As a Christmas present my wife is offering a new Pelikan pen.
I selected the tradition 150 Fountain Pen. The reason being is that I see no real difference between the 150 and 200 other than a slight size difference, and as I write with all kind of various sized pens this small length difference does really matter.
The 200 costs fifteen to twenty dollars more and appears identical to the 150, same nib, trim etc (Other its than its physical size).
If anyone here would advise me otherwise in this selection I would be more than glad to hear their ideas.
As a side note, while researching Pelikan pens, I was surprised to find that Pelikan makes the A.T.Cross pens, now I know why my Cross works so well. Hawk

In the m200 range there are nice demonstrators:

Thanks, I was aware that the 200's pens do offer a variety of colors and patterns (The 150 is black only as far as I know), and that is a difference between the two models.
However I'm a function over form kind of person, so color is not that all important to me, that said if the Pelikan 150 only came in a really awful color I would have to pass, but black is just fine.
If it only comes in black it saves me the work of another decision, like lets see green or marbled and so. It like the old Model T Fords, any color you want as long as its black. Hawk

Aesthetics:
One thing about the Pelikans and other pens as well that have the same feature is I do like a pen nib that is long in shape, or protrudes well from the body, this to me is pleasing to look at. Hawk

The only reason I chose the M200 over the M150 is because Richard Binder's specialty nibs won't fit the M150. I also have the M400 and M600, and those nibs will fit the M200 but not the M150. I could be wrong, but it's my understanding the interchangeability of these nibs start with the M200. I prefer the size of the M150 as a dailywriter though.

Here's the chart from Richard Binder's site: http://richardspens.com/?page=sales/newp_pel.htm#nibchart

Hi Hawk,

I've had both 150 and M200 pens. I know in the speck they don't seem much different, but 150 was a little too small for me. I'm a woman and my hands are not that big but M200 is much more comfortable for me to use. I guess it might not be an issue if you write cap posted, but I never post caps.

Also as Leizl says my M200 has cursive italic nib but I enjoy switching it with the regular nib on my M400. That's really fun

150 is a good pen, but if I were you I would get an M200. Or, maybe 150 for Christmas and M200 for your birthday

They are made in several colors.

Bill

Hello Bill, I could not find any in colors or designs other than black. Hawk

The barrels are black; the caps have the color. Based on web info they come in black, grey, dark green, and red. Supposedly, there was also a SE blue transparent done for a Dutch company and a green-bodied version for the Italian market.

I bought a gray from a dealer at last year's Ohio Pen Show and this year I got the red (actually dark red/burgundy) as a gift, along with the matching ballpoint. Here is a pic.


Bill

According to the Pelikan site they only come in black

Look here

I have both an M200 (with factory OB nib) and an M150 with a cursive italic nib from Pendemonium. Both are nice writers, but I prefer the width (girth) of the M200. I think it makes it a little more comfortable for me to use. Just my opinion, of course Both are nice pens.

Hello, according to the charts shown the 150 and 200 do take the very same nibs, and the 150 also takes the 100 nib, unless I am overlooking something.
http://richardspens.com/?page=sales/newp_pel.htm#nibchart
Hawk

Hello Taki, I simply don't understand how any can notice the size difference, there is only .05 ounces different in the weight or 4.2 grams. Size wise the 150 is only a tiny 5mm difference in length, in the dark writing with either pen I would wager one could not tell the difference between the two.

I don't think they take the very same nibs. I'm looking at the nib chart that you linked, and I interpret it to mean that the M1xx nibs will fit into M1xx and larger pens, but an M2xx nib will not fit into an M1xx pen. So regarding what Leizl said, the pre-ground Pelikan specialty nibs by Richard, which are the M2xx size, will not fit into an M150 pen. So the M150 size would be limiting if you wanted to dabble in those.

Regarding what Taki said, you wrote this:

I think what Taki means is that she noticed the difference in barrel diameter when she mentioned that the M200 size is more comfortable to her than the M150. If you scroll towards the bottom of the nib interchangability link above, the specs show not only a difference in weight, as you said, but also a difference in barrel diameter. What that suggests to me (though not stated in the specs) is that the grip/section is also slightly narrower. It may well be that the difference is unnoticeable to some folks. I've never tried an M150 so I can't say, but I do know that there are certain ballpoint pens that I find very uncomfortable to use because they are narrower in the section and/or the barrel than my usual fountain pens (and, yes, I would be able to tell the difference--if writing in the dark, as you say-- between a too-narrow pen and one that is more comfortable to me).

But if you're perfectly happy with your choice of the M150, I'm not here to dissuade you. I'm just trying to clarify what others have said, in case those issues matter to you. I'm sure it'll be a lovely gift, whichever you choose.

Hawk, if you look at Richard's Specialty Nibs page, it says they fit in M2xx and M4xx pens but "Note: These nibs do not fit M150 pens."

I think Pelikan might have discontinued different colors but I used to own a 150 that had black body and green cap and blind cap. I think when I got that from Richard he had maroon cap one, too. Also I think he had ones with colored barrel and black caps. Here's the photo of the one I sold.


Sorry for the fuzzy photo.

As blueiris said, the girth of 150 is smaller than M200, and it was not very comfortable to me. I never tried writing in the dark but I could definitely tell the differences. But this is just my opinion, and you might be perfectly OK with 150.

Yep, that's correct. In the interchangeability chart, the left hand column refers to the nib, not the pen. What I also intended to note was that Richard's specialty nibs (the preground ones) will not fit the M150, which he expressly states on his site. However, I'm certain he'll reground the M150 if you ever so desire.

I have both and they are great writers. The difference is length is almost negligible, but to me, the difference in the barrel diameter is appreciable.

Thanks for your comments. Appreciable, that's alot.

I see that the difference in barrel diameter between the two is only .03 (Inch) or .07mm, smaller that the width of small toothpick.

As I use various size and types of pens often (My Cross is only .437" in diameter which is smaller than the Pelikan M150 and I love it, my Rotring core is totally strange but I like it also) I am able to adapt to any change in pen shape quickly.

For extensive writing an important feature that I do like in a pen is a very smooth barrel, which the Rotring Core does not have, but I still like to take it with me when I know I might in a rough situation that might otherwise damage a more delicate pen. Where the Pelikan M150 will fit into my writing pattern I just don't know, however what I am saying, I know for sure that the small diameter difference between the M200 and M150 will not be an issue.

So a slight difference in barrel diameter is not all that important to me, in fact, I have a Sheaffer and Dewen Spaceship that have even smaller barrels than the M200 or the M150.

However everyone is different I know people who once they get use to something they cannot change no matter what, I don't happen to be one of those people, and there are some so sensitive that they can even feel a small pea under a tall stack of mattress. Hawk

I agree that .07mm doesn't make much of a difference, but when I had to write for 2-days straight (6hours/day) for a recent conference, it actually made a big difference. I had both M150 and an M400 (same barrel diameter as the M200), and I opted for the M150 because it was smaller width-wise. The only breaks I took were to refill the pen. But all the Pelikan pens that I have are great writers, so I'm sure you'll enjoy yours.

As you said, some people can tell the difference, some would not. I think it really has to do with the angle a person holds a pen and the size of one's hand, and so forth.

Well, it sounds like your heart is pretty much set on tradition 150. As I have mentioned previously it is a very nice little pen. Enjoy

Thanks for your detailed reply, I would only offer one comment on barrel size. Unless its extremely large barrel diameter it would not be noticed at all, the reason being when holding a pen as it is only resting on top of the crotch between the thumb and first finger. Finger tip grip (Pen balance aside) is the most important pen feature as far as the hand is concerned.

I simply cannot see where such a small size difference between the M200 and M150 can matter, and I am not at all interested in specialty nibs, for those that are then they must select another model as it has been rightly pointed out by other members.

One thing it seem that a lighter, smaller pen is able to move much faster (More easily) than a heavier one, its just a matter of physics.
Hawk

You're saying the same thing I said, Hawk. You call it the "finger grip tip," I call it the "section." As I understand the anatomy of pen parts, the "section" is the area where the nib attaches to the pen, connecting it to the barrel. Perhaps my terminology was imprecise (I am not an expert on pen parts). Sorry for any confusion.

Just realized I have a M150. Cute little thing, (gooly) (gally) golly gee wilikers, it has a flex nib. I am positive that you can not go wrong with a Pelikan. Shame it is so small.

Hi Hawk,
thanks for the "Usual Suspects" lineup photo. Now i know the M150/M200 is tiny like a Parker Sonnet and i like larger weightier pens I need to cry myself to sleep cos I can't get a M600/M800 without a massive guilt trip!


we need crying emoticon!

Armchop

Thanks all for your input, tomorrow morning I shall decide on an M150 or a M200 based on what you all have said. I'll let the group know of that decision.
That said, I think some members might enjoy this article on pens (If the link works)
http://www.nibs.com/newsletter/newsletter1...fSimplePens.htm
Thanks again for your thoughts Hawk

Evaluating all factors I have now decided on the Pelikan M150. In fact, I placed my ordered for it today. The vendor was online; Alexander Stephens & company, the full price was $36 (USD). I ordered it with a fine nib.

In the future if I ever decide that I do need a different Pelikan I don’t see why I couldn’t purchase one. I am certain that the size of the M150 will not be an issue for me, and the nib selection isn’t either as Pelikan offers eight nib sizes for the M150, and at a very reasonable price ($14.95).

Quality wise I see no difference between the M150 and M200, same nib material and so on. Cost alone was not a factor, as I wanted a Pelikan that was light, compact and easy to carry. I always leave my house with a pen of some kind so it has to be handy.

If members have read the link that I included in my last post, they will see that it reflects my feeling about fountain pens in general. Here it is.
http://www.nibs.com/newsletter/newsletter1...fSimplePens.htm

That said I would again like to thank all for their suggestions and inputs.
Hawk