I've never really given Waterman pens a second look, but this one is a beauty! I love the finish and how well it posts. The attention to detail is visible by how well the pen fits your hand.
Oh thank you, Kathy! BTW I'm loving your ink experiments! Have you tried J. Herbin Kyanite du Népal? A viewer sent me a sample and I picked up a full bottle yesterday. Gorgeous ink.
I actually searched your channel to find this video when I was considering this pen (since your reviews seem to come across the same way my own mind works), and I was SHOCKED at the deal you got - I can't seem to find this pen for under $200 USD now. Congrats on the great deal, and thanks for the thoughtful review!
I've had the Carene on my camelcamelcamel watch list for the same price range ever since but there has been no selling price even close. Bargain of the century!
I have bought the Carene ballpoint pen. I love the weight of it, it looks so elegant. Very smooth writing. I've always loved Waterman and Cross pens - always stylish and practical, but the Carene is in a new class! Thank you for a very enjoyable video!
Can't agree with you more. I've owned this pen for about 6 months and it's been constantly inked since I got it. I have the fine nib and find that it still puts down a girthy line. Still very smooth with just a slight bit of feedback making it perfect for long writing sessions. When I first got it, I spent as much time just looking at it as I did writing with it.
It writes smoothly for me, and as you say it puts down a girthy line. But it’s too girthy for me. I like an EF line and this pen writes like a broad IMO even for a western nib
Hi Doug, my Waterman Carene arrived today, I have been writing since morning until now, nice fountain pen with balance weight (I like it posted) and balance width, due to the lacquered brass finish the pen has some friction and hence my hand does not slip while holding the pen. I need to adjust a bit while using this waterman, I have a habit of using the fountain pen at 45 deg, but with this carene I may have skips if I turn the nib at 45 deg. This fountain pen can easily be one of my EDC. The Waterman Carene is worthier than Parker Sonnet - I have both in my collection.
I have a question, please. I have not owned many fountain pens. In your helpful video you mentioned something about how nice the pen feels “posted.” The advice I am seeking…… or my question is “will repeated posting eventually rub or cause an undesirable scar undesirable to take place?” Is it OK to post over & over without needing to worry about accidentally making a mark on the finish, please? Thank you very much! Ben
Nice to see you reunited with that lovely pen. Waterman is still my favourite brand even after they started eliminating a lot of the beautiful models from their collection. Those chinese pens may be pretty (and I will continue to buy them) but Waterman adds class.
I really like this chaps choices in pen and inks. He might like to try Monte Verde Copper Noir ink . They make a set of inks mixed with black . Really nice colours . Great reviews and channel.I have the Caren in Black Sea and fine nib ,it too is incredibly smooth even though it is fine.The gold accents are 23 carats ,while the nib is 18 carat.
Beautiful pen. I have been handling my wife's rediscovered Carène as I clean, polish and re-ink it. It has a gorgeous weight and balance to it. Hope you have many happy miles of writing with yours.
Here in England, we have pre-Winter too, only we call it Summer! It's a really lovely pen but I've heard a lot about the Ink flow being a problem, however your review has cancelled that one out I'm glad to say. The price that you paid is amazing because here in GB it's average price is around £140.00. However, I think that is a decent price considering it has an 18k nib. I'm so glad that you love it. Thanks very much for another great video, take care, David.
It is one of the greatest deals I've ever had. The price has never been that low again. I was tipped off to the Amazon sale by a friend and pounced on it right away.
I'm so happy that your pen made it back. When you sent it off I didn't have the highest confidence that the postal service would get it back to you in any timely fashion , but now my confidence is restored ( somewhat ). That really is a very fine looking pen.
Thanks, Helen. :) But this is the difference between the postal service and private messengers. This was 100%, door to door, Federal Express. It was all paid for by Waterman. So, it didn't have to sit in a warehouse for months waiting for a flight.
@@InkquiringMinds You get what you pay for. But on cheaper pen this would mean shipping would be as much as the pen. My two pen orders from China in July from different sellers and through different shippers came in about two weeks, so things are improving.
What a great deal you got and a gorgeous pen! It's on our list also. The styling is very elegant and special. We have another Waterman (Expert II) it has a steel nib in medium and it is a very smooth and wet writer. Waterman pens are good looking and sturdy and often great value. Hope you enjoy the pen for a long time.
I’m so happy that Waterman came through with excellent service. I think I guessed a two week turnaround. Watching you write with that gorgeous pen is a joy indeed!
Very impressed with the quick turnaround from France. This is a great pen and worthy of all your effusive praise. I have it in black with a stub nib and just in the past few weeks switched up the ink in it. It's now inked with Waterman Tender Purple, which looks great with the stub nib. I really like the finish on yours and Ancient Copper is a great ink and a nice pairing with this pen.
Well it happened again. From now on I will not drink any beverage while watching your videos! The fourth and final day of summer caused a spittake! But I knew this vid would be exceptional when Pepe LePew made an appearance. You never disappoint! Your Carene is a beautiful pen and what a great writer! I used to have a rollerball Carene in a previous life and I really liked it. Now I have another FP to add to my growing list of future acquisitions. I didn't realize how reasonably priced they are for a gold nib! Heading to Amazon now. Thanks again for a wonderfully entertaining and educating review! Now go out & enjoy the remaining few hours of Calgary Summer!
Yay SPIT TAKE! It was only reasonably priced in a very brief sale on Amazon. I saw the exact same pen in a glass case yesterday at my brick 'n mortar pen shop yesterday while I was getting a bottle of J. Herbin Kyanite du Nepal ink. It was $450 Cdn!!! Talk about spit take!
Yep, I can confirm not finding any Carene FP on Amazon for less than about $250 US. Congratulations on your timely purchase! I'm always a day late & a dollar short.
@@jeffroberts532 Sometimes you get lucky. I would watch Amazon though as those deals come and go, so it pays to have patience. Or you pay more for instant gratification. If you see a great deal, then grab it as on Amazon it can be gone soon.
I bought the Carene here in Australia two years ago for Four Hundred. I still am loving it. The only problem is - the ink well runs out quicker than I would like.
@@InkquiringMinds that's what I meant, I forgot what it was called. But I'm going back to it as I like the idea of changing colours. I enjoyed your video, thanks.
I got mine today April 20, 2021. Got happily surprised to know you did this review. Mine is in excellent used condition, with a cartridge into it. I am putting in water to clean it.
Great to finally see your review Doug - I still don't have a Waterman in my collection, but it'd take a similarly spectacular deal to get me across the line. Enjoy!
Thank you, Jamerelbe! I was just in my brick 'n mortar shop yesterday picking up a bottle of J. Herbin Kyanite du Népal and saw a Carène in the glass case identical to mine. $450 Cdn!
@@InkquiringMinds Yeah, that online grey import on Amazon sure saves money. Many penmakers charge double for same pen in the US, but these days there are ways around that which are fairly fast and convenient.
Fun, and funny review! I have always loved the look of this pen and come close to buying it several times, but never did. I do regret those decisions! It’s such a stunning pen, and I love the “fingernail” nibs, so gorgeous. It’s still on my list of pens to acquire someday, and, it is a really good deal of a pen with a lovely gold nib. I also really loved the intro and your letter to your postal delivery person, and very short summer clips. So very funny! I love your sense of humor.
Thank you so much, KA! The humour is there just for YOU! :) I love the fingernail nibs too. I've had my eyes on the Sheaffer PFM or Legacy I, II or III pens. I worry that they are nightmares of repair and maintenance and are vintage pens, but those nibs are incredible.
Douglas Rathbun I have a Legacy II I believe. I haven’t inked it in a while, shame on me! Shame! The Sheaffer nibs are so glorious and the PFM is such looker! I hope you find one that catches our fancy, and we get another great review to watch. 😁
Hey Douglas, I'm so excited for you because I know that feeling when the pen that you have been eagerly waiting for ultimately arrives and it meets or exceeds your expectations. I felt and I still feel that way about my Lamy 2000. It is truly one of life's greatest pleasures. She's a real beauty. Enjoy!
Hi Doug i am glad you like your Carene with the medium nib,its my number 1 pen for writing i find myself going for something else & coming away with the Carene.Like you mentioned i dread to think i am going to compare newer pens with this one.
I love it! My concern about raising the bar and losing perspective on less expensive pen options stems from selling guitars. Once you've tried a $8000 or $10,000 hand-made, solid wood, acoustic guitar, everything else sounds and feels like plywood. I still love writing with my $15 Penbbs 308 though.
Beautiful pen, absolutely stunning! I may be rushing but have to ask how it compares to your Pilot E95S. It appears the Waterman was quite the value for a pen with an 18kt nib. Keep making these enjoyable videos. Thanks Richard
They really are apples and oranges, Richard. The Pilot is smooth as glass with little feedback and the pen is slim and light. The Carène is substantial and well balanced in the hand and has a good amount of feedback on the paper. The Pilot is much wetter than the Carène.
Thank you for the review, Douglas. Is your Carène still holding on after 2 years. I have honestly never bought a pen above 100 and am anxious to buy one and have it fail on me.
@@InkquiringMinds thank you for the response! I might go for one in the near future. It is a very classy pen. I know it might be personal preference, but would you recommend a fine or medium nib?
@@timotheedavi6578 I’ve not tried the fine nib but the medium and broad are wonderful. You’ll find they are standard western sizes so a fine will be around 0.05mm.
Love this pen. I bought mine more than 15 years ago. It was my first expensive fountain pen, that is for me, at a whopping $165.00 U.S. I had to take a two hour train & subway ride one way from my in-laws to purchase it. It was worth it. I still think it is beautiful. Mine is an extra fine. I tend to buy either extra fine or stub/Italic nibbled pens. Doug how about a video on how to take it apart and clean it. There are oh so many parts to this pen.
Thanks, Meb. I love my Carene too much to disassemble it. I know it can be taken apart, I’m just not willing to sacrifice it in case something goes wrong.
Hullo, Doug. I'm hanging my nose over a Carène but Stephen Brown's review mentions ink leaks from the breather hole. Have you suffered the same since you made your (excellent) review?
Not a bit. You do get some nib creep around the inlaid edges of the nib, but as long as you don't hold the pen all the way down so your fingers touch the nib, you won't get ink on your hands.
Aloha Doug! What a marvelous looking pen and at a very good price too! That medium nib looks more like a fine and makes me wonder what the fine would of looked like when writing? In any case, super find and a nice addition to any collection, but more importantly a good writing implement. Mahalo, Thomas
Greetings from Australia. Great video, great pen and ink. You have inspired me to purchase one. I have seen many of your videos and the colour of the pen is definitely you. You definitely like the Amber colours. The music was apt. The yacht of a Pen was sailing beautifully down the Blue Danube. In relation to the cap scratches would it be too much trouble to use silicon grease be too much trouble after use. Thanks for the video I enjoyed it.
How is your converter holding up? I've gone through two so far, both having developed cracks at the lip. A huge annoyance, especially considering how good of a writer it is.
I was very interested in this reciew of the Carene like many others! My first reaction to Waterman is when my wife brought two or three Phileas "so called student" pens back from a visit to Paris in the early 2000s. What a dream writer they are! After using the Phileas and know how smooth their nibs are, it doesn't surprise me how nice this 18k Carene is! I was able to buy up some Waterman Phileas "closeouts" when I saw them at an office supply store shortly after learning how good they were! Grabbed all 4 or 5 they had at $19 each USA dollars. Still have two of them and gifted the other two to family. I don't think my family realizes what a gem of a pen they have! And the Phileas has a steel nib too! Butter smooth...On your recommendation I bought an E95s for my wife and me; they are everything you say they are! 14k nibs and smooth as can be!
I searched about this pen online but couldn't find with same colour. Can sir please can you provide with the name of the colour. I searched with red colour Waterman carene fountain pen But couldn't find this exact pen colour
Love the bargain angle on this pen story, so thoughtful of the person that tipped you off. The price of the Visconti with that ordinary writing end, so much like many "inexpensive" pens, hmmm. Vendetta! Vendetta! I did note that you're off to see Jack about the nib. Seems likely he'll put the finishing touch you're after. The video with him working on your LMZDJYRA#$&; is just great! Thanks!
I have an red coral Carene Waterman fountain pen and gold plated clip is off, but not from other trim elements (gold rings and bands). Other fountain pen I have, Waterman Concorde, gold plated trim is, also off. Only clips, not other gold parts. I don't know why produce it. Antonio from Alicante, Spain.
@@InkquiringMinds Yes, gold plated is off in clip. In Waterman Concorde, in Goutte, in Charleston and in Carene; only in gold plared finish, don't in chrome or silver-rodium finish. Only in Waterman; don't in others pens brands. My Waterman penshave made in Nantes, France. Thank for help me.
No. I've never ground a nib and I've only had one ground for me, and that was the Leonardo Momento Zero which was a broad and Jack Hernandez ground it into an italic for me.
It is a beautiful pen, is it not? I love mine with the original fine nib. Not experienced any hard starts but I have found a bit of ink on the section now and then probably caused when recapping frequently during a writing session. I was a bit concerned that at the price it might have been a counterfeit Carene. No doubt Waterman would have let you know if it had been. Other than my PFM this is my second favourite pen out of the 120 I have. Stay well.
I've had a lust on for a PFM or a Heritage I, II, or III. I have to admit, I was wrong about the "hard starts" with the Carène. It isn't the pen, it is me. Now and then I don't line up the nib properly with the page and when it rotates a bit too far to my left, the ink stops. Problem solved. User error.
Pelikan M800 and M805 Stresemann is still my favourite, the Pelikan M800/805 are still my King of Pens in my heart, Visconti Bronze Age is my Queen of Pens, my Hongdians are my Generals of Pens, my Waterman is my minister of Pens lol..
I have three out of four of those pens and regard them as excellent writers, especially the Pilot E95S. I can’t disagree with your comments regarding the design and quality of the Carene. My only issue with mine is that it is a medium nib and after some writing with various pens of different nib widths I have decided to be a FINE to medium FINE fan. I can’t see dropping another$185.00 Cdn. for a replacement nib when there are so many other good pens out there.
Douglas Rathbun , Doug, I don’t want to be called a “ one trick pony” with all fines. The medium gives me a different feeling when writing with pen. Having the option is nice. I can’t say enough about the E95S. My fine is smooooth! Everyone needs a quality Waterman in his/her collection though.
Congratulations Doug 😎👍🎊... I have a little secret to tell you: all my 5 gold nib pens (2 Pilot VP, a Duofold Big Red, my beloved Lamy 200, and my gorgeous (gorgeous!!) Waterman Carène are from Amazon Prime with great discounts 🤫. Of course, there's a risk but I have a prime subscription and free 30 days no fuzz return period, so, yeah, I'm a cheapskate 😂. Glad you're happy with your French beuty, enjoy and thank you for the video. May you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy 😁🖖.
Thanks, Doug, for this review. I have a lot of pens and this is one of my absolute favorites. For some strange (queer - if I am still allowed to say) reason I have been watching Utube reviews of this particular pen this evening and I noticed something. Most reviews get 20 or 30 comments but your review got just less than 200 comments. Could be you are doing something right.
I am giving away another pen next week, Robert, in celebration of 2000 subscribers. That is, if I reach 2000 by next Wednesday. I seem to be losing more subscribers than gaining recently since I said a bad word. I'll just say "crap" from now on. But, it WON'T be the Carène!! LOL
I’ve just returned to using fountain pens since elementary school. Using a Parker IM currently, and it’s fine but that Carene is the most amazing pen I’ve ever seen and I really want it.. just not sure if my girlfriend is ok with me shelving out hundreds of euros for this pen haha
I got mine on Amazon for an incredible price. Add camelcamelcamel as an extension in your web browser to "watch" the Carene you want and the price you wish to pay. The extension will watch the prices for you and notify you when they hit your target.
1. What a beautiful pen! Thanks for sharing. 2. "not a gusher" - does this mean you have experience with gushers? I want a gusher! Can you recommend any gushers?
Yes and yes. Here is a pen that gushed all over me, but I can't recommend it! ruclips.net/video/1-3MR-nkNPA/видео.html But here is one I CAN recommend. It was beautifully smooth and very wet right out of the box and I adore it. ruclips.net/video/fXfiIE0QWCA/видео.html
@@InkquiringMinds Doh! Just this week I got my own ELITE from CANADA. What a coincidence, your recommending the E95S. Though actually, for an EF-width nib, this posting nib is really quite wet. If the nib was only swappable, I would get a broad nib...
My grandmother gave me a Carène in the same finish as a present when I graduated my MSc. Never liked the pen; always inky fingers. Because of sentimental value I kept using the pen, when I dropped it nib down. Too expensive to replace it, because of my dislike. It's bitter sweet, but it's now in a drawer with a brown nib.
That's too bad, Arjan. That is a drawback to this nib. The Pilot e95s has had the same issues for people who grip close to the nib. Fortunately for me, I hold the pen much higher and it has not been an issue at all. It is a beautiful keepsake from your Grandmother though!
This pen with its flowing nautical lines makes me feel that you need to be wearing a Musto jacket and yellow wellington boots to really do the pen justice. It is refreshing to see a pen design paying homage to an era when writing was king, no email or internet and a slower pace overall. At present I seem to collecting pens from the mid 20th century particularly Sheaffer snorkels with there unique filling system and vacuum fill touchdowns. My you and your Carene Doug have many writing adventures.
This pen looks awesome, if price wasn't an issue for me I'd pick the essential silver model. I think I'll stick with my sheaffer 440 imperial in fine which performs fairly well, it's one I would recommend you checking out since I think you may enjoy the imperial nib design, my only issue is when you cap it there's quite a bit of resistance and I do find it unpleasant however everything else is great.
Ah yes, the hard start was endemic among Carène, I think it was due to the design of the nib, so I suggest you leave it because tweaking can change the smoothness without solving the problems
I'm going to leave it alone as I've discovered that it is me rotating the nib to the left that causes the skips. I cannot get the pen to hard start if I have it lined up correctly.
@@InkquiringMinds The inlaid nib looks great, but if it was actually better, then we would see them more often. But it is an exciting look to the pen. Hard to service though.
My 25 dollar pen doesn't have the looks of this ocean liner. Then again, it never hard starts either. Nor I bet would you want to marathon write with a pen as heavy as that.
It doesn't feel that heavy when writing and I've written at length with it. It must be the balance. Also, the hard starting is user error as I just mentioned to Daniel. I've found that if I don't line up the nib and / or rotate it too far to the left, I get a skip.
@@InkquiringMinds My 25 dollar pen writes however I place it on the paper. I don't have to serve it breakfast in bed to have it do me the honour of writing. It does so easily and reliably every time.
Hi Doug , Your handwriting says u r liberal. U love lots of space and liberty. U r nonconformist. U r imaginative sometimes childish too. This pen is in my radar too. U may try with soft mint from diamine ink. It's marvelous.
I've never really given Waterman pens a second look, but this one is a beauty! I love the finish and how well it posts. The attention to detail is visible by how well the pen fits your hand.
Oh thank you, Kathy! BTW I'm loving your ink experiments! Have you tried J. Herbin Kyanite du Népal? A viewer sent me a sample and I picked up a full bottle yesterday. Gorgeous ink.
I actually searched your channel to find this video when I was considering this pen (since your reviews seem to come across the same way my own mind works), and I was SHOCKED at the deal you got - I can't seem to find this pen for under $200 USD now. Congrats on the great deal, and thanks for the thoughtful review!
I've had the Carene on my camelcamelcamel watch list for the same price range ever since but there has been no selling price even close. Bargain of the century!
I have bought the Carene ballpoint pen. I love the weight of it, it looks so elegant. Very smooth writing. I've always loved Waterman and Cross pens - always stylish and practical, but the Carene is in a new class! Thank you for a very enjoyable video!
Can't agree with you more. I've owned this pen for about 6 months and it's been constantly inked since I got it. I have the fine nib and find that it still puts down a girthy line. Still very smooth with just a slight bit of feedback making it perfect for long writing sessions. When I first got it, I spent as much time just looking at it as I did writing with it.
I love the nib. It is hard to describe the feedback on this gold nib but it is perfect.
It writes smoothly for me, and as you say it puts down a girthy line. But it’s too girthy for me. I like an EF line and this pen writes like a broad IMO even for a western nib
Hi Doug, my Waterman Carene arrived today, I have been writing since morning until now, nice fountain pen with balance weight (I like it posted) and balance width, due to the lacquered brass finish the pen has some friction and hence my hand does not slip while holding the pen. I need to adjust a bit while using this waterman, I have a habit of using the fountain pen at 45 deg, but with this carene I may have skips if I turn the nib at 45 deg. This fountain pen can easily be one of my EDC. The Waterman Carene is worthier than Parker Sonnet - I have both in my collection.
Congratulations Yomin! My Black Seas arrives today too!
I have 3 vintage Waterman pens now. Just received the Phileas two days ago. The Carène is on my radar. Yours is beautiful!
I have a question, please. I have not owned many fountain pens. In your helpful video you mentioned something about how nice the pen feels “posted.”
The advice I am seeking…… or my question is “will repeated posting eventually rub or cause an undesirable scar undesirable to take place?”
Is it OK to post over & over without needing to worry about accidentally making a mark on the finish, please?
Thank you very much!
Ben
The Carene will have a ring where it posts, but it can be polished out.
Nice to see you reunited with that lovely pen. Waterman is still my favourite brand even after they started eliminating a lot of the beautiful models from their collection. Those chinese pens may be pretty (and I will continue to buy them) but Waterman adds class.
I totally agree, Stephan!
I really like this chaps choices in pen and inks. He might like to try Monte Verde Copper Noir ink . They make a set of inks mixed with black . Really nice colours . Great reviews and channel.I have the Caren in Black Sea and fine nib ,it too is incredibly smooth even though it is fine.The gold accents are 23 carats ,while the nib is 18 carat.
Beautiful pen. I have been handling my wife's rediscovered Carène as I clean, polish and re-ink it. It has a gorgeous weight and balance to it. Hope you have many happy miles of writing with yours.
Thank you, archivist17! You mentioned your wife's "discovery" before. But I can't remember, is it amber like mine?
@@InkquiringMinds No, it's a black one. Still handsome, but without the depth of yours.
Here in England, we have pre-Winter too, only we call it Summer! It's a really lovely pen but I've heard a lot about the Ink flow being a problem, however your review has cancelled that one out I'm glad to say. The price that you paid is amazing because here in GB it's average price is around £140.00. However, I think that is a decent price considering it has an 18k nib. I'm so glad that you love it. Thanks very much for another great video, take care, David.
It is one of the greatest deals I've ever had. The price has never been that low again. I was tipped off to the Amazon sale by a friend and pounced on it right away.
I'm so happy that your pen made it back. When you sent it off I didn't have the highest confidence that the postal service would get it back to you in any timely fashion , but now my confidence is restored ( somewhat ). That really is a very fine looking pen.
Thanks, Helen. :) But this is the difference between the postal service and private messengers. This was 100%, door to door, Federal Express. It was all paid for by Waterman. So, it didn't have to sit in a warehouse for months waiting for a flight.
@@InkquiringMinds You get what you pay for. But on cheaper pen this would mean shipping would be as much as the pen. My two pen orders from China in July from different sellers and through different shippers came in about two weeks, so things are improving.
What a great deal you got and a gorgeous pen! It's on our list also. The styling is very elegant and special. We have another Waterman (Expert II) it has a steel nib in medium and it is a very smooth and wet writer. Waterman pens are good looking and sturdy and often great value. Hope you enjoy the pen for a long time.
Thank you! You too! I use the browser add-on "camelcamelcamel" to alert me of price points on selected Amazon items.
So glad your pen came back quickly and that you now get to enjoy it. Truly a wonderful pen; I love mine!
It really is!
I’m so happy that Waterman came through with excellent service. I think I guessed a two week turnaround. Watching you write with that gorgeous pen is a joy indeed!
Thanks, Sandy! You did guess two weeks and that's what it was. :)
@@InkquiringMinds What a world of globalism we live in, when servicing a pen, or warranty fixes, involve intercontinental shipping. :)
I love the gushing. And I might have to try that Robert Oster red!
I will give you a sample J.
Very impressed with the quick turnaround from France. This is a great pen and worthy of all your effusive praise. I have it in black with a stub nib and just in the past few weeks switched up the ink in it. It's now inked with Waterman Tender Purple, which looks great with the stub nib.
I really like the finish on yours and Ancient Copper is a great ink and a nice pairing with this pen.
Thanks, Alan. My 487 is in the country! :)
Well it happened again. From now on I will not drink any beverage while watching your videos! The fourth and final day of summer caused a spittake! But I knew this vid would be exceptional when Pepe LePew made an appearance. You never disappoint! Your Carene is a beautiful pen and what a great writer! I used to have a rollerball Carene in a previous life and I really liked it. Now I have another FP to add to my growing list of future acquisitions. I didn't realize how reasonably priced they are for a gold nib! Heading to Amazon now. Thanks again for a wonderfully entertaining and educating review! Now go out & enjoy the remaining few hours of Calgary Summer!
Yay SPIT TAKE! It was only reasonably priced in a very brief sale on Amazon. I saw the exact same pen in a glass case yesterday at my brick 'n mortar pen shop yesterday while I was getting a bottle of J. Herbin Kyanite du Nepal ink. It was $450 Cdn!!! Talk about spit take!
Yep, I can confirm not finding any Carene FP on Amazon for less than about $250 US. Congratulations on your timely purchase! I'm always a day late & a dollar short.
@@jeffroberts532 Sometimes you get lucky. I would watch Amazon though as those deals come and go, so it pays to have patience. Or you pay more for instant gratification. If you see a great deal, then grab it as on Amazon it can be gone soon.
I bought the Carene here in Australia two years ago for Four Hundred. I still am loving it. The only problem is - the ink well runs out quicker than I would like.
It would be a cool piston filler!
@@InkquiringMinds that's what I meant, I forgot what it was called. But I'm going back to it as I like the idea of changing colours. I enjoyed your video, thanks.
@@kerriesmith666 Gotcha! I doubt we'll ever see a piston filling Carène though.
I got mine today April 20, 2021. Got happily surprised to know you did this review. Mine is in excellent used condition, with a cartridge into it. I am putting in water to clean it.
Great to hear!
Great to finally see your review Doug - I still don't have a Waterman in my collection, but it'd take a similarly spectacular deal to get me across the line. Enjoy!
Thank you, Jamerelbe! I was just in my brick 'n mortar shop yesterday picking up a bottle of J. Herbin Kyanite du Népal and saw a Carène in the glass case identical to mine. $450 Cdn!
@@InkquiringMinds Yeah, that online grey import on Amazon sure saves money. Many penmakers charge double for same pen in the US, but these days there are ways around that which are fairly fast and convenient.
Fun, and funny review! I have always loved the look of this pen and come close to buying it several times, but never did. I do regret those decisions! It’s such a stunning pen, and I love the “fingernail” nibs, so gorgeous. It’s still on my list of pens to acquire someday, and, it is a really good deal of a pen with a lovely gold nib. I also really loved the intro and your letter to your postal delivery person, and very short summer clips. So very funny! I love your sense of humor.
Thank you so much, KA! The humour is there just for YOU! :) I love the fingernail nibs too. I've had my eyes on the Sheaffer PFM or Legacy I, II or III pens. I worry that they are nightmares of repair and maintenance and are vintage pens, but those nibs are incredible.
Douglas Rathbun I have a Legacy II I believe. I haven’t inked it in a while, shame on me! Shame! The Sheaffer nibs are so glorious and the PFM is such looker! I hope you find one that catches our fancy, and we get another great review to watch. 😁
Hey Douglas, I'm so excited for you because I know that feeling when the pen that you have been eagerly waiting for ultimately arrives and it meets or exceeds your expectations. I felt and I still feel that way about my Lamy 2000. It is truly one of life's greatest pleasures. She's a real beauty. Enjoy!
One of these days I might give the Lamy 2000 a try.
@@InkquiringMinds Got one for my birthday this spring in double broad oblique, and it is great.
Hi Doug i am glad you like your Carene with the medium nib,its my number 1 pen for writing i find myself going for something else & coming away with the Carene.Like you mentioned i dread to think i am going to compare newer pens with this one.
I love it! My concern about raising the bar and losing perspective on less expensive pen options stems from selling guitars. Once you've tried a $8000 or $10,000 hand-made, solid wood, acoustic guitar, everything else sounds and feels like plywood. I still love writing with my $15 Penbbs 308 though.
@@InkquiringMinds But that PenBBS has build quality of $200+ Italian pen, and with better QC, so I think you are safe.
Absolutely beautiful pen. Love the colors and accents and sleekness.
I agree!
My dad has a vintage Watermans 55, I have used to draw sometimes, very beautiful pen !
Very cool! I lust after a Waterman Edson. They are ridiculously hard to get and priced as well.
Beautiful pen, absolutely stunning! I may be rushing but have to ask how it compares to your Pilot E95S. It appears the Waterman was quite the value for a pen with an 18kt nib. Keep making these enjoyable videos.
Thanks Richard
They really are apples and oranges, Richard. The Pilot is smooth as glass with little feedback and the pen is slim and light. The Carène is substantial and well balanced in the hand and has a good amount of feedback on the paper. The Pilot is much wetter than the Carène.
Thank you for the review, Douglas. Is your Carène still holding on after 2 years. I have honestly never bought a pen above 100 and am anxious to buy one and have it fail on me.
Yes, it is! And I added a Black Sea (black w gold trim) Carene in a broad nib. Beautiful pens.
@@InkquiringMinds thank you for the response! I might go for one in the near future. It is a very classy pen. I know it might be personal preference, but would you recommend a fine or medium nib?
@@timotheedavi6578 I’ve not tried the fine nib but the medium and broad are wonderful. You’ll find they are standard western sizes so a fine will be around 0.05mm.
@@InkquiringMinds that’s great to read. Thank you, Douglas.
Love this pen. I bought mine more than 15 years ago. It was my first expensive fountain pen, that is for me, at a whopping $165.00 U.S. I had to take a two hour train & subway ride one way from my in-laws to purchase it. It was worth it. I still think it is beautiful. Mine is an extra fine. I tend to buy either extra fine or stub/Italic nibbled pens.
Doug how about a video on how to take it apart and clean it. There are oh so many parts to this pen.
Thanks, Meb. I love my Carene too much to disassemble it. I know it can be taken apart, I’m just not willing to sacrifice it in case something goes wrong.
Hullo, Doug. I'm hanging my nose over a Carène but Stephen Brown's review mentions ink leaks from the breather hole. Have you suffered the same since you made your (excellent) review?
Not a bit. You do get some nib creep around the inlaid edges of the nib, but as long as you don't hold the pen all the way down so your fingers touch the nib, you won't get ink on your hands.
Aloha Doug! What a marvelous looking pen and at a very good price too! That medium nib looks more like a fine and makes me wonder what the fine would of looked like when writing? In any case, super find and a nice addition to any collection, but more importantly a good writing implement. Mahalo, Thomas
I totally agree! I think the fine would have been too thin a line for me. I'm very pleased with this medium.
I love the look of inlaid nibs. I wish more manufaturers would experiment with nib design and inlaid nibs.
Thank you, Inazarab! Watch for tomorrow's review of my SECOND Waterman Carene (Black Sea).
Absolutely EXCELLENT fountain pen . Just the right wetness in ANY ink ,smooth and does not dry out after months of inactivity.
I agree. I have another on the way.
Greetings from Australia.
Great video, great pen and ink. You have inspired me to purchase one. I have seen many of your videos and the colour of the pen is definitely you. You definitely like the Amber colours.
The music was apt. The yacht of a Pen was sailing beautifully down the Blue Danube.
In relation to the cap scratches would it be too much trouble to use silicon grease be too much trouble after use.
Thanks for the video I enjoyed it.
Awesome, thank you! The silicone just makes the section slippery. The marks can be buffed out.
How is your converter holding up? I've gone through two so far, both having developed cracks at the lip. A huge annoyance, especially considering how good of a writer it is.
It is holding up just fine but the pen is only weeks old. I'll keep and eye on it. It is a good thing I have a great warranty on it.
Hey Doug, fun to watch. Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it
Shakespeare an interesting variation on the quick brown fox. Lamy makralon 2000 or a Carene? Such a beautiful, elegant pen.
The quick brown fox doesn't even jump in iambic pentameter!
Always excellent reviews!
Thank you kindly!
Beautifull color of the pen!!
It really is! Video doesn't do it justice!
Hi Dough, do you have leaking issues with your Waterman Carene so far?
No. The edges of the inlaid nib sometimes show some nib creep, but that's all.
Waterman continues to make great writers; right out of the box. I own several watermans including the underrated Phileas.
I've heard others (at FPN) talk about the Phileas. They are pricey yes?
@@InkquiringMinds I'll give one! how pricey is that?
@@BILLHENRY239 Wow!
I was very interested in this reciew of the Carene like many others! My first reaction to Waterman is when my wife brought two or three Phileas "so called student" pens back from a visit to Paris in the early 2000s. What a dream writer they are! After using the Phileas and know how smooth their nibs are, it doesn't surprise me how nice this 18k Carene is! I was able to buy up some Waterman Phileas "closeouts" when I saw them at an office supply store shortly after learning how good they were! Grabbed all 4 or 5 they had at $19 each USA dollars. Still have two of them and gifted the other two to family. I don't think my family realizes what a gem of a pen they have! And the Phileas has a steel nib too! Butter smooth...On your recommendation I bought an E95s for my wife and me; they are everything you say they are! 14k nibs and smooth as can be!
I searched about this pen online but couldn't find with same colour.
Can sir please can you provide with the name of the colour.
I searched with red colour Waterman carene fountain pen
But couldn't find this exact pen colour
It is called "Marine Amber".
@@InkquiringMinds Thank you so much sir
I am going to order this pen. It is only black lacquer but hey for the price how can I go wrong?
I have the "Black Seas" with gold trim as well. With a Broad nib.
@@InkquiringMinds I guess I was too late. 😔. The pen was sold. I am looking at the Black Seas model. I hope to find one at a decent price.
Love the bargain angle on this pen story, so thoughtful of the person that tipped you off. The price of the Visconti with that ordinary writing end, so much like many "inexpensive" pens, hmmm. Vendetta! Vendetta! I did note that you're off to see Jack about the nib. Seems likely he'll put the finishing touch you're after. The video with him working on your LMZDJYRA#$&; is just great! Thanks!
I know, right? Claudia Astorquiza of Bauerinks sent me the tip and I jumped all over it. I'm glad I did!
I have an red coral Carene Waterman fountain pen and gold plated clip is off, but not from other trim elements (gold rings and bands).
Other fountain pen I have, Waterman Concorde, gold plated trim is, also off. Only clips, not other gold parts. I don't know why produce it.
Antonio from Alicante, Spain.
Thanks, antonio. By "off", do you mean the finish has worn off?
@@InkquiringMinds
Yes, gold plated is off in clip. In Waterman Concorde, in Goutte, in Charleston and in Carene; only in gold plared finish, don't in chrome or silver-rodium finish.
Only in Waterman; don't in others pens brands.
My Waterman penshave made in Nantes, France.
Thank for help me.
I don't use cleaning metal products in my pens.
@@antoniosaiz2102 that’s too bad Antonio. If you bought it new, I’d write Waterman about it. They have excellent customer service.
Did you grind the tip with a faceted flat spot? Love it! I do the same with mine
No. I've never ground a nib and I've only had one ground for me, and that was the Leonardo Momento Zero which was a broad and Jack Hernandez ground it into an italic for me.
Douglas Rathbun is that the one in the intro? That’s the pen I’m talking about
Ah! No. I had that Leonardo Momento Zero broad ground to an architect italic by nibmeister Jack Hernandez.
It is a beautiful pen, is it not? I love mine with the original fine nib. Not experienced any hard starts but I have found a bit of ink on the section now and then probably caused when recapping frequently during a writing session. I was a bit concerned that at the price it might have been a counterfeit Carene. No doubt Waterman would have let you know if it had been. Other than my PFM this is my second favourite pen out of the 120 I have. Stay well.
I've had a lust on for a PFM or a Heritage I, II, or III. I have to admit, I was wrong about the "hard starts" with the Carène. It isn't the pen, it is me. Now and then I don't line up the nib properly with the page and when it rotates a bit too far to my left, the ink stops. Problem solved. User error.
Between Waterman Carene and Pelikan M800 which one you like more? :D haha
That's a tough one. I just received my second Carene (Black Seas with gold trim and a broad nib), but the Pelikan M800 is still on the top of my list.
Pelikan M800 and M805 Stresemann is still my favourite, the Pelikan M800/805 are still my King of Pens in my heart, Visconti Bronze Age is my Queen of Pens, my Hongdians are my Generals of Pens, my Waterman is my minister of Pens lol..
Gracias desde España!!!
Eres muy bienvenido!
Welcome back, Waterman Carene
Thanks, Adriel! :)
Freak'n gorgeous pen! U B a lucky man, Doug ... a lucky man! BTW ... my Falcon arrived Thursday, a day early! Yay!
Nice!! I've been writing with my Falcon for over a week and I'm starting to get the hang of how the pen and I can get along.
I love the looks of this pen also. To me, it screams “write with me!”
It does! When I'm going to write for a longer session, I will reach for it first.
To me it is that nib...
I have three out of four of those pens and regard them as excellent writers, especially the Pilot E95S. I can’t disagree with your comments regarding the design and quality of the Carene. My only issue with mine is that it is a medium nib and after some writing with various pens of different nib widths I have decided to be a FINE to medium FINE fan. I can’t see dropping another$185.00 Cdn. for a replacement nib when there are so many other good pens out there.
Thanks for this Richard! If I had known, we could have swapped! LOL
Douglas Rathbun , Doug, I don’t want to be called a “ one trick pony” with all fines. The medium gives me a different feeling when writing with pen. Having the option is nice. I can’t say enough about the E95S. My fine is smooooth! Everyone needs a quality Waterman in his/her collection though.
Finally received my fine nib from Le Stylo in Montreal. Now I have a choice depending on my mood of the day. Really enjoy the fine nib.
@@richardc6932 Excellent!
Congratulations Doug 😎👍🎊... I have a little secret to tell you: all my 5 gold nib pens (2 Pilot VP, a Duofold Big Red, my beloved Lamy 200, and my gorgeous (gorgeous!!) Waterman Carène are from Amazon Prime with great discounts 🤫. Of course, there's a risk but I have a prime subscription and free 30 days no fuzz return period, so, yeah, I'm a cheapskate 😂.
Glad you're happy with your French beuty, enjoy and thank you for the video. May you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy 😁🖖.
I mooch off of my son's Prime account! Thanks so much Jorge!
Yeah, it is the grey imports of real pens from lower cost markets mostly in Europe. Feels risky, but so far the results are OK.
Beautiful!! That’s all I can say !!
Thank you! 😊
Thanks, Doug, for this review. I have a lot of pens and this is one of my absolute favorites. For some strange (queer - if I am still allowed to say) reason I have been watching Utube reviews of this particular pen this evening and I noticed something. Most reviews get 20 or 30 comments but your review got just less than 200 comments. Could be you are doing something right.
Thank you so much, @donbrownist!
So when is the Waterman Carene giveaway Doug. Only kidding 😜! It is truly lovely, and will remain a constant joy for you. Enjoy ! ✌❤
I am giving away another pen next week, Robert, in celebration of 2000 subscribers. That is, if I reach 2000 by next Wednesday. I seem to be losing more subscribers than gaining recently since I said a bad word. I'll just say "crap" from now on. But, it WON'T be the Carène!! LOL
@@InkquiringMinds Bugger me ! I done tole you about usin them thar cuss words Doug
Robert Reid LMAO!! OMG I did a spit take!!!
@@InkquiringMinds Don't worry about it. Be yourself. And as you now know the 2000 came, and more, so no problem.
I’ve just returned to using fountain pens since elementary school. Using a Parker IM currently, and it’s fine but that Carene is the most amazing pen I’ve ever seen and I really want it.. just not sure if my girlfriend is ok with me shelving out hundreds of euros for this pen haha
I got mine on Amazon for an incredible price. Add camelcamelcamel as an extension in your web browser to "watch" the Carene you want and the price you wish to pay. The extension will watch the prices for you and notify you when they hit your target.
@@InkquiringMinds that's a great tip, thanks!
Another funny & great review. Lovely pen. I've never been dipped in ink editer, will Waterman accept me? Trying to escape Covid-19 in the U.S.
I think so! All you do is hand them cash! LOL
Pepe! " I am a boy, you are a girl...Let's fall in love". Glad you are enjoying your Waterman, Sir Doug. She's a beauty.
You got that right!
@@InkquiringMinds The Carene and Pepe LePue in the same video....Doug, you're the BEST. 🎖
@@stargazer1359 Stacy. It was either Pepe smooching that cat or Gomez grabbing Tish 'cause she "spoke French"! LOL
1. What a beautiful pen! Thanks for sharing.
2. "not a gusher" - does this mean you have experience with gushers? I want a gusher! Can you recommend any gushers?
Yes and yes. Here is a pen that gushed all over me, but I can't recommend it! ruclips.net/video/1-3MR-nkNPA/видео.html But here is one I CAN recommend. It was beautifully smooth and very wet right out of the box and I adore it. ruclips.net/video/fXfiIE0QWCA/видео.html
@@InkquiringMinds thanks, I appreciate it.
@@InkquiringMinds Doh! Just this week I got my own ELITE from CANADA. What a coincidence, your recommending the E95S. Though actually, for an EF-width nib, this posting nib is really quite wet. If the nib was only swappable, I would get a broad nib...
My grandmother gave me a Carène in the same finish as a present when I graduated my MSc.
Never liked the pen; always inky fingers.
Because of sentimental value I kept using the pen, when I dropped it nib down. Too expensive to replace it, because of my dislike.
It's bitter sweet, but it's now in a drawer with a brown nib.
That's too bad, Arjan. That is a drawback to this nib. The Pilot e95s has had the same issues for people who grip close to the nib. Fortunately for me, I hold the pen much higher and it has not been an issue at all. It is a beautiful keepsake from your Grandmother though!
@@InkquiringMinds Looks over practicality. But it is so "shiny," and also another reason why we don't see such design that often.
Dear Sir Doug,
If I purchase Waterman Carene, you will be the reason why.
You will NOT be disappointed. I'm looking for a black and gold to go with mine.
@@InkquiringMinds I was set on Parker Sonnet. I hear they are hit and miss.
I have ordered the Carene Deluxe Black Fountain Pen GT
using a 50% discount I was given.
Excellent! I'm amazed at the huge discounts on these awesome pens these days!
It's a functional jewel.
Very nicely said, Ittai!
This pen with its flowing nautical lines makes me feel that you need to be wearing a Musto jacket and yellow wellington boots to really do the pen justice. It is refreshing to see a pen design paying homage to an era when writing was king, no email or internet and a slower pace overall. At present I seem to collecting pens from the mid 20th century particularly Sheaffer snorkels with there unique filling system and vacuum fill touchdowns. My you and your Carene Doug have many writing adventures.
One of these days, Eric, I'm going to snag a PFM or a Heritage I, II or III! Mark my words!
This pen looks awesome, if price wasn't an issue for me I'd pick the essential silver model. I think I'll stick with my sheaffer 440 imperial in fine which performs fairly well, it's one I would recommend you checking out since I think you may enjoy the imperial nib design, my only issue is when you cap it there's quite a bit of resistance and I do find it unpleasant however everything else is great.
I would love to own a Sheaffer Imperial or a Heritage I, II, or III. I love my Targa's nib but the pen is too slim for me.
@@InkquiringMinds agreed, the Targa nib is lovely, just wish the pen body was more substantial
Ah yes, the hard start was endemic among Carène, I think it was due to the design of the nib, so I suggest you leave it because tweaking can change the smoothness without solving the problems
I'm going to leave it alone as I've discovered that it is me rotating the nib to the left that causes the skips. I cannot get the pen to hard start if I have it lined up correctly.
@@InkquiringMinds The inlaid nib looks great, but if it was actually better, then we would see them more often. But it is an exciting look to the pen. Hard to service though.
I would not even imagine how to separate the inlay nib from the grip section to get it serviced.
Sir - where i live the carena is 400 dollars so -- consider yourself lucky
Go Flames Go
Fingers and toes crossed!
My 25 dollar pen doesn't have the looks of this ocean liner. Then again, it never hard starts either. Nor I bet would you want to marathon write with a pen as heavy as that.
It doesn't feel that heavy when writing and I've written at length with it. It must be the balance. Also, the hard starting is user error as I just mentioned to Daniel. I've found that if I don't line up the nib and / or rotate it too far to the left, I get a skip.
@@InkquiringMinds My 25 dollar pen writes however I place it on the paper. I don't have to serve it breakfast in bed to have it do me the honour of writing. It does so easily and reliably every time.
Hi Doug ,
Your handwriting says u r liberal. U love lots of space and liberty.
U r nonconformist.
U r imaginative sometimes childish too.
This pen is in my radar too.
U may try with soft mint from diamine ink. It's marvelous.
You can tell all of that from my handwriting, mrinmoy? Of course, you could have figured that out from my videos too! LOL
@@InkquiringMinds 😁