I have been torn for a few weeks between these 2 pens. One day I decide on the Pelikan, and before I order it, I swing back to the Sailor.

I read all the reviews of the pens but wonder if you had the choice which one would you go for first??


Thanks

Go for the M800 it's a superb pen, the Sailor is nice as well but more an addition than a "main pen" (but YMMV).

Best regards,

Jarno

That's a hard choice. If I didn't have a piston filler I'd go for the Pel. If I already have one I'd go for the Sailor. The nice thing about this difficult choice is that they're both great pens that are very different.

The choces are very easy.
I think you should choose the M800 and I will tell you why:

The M800 is concidered a benchmark,a pen that other pens are compared to.
Its got nibs that are as smooth as the Sailor but is also responsive and just plain fun.
Sailor Nibs in my eyes are smooth but BORING,they are spongy with NO feedback.They do there job in an efficient manor but with no attempt to excit you.
The M800 is also a piston filler that holds a ton of ink while the Sailor is a C/C (that I personaly am not a huge fan of) that obviously holds less ink.
The Sailor looks to me like a Mont Blanc 146 replica.It is made of good quality material but doesnt try to excite my fan glan.While the M800 has its own timeless classic design that os many people love.

If this still didnt convince you that the Pelikan is a better pen then you can always choose the Sailor-no doubt its a good reliable pen but just not as good as the m800.

I don't think Pro Gear looks as close to Montblanc as 1911/Profit does.

How about the weight? I've never even held an 800 in my hand but I've heard it is a heavy pen. Pro Gear is not, as it does not have much in the guts.

Ink capacity may make or break the deal if you write a lot in a day, but it's not really a big deal to me. I would rather waste smaller amount of ink when I don't like the current fill of ink or want to change the color impulsively

You would only need to hold them in your hand to know that it should be the M800. The Pelikan oozes quality. The Sailor is just a nice pen, but I have to admit that it will have a smoother nib.

I agree. The Pelikan pens are wonderful. It feels and is a quality pen. Piston filler is flawless. I've also had a M600 series pen and I felt that that didn't have the same quality/feelings of the M800. There is just something about them.

I have no experience with the Sailor pens. I've wanted to buy one, but for whatever reason, I always seem to find something I like or want more.

I love my M800, it's my favorite pen at this point.

Is there any way you can get them in your hand before you decide? They will feel different due to length, weight and balance. We can all offer our opinions on which pen we like better, but that has absolutely no bearing on how it will perform in your hand.

Personally, I don't much care for the Pelikan 800. I have owned two, but they just don't do anything for me. A bit too large for my tastes. So, on the size factor I would lean toward the Sailor. However, the blue or red stripe barrel of the Pelikan is in my opinion much more attractive than the black of the Sailor.

If you cannot get them in your hand before you buy, I would suggest getting the Pelikan first. If you find, like I did, that it is not a good fit for you, you will not have any trouble selling it here.

Edited to add, have you considered the Aurora Optima? It has the beauty of the Pelikan (much more so in my opinion), and the piston fill system, but is about the size of the Pro. Gear. If the 800 is too big and heavy for you, as it is for me, the Optima is an excellent substitute. I personally prefer Aurora nibs over Pelikan and Sailor.

Whenever you have a choice between a piston filler and a cartridge/converter pen.... buy the piston filler! Piston fillers are so much easier to use, and they feel like real fountain pens.

I have a Pel M800 and a Sailor 1911M both with fine nibs.

The Pel is a great pen. Build quality is terrific, and as been said it holds a lot of ink. There have been many reports of dissatisfaction with the Pel nib quality, but I was fortunate in that it mine was great right out of the box (although I tried a medium at the store and it was really toothy). The line is a bit wet and closer to a medium IMO.

The Sailor is a true fine. The nib is awesome. The pen itself is not that impressive looking, much lighter in weight, and does hold far less ink. Still, I am actually considering purchasing a Pro Gear because of the nib.

Aside from aesthetics, you may want to consider your hand writing. Mine is small, sloppy, and generally atrocious. The nib on the Sailor is more forgiving of my poor penmanship. Further, if you ever need to take notes on anything with small margins the nib on the Sailor is a real plus. Good luck with your decision.

I own a Pelikan M805 and a Sailor 1911, and the main differences are:

• The Pelikan is a bit heavier than the Sailor, but it's well balanced, and lends itself to be used unposted.
• The Pelikan is a piston filler, and refilling is much easier. The converter in the Sailor is way too small for my needs, but so are most converters.
• The nibs are quite different. Pelikan nibs produce a constant, wet line with some feedback; whereas Sailor nibs are a bit springy (even those marked H), and are very smooth. In fact, I never considered a Sailor pen util I got to try the nibs at the LA Pen Show. No matter which one I chose, I was very impressed.
• The Pelikan, in my opinion, looks much nicer than the Sailor. But that's not a bad thing for the Sailor, I have a Sailor 1911 and an Aurora 88 as my pocket pens, because they are unobtrusive and don't call undue attention when you use them in meetings and such.

take a look...

http://www.nibs.com/SailorProfessionalGear.htm

http://www.nibs.com/Sailor1911InternationalStyle.htm

http://www.nibs.com/PelikanM800Series.htm

I'm a great Sailor and Pelikan fan. M800 is the best pistonfiller you can purchase. Sailor 21k nib is probably the best modern nib.
A hard choice...

Bye!!!

This is obviously subjective, but I would suggest you go for the Pel. I had both but I eventually sold the PG. The PG performed flawlessly, as do my M805's, but the PG does not feel as solid in the hand, and IMO, the piston filler on the Pelikan makes it a winner. The Sailor convertors are on the smallish side. Also, you can eventually get additional custom nibs that screw write in to the Pelikan.

Please let us know what you decide.

I'd put my vote towards the M800 if I had to choose, due to all the reasons lifted (piston filler, brass fittings, unique design) but to be honest with you I am in the market for an M805 and a Sailor 1911 International (I prefer the cigar shape to the lopped off ends of the Pro Gear).

I'm also really interested in trying out a Zoom nib. Sailor's Zoom/Music nibs are also something to consider in your purchase, if you are into those kind of nibs.

If size/length and weight matter, you need to hold these pens in your hand. I have both. The m800 is a moderately large, long pen and fairly heavy. The PG is a lot lighter and quite short. I like Pelikan m800 for use at my desk. I can carry the Sailor PG around with me in a pocket or slot in my bag; it doesn't add to the weight at all.

(edited for typos)

you can buy the pel M800 from Richard or John and ask them to tweak the nib as per your specifications. However, please note that the M800 has a tapering section, which sometimes can be a little problematic depending on how you hold your pen.

I have both the M800 and the Pro Gear. I love both of these pens. But if I have to choose only one, I would go with the Pelikan, so long as size and weight are non-issues. The Pelikan is certainly larger and heavier because of the brass piston. The Pro Gear is short, so it's not designed for everyone. Fortunately, the Pro Gear has some girth to the barrel and is not a skinny pen. But I think it's one of those pens that, if at all possible, you should try holding before you buy.

Both are superb writing instruments with nibs that are smooth in different ways. IMHO, if you don't mind a larger and heavier pen, then I would go with the M800 for all the reasons previously mentioned. If you prefer a smaller, lighter pen, then the Pro Gear is your best bet.

Wow! I was (pleasantly) surprised by the amount of responses posted on the topic in one night. Looks like I have not been the only one with this dilemma.

Thanks to all --- I am leaning more to the Pelikan at this point. I did try one at a local store and must admit it was incredibly nice to use.

The M800 is definitely the sweet spot in the Souveran range for most users. Large but not oversize, weighty but not too heavy. A true all-around classic.

I don't know why i haven't looked at Pelikans, but today I ordered a Sailor Prof Gear based on what i'd read about the nibs!

You made a great choice. But, if you like a pistonfiller, if you're looking for a medium-large pen, you must buy an M800 too...

(If you like a piston filler try with Aurora Optima or 88 too.)

I'd go for the M800 and the old-style; I purchased a flawless one from Rick Propas. I also have an old-style ribbed Sailor Naginata Togi, which I like very much, but I do reach for my M800 before my Sailor.

hmmm... now that I have decided for the M800, I am going back and forth between a black one or a green one...

(and before someone suggests it, I can't buy both now !!)


decisions, decisions....

Do look at the Visconti Van Gogh also.

Try the 805

Black with silver furniture looks so good.

I'm partial to the Black with Gold trim. Nice classic look. Though I was able to pick up a Tiffany version of this pen which is cobalt blue with gold trim and stunning.

Forget about the black one go for the green,its classic Pelikan and in my eyes beautiful.

Classic or Common? You decide!!

Hi Imederos, have you made a decision yet!?



Well I hadn't considered getting a piston filler because I didn't know they were any good...I thought the nib would be the important part when I ordered the Sailor PG. When I was little I had a piston filled pen but it used to leak everywhere so I thought it was a design fault. However now, reading on FPN I keep seeing messages raving about Pelikans. Going to look at the reviews...

I would certainly recommend trying both before you buy either. I have a PG and an 805 and both get regular use - but both are very different indeed (not least because myPelikan has an oblique nib).

I find that I don't get on so well with the Sailor when Im tired - but I find the Pelikan less expressive. I end up using the Sailor for note-taking and the Pelikan for drafting longer text.

Although I'm sure you'd be happy with either , theres really only one answer, really : get both!

Regards

David

A classic black pens is impossible to fault. The Pelikan green pinstripe is the signature for the brand -- no one that knows pens will mistake it for any other. So decide if you prefer low profile elegance or distinctive elegance, and enjoy.

One balding white man's opinion: I'm with Goodguy -- go with the Pelikan hallmark green.

I actually went for the 800 with blue stripes

already have a different green Pel, a black M600, and a blue M605, so I wanted something different (as was stated here before, if I don't like it, I can always sell it)

for some reason, I like the rhodium trim on all other pens, but prefer the gold trim on the Pelikans

Excellent choice - it will stand out from the flock!

I agree that you made an excellent choice. I have owned six different blue stripe Pelikans, and think they are quite attractive. Alas, the only Pelikan I currently have is a green stripe 400 from the 1950s. I would like to get another blue stripe Pelikan one day (and a red stripe, too!).

You have already made your choice...I just came across this thread. I'll just throw out my two cents:

I own BOTH the Pelikan M800 and Sailor Professional Gear.

I am going to be the outlier here and say that I would buy the Professional Gear first.

I agree with what everyone else has posted about the relative size, weight, greater ink capacity for the Pelikan and smoother nib for the Sailor.

It's just that, for me, the experience of writing with SUCH a smooth nib is a great joy. Therefore, although I agree with all the objective comparisons, the subjective value of the smooth Sailor nib is more important to me.

I agree that Sailor's nibs, out of the box, are exceptional.

However, I buy my Pelikans and Signums (the brands I am focusing on besides Sailor) from Richard Binder. In my opinion, a Pelikan or Signum tweaked by Richard is comparable to a Sailor nib in smoothness and flow --- so the real difference is the pen body and nib feel other than smoothness.

Hey Imederos will you let us know when you get your new Pelikan?

I have to wait for my order of Sailor PG - don't know how long yet - so I won't be able to comment about the smoothness of the nib yet. I think I made the right choice for me, a lighter FP and subtler appearance. Also I like a shorter pen so hopefully all will be well!

Well, got the M800 with blue stripes.

I must admit it is gorgeous and feels very different from my M600 or M200 pens. This is serious presence here folks ---- no doubting that this is a high end pen.

The nib is definitely a little springier than my other Pelikans, and took a little getting used to. I noticed that some folks at work just look at the pen when I take it out to write too.


It also definitely has more mass to deal with. If your hands are on the small side, this would be too much pen for you, in my opinion.

Congrats on your purchase. I too am very happy with my blue striped M800 (except the ink flow which I will get sorted out). It has very good presence, is extremely elegant and people always want to have a second look at it.

oh !! one more thing

try as I may, I can't see the ink window on the barrel of this blue striped Pelikan which is on my black, blue, and green marbled Pelikans

is it only more difficult to see on the striped ones???

Yes, it is more difficult - you have to hold it up against the light.

hi there,

before I fell in love with the Pelikan, I was a MB user. Seriously, please try before you buy.

Ever since I have gotten my firs Toledo, the M900 series, I have been using it very often and the feel is just great...

The feel, the weight, the flow are excellent.

Therefore, pleas try before you buy...as you must be totally comfortable with the pen that meets your expectations and desire.

All the best

the green is the best choice.
I have searched hard and at last I found a 12year old out of production M600 with the green engrave Pelikan logo on the cap, in mint condition.
The green is really the best