I was needing a larger pen, so I got one! A Waterman's 55. It came in near user-grade condition, but that's what I can afford! Cleaned up to working order, not a full restoration as I just wanted it to work.
Also, the 5 in the units (ones) column not only indicates the size of the nib, but also the size of the rest of the pen that accommodates that sized nib. The 55 is not just a 52 sized pen with a larger #5 sized nib - the whole pen is larger. The 52X is an unusual and anomalous pen that does not follow Waterman's standard numbering system of the time (of course).
Waterman seems like a company where three or more factions were constantly warring over what made the best naming convention. 🙄 And the 52X is an interesting little wrinkle in Waterman’s history. A 55 body with a 52’s nib. But why?… Was it a budget option for people with big hands? It took me years to acquire one, and I promise you, it’s nothing special. It’s literally a 55 with a No. 2 nib. Big whoop. It’s more of a curiosity in my collection. Truth be told almost all the size 3 nib and up Watermans in my collection are just for lookin’. I have an army of user-grade 52 and 52½Vs to write with. Why dirty up the big boys?
@@randy25rhoads I have to admit that I haven't pursued acquiring a 52X, although I do find them kind of interesting. It strikes me as just a short lived way of eliminating excess stock. The 55 and 56 have incredibly brilliant and ergonomic and comfortable grip sections, which will throw a very serious spanner in the works of your argument, but your basic argument is absolutely correct: the Waterman's 52 is a perfect and very common pen. It's absolutely brilliant...
Ooh - I wouldn't use Simichrome ever for anything on a vintage fountain pen. For the nib just use a Sunshine cloth. For the hard rubber just use mineral oil and a soft cotton cloth. Just ask David Nishimura or Richard Binder.
Totally respect David and Richard, however I have not had any negative side effects using semichrome. I normally would use Mark's polish which does an ok job for HR. I've found that semichrome does a better job at removing gunk and buildup (because it is more abrasive). Stef from Grandmia Pens uses semichrome. I wouldn't use it on plated finishes. Works great otherwise!
I have a Waterman Junior Ideal 585 Gold nib and I LOVE THE NIB but HATE the tiny size of the barrel. Is there any thing I can do? I would love to take the feed section and fit it into a larger barrel section of another pen. Is this possible? Are there any good candidates that have barrels that have openings that can accept the feed secrion of this Waterman Junior???? Or I would even take a similarly sized barrel that was a non lever so I could convert to an eye dropper.
Lots of options exist for putting vintage #2 nibs in modern pens. Noodler’s Creaper or Safety is the obvious choice (and one I’ve taken advantage of for years). My favorite though is probably Ranga. They’re an Indian pen company who has TONS of great hard rubber pen styles (body styles and filler types) that take a #2 nib. If you do order a Ranga, be sure to not order the more expensive versions that offer the Schmidt/Bock/JoWo nib units. Just get the cheap ones that come with the stock steel nib. The steel nib versions will come with hard rubber feeds that are far better suited for vintage flexible (or rigid, for that matter) nibs. I currently have about 8 or 9 Rangas with old Waterman nibs and 6 or more Noodler’s with the same. I love them.
HI, i have Caran D'Ache Silver-Plated, Rhodium-Coated LÉMAN EBONY BLACK Fountain Pen, pen was falling on glass and strached untill brass. I see metal, how can I repare this? Do I need a lacquer and which type because I cant just polish this spot? In description says "Round brass body and cap lacquered in deep black" Thank you Jovan
![[14] Restoration: 1920's Waterman's 55 fountain pen](/img/logo.svg){kind=logo}
