Pelikan 1000 Vs 800 Nib Quality

[premiumfpmaker]

I'm trying to decide between the M1000 vs the M800 and my concern is some stuff I've read about the nib quality difference.

 

It seems like the size of the 800 is more reasonable. But the nib is the only reason I am reluctant to get an m800.

 

Any thoughts?

[Acer]

Hi,

 

I have a number of M800 & M1000 pens in daily rotation (mostly with Medium nibs) & although they have a different feel, I enjoy using both pens.

 

As you would have read, the modern M800s have quite a stiff nib, but for daily note taking & my writing style, I actually find I can write more quickly & with less fuss/concentration with these pens than with the M1000.

 

The M1000 is a joy to use due to the "juicier" ink flow & more flexible nib allowing for greater line variation, but at the same time it is more sensitive to the quality of the paper & generally more suited to specific purposes such as signatures & special greetings etc.

 

So it all "boils-down" to your intended purpose for these pens.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Cheers,

 

Michael

Edited December 29, 2014 by Acer

[Matlock]

I agree with Acer. Both pens are great and so are both nibs but, and it is a big but, they are very different. The only way to decide is to try them both.

It is very difficult to give advice on nibs as, what to me would be a great nib, to you might be poor and vice versa.

Peter.

[premiumfpmaker]

Would you say the 1000's seem to have higher quality nibs?

[Matlock]

Would you say the 1000's seem to have higher quality nibs?

 

Yes and this is reflected in the price. But it still comes down to what nib suits you best.

[Bo Bo Olson]

If you are ham fisted take the 800.....if you have a real light hand, the 1000....well I'm anti-nail, and the 1000 I tried in the shop was @ semi-flex...but it is springy 18K gold and 18 K bends and stays bent when used by the Ham Fisted....I prefer the 14 K nibs with some spring or a tad of flex,....like in semi-vintage the pre'98 M400 and the vintage '50-65 400s.

18 K nail don't bend...nails are nails be it gold or steel.

[stephanos]

+1 to what others have said.

 

HOWEVER, you ask about "quality", which could actually mean a few things. Getting greater clarity on what exactly you mean may help you decide.

 

If you mean quality of the materials and manufacturing, then there is not much in it. Both models use very high-quality materials and have been well-made.

 

If you mean, quality of the writing experience, then the question is impossible to answer without more information about your preferences. Judging "better" or "relative quality" in this category is dependent on the use to which you would put the pen.

For me, the 800 nib doesn't feel like a nail, but the 1000 clearly has the springier nib. In my world, the 800 nib (and body size) is more suitable for long writing sessions and the 1000 better-suited to signatures, notes and greetings cards. Having said that, both are a pleasure to write with, and each model can do the 'specialty' of the other pefectly well - though if you're looking for something akin to a sensually pleasurable writing experience, then the 1000 nib wins out.

 

If you mean, quality control, then be aware that modern nibs are infamous for having out-of-the-box problems. The nib on my (new) M1005 was unusable when I got it. Although I was able to sort it out myself, I was very unimpressed with the poor QC. Others have reported similar problems, and I doubt the M800 is immune.

 

For all of these reasons, go in to a B&M shop if you can, and try them both out for yourself. BUT: take a loupe with you: writing with a dipped pen will give you a good feel for the nib, but may not reveal any QC problems with it).

If you don't have easy access to a good B&M shop, then next-best would be to decide which you'd probably prefer based on what you want it for, and then order online from a reputable seller who will check the nib before they send it. (And then probably buy the other model at a later date - they really are lovely pens.)

[premiumfpmaker]

Thank you all for the replies.

 

It's a hard choice but I think I'll go with the 1000. Im a big guy, 6'4" so maybe it wont be so bad.

[mori45]

The 1000 is a much more interesting pen. 800s are great, but the modern nibs are pretty boring. Even the stock 1000s nibs have some character though.

[Acer]

I think the quality of manufacture is essentially the same for the M800 & M1000 pens but off course the M1000 has a massive & very impressive looking nib . Having said this, the only Pelikan pen I have ever had to return to the factory due to nib issues was a new M1005 pen. This pen is now a great writer but I believe they replaced the nib.

Cheers,

Michael

Edited December 30, 2014 by Acer

[transcend]

the m1000 is hilarious. unusably large for writing. although with an EF nib, it could serve as a secondary self-defense weapon.

 

and the price point is so reasonable.

 

if you have a sense of humor go for it, but remember there's a fine line between laughter and tears.

 

I'm looking forward to the day my stars align and I end up with one.

Edited January 4, 2015 by transcend

[BMG]

the m1000 is hilarious. unusably large for writing. although with an EF nib, it could serve as a secondary self-defense weapon.…

 

Hmm. I primarily use EF nibs and I've never thought of my pens as weapons; perhaps I'll have to reconsider…

 

Seriously though, I also tend to write with smallish to small pens: vintage Pelikan 400s, Ibis, contemporary 101ns, etc., but over the last year have gotten two Nakayas, a Portable and a Naka-ai, both of which are bigger than the M1000 (see the comparison details from nibs.com below). I find them incredibly comfortable to write with, whether for intermittent note taking or longer, continuous writing sessions, though they are considerably bigger than my other everyday writers.

 

I guess what I'm trying to say here is that you can't generalize about pen length (well you can, but you'd be wrong ). Some may avoid long or short pens for various reasons, but others like myself find both big and small pens easy to use.

 

To the OP: I'll be curious to hear what you think of the M1000, especially if you've had the opportunity to try an M800 at the same time.

[wspohn]

The M1000 nibs are in no way flexible in the sense that vintage pens are, but they do have enough flex to make writing with them a delight. Unless you are a pen klutz, you shouldn't have any issue with damaging the M1000 nibs.

 

PS - I have a regular M1000 with an OBB nib and a Classic Pens CP6 Marguerite (M1000 based) with an F nib. Both are a lot of fun to write with.

Edited January 20, 2015 by wspohn

[plumista]

If those models are a final choice, then nothing to add except an unfortunately usual caveat: since the new owners lead the brand... well... QC is not the same, while prices have increased beyond reasonable, reaching ridiculous quotes, especially for the M1000 demo. On the other hand, have you realized how many high-end Pelikans are wanted here on the FPN, yes, but only pre-1997? Or, if for sale, that date is very clearly stated as a main reason to buy.

 

If those models are not a definite and settled option, then, after my own experiences, I would recommend to keep looking for a higher quality/price ratio within your intented range.

 

plumista

Edited January 20, 2015 by plumista

[autopsy]

I have two M1000's in green and black. One is a medium point and the other a medium cursive italic. They are easily my 2 favorite pens ever. So much fun. Fat and wet with a great deal of natural line variation. They are not practical for most professional settings, but (bleep), I can't imagine life without them.