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Waterman's Ideal #5, 14k Gold, 360g Flex (JOWO 6)
Waterman's Ideal #5, 14k Gold, 360g Flex (JOWO 6)
🥇 Grade: B+
🏠 Housing: Nikko Black Ebonite, JOWO #6
🔱 Nib: Waterman's Ideal #5, 14k Gold ("Waterman's Ideal 14k")
🖋️ Line Spec: EEF–BB | 0.15mm – 0.86mm (5.73x)
🌡️ Flexibility Pressure: 360g Flex
📐 Dimensions: 21.88mm Nib Length (Past Housing)
⚖️ Weight: 1.757g
A Waterman's Ideal #5 nib in 14k gold from the late 1930s into the 1940s, late-stage American production. The #5 sat one step above the workhorse #4 in the Waterman catalog. Seated in a Nikko black ebonite housing with a JOWO #6 ebonite feed, ready to write.
The character of this nib is hairline-first. At rest the tines lay down 0.15mm EEF cross strokes — finer than most dedicated needlepoints can deliver — with cross-stroke consistency that outpaces a modern Platinum UEF for hairline definition. Tipping geometry is tight, producing precise tactile feedback that rewards trained handwriting and Spencerian practice.
Under 360g of moderate pressure — true Flex tier on the canonical 6-tier scale — the tines open cleanly to a 0.86mm BB for a 5.73x multiplier. The topend reads measured; the headline trait remains the EEF hairline profile and its consistency under the hand. Snapback is immediate and clean, with tines returning to position without overshoot.
The tines are sharp. Pushed past full flex they will cut paper, and the EEF profile demands a light, deliberate hand on the upstroke to keep feathered hairlines clean. Best suited to Spencerian writers, daily-EF enthusiasts who want occasional swell, and collectors after a true Waterman Ideal #5 of the celluloid era. Tine alignment and heat-setting were addressed before the nib was seated into the housing. B+ reflects honest writing wear with crisp imprint legibility and full structural integrity.
Tine alignment confirmed, tipping smoothed, light burnish at the base. Heat-set into the JOWO #6 housing with matched ebonite feed for clean flow from the first stroke. Imprints are legible; structural integrity is full.
Tested on Rhodia 90gsm ivory with Diamine Imperial Purple.
Technical Specifications
Technical Specifications
Brand:
Model:
Production Year:
Material:
Trim Color:
Nib Size:
Nib Material:
Nib Grind:
Nib Flexibility: g
Line Variation: - (x)
Pen Length:
Pen Grip Section:
Restorer: Heron's Mooncake
Restoration Grade:
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Waterman's Ideal #5, 14k Gold, 360g Flex (JOWO 6)
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Appendix for Listing Details
Sweating the details is fundamental to understanding, appreciating, and knowing the peice of history you have in your hands.
All pens are filled and tested, not just dipped in ink, which does not reflect writing characteristics whatsoever.
Line Variation Standard
Different restorers have different standards for line sizing and especially for vintage pens, the printed tipping size will not always be accurate due to repairs/grinds/etc. Please use this as a frame of reference for consistency.
Flexibility Standard
Nib flexibility is such a controversial topic, but there needs to be some level of consistency so please take this table as a frame of reference for my restorations and as someone who is writing in a calligraphic/spencerian style of cursive script. Without objective measurements, flexibility terms such as wet noodle are useless as someone with stronger forearms and grip strength will make even manifold nibs into a wet noodle.
Restoration Ratings
These are guidelines incorporated from various online sources not limited to Reddit, David Nishimura, etc.
