Caran d'Ache 849 - Fountain Pen Review

[@DealerBoy]

Once again, another enjoyable review of an interesting pen. This pen reminds me of a pen I have from the 1990s. It's a rOtring 600 with a black matte finish. The cap and barrel have the same basic shape. The nib has the same basic shape and no breather hole. The clip is not affixed to the cap but instead slides on. There are differences. The ends are round and when capped the facets always line up. I would suspect the biggest difference however would be the weight of the pen. The cap and barrel are made from brass anodized with a matte finish. Being made of aluminum, I would suspect your pen is much lighter. While a smooth writer, the rOtring nib is a nail with virtually no flex. Your pen didn't appear to be a flexible writer either. Again thank you for another excellent review. Please keep up the good work.

[@Scrivelynotes]

Thanks a lot for your kind feedback! You are right, there are many resemblances to that Rotring you mention. The nib of the 849 is really not stiff at all. I forgot to mention that in my review. The opposite is true. It actually has a good amount of bounce to it. Not need semi-flex or so, but far from being a nail.

[@andrewtongue7084]

That's a fine, contemporary fountain pen; a little unusual in that the ballpoint came before the fountain version - perhaps a, 'chicken-egg' scenario ;D I like it's design - simplistic, inexpensive, & guaranteed not to roll off the table; due to it's overall length, I cannot envisage a time where anyone would wish to post that monster - if it can outstrip (barely) a Lamy Safari, then it's definitely not small. The colour range too, is a nice touch. Like you, Michael, I'd choose a matte black model - I'm (also) a fan of high contrast monochromatics. Fantastic review, Michael, thank you !! :D

[@Scrivelynotes]

Thanks for another thoughtful comment! It remains to be seen whether the fountain pen will get to a similarly iconic status like the ballpoint. For now, I do not really have the impression. Time will tell!

[@ovebjornson7846]

Interesting looks. I can't make up my mind as to whether I like the looks or not. I like the ballpoints a lot, though. The nib also reminds me of the ones used by MB in the 70s-80s - Slimline, Noblesse, Classic etc. Thank you.

[@lissea8549]

So excited you are reviewing this one, I was waiting for someone to review it:) I confess I want one in that bright orange it comes in:) I like the colours and the looks, and I especially like a wetter nib, so this one is on my buying list. Thank you for reviewing it!

[@Scrivelynotes]

Thanks a lot, Lisse! Glad it was useful to you. Bet you'll like the pen. Really a beautiful design.

[@Aquaria]

It's like their Blackwood Maxi and Colorblock art pencils. There's no discernible reason why they're so comfortable to hold and why they write so well...but they do. It's the damnedest thing. I have pencils almost exactly like them, barrel size and lead, but they're not as comfortable to use as the Caran d'Ache. I think Caran d'Ache must put some kind of mind control ray inside.

[@Scrivelynotes]

Haha, yeah, I agree. I also don't really have an explanation - it just is what it is :-)

[@care3481]

Great Review! Ist it also compatible wit lamy cartridges? If not what would you recommend as an alternative to the caran d’ache ones? They are a more expensive than the e.g. lamy cartridges thats why I’m asking

[@Scrivelynotes]

It fits all standard international cartridges (so not Lamy, as this one is proprietary) .

[@care3481]

@@Scrivelynotes Thanks for the quick response! Keep up the great work.

[@Stephen-uk2in]

As a lefty who is new to fountain pens, I’m happy to have found this channel! Been watching a bunch of your videos, I’ve noticed that it seems like you tend to get the fine nibs. In your experience have you found that fine nibs are better for lefties?

[@Scrivelynotes]

Glad you found your way here! Yes, in general, I do find Fine and Extra Fine nibs best for lefties. Especially if you are a side-writer (as opposed to an underwriter, where nib size would matter very little). This is simply due to the fact that finer nibs leave less ink on the page that will dry much faster and be much less prone to smearing and smudging. Let me know if any more questions. Happy to answer as best I can.

[@Stephen-uk2in]

@@Scrivelynotes As a side writer I completely agree! I have been experimenting with the Platinum Preppy, I have one in 0.5, 0.3, and 0.2 and am finding that the 0.5 is way smudgier than the other two. Just got a Pilot Prera delivered, interested to see what size of the preppy’s the M nib will compare to!

[@Scrivelynotes]

@@Stephen-uk2in Great to test one's way forward :)

[@qwe1231]

Very interesting pen. Thanks for the review. It is odd that this pen (and brand) seems to be generally ignored by the largest reviewers.

[@Scrivelynotes]

Thank you for your comment. Somehow true, yes. There are also almost no reviews on the Ecridor out there. I do intend to change that soon, too.

[@84muzz]

I recently got mine. The cap, when popped at the back of the pen does not hold at all and falls off. Is this something you have observed?

[@Scrivelynotes]

I don't think so, no.

[@84muzz]

@@Scrivelynotes thank you that is helpful

[@theforgedone]

Do you know how long this pen can resist drying out? (i.e.: I'm looking for other pens like the platinum century 3776 pens that can resist drying out, but don't cost as much)

[@Scrivelynotes]

I never pushed it that far, no 😊

[@Aquaria]

Some of the wetness definitely comes from the ink. I've used other colors in the Chromatics line, and they're on the aggressively wet side, at least where I live (climate can affect ink wetness/dryness).

[@Scrivelynotes]

Thanks for the info! Good to know!

[@sahizzurp]

Hi Scrively, do you still have the 849 and the Écridor? Does the Écridor nib unit screw onto the 849? I know a lot of folks aren't too keen, but I like my pens skinny and the Écridor outright seems far too heavy. I thought it might be worth upgrading the 849's cheap plastic grip and simple nib to add some weight, but not too much. Thanks.

[@Scrivelynotes]

Sorry, I do not own them anymore, so I can not try it for you. You could write to CdA directly, or ask a pen shop such as Appelboompennen, La Couronne du Comte, or Fontoplumo. I am sure they are able to help you out.

[@sahizzurp]

@@Scrivelynotes I was deterred because I figured they would dismiss me by saying the nib replacement wasn't intended for that pen, but it can't hurt. Thanks.

[@jamesjacocks6221]

Good review. That pen was inspired by the Rotring 600 and the thousands of pen users who want one. Caran d'Ache noticed since Rotring have not. I wonder if Rotring only wants to be drafting and art gear line.

[@Scrivelynotes]

Thank you very much, James!

[@davidlay7423]

That pen is actually appealing to me. I never thought it would be. The blue or black version would be my choice, and, whichever I get, will in extra fine. Anything Caran d'Ache at that price is definitely worth looking into, especially if it's aluminium! The clip, too, is fascinating. It reminds me of the Kawecos, the main difference being that it cannot be removed. Thank you for the review!

[@Scrivelynotes]

Yeah, I like that black EF as well. nice and muted appearance. Thanks for your kind words!

[@itzpayday1238]

Just bought a black one!

[@matteopiccioni196]

Great,Can I install each converter I want in this model?

[@Scrivelynotes]

should be standard international.

[@Shub99]

Nice ... My Orange fountain pen is reaching me soon... Thanks for clarifying the thinner section... That was a worry for me

[@Scrivelynotes]

Shub99 thank you! Hope you'll enjoy the pen!

[@SorenYayaOlesen]

Sold it :)

[@diegovidal531]

How much is it?

[@magnuscarlsenbutdumb]

Got 1

[@stargazer1359]

Lamy-Esque...except for the body

[@MybeautifulandamazingPrincess]

Inspired by Rotring 600

[@nadermansour7487]

This pen was a real dissapointment for me. Bought it in China so it was a fine nib. Wrote terribly, constantly skipped and was the opposite of the great fit and finish of the rest of the pen. Many cheap pens in China write much better.