Pilot E95s vs Waterman Carene - Fountain Pen Showdown

[@davesheppard8797]

Hi Gary, I loved your video and have given a few comments. I see a lot of people asking you which pens are better? 😂😂. A virtually impossible question for you to answer as what is great for one, may not be great for another! It's all down to how you like a pen to write personally. I've known many people who have started out with a relatively cheap fountain pen, got used to it and loved it, then upgraded to a very expensive fountain pen, only to find that the expensive pen didn't write as well for them as their cheap original! I was lucky that when I got my Montblanc fountain pen that it was perfect for me. Even then though, I did have to break the nib in before it was perfect. Best wishes, Dave.

[@GarryEves]

The "Which is best" is such a hard question. I tend to gravitate towards larger and heavier pens, but my wife likes the slimmer and lighter ones, and my son(in his 20s) proudly states that a Bic Crystal biro is the best pen ever. And that's just within one small household.

[@davesheppard8797]

@GarryEves So Gary, what is your favourite fountain pen? The other thing I find is that it depends on what sort of mood I'm in as to which pen I use. Dave.

[@karenholden4740]

Great video Garry!

[@GarryEves]

👍

[@fossilimprint2954]

I have never tried a Waterman Carene. I own a Pilot E95s. For me the Pilot is one of my most smooth writer and it is difficult for me to use another fountain pen knowing the E95s is beckoning. Thank you for your comparison, now I will think about a Waterman Carene.

[@GarryEves]

I really like both of the pens. I haven't been brave enough yet to start using the E95S as a pocket pen - it still lives in my pen case.

[@mrmf4712]

Haha, once day I tried Waterman Gentleman in 18k M bouncy, springy nib. Oh my.... While Carene M for me is just for note taking the Gentleman is for experience of joy. It is my favourite wide wet bouncer. I have two Gentlemans but on Carene...

[@ksgtokgo]

I have both of these exact pens, including color. The E95 was my first gold nib, I believe. Still love it. I now have three Carene. Love those, too. Couldn’t pick a favorite!

[@GarryEves]

I do keep looking at the green Carene, but I'm not sure how to get that purchase past my wife.

[@rudolphaswad8723]

@@GarryEves lol i have been looking for a green carene for a while sadly no luck i do have both pens though but if i had to pick one it would be the carene, i prefer to have a heavy pen and not have it as you say disappear in my hand

[@BoulderJR]

I have a Waterman Carene that is less than two years old. The cap fell off while the pen was in a shirt pocket. I discovered that the gold band on the cap was missing so it would not snap connect. It just fell off. Fortunately my pen is still under the two year warranty, but I was disappointed to see something like that happen on a high quality pen.

[@GarryEves]

It always annoys me when you spend that amount of money on something and then find it has had poor quality control. Hopefully they can quickly resolve it for you.

[@xyzetc1150]

I've now heard this twice, which is quite off-putting für sich v an expensive pen - Inkquiring minds had the same thing happen to them while in the middle of making a review video of the Carene ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5K7d5qIaahkl8Usi=3SjgQmzZ8_G0KndB ).

[@GarryEves]

@@xyzetc1150 👍

[@dangaines405]

Great review! I own them both and I am enjoying them!

[@GarryEves]

👍

[@cesarchavarria6644]

Great video!

[@GarryEves]

👍

[@SimplyAubs]

Fantastic comparison, Garry! The Pilot E95s was my FIRST gold nib pen! I ALSO have it (permanently) inked with Diamine Writer's Blood! I picked up a Waterman Expert from my FIL's Pen Case! (I'll clean it up for him! As I USE it! 🤪 )(Of course I say my FIRST gold nib pen...I "started" looking at Fountain Pens in January of THIS year! I have a long way to go...and LEARN!)

[@GarryEves]

I've currently got Diamine Ancient Copper in the E95S. It's a really nice combo.

[@mrmf4712]

Stay away from Pilot Custom with FA nib. Once you have one, its hard to appreciate other modern pens. Its just one of kind experience. So first, you try other and once you feel you know the rules of the game, get 912 FA from Pilot and be surprised.

[@karenholden4740]

I've only dipped the Carene but I love both great video thanks

[@GarryEves]

I really am torn between these. The writing experience on both is good, but the Carene just edges out the E95s in so many ways. Then the price difference, I could have 2 E95s pens for the price of one Carene.

[@Rgc571]

I have both (Pilot Elite actually) and the same Carene. If forced to have only one pen from my collection (70+ pens) it would be hard between these two but most days I would say the Carene, it is great pen. Thanks for the video and best wishes.

[@KendallW]

Great video. These both look amazing and worth their price. E95s is on my wish list :)

[@kapirk2244]

I’ve had the E 95S for a while and I loved it. It was great but the nib keeps coming off and I haven’t sent it to be it fixed. I got to need to get that done so I can start using it again. I always wanted the Caren, I guess I liked the inlaid nibs.

[@GarryEves]

Sorry to hear you've had issues with the E95s. I'll keep an eye on the nib of mine from now on.

[@Subt3rran3an]

I’m considering buying the Waterman Carene or the Sailor Pro Gear Slim. The waterman is about 2.5x more expensive but I really love the way it looks. The only thing is that I kind of want to get a normal nib as all of my pens right now are hooded or inlaid. I already have the e95s and it writes amazingly. I have saved up enough money to buy it but with the money saved by buying a Pgs, I could buy another gold nib. Do you think that the waterman is worth it over 2 gold nib pens?

[@GarryEves]

It's not really something I can advise on as so many factors go into a pen purchase. These are two quite different pens. I have made. a note for a future video to compare them.

[@thinh_pham91]

Sir, can you confirm if the cap of the E95s scratches the pen when capping and posting? I heard from a few sources that it leaves scratches on the pen body. Thanks.

[@GarryEves]

I haven't noticed that yet after using it for about a year. It could be something that happens over much longer use.

[@clarkbilgrav]

Oh wow, I think I really got a deal on my Pilot Elite. I paid $87 US which is equal to $131 AU. I really love it. Great video, thanks.

[@GarryEves]

Thats an awesome deal. Thats the problem with living in Australia, things are so expensive.

[@oscarmedina1597]

I have and love both pens. I couldn’t pick one over the other as their designs/intended use are quite different. But what they do have in common is that the first time I wrote with each, I exclaimed, “Oh, wow!”

[@GarryEves]

I have that same reaction when I first used these pens. They are so nice to use and just call out to me to write with them.

[@DBS_piano-z6y]

very good audio quality

[@GarryEves]

@@DBS_piano-z6y 👍

[@mmmssbb23]

Hi, i am looking to purchase carene or pilot 912 Waverley nib. Can u suggest me which one should i go between these two? My requirement is 1) line width comparable with pilot metropolitan im M 2) smoothest writer 3) comparable feedback of metropolitan 4)less stiff nib

[@GarryEves]

I can't really advise you on a pen for you to buy. I have never used the 912 or a Waverley nib. It may be worth seeing if there is a brick and more pen retailer you can visit to see if you can try both pens out. It may also be worth seeing if there is a pen club in your area, or a pen show - again with a view to being able to try out the pens before you pick.

[@Deskofpens]

Which of these would you say is smoother?

[@GarryEves]

I'd have to go with the E95S

[@Deskofpens]

@@GarryEves nice!

[@awaken77]

Plus for Carene - ink capacity . The section holds the same amount of ink as the convertor. Minus for Carene - sometimes these pens are leaking from breather hole (mine doesnt - but I use trick when refilling). Plus for Pilot - more interesting nib character which has a bit of bounce (Carene is hard as nail and no line variation). Minus for Pilot - CON-40, ink capacity is ridiculously small . Am I right?

[@GarryEves]

I don't use the convertor in the Pilot sny more. I refill a cartridge with whatever ink I want to use, which seems to have about twice the capacity.

[@ellieisbusy]

I love my vintage E95s. I got it at a really good price from the US. I write with it unposted, but I’m tiny 😅 That idea of yours to use the long cartridge instead of the CON40 is genius, I’m going to steal it! As an aside, if you’ve never searched for Pilot pens on the Japan Plaza site (or is it Plaza Japan?), it’s well worth it. My Custom Heritage 92 was a bargain compared to UK prices… Thanks for making this review, I’ve yet to try the Waterman Carene but I’m curious now!

[@GarryEves]

Thanks. I'll check out that website. I daren't start buying vintage pens , that would ope un such a rabbit-hole, although you never know, it could co something for me to focus on next year - get some vintage pens.

[@ellieisbusy]

@@GarryEves vintage is definitely a rabbit hole, but a good one! I got myself a Waterman with a flex nib that's a dream to write with. Nothing else in my collection compares... Just in case you fancy doing some browsing, Grandmia Pens here on YT buys and restores them, it's a pleasure to see old pens brought to life!

[@lizpilgrim1]

I have been considering the Pilot E95S as my fitst gold nib purchase. I wouldn't mind buying it secondhand from a reputable dealer. Any suggestions for the secondvhand market? I'm in Canada.

[@GarryEves]

sorry, I haven't bought any second hand pens, so it's not something I can comment on as to where to buy them from.

[@lizpilgrim1]

​@@GarryEvesBought one second hand champagne and burgundy. Love it!

[@brad4058]

I've got a Waterman Carene Black Sea pen. It writes effortlessly on it's own weight. I've also got a Waterman Carene Marine Amber Ballpoint. Their ballpoints in Medium size also writes fantastically smooth. I see why my Waterman costed nearly $300.

[@GarryEves]

👍

[@glenpolo8696]

the e95s is gorgeous. writes wetter and broader that usual from pilot. i was planning to buy the extra fine but since is writes broader than the other fine nibs from pilot, i held back..maybe i will just but the medium to be used for signing documents. great video, the use of one ink makes the difference (or similarities) of the pens being compared.

[@GarryEves]

Thanks. I'm trying to use the same inks in these videos where possible.

[@thefolktalefox5960]

I actually got the E95 in EF I also have it in F. It's clear that you need to sacrifice a bit of smoothness for the EF but from my experience, the bit of out of the box scratchiness will go away with time. The line is true to a EF imo. It's very similar to my Capless' EF

[@jpg5540]

Great comparison. I have a couple Carene, love them… like the weight and looks. Check the bigger nibs B and Stub if you get a chance. E95s is wonderful, will check it out😊

[@GarryEves]

Thanks. I think a stub would be really nice with this pen.

[@fastfireguy1234]

Love your comparison - Also The E95s for the money especially if you can find them in the grey market here in the states is almost a steal. Typically found at less than $100US on websites for the pen you get that juicy medium nib is really nice. The only downside with it is that con 40 doesnt hold a lot of ink butttt when i got my moonman a1 they sent it with several empty cartridges which fit nicely in the e95s.

[@GarryEves]

I use an old Pilot cartridge that I fill with a syringe. means I now know better how much ink I have to work with.

[@fastfireguy1234]

@@GarryEves very nice. Your reviews on it make me want to get writers blood and put it in mine as well. Such a beautiful purple red.

[@wondays654]

If I had to decide, then I’ll go with the Carene. In my opinion the Carene is a competitor to the lamy 2000, so not many pens can compete with it.

[@GarryEves]

I've yet to try a Lamy 2000. I'm not sure why but it doesn't seem to grab me.

[@davesheppard8797]

​@@GarryEvesI would agree with you there Gary! The Lamy didn't do anything for me either! But my Montblanc and my Carene's gave me a visual "Wow" factor. Dave.

[@marilyngardner4269]

Great showdown. I have both pens and they're both very nice, but I'd take the Pilot E95s over the Waterman Carene any day. It offers the better writing experience in my view, although I know that's personal taste. Like you, I have occasional issues with having to orient the nib on the Carene just right in order to avoid skipping. And the E95s is even more beautiful than the Carene. The capping mechanism is divine. Yes, the CON-40 converter is a downside, but the pen is so wonderful that I'm willing to put up with it (I prefer not to use a cartridge).

[@brightonbabe2139]

I have three Waterman Carene's one medium and two fine. I have two Pilote elites' one the same colout as yours and the other that has Maki-e of cats. I dont think it was ever 'official' probably somebody's attempt. They all write amazingly. Thank you for the comparison.

[@GarryEves]

That Maki-e sounds nice. I think it's great when someone can create art.

[@paulmchugh1430]

If there were any criticism made for the Pilot is the converter. It is way too small for any practical use. The ink capacity has to be less than .5ml. You have to use a cartridge for any decent ink capacity. But this is a minor quibble. I like the look of both pens. I do not have either but I am certainly interested in both. Like the deep posting on both pens. You have to post the E95S to use it. The Carene can be used either way. The nibs seem to write with similar line width. That is a bit of a surprise as Japanese nibs tend to write narrower than the European counterparts. I would buy the Carene if it is available with an extra fine width. As for the E95S I would consider a fine nib. Great comparison, Garry.

[@GarryEves]

Thanks. The line width is one that surprised me as well. Both these pens seems to be fairly wet writers and are a joy to use.