked "grand." It's just that they made those cheap pens look grand 50 to 100 years ago so that now we look at celluloid and ebonite as the sine qua non of pens, today. That kind of cracks me up.

[spinwards]

Concidering that "precious resin" is often just a marketing term for plastic, I have no problem carying a plastic pen.

 

I do not like the marbled finishes, but the black is a winner.

[kissing]

For me, if it's going to be cheap plastic, I prefer something very unpretentious like the Safari. The Phileas looks like it is trying to be grand, and that makes it look even cheaper.

IMO, the Waterman Phileas by no means is a "cheap pen".

 

Despite your bargain prices in America, in Australia, a B&M bought Phileas costs as much as a Stainless steel nibbed Sonnet

 

A Phileas wouldnt look 'cheap' to the eyes of a person who does not know fountain pens

[brownkovitz]

Has anyone ever tried a B nib?

I have a Phileas with a broad nib. It writes smoothly with a wide, wet line. I am very happy with it. It writes just as well as my medium Phileas.