Waterman Carène Black Sea Fountain Pen Review

[@ladyluvsims]

I’m watching this 3 years later. In France our nibs are label with F (fine) , M (Moyenne which means medium) and L ( Large which means broad in English). Btw congratulations for the perfect way you’re saying Carène is the right pronunciation of the word.

[@rztour]

Stephen...I have a nostalgic pull toward Waterman. I ordered a blue Waterman Hemisphere BP out of a company catalogue (I think it was for 10 years of service), and pridefully used it with a Waterman red refill to make computer coding corrections...until it was lifted from my desk in less than a year. It even had the company logo engraved into the slanted metal end. Now that I’m more into FP’s, I will someday get another, but DEFINITELY not one that leaks. Thanks your wisdom on this particular pen! Very helpful, in spite of it being a very attractive pen. Keep up the great work.

[@frankbruno7122]

Thank you Stephen.. Waterman used to include a box of Florida Blue cartridges.. still prefer that name for the ink..but I digress.. I have the Amber shimmer, and a black with the gold Obsession cap. It was a medium and is now a superb cursive italic. I really do appreciate these two. I wish the section did not scuff.. but, it is a fountain pen and must be used.. it is snowing like mad here in Colorado.. and I suspect possibly in Red Deer.. stay warm! Best!! Frank in Colorado

[@ronlakin9690]

Hello Stephen, thank you for yet another excellent review. I've had a Carene for a few years and so far never had any leakage issues with it. However, the original converter which came with the pen and the two additional Waterman converters I purchased for it all have the same surface tension issue. I've tried a number of different inks and to date have experienced no issues with Diamine Sapphire Blue and Herbin Eclat de Saphir. Waterman Blue is my usual ink because as we all know it is a very well behaved ink. However for some strange reason this Waterman pen does not like Waterman ink.

[@tweedelidee]

Hi Stephen - "L" stands for "large" (broad) in French. Also, I had some issues with the Waterman converter, but then I tried a Herbin Fountain Pen converter that matches the Waterman pen. They do put a kind of small spring into their converters, - no more skipping since. Kind regards, JM

[@sbrebrown]

thank you!

[@tweedelidee]

@@sbrebrown Stephen, I apologize - I just washed the pen and it is a Faber-Castell Converter that has this little spring inside. The converter matches the Carène and works flawlessly. my actual ink is Herbin. Kind regards, JM

[@nicholasadams1283]

Thank you Stephen. I too have had leakage. One pen store (brick and mortar) suggested that ink was leaking around the nib and I was encouraged to replace the section for another $150. I did that--but with similar problems until I started using cartridges. So far, no problem--or not comparable problems. At the Philly Pen show I was advised by one of the dealers to get a new converter. His claim was that the converter wasn't sitting properly though that does not fully explain the ink around the section and in the cap. I have not tried Pol's suggestion to wipe down the section after filling with the converter. I'm not sure what to do. I may give the converter another try (with a wipe down and expelling a couple of drops). It is unfortunate. The design is brilliant.

[@jaimecrusellas6304]

I have a Black Sea in gold tone in M, and it does not leak, however with certain easy flow inks like Iroshizuku Shin-Kai, or Waterman Serenity blue, I get a fair amount of ink creeping onto the nib. I just inked it with Noodler's Lexington Gray, and I think I found a perfect combination. No ink creeping, no skipping, just a nice even flow of ink. Oh, and I use the Waterman converter, and no surface tension issues

[@inkantadora9043]

Hi! Thank you for another great video. In Waterman, L stands for “large” which in French means broad or wide. My favorite Waterman nib is the L in vintage (1970s) pens which are rarer. I find that modern Waterman nibs are finer. As for the converter, I fully agree and have often been frustrated by the fact that most Waterman’s need finer converters and thus cannot take any brand. With all that said, I love that you used a young bottle of one of my favorite inks: Waterman Mysterious Blue. When it ages it will be more teal, but yours is still nice and blue.

[@Blitterbug]

I would guess the 'L' is for large, as in clothing sizes (S, M, L) but in their case, F, M, L. Edit: Just seen others pointing this out... oh well! Incidentally, the air bubble happens on other Watermans and also my Safari. I carry a cloth in my bag and am used to slowly twisting the converter until fresh ink appears.

[@EmilehUnk]

Oddly enough, I have blue-black in my Carène (Black Sea GT) as well. I use Pelikan in it though. About leaking cartridges (they tend to crack at the top): stay away from it. About leaking converters: I swapped mine with a plastic “neck” for one with a metal “neck and shoulder. Never had problems with leakage from the bleeding hole.

[@evilganome]

I have the Black Sea in a fine as well as one of the Amber. I never had a problem with leaking and I have used them both with cartridges as well as converters. What I have a problem with is that I think my Black Sea is a different generation (older or newer) and I cannot use large cartridges with it. Other than that, I really love this pen, and it is a joy to write with.

[@cliffordbaker4930]

Thanks for the interesting review. I have this Black Sea model with gold trim. Just rinsed it out yesterday, in fact, to rotate it out for a while. I too found some skipping issues at first, but found that using it quite a bit resolved that. Don’t know if it had to be broken in or what. I also use the same ink or Waterman Black or Diamine Twilight. They seem to work well in it. I haven’t noticed the leaking issue at all, but I do expel a drop or two after filling, and it doesn’t travel much. If I roll it even slightly to the left, I get an immediate skip. Rolling to the right doesn’t bother it at all. (Perhaps it’s a Conservative??). Anyway, I’ve come to really enjoy the pen, and it’s become one of my favorites. I always debate about not rotating it out after using it for a month or two. Hope this helps anyone thinking of buying one.

[@jljovano]

L for Large (means broad in french, not big)

[@08ryanalollipop]

I love this pen. I got it on offer on Amazon for £60, a ridiculous steal. It's gorgeous and smooth. I do remember the occasional skipping and ink drops though it wasn't a deal breaker for me. Thank you for reminding me about mine as it's been in a drawer for a while now. I'll put it back into my rotation.

[@senzen2692]

Great review of a gorgeous pen, makes every other one look old; it's fiddly unless you know a few secrets: The plastic mouth converter is terrible, get the older metal mouth one; fill from a bottle to prime the feed; return four drops of ink to the bottle and aspire back the air; don't argue and just do it. With this I've had zero starting problems, zero leaks, no ink in caps with my two Carènes in a couple of years. They do get a few small ink smudges around and between the nib horns, well away from my fingers. It's not an easy second hand purchase, if someone insisted in flexing the inlaid nib they're likely to break it.

[@anna.mariapetricelli6715]

It's great to see Waterman featured. I hardly ever seen it on pen supply websites in the US, so I wondered about their market placement. I don't have a Carene, but have a few other Watermans that I love. I've recently discovered your demos and really like your style, especially the way you describe the pros and cons. Thanks and keep them coming.

[@MrAndrew1953]

I finally got one of these in 2020 with a broad nib. Truly a grail pen.

[@davidgbeneke1]

Great videos! I bought a Carene in the late 1990's and it is still one of, if not my favorite writers. I have an oblique fine 18k nib on mine, never had a skipping problem, maybe the old Waterman convertor does not have the surface tension problem, but there is an occasional burp of ink out of the filling hole, but nothing I can't live with, as the balance and writing experience is something special for my hand. Thanks for all you do!

[@mariesheel5813]

Thanks for doing the extra research about the pen leakage with Akkerman and your friend in Calgary. Super professional of you!

[@WisePaul1337]

I have the pen in the Amber trim with a fine nib, though it writes more like a medium, thankfully it writes perfectly out the box and I have no issues with leaking.

[@kristianhn2479]

I have the same pen/model, I also have leakage problems. I found that the leakage occurs when removing the cap because of suction. If I remove the cap gently/slowly I have less leakage. I believe the problem is that the feed easily oversaturates. When I only fill the converter directly and not through the feed, I also see less leakage. Nice pen, but it sits mostly in the drawer now because of the leakage and inky fingers at works.

[@AndGn41]

Beautiful! I can't believe I've still not bought one! Perhaps one for the Christmas list!

[@MrAndrew1953]

That issue about the breather hole on the section is a first, you are the first to raise it. My father used to come back from New York with Parker 61s. Fell in love with hooded pen design back then.

[@apurbaroyvideography]

I have one Carène, silver meridian, which has no issue like ink leak and other problems mentioned in the review.

[@Leptospirosi]

I have the leak problem in a blue, silver cap model not much form the lower hole but from the wings of the nib, which I keep touching and it leads to inked finger. I have the converter and I will try filling just it instead of submerging the pen point. BTW, you converter is not the right one: try the one with the metal tip instead.

[@korax67]

Very nice review, wonderful classic pen ! In Europe the price for Carene ranges from €125-250, this one is on the high end. I think the price is right for such a nice fountain pen with a 18K nib. Thank you Stephen !

[@antoniosaiz2102]

También he observado que los cartuchos de tinta Waterman estandard, al meterlos en la estilografica, se rajan en la parte en donde está ese orificio y la tinta se derrama dentro del barril. Ya me ocurrió en una Waterman Le Man 100 de resina negra, con lo que utilizó los estándar de Pelikan o el convertidor de Waterman. Parece que les han reducido la cantidad de plástico. Es una pega que pongo y desconfío, por ello, de ellos el utilizarlos con las otras Waterman que tengo. Sin embargo, están muy buen fabricados los cartuchos de Parker, con un buen acabado y seguridad.

[@melodychest9020]

Fountain pens are sensitive and delicate creatures .. no one can ever work out why it really skips or what it will do when! It has driven me nuts but the romance affair continues.

[@gabelogan8302]

I have three or four of these they all right perfectly. I did have one that seemed to leaked as well. However Waterman Converters most certainly have issues periodically.

[@ElectricUnicycles]

Looks like it's selling on Amazon, in the US, for ~$160 Thanks for introducing me to this model. I've yet to buy a Waterman.

[@deusimperator]

4 Carenes and none leak and all of them have Waterman converters

[@haripulakkat3490]

The pen has leaked for many people. I heard that it is because of the differential thermal expansion of the nib and the plastic section. Not sure. Mine hasn't leaked, and it is a pleasure to write with.

[@MotoMarta]

Ha! Waterman take note! That pen can accurately be described as intense black. It actually looks black. Unlike your "intense black" ink which is barely black. The word "large" in French is "broad" in English. "Large" in English is "Grande" in French. But "Vast" in English, just add an "e" at the end for French.

[@richardc6932]

I have returned to watch this review again, lost count but I know now that I must buy another one, this time the black. My Amber in a medium is a delight to use. Smooooooth! Thanks for your review, I am blaming you for the next purchase. Thanks as well for the brown ink at Akkerman. I need a second job!

[@sandeepacharya685]

Have the same problems. Love the nib and wonderful writer but had to put it in the drawer because of leak problems.

[@ArtJourneyUK]

Carene’s all have fabulous shape

[@greyareaRK1]

It is a beautiful design. It would be nice if they had a sliding cover for that hole.

[@valerius7567]

"large" translates as "broad" while "big" would be "gros" ou "grand". So in French, nib sizes are "fine", "moyenne" et "large".

[@brianmarsden2187]

Hello! Thank you for your interesting review of the Waterman Carene. The 'problems you mentioneith the converter, I have experienced exactly the same with the Parker Converters which I find really annoying! I think the 'problem' lies in the shape of both Waterman and Parker Converters ie they are STRAIGHT sided. The Cartidges for Parker Pens are TAPERED and work perfectly. Not having a Waterman Fountain Pen I cannot comment on their Cartridges. Thank You for all your Fountain Pen reviews which I enjoy watching!

[@Ozzman500]

I just received my own Carene (M) yesterday. My question: Is their any way to open the tines a bit? The inlaid nib makes me nervous to try the thumb-press method of achieving this. Thanks!

[@davecharvella4854]

Great review! I'm wondering, is that "surface tension" issue more a function of the ink being used, or is it truly the converter?

[@ArjanD78]

I have a Carène. I didn't like to use it, because I always got inky fingers from this pen too. It drove me crazy! And then I dropped it!!! Aargh. Completely ruined the nib. I've seen replacement sections for around €100, which I think is too much for a pen I didn't like a lot. Too bad, because it was a present from my late grandmother.

[@figoligeiro1477]

Thanks for the review :D

[@dangaines405]

Great review, your accent is quite good too! 😃

[@mrpilotsapien7705]

Dont forget a noodlers 'EEL' ink as well to lubricate the converter....... It might help..... but of course monsieur, you already know that.

[@mlejazz]

Nice review, Nib L for Large ( Wide ). Best

[@cefwyn7878]

Ohh, I do like this. I like the black and silver versions. However, I don't think the pros outweigh the cons.

[@intangibletingles3412]

I've been eyeballing the Waterman Carène Amber for ages. Oh if only the budget would allow. :'( I have a particular penchant for inlaid nibs & the Carène is a beauty.

[@vahehovh3663]

Intangible Tingles It has many drawbacks. I have one in black-gold finish and weight and look are perfect. But I accidentally twisted the cap when it was closed and now the whole pen has scratches. Also, the nib was very polished so it skipped very often. So I adjusted it a bit. Now it writes wonderfully but leaks a bit and has that unpleasant and annoying scratches. So if you buy some, never twist the cap neither when it is closed, nor when it is posted. P.s. sorry for my english

[@Ilona__]

Same here :-). I find it beautiful, yet I cannot bring myself to spend so much for a pen. Maybe some day...

[@Anton_the_Vampire]

According to google translate "Large" is French for "Wide". So presumably that's why it's an "L", because it's a Wide nib.

[@stevegoodwin4471]

Thank you. I love my Carène, but have found the same issues with ink on the section and air bubbles in the converter. I thought it was just my pen - now I know it's not.

[@AnzanHoshinRoshi]

Thank you, Stephen.

[@SoundsLikeFelix]

do you never experience waterman mysterious blue turning green after a while? in the writing sample it looks fine, but whenever i used it, it started turning green very soon (30 sec.) and continues until completely green after a few days.

[@farflunghopes]

Could it be reacting with the paper?

[@kewlking]

Is it an inlaid nib or rather, is it “inset”?

[@lez7767]

Thank you Dr Stephen for this review. .. I have a waterman which is nice to use, it's a Paris I think, at least it says that on the band and it has the number 10 on the cap, maybe though that's where it was made, it was my first pen purchase absolutely ages ago. I'm not keen on how you have to baby this pen and it's impractical as a carry pen if it's puking up every time you decide to use it. .. so I wouldn't buy one and I'd use my money on something better. That converter surface tension is a right pain, it can be fixed as we all know but typically I think waterman would use a converter that you can't take apart. Thanks again DrStephen your ACE. LeZc @@

[@christophermckellar1352]

Mio bambino Careno.... Good one! Puccini’s Proud Pen.

[@matthewaleman4401]

It’s interesting how waterman calls that ink blue black when it’s truly just a blue ink

[@jeanotin]

7.49 L means large for huge

[@13noman1]

Any suggestions on the surface-tension issue in (some) converters? Would you recommend adding a small bead into the converter? I know some converters come that way.

[@13noman1]

oops, should have waited til the end!

[@thomasmagnac997]

Carène is not really keel, rather hull. In French, broad is « large » indeed. Great review as always!

[@cmcollis]

Fields of barley, eh??? Nice.

[@antoniosaiz2102]

Me ocurre a mi en el clip de una pluma Waterman Carenea, coral Orange y ya me ocurrió en otras Waterman Concorde (tanto la de plástico violeta con detalles bañados en oro, como la de cuerpo plástico negro y capuchón chapado en oro con detalles, también bañados en oro) que el oro del clip, se descascarillo. Igualmente me ocurrió en otra Waterman, tanto en la estilográfica como en el bolígrafo, a juego, modelo con cuerpo de la Goute, en sus clips. ?Para ser Waterman veis que eso es normal, atendiendo a su precio? También se me ha descascarillado la terminación del barril de dos Cross, fountain pen: una Century 14 k gold filed, hecha en Lincoln y otra Townsend 10 k gold filed, fabricada en la misma fabrica americana. Por otro lado, el bolígrafo Cross Townsend, 18 k gold filed, fabricado en la República Popular de China, ha perdido oro, desmereciendose, en la parte en donde está el clip. También noto, tanto en la Cross de 10 como en la de 18 k, que cuando esta tiempo en su estuche sin utilizarla, cuando la saco, el chapado dorado presenta aguas cobrizo; ?Es normal esto? Un saludo de Antonio desde Alicante, España.

[@tuhinbaucus6573]

Yay!

[@ichirofakename]

Beautiful pen, too bad it leaks. Thanks for including the price.

[@Sonicman415]

I love this nib.

[@adamgroves5016]

Maybe L just means Large?

[@gammondog]

The converter needs an agitator. Perhaps that Scottish friend of yours can find a way to brake into that thing to add a ball.

[@alexandruiacobescu160]

If I buy a pen, I expect it to behave appropriately, if it has problems on a regular basis like this, it's trash. For example, I won't use a cartridge becouse otherwise it would leak. I want my pen to work as I want to use it period. Sometimes people appear to make too many compromises to get a pen working correctly.

[@MrAndrew1953]

My Carene has never leaked.

[@criscavi19]

L means Large.

[@zachsplep]

L = Large nib = B = Broad nib

[@basicdose.9872]

I think you can't flex this nib. If you try maybe the nib will peel off.

[@andinogonthaler787]

Large

[@arpandey7043]

Your face skin looks pale take care of yourself