Which Carene Nib For Me?

[penyekz]

I've been using the Sheaffer 300 M nib for the last 2 years and have found the nib just about right.

 

Its a stainless steel nib with little flex.

 

I'm really eyeing the Waterman Carene but am undecided between the fine and medium nib.

 

Some reviews have mentioned that Waterman F is more like M and M is more like B.

 

Anyone with experience with both Sheaffer and Waterman? Please share.

 

 

Thanks!

[pajaro]

I have some Sheaffer mediums and a Carene medium, fine, extra fine and broad. I do not think the Carene medium is much different from the Sheaffer medium. I found both were too wide for my taste. I like the Carene fine and extra fine better. I have little use for the broad Carene nib, marked "L," but broad nibs just put down too much ink for my slow moving left hand to manage. I would have to write faster.

[Left FPN]

I have no experience with Sheaffer.

 

You will get very little, if any flex, from a Carene nib. Some may say different but by the nature of their thickness and shape they do not flex without heavy load.

 

I have bought, used and sold a number of Carene sections in all but EF form. The mediums do vary tending to err on the wider side but in tha main nowhere near Broad. The true Broad (L) is a real guzzler but lovely nibs if you like wet and wide. The tipping on mediums does vary quite a bit with some having lots of iridium on the upper side and some having very little. Later (newer) nibs seem to be more regular with all tipping on the underside.

 

I have found the fine nibs very nice but sometimes difficult starters if not used in a while.

 

In short you will not know until you try one in real time...as with any nib. Buying blind you could end up with one you like or maybe not.

 

Not forgetting if you buy a new pen from the high street you can exchange the section FOC, otherwise at the cost of postage should you buy a mint unused S/H pen.

Edited September 19, 2015 by Force

[penyekz]

Thanks for the reply. I had an old (~20 years) cheap Sheaffer with a fine nib and it was rather scratchy. Not sure if this applies across the board but I couldn't stand the scratchiness.

 

I found this interesting chart documenting nib width.

 

Sheaffer M = 0.6mm

Waterman M = 0.65mm

 

http://nibs.com/TippingSizespage.htm

Edited September 19, 2015 by penyekz

[sidthecat]

If the alignment is correct to start with, a tip can be TOO chisled at the edges.

[Maine Vintner]

I have a Sheaffer Targa fine and both fine and medium Carenes. I find the fine nibs on each pen comparable and very smooth. The medium Carene is wider than my tastes (I prefer fine) but I would not describe it as broad.

 

As Force said, you really have to check each out for yourself to really make an informed decision but I think you will find the Carenes to be beautiful writers (full disclosure - these are my favorite pens; I own 4).

 

Hope this helps.

John

[Left FPN]

Make sure it's not this one

 

Someone may be unlucky and get it for Xmas.

[Ghost Plane]

Ouch! If that's their idea of "good" condition, I don't want to see a nib in "bad"