While I've long enjoyed Caran d'Ache pencils and have dabbled in their inks, I've never explored their pen offerings, probably because I suspected that I would find the design of their pens too narrow for my taste and comfort. That said, given the overall quality of Caran d'Ache products, I didn't want to pass up the chance to review both the fountain pen and ballpoint versions of the Caran d'Ache 849, a budget-friendly option from a brand not typically known for pursuing the entry-level market.
I like the hexagonal barrel on the 849, but for reasons unknown Caran d'Ache has placed the logo underneath the clip. It's quite nice looking, so no need to hide it!
The Caran d'Ache 849 ballpoint has been around for a long time, so much that it's become something of an iconic writing instrument. The 849 features a hexagonal barrel, clip, and smooth knock, and comes loaded with the Caran d'Ache Giant "Goliath" cartridge, which according to the company "delivers up to 600 pages of A4 writing." Overall, it's an excellent ballpoint pen with a large-capacity refill that writes a solid line. The faceted shape of the 849 ballpoint mimics that of a sharpened woodcase pencil, and while I initially thought that the 849 would be too narrow for my taste, it’s grown on me to the point where it’s now my primary writing tool when I reach for a standard ballpoint. The version pictured here is the limited edition "Nespresso" edition, made out of aluminum sourced from recycled Nespresso capsules. [2020 Update: In the years since this review has been published, Caran d’Ache has continued to release Limited Edition “Nespresso” collaborations, an olive green, which I missed, and a purple version, which I stock in the Curated Shop. The Nespresso collaborations are slightly more expensive than other limited and special edition Caran d’Ache pens.]
Caran d'Ache recently introduced a fountain pen version of the 849 at the $50-60 price point, offering another option for a segment of the fountain pen market that too often goes overlooked. Featuring a hexagonal metal barrel, "snap cap", and stainless steel nib, the 849 fountain pen is a nice writer that retains the aesthetic of the ballpoint in a slightly larger package. The stainless steel medium nib writes a wet line and is pleasantly springy. The 849 fountain pen makes a wonderful edition to the lineup of fountain pens available at this price, especially for those who prefer a slender format.
The shape of the nib on the Caran d'Ache 849 is almost Lamy-esque. While the nib is NOT flexible, it does have some slight bounce to it.
Takeaways and Where to Buy
[2021 UPDATE] While I initially worried that both of these pens would be too narrow for me to use comfortably, the 849 ballpoint has grown on me to the point where I now have a sizable personal collection of these workhorses and use this model on a daily basis. At last count I own at least five 849s (the blue Nespresso, a Paul Smith collaboration, two standards in white and yellow, and a turquoise Metal X). I enjoy it so much that I’ve chosen the 849 as one of the first models to stock in my own small retail shop. The ballpoint mimics the tactile feel of a woodcase pencil, and as far as refills go, the Goliath is both legible and long-lasting.
Unfortunately, the blue "Nespresso" ballpoint pictured in this review was a limited edition that is no longer available, though Caran d’Ache has continued to release new versions of the “Nespresso” pen every year. The current version is the bright purple model made from the “Arpeggio” capsule, which I have available for purchase in the T.G.S. Curated Shop along with a selection of other Caran d’Ache limited and special editions. Caran d’Ache special and limited edition 849 ballpoints are typically priced between $40-50 (with the Nespresso on the higher end of this scale), which is comparable to similar editions from brands such as Retro 51.
As of August 2020, The Gentleman Stationer is an authorized retailer of Caran d’Ache.