Waterman 58 Restoration

[Xof72000]

 

I wonder though - how did anyone bought flexible 52 for an example. There's no markings on the nibs nor on the pens...

 

Do you need a advice ? ...

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Test them !

 

 

 

 

 

 

To be a bit more serious, the shape of the nib can be a good way to see how the nib should write (long tines will have more flex than short ones).

Some Waterman nibs, on vintage #5 or #7 pens did have a mention of a color, refering to the way the nib will write.

Edited July 21, 2017 by Xof72000

[strelnikoff]

 

Do you need a advice ? ...

...

...

...

Test them !

 

 

 

 

 

 

To be a bit more serious, the shape of the nib can be a good way to see how the nib should write (long tines will have more flex than short ones).

Some Waterman nibs, on vintage #5 or #7 pens did have a mention of a color, refering to the way the nib will write.

 

 

I have few Watermans (see photos at the beginning of this post), Wahl Eversharp's, Moore's (rare), Mabie Todd, Carter's pens with flexible nibs. Some are semi-flexible, some flexible to extra-flexible and some are super-flex and wet noodles.

Typically I can tell if some nib may have a potential to be flexile even before I try it. When I have a chance - I try to write with it - and that's a simple solution. But most of the time - I have to rely on photos only.

 

There are few things I look for in nibs - long tines being one of them, but also - if there is a side photo - thickness of the nib. Also - with #2 nibs (Waterman) near the tip of the nib there is a "ridge" or clear edge where nib thickness changes. Usually - but not always - sharper the edge/ridge - stiffer the nib and opposite.

 

However, this is not always the case.

 

So I agree with you - best bet is to try the pen (if possible) and see/feel.

 

#5 and #7 indeed have color code, but even that is not always absolute. Sometimes Pink nibs can be stiffer than some Red nibs. I've tried one Yellow nib and one Brown nib - which I'd define as extra-flexible. So again, best bet is - try it. Though, chances are that Pink nib is more flexible than average Red nib.

 

I was wondering about... people in 1920's for an example. None of the #2 nibs have any indication of flexibility, nor does any of the pens (markings). Like - you go to a pen shop and there's hundreds of 52's, brand new ones. How do you know which one is stiff and which one is flexible? So -people probably just tried them in the shop.

 

But - yesterday I saw a mint Waterman 52 - with label still attached, from 1929. And label said "Medium BK Soft". So, perhaps that was the only indication - paper label. You know when you buy it, but once the label is gone...

[mitto]

Greet find. Congrats.

[strelnikoff]

Greet find. Congrats.

 

 

Thanks!

[strelnikoff]

Congrats on the 58! Great pen! Danny Fudge has restored all my vintage Waterman's!

I've contacted Danny, waiting for his reply.

I've found one issue on my 58 - the section is a bit... well, not circular, but warped a bit. As if there was some adjustment done long ago to fit the feed/nib better to the section ID.

 

Thus - when I had my pen re-sacked and started to write - it was writing wonderfully smooth (manifold nib, no flex) but soon I got a blob of ink on the paper. So - there's some extra ink flowing somewhere.

 

Also - the section can rotate in the barrel. Not loose, it's tight enough, but it can still rotate a bit.

 

So we'll see what Danny says.

[johnboz]

Wow, that's a beauty! Congratulations and I hope you enjoy it!

[strelnikoff]

Wow, that's a beauty! Congratulations and I hope you enjoy it!

Thanks!

 

I do ! It writes wonderfully (for a manifold). It's really impressive pen!