Beater FP

[sunburst]

As I was shopping for stationery at local Office Max and came across Waterman Phileas Fountain Pen Kit marked
down to $19.99.

The kit consists of:

Waterman Phileas in Marbled Blue with medium nib
Waterman 50 ml bottled ink (black)
Waterman ink cartridges in different colors (5)
Converter
Blotter cards (2)
Cleaning Cloth
Instruction booklet

I knew that Phileas was an entry level FP but I’ve decided to purchase one since I had Office Max $10.00 discount card
and I figure I can always use a “Beater FP” (and yhe net price was $10.00).

The Phileas is made of plastic (acrylic?) and light (but not too light) and balances very well.. The pen body is little larger
compared to my other daily FPs (MB144, Pelikan Technixx, Lamy Safari) but still fits right for my small hand.

I’ve prepared the nib for ink by rinsing thoroughly with a combination of dish soap and water. Upon drying I’ve fitted the
pen with supplied Waterman ink cartridge in Black.

The nib is very smooth and ink flows smoothly without skipping. The line is neither wet nor dry but just right for a nice
medium-bold line.

This is not the FP to compare with MB and other high-end FPs but for the price the performance is
hard to beat.

[Tools]

Nice score... Looks good, and any Waterman is no slouch...

I think that that kit lists for just under a hundred bucks...

[Taffi Abernathy]

Originally Posted by sunburst

As I was shopping for stationery at local Office Max and came across Waterman Phileas Fountain Pen Kit marked
down to $19.99.

The kit consists of:

Waterman Phileas in Marbled Blue with medium nib
Waterman 50 ml bottled ink (black)
Waterman ink cartridges in different colors (5)
Converter
Blotter cards (2)
Cleaning Cloth
Instruction booklet

I knew that Phileas was an entry level FP but I’ve decided to purchase one since I had Office Max $10.00 discount card
and I figure I can always use a “Beater FP” (and yhe net price was $10.00).

The major problem with posting on a forum dealing with upscale items is that people often feel defensive if they make an inexpensive purchase. Let me share something with you . . . I was doing an evaluation earlier in the day, when my Montblanc RB ran out of ink. Thankfully, I had my trusty Pilot Center of Gravity Pen with me. While they might make inexpensive pens, Pilot pens rarely fail me (and in fact, have been more dependable than the MB!) I make no apologies for my selections and don't you either. Enjoy your Phileas (I own the Phileas BP). That sounds like a wonderful deal and you are a fortunate soul to have found it. Faith

[Widows Son]

That's a FANTASTIC deal!!!! The pen alone sells for about 2X that. I have the same pen but in Red. It's one of my most comfortable, nice writing pens regardless of price. Congrats on a nice score!!!

[TattooedGQ]

HAHA I was just about to buy that from Amazon when I got home from work today for $79.99 do you think it was a company wide mark-down or just a one shot, lucky guy deal??

[Kokyuryoku]

Awesome score Joji.

Next time I'm in Fukuoka I'm going to check out Maruzen, they have some cool inexpensive fountain pens.

[sunburst]

Thanks for great positive comments.

Originally Posted by Tools

Nice score... Looks good, and any Waterman is no slouch...

I think that that kit lists for just under a hundred bucks...

Larry, Phileas is no comparison to my Waterman Exception in terms of bling ( sort of meaningless comparison….)
but it writes very well (just as good as other high-end FPs.) and they are not slouch at all.

Originally Posted by Taffi Abernathy

The major problem with posting on a forum dealing with upscale items is that people often feel defensive if they make an inexpensive purchase. Let me share something with you . . . I was doing an evaluation earlier in the day, when my Montblanc RB ran out of ink. Thankfully, I had my trusty Pilot Center of Gravity Pen with me. While they might make inexpensive pens, Pilot pens rarely fail me (and in fact, have been more dependable than the MB!) I make no apologies for my selections and don't you either. Enjoy your Phileas (I own the Phileas BP). That sounds like a wonderful deal and you are a fortunate soul to have found it. Faith

Faith, I know exactly what you mean. Fortunately I do not have any problem purchasing or
owning of low cost item with “true value”.
I kind of enjoy looking for item of true value nowadays as $$$ is going left and right with my
6 year old daughter.

Originally Posted by Widows Son

That's a FANTASTIC deal!!!! The pen alone sells for about 2X that. I have the same pen but in Red. It's one of my most comfortable, nice writing pens regardless of price. Congrats on a nice score!!!

Yes, they are comfortable and writes very well - it's a keeper.
I guess Waterman is discontinuing the Phileas line.

Originally Posted by TattooedGQ

HAHA I was just about to buy that from Amazon when I got home from work today for $79.99 do you think it was a company wide mark-down or just a one shot, lucky guy deal??

Justin, I’ve seen the mentioning of Office Max clearance sale on other pen forum back in November
so I think it’s a company wide clearance sale. You may want to check your local Office Max.

Originally Posted by Kokyuryoku

Awesome score Joji.
Next time I'm in Fukuoka I'm going to check out Maruzen, they have some cool inexpensive fountain pens.

Ryan, do let me know of your findings at Maruzen.
You guys all ready for “Shougatsu”?

[TattooedGQ]

Thanks Joji!

[2careless]

That's a very nice score Joji, Congrats!
The performance of a pen depends on many factors not just the pen itself - the ink, paper, and how you press the nib onto the paper etc etc. An expensive pen may not write well if fed with the wrong ink and wrong paper, while a beater can do wonders.

Don't forget - In the end it's the words written on the paper that counts

[sunburst]

Originally Posted by 2careless

Don't forget - In the end it's the words written on the paper that counts

Kai, that is very true and I agree.

[Bisquitlips]

Listen...

The Waterman Phileas is one of the best writing FPs I own. It is an amazing instrument for the money.

Just my 2 cents...!

[Bisquitlips]

Originally Posted by Taffi Abernathy

The major problem with posting on a forum dealing with upscale items is that people often feel defensive if they make an inexpensive purchase. Let me share something with you . . . I was doing an evaluation earlier in the day, when my Montblanc RB ran out of ink. Thankfully, I had my trusty Pilot Center of Gravity Pen with me. While they might make inexpensive pens, Pilot pens rarely fail me (and in fact, have been more dependable than the MB!) I make no apologies for my selections and don't you either. Enjoy your Phileas (I own the Phileas BP). That sounds like a wonderful deal and you are a fortunate soul to have found it. Faith

Very well said Faith!!

[Lion]

Joji, what a great find and I'm sure you will get many years of use out of that pen. As for being inexpensive I also carry and use a Pilot G-2 gel writer and if someone needs a pen this is the one I volunteer instead of my MontBlanc FP!!!