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...

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!

@@TrebleWoofer1 it's too abrasive. Sunshine cloth is much finer. If you ask the pros (David Nishimura for example) they don't use Simichrome.

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.

We try to avoid that on hard rubber pens as that will discolor the material.

@@TrebleWoofer1 I stand corrected. You are right.