In Moleskine: 06/13/08

Official Moleskine Review of the Pelikan M200

Out of the box - it's small. Smaller than I expected but it fits the hand quite well. Very light. Too lazy and eager to flush it, I filled it with Noodler's black right away.

This pen came from Pam Braun, so it is NOT a Binder Mod. This is a fine nib, and it's very thin.

For Comparison: Lamy 2K EF DIamine Imperial Blue
9556 Esterbrook 9556 (Fine) Diamine Imperial Purple
Lamy Safari EF Noodler's Aircorp Blue Black
Lamy 1.1 stub Noodler's Black
Lamy custom Cursice Italic .07? (Pendemonium grind)
Lamy Safari M Noodler's Black

I would not consider this to be "butter" smooth - bit it IS smooth. Will probably be even smoother with a different ink. Iyts smoother than the Esterbrook non, which is very stiff.
I'm not generally fond of gold trim, but on this pen it's not very obtrusive, and it makes it look...rich.

I can say right off the bat that I like holding it better than the Lamy 2K because the L2K had nothing to grip and it often rotates in my hand. Posted, this pen is the smallest I have. (Edited to add - the Phileas is a smidge shorter, but much fatter)

I like it, but I'm not yet sure if I love it. I'll have to get back to you on that - probably after I flush and fill it with a different ink. )
Stephanie

In Apica:

Official Apica CD11 test of the Pelikan M200
Everything writes smoother and thinner in the Apica's

Om Bhoor Bhovas Suvaha Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasaya Dhimahi Dhiyoyona Prachodayaat
...Gayatri Mantra

Noodler's Black ink

Compared against : Lamy 2000 EF DIamine Imperial Blue
Lamy Safari EF Noodler's Aircorp Blue-Black
Lamy 1.1 Stub Noodler's Black

Lamy custom Cursive Italic (.07?( from Pendemonium Waterman Blue-Black
Lamy Safari M Noodler's Black
Esterbrook 9556 FIne Imperial Purple, Diamine
Stephanie

Boy, Is this pen Shiny Black!

Pelikan M200 from Pam Braun $57 + $6 shipping

Links to more photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/biffybeans/2575863317/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/biffybeans/2575862729/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/biffybeans/2576691516/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/biffybeans/2575861775/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/biffybeans/2576690326/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/biffybeans/2576689706/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/biffybeans/2576689014/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/biffybeans/2576688282/

Top to Bottom:

Lamy AL Star w/ custom ground .07 Cursive Italic nib (Pendemonium did the custom work from a scratchy Fine)
Yellow Lamy Safari with EF nib
Gray Esterbook from Ebay, with a 9556 nib also found on Ebay
Lamy 2000 with Extra Fine Nib
Waterman Phileas Fine nib
Pelikan M200 FIne Nib

Click to view attachment

Nice! I especially like your flickr picture of the nib, close up and very very shiny

I am always too impatient to flush a pen before filling it - I've certainly noticed that with my Pelikans that it takes a little while for the pen to really open up and flow freely. It might feel a bit smoother and your lines become wider then. I hope you continue to enjoy your pen!

p.s. I like the mantra. I've heard it in about three different melodies!

Hi Sophie -

I've no doubt that this pen will "loosen up" in time. I just wrote about 4 pages with it and it's already feeling smoother. (still not butter yet) I had the same thing happen with the Esterbrook nib. It's still a bit of a nail, but with the Imperial purple in it, it's writing so much smoother (and wider) now that it's tolerable.

Thank you for your review.

Yes, the Pel M-200 series is a small pen. I prefer writing with an M-800 or an M-1000, but those larger sizes are not convenient to carry when I am out and about. For carrying, the M-200 is handier, while still being a great writing pen.