Waterman Phileas Fountain Pen Review 2021

[@andrewscott9610]

Thank you , enigma Bill. A very beautiful fountain pen.

[@edgaraquino2324]

Thanks for an informative & amusing review! I have the blue marble, m-nib...nice looking, nice writing...very smooth...subbed!

[@herrsteppenwolf]

I bought my 1st Phileas in the early 80s. Fine nib, blue. Such a good pen, I bought a green one with a medium nib. While I have many other pens, these two are two of my favorites. They just keep on writing. I wish the more modern pen were so reliable.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I don't think Waterman makes them anymore.

[@robertthorn9560]

I found a couple of my Schaeffer cartridge fountain pens used in grade school in the late 50s and early 60s. A Schaeffer FP could be had for around 00.79 , nothing to brag about but was a right of passage in elementary school. For a boy , it was a toy, to disassemble and use the cartridges for ink fights, a simpler but fun times growing up.

[@AdamGoodson]

I love the way that you express frustration with the mail. I am new to Fountain Pens and I am finding this to be a part of my life as well right now.

[@InkquiringMinds]

It is probably BECAUSE we have tracking that this anxiety sets in. Used to be, when something showed up, it was a happy surprise!

[@kevinlandon7578]

You received 1 of the rarest and most sought after of the Phileas called the Blue Danube, but I call mine Aubergine. There were 2 generations, 1 solid colors and 1 of the marble variety. Great pens!!

[@InkquiringMinds]

This is great to know!

[@kevinlandon7578]

@@InkquiringMinds I have owned and sold several but kept the 2 purple versions. they made a rainbow ofd colors plus all the Harley-Davidson pens based on the Phileas. Good luck on foxing the crack on the section.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks. If I can’t fix it, it might be worth getting a non-purple one just for the section.

[@kevinlandon7578]

@@InkquiringMinds I have seen the section plus the nib and feed for sale at 50 or 60 USD which is more than most of similar Phileas pens.

[@antoniosaiz2102]

I have a Phileas ball pen red marbled.

[@rebeccaneef6070]

Great review. It reminded me of what I loved about that pen many years ago, and I dug out my long-idle "F-nib" Blue Phileas and inked it up. I think I appreciate the pen's qualities more now than I did when I bought it (and knew a bit less about what makes a pen a good one). One more added to my great herd of Currently-Inked, and it's all your fault! Keep them coming, Doug!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks Rebecca!

[@archivist17]

What a saga! That pen has travelled more than almost everyone this year.

[@InkquiringMinds]

True!

[@keithwhitney7491]

Your review pushed one of my rant buttons. One of the first things I ever posted, which got a very “corrective” and “defensive” response from another reviewer. My point was that I thought that Cross has misunderstood marketing, as do many USA-based firms. Yes, I have taught managerial accounting, and the accountants will tell management a way to evaluate proposals for a poorer quality instrument (in this case, a fountain pen). The proposal is to make a fountain pen, one far worse than many of the cheap Chinese pens, put them in a merchant display at an office supply house (for example). Now, there is nothing wrong with that until this last step: “The buyer, of course, or your own “quick profits” guy, says they will buy it with the Cross brand on it! What a stupid move. If you are going to sell an entry pen WITH YOUR BRAND, known for quality fountain pens, you have to make it with expected quality. To this day, I will not purchase a Cross fountain pen, and my experience with the $30 Cross almost ended my interest in fountain pens forever. Dumb marketing. Even Luxury auto brands have realized that they must never use the Hyundai brand (e.g.) in connection with their two luxury lines. Hyundai does not appear anyplace on the Genesis or the even-more expensive car.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I agree 1000% with you Keith! My Cross Aventura caused me to not use fountain pens for a decade. However, I’ve recently used two new Cross Bailey models and they were terrific. I’ve reviewed one and the second review is coming. Plus the return of the Presidential Cross Townsend makes me want a Townsend Fountain pen.

[@keithwhitney7491]

@@InkquiringMinds I hear those reports from others, many of whom are very complimentary of the upper-end Cross pens. I do not disparage those pens, especially when people like you tell me some are excellent. Actually, until I get to the point I can actually begin to discuss pens from my perspective (if ever), I enjoy just encouraging those of you who do such an exceptional job. In the end, the objectivity of those not selling me something is the best advertising. I just have to slow down with my purchases soon! You probably know what I mean. :)

[@RBartsy]

Lovely pen! Nib & cigar band are sweet! PS the guitar intro also sweet but that fini chuckle cracked me up-well deserved pleasure at doing your craft(s)!

[@InkquiringMinds]

LOL! Thanks, Rebecca!

[@sleepawkeen]

I have two Waterman Phileas Pens, no idea the year they were constructed. The clip is different from yours. I believe that the end cap is necessary to allow seating the art deco "gold" band. If I remove the band from my green Phileas I see that the shape of the "cigar band" appears cutout on the green pen, no such cutout area on the blue pen. The nib of the blue is damaged and I continue to search for a replacement. I am now wondering if there is a generic nib that will fit the Phileas since I have had no success in finding the Phileas nib. Thank you for the review of the Phileas. It was the first time I was able to have in my hands the same pen you reviewed and it was interesting to follow along with you.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks for sharing, @sleepawkeen!

[@anniebus105]

What a kind thing to do! What a journey! It's a very nice pen, and I like the color very much too. My Dad gifted me the one he picked up years ago. It has a green marble finish to it. It writes fantastic. Super pen. Best of luck gluing that section back together. It will be perfect in no time! Thank you for that fun diversion. Stay healthy and well!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks, Annie. I expect I'll be able to fix it. :)

[@Catherinzsl]

Enigma Bill: A fan of few words. It's not the quantity of the words, but the quality of the pen that writes them.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Well said, Catherinzsi!

[@georgeparapadakis]

One of the first non-vintage pens I added to my collection! I have it in Green. You get a lot of pen for your money. Thanks for the review!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks, George!

[@stargazer1359]

Almost bought one of these a couple years ago......But, I did purchase a Waterman Allure last year, Candy apple red with a fine nib....Very slim pen, inked with Diamine Red Dragon..Very smooth, nice writer for $14 on Amazon. Interesting review, Sir Doug of North America. ( very far north).

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks, Stacy! That’s a great price! I’m going to look for it!

[@stargazer1359]

@@InkquiringMinds I'm a list maker so this pen is used daily...metal, #5 nib...but writes great...Just love the shade of red. Writes better than some very expensive duds. Since I keep it on my kitchen counter, I cannot have any type of resin, kitties like to gnaw on that. 😉

[@clarkbilgrav]

Oh Doug, thank you for reviewing the Waterman Phileas. I’m so glad you liked it. I have a marble green Phileas I purchased about thirty years ago from an Office Depot. This was a nostalgic trip down memory lane. As a Catholic schoolgirl we were forced to write with fountain pens in the sixties and I fell in love with them. The Phileas was one of the first fountain pens I bought as an adult. I haven’t had it inked for quite sometime, but after this review I’m going to start using it again. I’m glad you liked it. Thanks!

[@InkquiringMinds]

I had never heard of it before. My grade school fountain pen was a Sheaffer cartridge pen that came in those blister packs at the stationary store. I'll have to get one. They are on eBay now and then for outrageous prices (mine was $1.50).

[@clarkbilgrav]

@@InkquiringMinds Yeah, I got the same Sheaffer school pen with the blue barrel I used in school from eBay for about $15 US a few years ago. I hope you do a review if you do pick one up. Dottee

[@InkquiringMinds]

I knew it was you Dot! Forgive my brain fart. I had just replied to a Bill! LOL I’m tracking them on eBay. When I see one with the pointed ends and a light blue barrel, I’ll snag it!

[@clarkbilgrav]

@@InkquiringMinds Don’t worry about it . People think it’s Bill Grave rather than Bilgrav. You’re not the first. As my father used to say, just don’t call me late for supper. 😂

[@fountainpenfanatic]

The Phileas was the pen that got me started enjoying fountain pens. The Phileas is a step up (more than just one, in my opinion) than the Kultur. The retail on a Phileas gift pack in the 1990s was $40 USD. I have a bunch of them in various nibs and colors in my collection. I have several Kulturs as well. The Phileas is a great workhorse pen that takes any ink I put into it, has been very reliable, and a great writer. I still use them to this day. At $40 in the 1990s, it was not necessarily a student pen. Waterman made a lot of student level pens such as the Jif, and this was significantly better constructed than those I have encountered. The Kultur was certainly closer to the student level. According to an inflation calculator, the Phileas that I purchased at $40 USD retail in 1996 would be the equivalent of approximately $66 USD today. I have never thought that the Phileas was cheap plastic as opposed to the Kultur. And you are right about the Monza. What a turd of a pen. I did a video on the Phileas as well as on the turd worthy Monza.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks for this Troy! Great info!

[@danielste-marie779]

Doug I have a green one I bought new many many years ago and love it. Thanks for this video. Stay well

[@InkquiringMinds]

Right on! Thanks, Daniel!

[@danielste-marie779]

By the way, my Conway Stewart 58 arrived today. It is from the early 1950s with a nice soft Medium 14K nib. I love it so much I am going to order an other one possibly pre WWII this time. It was not cheap at 90 pounds sterling. but for some reason no duty charges.

[@InkquiringMinds]

@@danielste-marie779 Wow! Nice! What is the finish?

[@danielste-marie779]

Marbleized Burgundy, dark brown and yellowish.

[@user-bu9su2xt6x]

The only problem is Waterman’s medium nib is so broader

[@MultiEbbot]

You are wright about the section.. always liked it. I bought mine Kultur at a airport in December 1999 on my way to a big trip to celebrate year 2000 !

[@InkquiringMinds]

Y2K Phileas!

[@paulopacheco3944]

Hello. Again your review was interesting and informative. I was wondering if you were able to repair the cracked section with just glue?

[@InkquiringMinds]

I've not attempted a repair of the Phileas yet. I've been looking around for a possible parts pen.

[@marymadden498]

Hi Doug: What color ink do you use at the beginning of your video where you write “Inquiring Minds...” Thank you. Mary from Rhode Island

[@InkquiringMinds]

Hey, Mary! That is J. Herbin Kyanite du Nepal.

[@cynthiaellis5716]

I bought mine when they were commonly sold. I have it in green with the matching ballpoint pen and pencil. I gifted my blue set as a graduation gift. I had no idea collectors were looking for them.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Neither did I!

[@lymantria10]

I have four of these-love, love them. They write as nice as much more expensive pens, comfortable for long writing sessions. This is one pen (in blue marble) that I would love to have seen them make with fancy materials. If you take a cruise or spend a week at a resort and want to have time to think and write your great travel novel, this is a good pen to take with you.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks for sharing!

[@santauxia]

Cool and affordable pen. Im getting a Phileas Kultur clear demonstrator.

[@miker5502]

I have this pen in a mottled Grey and it is a wonderfully smooth writing instrument…bought over twenty years ago and still going strong 💪. It was money well spent, I believe I got it on sale for about $20 dollars. Great video review of a pen I like very much. Cheers MikeR.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks for sharing, MikeR!

[@BILLHENRY239]

In my collection, I have 8 diiferent waterman phileas pen. Ilike the roller ball version too. it is one of the smoothes pens on the market. let me know if you are unable to repair that section. I have some parts. I own a 149 and a a 159 but this is my favorite writer. Thank you for showing this pen on your channel EB

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thank YOU William for sharing it with me. Amazingly generous and very much appreciated. I will let you know about the repair. Cheers!

[@texasboy5117]

This was my first fountain pen many years ago. While I have not inked it up in years, I plan on doing it soon. It’s really a very nice starter pen. Prices on the secondary market are still very low, and well worth it.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I was surprised by how well it wrote.

[@stephanfeinen3923]

The Phileas is another reason why Waterman is one of my favourite brands. I have some Phileas and some Kultur. At their time the Phileas pens looked more expensive than they were. Although the material seems to be standard injection moulded plastic, the colours are beautiful. When I began hoarding pens around 15 years ago I bought some of those because they were pretty and inexpensive. This is what pushed me into the Waterman rabbit hole. Nowadays the price of a Phileas has about tripled and even the Kultur pens cost more than twice their original price. Almost all Waterman pens don't accept long international cartridges (but most will take the short ones).

[@InkquiringMinds]

Yes they do take the standard international short cartridges. I'm still working on getting the section fixed though.

[@paulherman5822]

This is one that is on my "not quite ready to pull the trigger" list. I like the Art Deco vibes it has, and I as I have a strong liking for vintage pens, even though this isn't in the same league as my vintage pens (70+ years old), I can see getting one. Thanks for sharing this!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks, Paul!

[@konradyearwood5845]

I picked up eight of the Kulturs as they were being sold for £1 each at a surplus shop. Most were translucent green (and one brown), one is a clear. The non translucent pens started to peel after a few years and with a quick polish they too are translucent. I got hold of a Phileas at a stationery shop. It was the last one and the vendor could not find the box so I got it for £5. I thought it was a fancy Kultur until I saw this video. The Kulturs and the Phileas all write beautifully. I hold my pen in a unique fashion (between thumb and index finger between the first and second joint) so these fatter pens suit me really well.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks for sharing your experience with Kulturs and Phileas pens, Konrad! :)

[@chrisa1948]

Hi Doug, interesting review. The blind cap is for inserting and removing long cartridges through the tail end. I have 2 vintage Filcao pens which have the same feature and the procedure is shown in the booklet with them. I enjoy your reviews immensely.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks, Chris. The cartridge doesn’t fit through that hole.

[@chrisa1948]

@@InkquiringMinds Ooops! Sorry, that shoots that theory down. Stay safe.

[@lizpilgrim1]

Bought one on E-Bay. Arrived on Thursday, but haven't inked it yet.

[@frustratedalien666]

I know I have mentioned this before in other comments, but here I go again. Your thoughts about the Phileas mirror my thoughts about the TWSBI Go and Eco. Yes, they are plastic and not exactly elegant, but they do their jobs well and were manufactured by people who know what fountain pen users really look for 🙃

[@InkquiringMinds]

Very true!

[@AdamGoodson]

I really like the rounded end of the pen's cap on that Waterman. Simple. Yet it looks nice to me.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Especially with the pivoting clip. Very attractive.

[@oscarmedina1597]

12:26 There it is!! Glad you put it in this time. (The video clip)

[@InkquiringMinds]

Hehe, I thought about you.

[@GeorgeENorkus]

I love this pen. The only exception would be that I have large hands. It is about the shortest that I normally use. Whatever ink supply I use, has never failed to write properly even after sitting a month.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Posted it is not too bad. It is still larger than a Pelikan M200.

[@benhauber1979]

Thanks for bringing up the painful Manza memories. I've never felt so ripped off.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Sharing your pain makes you stronger. :)

[@martinlebl631]

@@InkquiringMinds Shame these starter pens aren't made anymore, and we have just have these Monzas.

[@BC7Bill]

Thanks for an interesting review of an interesting pen. Thanks!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks Bill!

[@ericrollo615]

Just shows that quality does not need a big price tag and definitely a message to all the high price makers who seem to have difficulty with making their instruments perform

[@InkquiringMinds]

Well said my friend. You will have mail soon. How soon who knows!

[@ericrollo615]

@@InkquiringMinds I will wait with anticipation

[@AdamGoodson]

Rendering a Hand Salute to Enigma Bill! That is awesome!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Pen people are awesome!

[@jimblackie5476]

I own 4 of these bought years ago. I had most nibs ground into cursive italics. I still love the look and feel of these.

[@InkquiringMinds]

That would be cool, Jim!

[@bieberninja1]

can you please tell me who ground the nibs for you?

[@InkquiringMinds]

@@bieberninja1 A wonderful guy named Jack Hernandez (jackokun on Instagram)

[@bieberninja1]

@@InkquiringMinds thank you

[@andrewcamacho4092]

Nice pen! May I suggest Elgar's Enigma Variations as Bill's theme song? : ) The cap reminds me of the Wahl-Eversharp Skyline cap.

[@InkquiringMinds]

That’s a perfect choice Andrew! I love Elgar and have that piece on vinyl.

[@aag24]

I have the pen! I rediscovered it among some old luggage that I hadn’t touched in since I was a young and hopeful student. I actually prefer using it to many other more expensive fountain pens. It’s great! (The Manza is the worst thing I’ve ever bought by the way. I had to get it all the way from America too!).

[@InkquiringMinds]

The Monza really is a total POS!

[@colinbeadle7109]

If Waterman customer service is the same as Sheaffer they might well send you a replacement section. About 23 years ago I bought a gold plated Sheaffer for my wife. Years later the cap clip broke off. Given the age of the pen I wondered if I might get a replacement. I contacted Sheaffer via email. In a very short time they responded, they had a replacement and gave me the price so I ordered one. When I got the package, on opening it, to my surprise found a replacement barrel had been included!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Waterman’s customer service is phenomenal! I should have mentioned that in my video. I doubt they’d service a second hand, discontinued model, but I used their nib exchange program and exchange my Carene fine nib for a medium. It was free shipping both ways and took only two weeks.

[@sleepawkeen]

Inkcouraging! I have searched for Waterman customer service. Since I came up empty, perhaps you will share the address. Thank you very much! @@InkquiringMinds

[@InkquiringMinds]

@@sleepawkeen www.waterman.com/support?cfid=contact-us

[@patpatrizio98]

A no.6 nib, beautiful finish and budget price? I wish they still made them, I would've chosen it over my Waterman Graduate for sure. Btw when I finished my Waterman cartridge I used my Baoer 388 converter on my Graduate, it fitted and worked with no problems, it might work on your Phileas as well

[@InkquiringMinds]

I’ll give my Baoer 388 converter a try! Thanks!

[@flashgordon6238]

One of my first fountain pens from a Levenger catalog back in the early 1990s before I started collecting vintage fountain pens (same color too). I ended up picking up three more, two in green and another purple. Did not know they were discontinued.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Yeah, they seem to be collectible now!

[@AdamGoodson]

It is Wednesday! Time for some Guitar Pickin' and some NibInk Dippin'! Right on!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks, Adam! It is nice to have an audience on Wednesdays. Hump Day Pen Day.

[@keithwhitney7491]

So, the last point on my far too long initial post is that the wise pen companies: Pilot, Lamy, and other mass marketers of fountain pens likely (at best) break even on their entry level pens; however, unlike Monteverde and Conklin, as well as some other brands, they introduce writers to a fountain pen that writes incredibly well, the nibs of which typically write well out of the box. Unlike Monteverde (which I refuse to buy), I have continued to purchase upscale Pilot pens. In fact, so important was the Metropolitan to my return (after decades) to fountain pens that I still tend to buy more Pilot pens than Sailor pens. Certain Italian brands (I have been impressed by Aurora, Leonardo, and Scribo (just to name a few good brands), including experience with an Omas, which signals inconsistent quality. At those prices, I definitely do not venture into the brand again!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Both of your posts speak to the power of brand loyalty. Customer service has the same kind of effect of converting a customer to a fan and an apostle!

[@ryansullivan3081]

This was the first fountain pen I bought and I’ve been comparing every subsequent pen’s smoothness to the phileas and been disappointed in their performance in comparison.

[@InkquiringMinds]

It is a shame that they don't make them anymore.

[@MrAndrew1953]

Shame Waterman halted production on the Phileas. A great intro to the range. Clever the way you’re limited to only using company cartridges or converters.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Yeah I thought it was odd!

[@tobymulder196]

Waterman Edson. I need your email. Just kidding. Love the review and the Enigma Bill saga.

[@InkquiringMinds]

OMG Toby! My heart stopped! Dont' do that!! :) You funeee.

[@whssem4793]

Looks quite good, considering it's oriented for students.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I agree!

[@Gutbucketeer]

i love all my original Phileas pens, but really prefer the fine nibs. They started my pen addiction. Replacenent nibs and sections are very hard to find!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thank you, Gutbucketeer!

[@buzzhawk]

I have one of these with a converter, lovely fine nib, smooth though noisy, writes excellent on terrible paper

[@InkquiringMinds]

Very cool! I’ve seen one at a vintage pen online store selling for $70

[@antoniosaiz2102]

I do like this spots...

[@francescomotolese4644]

I have this pen, but i dont Like waterman steel nib,i have to fix them every time.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks Francesco!

[@sdjohnson2434]

I have a Philias which I really enjoyed. Too bad, the section developed a crack and I could not repair.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I haven't attempted my repair yet, but will update.

[@oscarmedina1597]

Hey, Doug, have you thought of setting up a Patreon account? I’m sure a few of us would support you if you did.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I have looked into it, but I try to avoid asking for money or sponsorship as I do this for fun and don't ever want to have to feel like it is an obligation to either do a review or have it sway how I feel about a review. That might change in the future, I don't know. This whole year has been amazing to me.

[@oscarmedina1597]

@@InkquiringMinds, that’s the beauty of Patreon. It doesn’t involve manufacturers or retailers. You would still be completely independent and unburdened. We enjoy your videos; I’m sure there are a few of us who would be willing to contribute to the cause

[@InkquiringMinds]

@@oscarmedina1597 Thanks, Oscar. I'll take a look at it again. No promises! LOL

[@herrsteppenwolf]

Correction. I bought mine in the early 90s.

[@hekatsees9449]

It sounds like “Enigma Bill” doesn’t like too much pomp & circumstance. He simply wanted you to have the pen...

[@InkquiringMinds]

Exactly! And I’m really grateful!

[@acousticsourav2902]

Hello sir , amazing informative videos , I need a little help from you , precisely a fountain pen to do calligraphy, i am a student can't afford a good pen here in india. So if you could help me with a good fountain pen , will write good with that and will be thankful to you forever ❤

[@InkquiringMinds]

Try Ranga.

[@antoniosaiz2102]

It is made with a simple plastic.

[@antoniosaiz2102]

Waterman Philias is a school pen than Waterman Reflex.

[@antoniosaiz2102]

But it wear a good style.

[@antoniosaiz2102]

Yes, Waterman Phileas is very pretty; I have the ball pen. Clip and tip is gold plated. Gold plated of the clip is off. Gold platered of Waterman are not good; gold is off.

[@antoniosaiz2102]

Platered gold is off in models: Concorde, Phileas, Carène and I belive, Goutte.

[@brodeyleembruggen9910]

Steel Nibs🚮