Caran D'Ache doesn't come directly from the Russian word карандаш (/karandash/). The Russian word does mean "pencil", and it comes from the Turkish word for graphite, kara tash (black stone). A Russian-born French satirist, Emmanuel Poiré, who drew political cartoons for Le Figaro took the name Caran D'Ache as a pseudonym from the Russian. When Arnold Schweitzer bought the Ecridor pencil company in 1924, he named it after Caran D'Ache. He must have really liked his cartoons. And how do I know all this? I'm a Slavicist married to a woman who spent nine years at the University of Paris. I asked her once about the French meaning of "caran d'ache" because I learned about the pen company when I got interested in fountain pens, knew it meant "pencil" in Russian and assumed Russian got карандаш from French. Nope. She told me that it wasn't French at all and that the Ecritor company had been renamed for a cartoonist. So, a little bit of online research and the pieces all came together. I can't say that I'm particularly attracted to that pen, but I've seen some sterling silver pens from that line that I think are pretty. I don't think any of the modern ones are particularly exciting, though, and I'm not likely to add a Caran D'Ache to my pen box.
Thanks James for the background! Much appreciated. I don't intend to convince anyone to go for a Caran d'Ache. I think the Leman is the nicest in the lineup but they were a tough sell even for me. I ended up really liking them but I know the design and comfort (for some) will be issues beyond the high price.
I really like both the pens. Both are very appealing and look top quality. If I could only have one I quite prefer the turquoise one, overall. But gosh, the pricing is quite outlandish, in a sense. Like buying a high street brand name luxury fashion item. That price is the only reason why I’d hesitate to buy one straight away. But the pens are very desirable and very tempting. Blake, you really have such refined, great taste. That alone makes watching these reviews very worthwhile and enjoyable. Thanks!
Thank you Sajjad! I appreciate the compliment. I agree the pricing is tough. Even at half off they are quite expensive. They are great pens but not easy to recommend over cheaper pens from other brands like Aurora, Waterman, and even Montblanc.
@@BlakesBroadcast ..Yea, the over-the-top price just broke my heart. Because the pens really do appeal to me a lot. If I could have both of the pens you showed for the price of one, I’m sure I’d take them both. And even the Terre d’Ombre which I like just as much. I do have the 849, but I honestly must have a premium Caran d’Ache pen soon. Or the gorgeous Cartier Pasha that you so kindly showed before.
Dear Blake, am a big fan of your video content esp about the Caran d'Ache Leman. Have recently got the Leman and must say it is one of the best writers..really up thrre with the ST Dupont and surpassing the Pilot, Sailor and Visconti, Pelikan ,etc. What an experience!
great review! I loved hearing about the background. I love their color pencils, strange that the pencils are "Swiss made," name is Russian and the explanations are French! 😊
Thanks for an excellent review. I own a couple of Lemans (old and new versions with a medium and a broad nib). Both are excellent writers, especially the broad one (with a stubby nib) and the build quality is second to one. If you can buy them cheaper than MSRP, then they are a great buy. IMO, I would rank these as much better value than some of the offerings from the modern Montblanc company (which are in the same ballpark price-wise). The slim model of the Leman is also a great pen.
You are welcome! Interesting, I didn't know the broads were stub-like. Certainly the build of the Leman is higher than many Montblancs but I do like that Montblanc makes their nibs, which makes the prices easier to justify.
Never had a Caran d’Ache, but enjoyed browsing a shop in Tokyo-Ginza. I wonder if the Russian name came from the desired consumers in the Czarist era - many were Francophiles. There also were Russian emigres in Geneva in that and later eras. Never apologize for including history of pen manufacturers. The social history and context adds much to our appreciation of pen collecting / using. Have a good weekend. Nice watch too by the way.
I’m glad to see someone doing a review of Caran d’Ache pens. Just an opinion but I think you need to put some more effort into the presentation,accuracy aspect of the review. You could preface some remarks about the pens by saying ‘this is an opinion’ . Made too off the cuff,they sound rather prejudicial. Just my personal opinion(s),no offence intended.
Hi Blake. Thanks for your content. Opinions on the pen looks >>>meh. Lol. However, I always like to see new pens reviewed. I may not like them, but I appreciate the review. BTW! Nice Patek, Blake 😊 Which model is that?
I like your reviews as they are always on point and informative. BUT, I really wish you would provide the diameter of the barrel as well! Through personal experience, barrel diameters are a large factor in my purchase decisions.
@@BlakesBroadcast When I buy a fountain pen, it is with the intention of giving it a lot of use; so comfort is a big consideration for me. My comfort range is a LAMY Studio on the thinner side (12.2mm) to the Montblanc 146 (13.3mm). My Franklin-Christoph model 31 at 13.5mm starts to feel fat... and starts to hinder the free flow of my writing motions. So, I pay attention to barrel diameters (and weight). I have to admit that I was using body English to get you to measure the barrel after measuring the grip section!
Beautiful pens. I think there is also a particularly attractive blue one in that pattern on the black. I have fond memories of a Prismalo colouring-pencil set (those that you can mix with water to simulate paint), so the brand sits well with me, but, like you say, these fountain pens are overpriced and the grip sections are problematic. The fact that posting is unwise is also a disadvantage.
I don't have a D Line fountain pen but I have other ST Duponts (and a couple D Line ballpoints). I think the ST Dupont pens offer a bit more for your money in terms of finishing. Both are excellent quality but I would give the edge to ST Dupont. S.T. Dupont nibs are very smooth. Style-wise it's personal preference as to which pen is better looking.
1. I wonder why a pencil-width pencil is ok, but a pencil-width pen is too thin. 2. The only pens that I would consider considering in this breathtaking price range are the King of Pen and the M1000.
@@BlakesBroadcast I wonder why manufacturers don't make more thick pens. The reviews I've seen frequently complain that a pen is too thin, but only rarely that it is too thick. It seems to me like the market prefers thick.
@@BlakesBroadcast..Blake, revisiting this video, because I really want either one of these Leman pens. And, by the ‘hexagonal’, do you mean the palladium-coated Caran d’Ache Ecridor fountain pen? I always feel the urge to buy that pen. I just might.
Haha, that could be but as a fountain pen enthusiast I don't like to sign contracts or any serious paperwork with a fountain pen because the ink is typically not waterproof and archival.
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Your channel has grown so much on me it became my favorite pen-related channel. Thanks for all those entertaining and nicely produced content.
Thank you so much! That makes my day.
Caran D'Ache doesn't come directly from the Russian word карандаш (/karandash/). The Russian word does mean "pencil", and it comes from the Turkish word for graphite, kara tash (black stone). A Russian-born French satirist, Emmanuel Poiré, who drew political cartoons for Le Figaro took the name Caran D'Ache as a pseudonym from the Russian. When Arnold Schweitzer bought the Ecridor pencil company in 1924, he named it after Caran D'Ache. He must have really liked his cartoons.
And how do I know all this? I'm a Slavicist married to a woman who spent nine years at the University of Paris. I asked her once about the French meaning of "caran d'ache" because I learned about the pen company when I got interested in fountain pens, knew it meant "pencil" in Russian and assumed Russian got карандаш from French. Nope. She told me that it wasn't French at all and that the Ecritor company had been renamed for a cartoonist. So, a little bit of online research and the pieces all came together. I can't say that I'm particularly attracted to that pen, but I've seen some sterling silver pens from that line that I think are pretty. I don't think any of the modern ones are particularly exciting, though, and I'm not likely to add a Caran D'Ache to my pen box.
Thanks James for the background! Much appreciated. I don't intend to convince anyone to go for a Caran d'Ache. I think the Leman is the nicest in the lineup but they were a tough sell even for me. I ended up really liking them but I know the design and comfort (for some) will be issues beyond the high price.
Thanks for this review. This is one of the best fountain pens I know. I recommend it a 100%
You are welcome! Happy to be hearing from another Leman fan.
I really like both the pens. Both are very appealing and look top quality. If I could only have one I quite prefer the turquoise one, overall. But gosh, the pricing is quite outlandish, in a sense. Like buying a high street brand name luxury fashion item. That price is the only reason why I’d hesitate to buy one straight away. But the pens are very desirable and very tempting.
Blake, you really have such refined, great taste. That alone makes watching these reviews very worthwhile and enjoyable. Thanks!
Thank you Sajjad! I appreciate the compliment. I agree the pricing is tough. Even at half off they are quite expensive. They are great pens but not easy to recommend over cheaper pens from other brands like Aurora, Waterman, and even Montblanc.
@@BlakesBroadcast ..Yea, the over-the-top price just broke my heart. Because the pens really do appeal to me a lot. If I could have both of the pens you showed for the price of one, I’m sure I’d take them both. And even the Terre d’Ombre which I like just as much. I do have the 849, but I honestly must have a premium Caran d’Ache pen soon. Or the gorgeous Cartier Pasha that you so kindly showed before.
Thank you! Your candour is appreciated.
You're very welcome!
Dear Blake, am a big fan of your video content esp about the Caran d'Ache Leman. Have recently got the Leman and must say it is one of the best writers..really up thrre with the ST Dupont and surpassing the Pilot, Sailor and Visconti, Pelikan ,etc. What an experience!
Glad to hear you like your Leman. I really enjoy mine.
Nice review -thanks …. I think le nuit looks sensational
The finish is beautiful for sure.
great review! I loved hearing about the background. I love their color pencils, strange that the pencils are "Swiss made," name is Russian and the explanations are French! 😊
Thank you! They make great color pencils.
Thanks for an excellent review. I own a couple of Lemans (old and new versions with a medium and a broad nib). Both are excellent writers, especially the broad one (with a stubby nib) and the build quality is second to one. If you can buy them cheaper than MSRP, then they are a great buy. IMO, I would rank these as much better value than some of the offerings from the modern Montblanc company (which are in the same ballpark price-wise). The slim model of the Leman is also a great pen.
You are welcome! Interesting, I didn't know the broads were stub-like. Certainly the build of the Leman is higher than many Montblancs but I do like that Montblanc makes their nibs, which makes the prices easier to justify.
Never had a Caran d’Ache, but enjoyed browsing a shop in Tokyo-Ginza. I wonder if the Russian name came from the desired consumers in the Czarist era - many were Francophiles. There also were Russian emigres in Geneva in that and later eras. Never apologize for including history of pen manufacturers. The social history and context adds much to our appreciation of pen collecting / using. Have a good weekend. Nice watch too by the way.
Thanks Andrew! Much appreciated.
I’m glad to see someone doing a review of Caran d’Ache pens. Just an opinion but I think you need to put some more effort into the presentation,accuracy aspect of the review. You could preface some remarks about the pens by saying ‘this is an opinion’ . Made too off the cuff,they sound rather prejudicial. Just my personal opinion(s),no offence intended.
If anything, I would like to see a close-up of the nib in the video. Pens are all about the nib. 😉
I appreciate the feedback! Thank you Andrew.
I will do some more closeups of the nib.
@@BlakesBroadcastThank you!😊
Hi Blake. Thanks for your content. Opinions on the pen looks >>>meh. Lol.
However, I always like to see new pens reviewed. I may not like them, but I appreciate the review.
BTW! Nice Patek, Blake 😊
Which model is that?
Thanks for the comment! Yes, these pens don't have a mass appeal but I enjoy them. The Patek is a 5119R.
The turquoise pen is stunning, & seems to be a pretty wet writer. Retail is pretty steep. I would totally go the 2nd hand route.
I definitely recommend going second hand. Depending on the condition and finish you can get them in the $250-$400 range.
I like your reviews as they are always on point and informative. BUT, I really wish you would provide the diameter of the barrel as well! Through personal experience, barrel diameters are a large factor in my purchase decisions.
Thanks for the comment Jerry! I will considering adding this to future reviews. What about the barrel diameter is important for you?
@@BlakesBroadcast When I buy a fountain pen, it is with the intention of giving it a lot of use; so comfort is a big consideration for me. My comfort range is a LAMY Studio on the thinner side (12.2mm) to the Montblanc 146 (13.3mm). My Franklin-Christoph model 31 at 13.5mm starts to feel fat... and starts to hinder the free flow of my writing motions. So, I pay attention to barrel diameters (and weight).
I have to admit that I was using body English to get you to measure the barrel after measuring the grip section!
Beautiful pens. I think there is also a particularly attractive blue one in that pattern on the black. I have fond memories of a Prismalo colouring-pencil set (those that you can mix with water to simulate paint), so the brand sits well with me, but, like you say, these fountain pens are overpriced and the grip sections are problematic. The fact that posting is unwise is also a disadvantage.
Yes, these pens do not get top marks for comfort and convenience but I do think they are the best fountain pens in the Caran d'Ache lineup.
Thank you..want to know how does the Leman compare with ST Dupont Line D please?
I don't have a D Line fountain pen but I have other ST Duponts (and a couple D Line ballpoints). I think the ST Dupont pens offer a bit more for your money in terms of finishing. Both are excellent quality but I would give the edge to ST Dupont. S.T. Dupont nibs are very smooth. Style-wise it's personal preference as to which pen is better looking.
1. I wonder why a pencil-width pencil is ok, but a pencil-width pen is too thin.
2. The only pens that I would consider considering in this breathtaking price range are the King of Pen and the M1000.
The fountain pens like the 849 and Hexigonal do not have pencil width grip sections, they are skinnier.
@@BlakesBroadcast I wonder why manufacturers don't make more thick pens. The reviews I've seen frequently complain that a pen is too thin, but only rarely that it is too thick. It seems to me like the market prefers thick.
@@BlakesBroadcast..Blake, revisiting this video, because I really want either one of these Leman pens. And, by the ‘hexagonal’, do you mean the palladium-coated Caran d’Ache Ecridor fountain pen? I always feel the urge to buy that pen. I just might.
It looks like a premium version of pilot metropolitan.
Haha you are right...not going to be able to unsee that.
A metal section, a very thin section and an excessively high price, that leads to the conclusion: the pen is meant for signing contracts.
Haha, that could be but as a fountain pen enthusiast I don't like to sign contracts or any serious paperwork with a fountain pen because the ink is typically not waterproof and archival.
I agree its boring. It looks like the Parker models. I prefer the old one
Yes, the design is not a huge standout, these pens are all about fit and finish which is not comparable to Parker.