I consider myself a well rounded fountain pen user: I frequently use my Waterman Expert, azure Parker Vaccumatic, Parker 45, Parker 51 and Monteverde Regatta. I thought i knew what a fine fountain pen was like. Man, was i wrong!!

My friend let me borrow his brand new Pelikan M600 and i caught the bird flu before i even finished writting my first word with it. I wanted that pen so bad i offered to buy it from him but he woulnt sell it. I couldn't resist, it was love at first sight. I knew i had found the holly grail of pens.

I ran to my computer and ordered me one. I should be receiving my new Pelikan M400 in 2 days and have just ordered an M600 which i should get a few days after the M400 and i already have plan to order an M1000. There is no way to describe it except to say that Pelikan is the most addictive thing known to man.

I will post pictures as soon as i get my first one. I cant believe i spent so many years writting with substandard Parkers and Watermans when i could have been in pen heaven with the Pelikan.

PS: the ones i ordered are in the the classic green though some blue Pels may follow

Well, yes, Pelikans may be addictive:

I have various different pens, Waterman, Parker, Montblanc, Lamy and Pelikans.

The Waterman is not in use for years.
Same with the Parkers except one Uk Duofold Maxima with a wonderful smooth nib. Even the 51 has not been used recently.
Some MBs are used occasionally - but only vintage MBs from the 1950s.
I do use the Lamys regularly, 27 and 2000. I do like the 27.

But my everyday pen is always a Pelikan 400 (best size for my small hands).
Normally I am carrying at least 2 or 3. Pre 97, vintage 400 or 400NN. I love these pens. They look great, feel good and are very reliable. The nibs are generally very good, especially the vintage nibs. I have more Pelikan 400s than all other pens together. And they are the only pens I am still looking for. Trying to find another near mint vintage pen or a good vintage B- or M-nib....

They sure are addictive!

Oh WHY did I open up and read this thread? I was congratulating myself on being ALL done with pens (having just received a lovely little Sapporo) and never needing another. But the Pelikan 400 has been in the back of my mind for some time. Best size for small hands. Arrrgh!

I feel the same way. I've now got an M600 with four different nibs (a crisp oblique and 3 widths of chisel points), an M200 with a medium italic nib and an 805 coming with a BB chisel point. Awesome pens; wish I'd discovered them years ago.

neaner neaner neaner

Yep..
I know what you mean..

I just got my M605 and having a hard time keeping it off my hand
I used it for everything

I know that I will get M1000 and M800
The real quetion is whether or not before getting M149 or after..

I am going to have a real big problem with my boss..

What am I going to say when slew of these piggies show up on my door..

Reading your odes to Pelikan has inspired me to ink my Pelikan 600. It has sat in my pen case for months doing little more than collect dust. http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/st.../happyberet.gif

While i have big hands, i have always been confortable with both big and small pens, which is why i may make it my goal to eventually collect a few of every size Pelikan has to offer. I don't know why am so weird, most people prefer big or small pens, but i seem to be comfortable with both extremes. Am I alone in this???

This is why am glad Pels come in so many different sizes, one is bound to feel just right on any given day regardless.

For now I am eagerly awaiting my first Pels, i am so exited i got to discover such wonderful instruments, those few moments using my firend's M600 sealed it for me, iam hooked on the Pels, i just have to find a nice way to let my Waterman and Parkers off easy as i begin my love affair with Pelikans.

I can't wait to post a few pictures and write a small review of my first impressions when i receive my first one, these next two or three days of waiting will feel like an eternity!

I agree that Pelikans are wonderful pens. HOwever, I have tried a few Pelikan 1000s and the nibs are different in feel from the 600s and the flow is generally very generous. All I am saying is that before you order a 1000 you should ask around for descriptions of flow and such. The 1000 is a great pen, but a Medium 1000 will likely lay down way way more ink than most other medium nibs, especially if you have a heavy hand or tend to use some pressure on the downstroke. j

I've found that the m6xx size is ideal for me - I started with the striated, but perfer the more colorful designs - m640 Grand Place is my new favorite - just received it this week!!

If you get tired of stripes, look into the Pelikin Cities or Famous Places series - they are same size and write they same, but offer lots more choices!

I checked FedEx and the ETA for my first Pelikan is Monday, Nov 26 at 10:00AM. What a shame that I will be at work, the suspense will kill me.

I am thinking about writting a review in which i compare the M400 with one of my favorite vintage writers, maybe a Parker Vaccumatic. Now, i know it is not fair because vintage nibs tend to be better than modern ones, but am curious how such a pen as the Pelikan that markets itself for being so conservative and original stacks up against a standard vintage pen.

Plus it will give me an excuse to post pictures of my M400 side by side with my azure Parker Vaccumatic, my most treasured, which am sure if this Pelikan is as good as i think it is, will soon be second place to my M400 and soon after 3rd place to my M600 which will be arriving mid week next week.

If Pelikan even comes close t matching my vintage Parker then I will never again buy another brand but pelikan as long as i live, because sadly i have been let down by modern Watermans and Parkers.

Congrats on your Pelikan purchases. I can certainly relate to your experience. The second fountain pen I ever purchased was a Pelikan M200, which was about three years ago. I now have two M1000's, two M800's, four Cities Series (M600's) and one M430. I have tried Parkers, Watermans and Sailors, and for various reasons I keep coming back to my Pelikans and have sold all but my Mont Blanc 149, which was a gift, and my Lamy Safari.


Regards,

Greg~

Congratulations on your new pens - I can see, from your other postings, that they have arrived. I was going to post this as a new topic, but I see now, I'm not alone. I finally got around to order a Pelikan - a 140 from sometime in the 50 ies. So it will probably be as old as I am
And what a nice surprise - after some bad experinces with modern pens and some vintage as well, I was afraid the fountainpens didn't like me...
But this little bird does - It writes and behaves like a FP should. I will have to put it in my drawer from time to time, to see, if it multiplies
Henrik