A Problem With Waterman Edson Fountain Pen

[parban]

Hello

 

I am facing a problem with my new sapphire blue Edson FP. The seemingly inlaid part of the nib is being scratched regularly by the inner plastic locking bands of the cap.It seems to be a common problem, as all the pens that are sold on ebay in used condition do have such marks.But its then a design defect that such a costly pen shouldnt have! Since I am going to change the nib section as I dont like the F nib, is there any way of getting rid of these scratches?

Kindly let me know.

My thanks and regards to all.

[Left FPN]

Getting rid of....metal polish

Preventing....don't take the cap off

[parban]

Thanks.you know very well that metal polish wont do.Isnt a better advice would be 'dont put the cap on'?

 

Would someone please take the problem a bit seriously?

[rochester21]

Well, it`s not us(the users) that should take this kind of problem seriously, it`s the engineers. From my limited experience with modern waterman pens, i can say that although they are nice pens, the high end watermans that i`ve tried(carene, L`etalon, le man 200) are not designed they way they should have, each has some design flaws.

 

Now, about the Edson: the scratches probably appear because the nib is big and wide, and there isn`t enough clearance between the cap`s inner parts and the nib when the user uncaps the pen. You may be able to minimize the damage by being extra careful when removing the cap(and do it slowly). Ex: Grab the section with one hand, push the cap with your thumb, while holding the cap straight with the other hand.

Other than that, i don`t see what you could do. You can consider this as a design flaw.

 

I`m very frustrated myself with this company.

Edited August 10, 2013 by rochester21

[Left FPN]

Before,

 

 

during, plier work.

 

 

after...metal (silver) polish.

 

 

 

unfortunately my English humour popped out with the other answer...sorry....and you have to take it off before not putting it on.

Edited August 10, 2013 by Force

[parban]

Thanks for your suggestion.Yes,its a design defect.For such highend models, this shouldnt be the case.

[parban]

In case it were a problem with the nib, one could take it out and try to polish it.But the problem is with the inlaid goldplated part having a deep black in between, and applying silver polish would damage it in all probabilities.Thanks

[Opooh]

Having some Edsons, previously in intensive use but now only used occasionally, the nib is in immaculate condition. However they were bought new and I think they were made in france. Don't know if all Edsons were produced at the same plant, maybe that could be the problem.

[Left FPN]

In case it were a problem with the nib, one could take it out and try to polish it.But the problem is with the inlaid goldplated part having a deep black in between, and applying silver polish would damage it in all probabilities.Thanks

inlaid gold plated part ? Mine is stamped with what I thought is the French solid gold hallmark. Perhaps you have purchased a fake.

Edited August 10, 2013 by Force

[parban]

No.So far as my knowledge goes, the nib marked 750 is pure gold.But the inlaid part is only goldplated, not gold.Thanks.

[parban]

The two tiny marks on the reverse side are not solid gold hallmarks so far as I know.They are signs of goldplating.One such sign is there on the cap as well which is goldplated.And so far I know, all Edsons are made in France.I havent heard of fake Edsons as yet.And faking this sapphire blue colour will not be an easy task.

[Left FPN]

Sorry I am not convinced.

 

The diamond stamp is the makers mark and is found on the cap band and the nib structure. It is also found on other Waterman higher value pens, Solid silver L'etalon and Exceptions.

 

The other stamp, on my pen, is unrecognisable, but I will take a much closer look tomorrow. Why stamp so deep for gold plate. I am of the opinion both stamps are placed after the item is complete and not before a plating process.

 

This is the makers mark and on some. with much sharper stamps, the 3 lines between represent a pen.

 

 

PS, don't look at your nib using x10 or x15 magnification....that reveals all sorts of things.

 

I have emailed Waterman for an answer to this question.

Edited August 11, 2013 by Force

[Eccles]

In case it were a problem with the nib, one could take it out and try to polish it.But the problem is with the inlaid goldplated part having a deep black in between, and applying silver polish would damage it in all probabilities.Thanks

Look at the inlay underneath the nib, where it curves around the nib aperture... you should see a couple of hallmarks... the trim is not plated, it is solid. Even so, I'm not sure I'd want to use any abrasive treatment on mine.

 

I have a brand new and a 2nd hand user Edson, and like others, I'm not super-impressed with modern day Waterman as a company, so I must remember to watch for this issue, which is new to me.

 

Regards,

Glenn.

[parban]

My thanks to all of you for taking the matter seriously.I hope Waterman company will be able to clarify it.But I myself have read somewhere that only the nib is solid gold and not the seemingly inlaid part.Lets see what the company says.But inlaid nibs of Sheaffer in models like Targa,Imperial etc never create such problem and their entire nib is solid gold.

Please let us know what the company replies.

Thanks again and regards to all of you.

[parban]

After examining the engravings below the feed in bright daylight, I am almost sure that its not solid gold.Just compare these with 18k 750 on the nib or on any solid gold nib engravings.They are always legible,even in very small sizes.But yes, what the company communicates must be the final verdict.Thanks

[parban]

And what does this S A mean? Does anyone know?

[Left FPN]

And what does this S A mean? Does anyone know?

The answer was provided in a post of a year or so back but it is difficult to search. I believe it is something to do with a French company registration or organisation.

 

Xof2000 or Damien may be able to assist with this.

[parban]

Thanks.

[Left FPN]

After examining the engravings below the feed in bright daylight, I am almost sure that its not solid gold.Just compare these with 18k 750 on the nib or on any solid gold nib engravings.They are always legible,even in very small sizes.But yes, what the company communicates must be the final verdict.Thanks

Got it, its an Eagles head with no number or cartouche ...a French 18k gold hallmark.

 

http://www.925-1000.com/Ffrench_marks2.html

 

using my macro Nikon, a clear Eagles head

 

Edited August 11, 2013 by Force

[parban]

Yes,the eaglehead appears on French 18k nibs of Parker 75 also.Thanks a lot.But why then its being scratched so badly?I hope the company will be able to reply.

Regards