I just picked up a new M600 striated from a supplier that already has a few strikes against him in my book (I don't even want to open that can of worms). In any case, there is what appears to be a seam running along the barrel. At first I thought it was a crack, but it is definitely a seam, running longitudinally. It can be overlooked, if need be, but I'm wondering if this is normal on the striated pens.

Is this a modern or a vintage Pelikan?

My M400 has a mild seam (nothing glaring, but you can notice it if you're looking for it). The seam is visual only- it has no "feel" it; the barrel is perfectly round.

My 140 does not have such a seam, though the stripes are not perfect either.

Is your seam visual only, or does it actually affect the shape of the pen (can you feel a ridge there or the like?). The shape should be perfectly smooth and round- you shouldn't have a bump or ridge there.

The pen is brand new, so modern/contemporary. There is no ridge or bump, it's just a cosmetic thing.

Yup, the pens do show seams, quite often. Imagine my response when I first noticed the seam on my tortoise M800. Then I recognised it for what it is.

Not to worry.

Have both an M400 and an M800 without any apparent visual or physical seam. Could this have been a manufacturing defect that was polished out(wild speculation here)?

That's my thought. I bought an M800 and an M600 from the same seller, and both had obvious flaws beyond the seam. Plus, they didn't have the appropriate Pelikan boxes. I'm getting the impression he's selling factory seconds as 100% fresh pens.

If a $300 to $500 pen is showing any sign of inconsistency, that's a problem in my book.

i got one of this too. to what my fellow collector, told me that the barrel done by pelikan are hand made. and in close view the stripes are not even. and that is the unique of Pelikan Souveran. unless if you could feel the crack. even if you feel the crack, the barrel could be exchange one for one cos it is manufacturing defect. what is more matter, is the nib.

now that you mention it, there's a seam in my new M1000, but it's so well disguised that you'd really look long and hard to find it. it's purely cosmetic--no ridge or anything. doesn't bother me at all. (and now that i'm really looking i see one in my M600 as well, bought two years ago from another dealer. again, no big deal. i think it's a point in pelikan's favor that they disguise the seams so well. some of my parker vacs have much more obvious seams.)

After reading through the comments prompted me to examine my M400 and M800 again. Have never paid attention before but the striations on my M800 spiral. Nothing dramatic as in a candycane but they do twist almost the width of one red strip over the length of the barrel.

As was mentioned by a few other members the striated pelikans are formed from a "sheet" of acrylic which is then rolled and joined at the seam. The old Pelikan website used to have a very detailed pictorial of the process. Unfortunately, the new Pelikan web site does not provide much background information. My M400 in Honey/White has a seam which can be seen under magnification. As others have stated nothing to worry about. Mine has been a reliable performer for many years now...

The seam in my M400 actually is well-disguised as a space between stripes. The only reason I noticed it was that it divided one stripe down the middle- I have two "half" stripes on either side of it. If you're not actually looking for, then it looks perfectly normal.

I don't think these seams are a big deal, even for what these pens cost. A seam of some sort would appear to be unavoidable, given the rolling and joining process done on these pens. It has no impact on their function.

Other problems- especially ones that impede function, are signs of a sub par item. The "new" pen should also come with its proper box- so you may have a suspect seller here.

Seams on mine are there but very hard to find. If this is from an authorized dealer, I would think Chartpack would replace at no charge (other than your shipping costs.) If it's really bothering you, call or email and ask about it. I would if it was distracting me.

"As was mentioned by a few other members the striated pelikans are formed from a "sheet" of acrylic which is then rolled and joined at the seam. The old Pelikan website used to have a very detailed pictorial of the process."

It's a shame that this type of information isn't more widely available. Certainly would go a long way in answering questions. Thanks for sharing Jlgreer.

Yup...they are there, but it "seams" to me they were harder to find a while back.

I've contacted Chartpak and they're willing to replace the barrel. If the seam wasn't so apparent, I wouldn't have a problem with it, but it is noticeable.

Although it doesn't impede function, I bought this pen because I wanted a writing instrument that looks as nice as it writes. If I had intended the pen as a utilitarian tool only, I would have gotten one in black, or some other solid color. It's just that for the $200+ I paid for this pen, I feel that there should be no apparent seams, or other cosmetic snafus. I can deal with something that requires careful, minute scrutiny to see, but I noticed the seam clearly from normal writing distance, and in low light no less.

I will say as seams go- that one was a bit worse than mine. I think it might be because you get a sort of "twisted" effect with it rather than a simple, small gap. Chartpak should be helpful.

I've contacted Chartpak and they're willing to replace the barrel.

This type of consumer support from Chartpak was/is the reason Pelikan is my primary manufacturer. Great product and great support.

It's well-hidden, but it's still there. Pelikan Craftsmanship.

I've checked my 2 M600 (green and red), and they do seem to have that seam. It's hardly noticeable; I had to look carefully, but it has no big aesthetic effect.

So, is this normal? Is it part of the manufacturing process?

Juan in Andalucía

It's well-hidden, but it's still there. Pelikan Craftsmanship.

Thank you for the link. Not a lot of information but what is there is informative.

If seams bug you a lot, it might be best to stick to the solid colors (blue or black) or most (all?) of the city/places editions.

Any cosmetic defects on a $200 pen bug me a lot. Pelikan needs to be made aware of this, through warranty repair. I'm not going to avoid a pen I like because the manufacturer has gotten lazy.

I've also got an M800 (green) which clearly shows the seam. The actual stripes are misaligned on the barrel and, as another has said, are nearly a whole stripe (green and "space") out from one end to the other. It's annoying but since I bought the pen second hand (through this forum) I don't really have a lot of choice.

My other M800's (red and blue) don't show the seam at all. It's there if you look very closely, but is between the coloured stripes so is well disguised.

They're aware. Hopefully you'll have more trouble finding the new seam, but don't fool yourself into thinking it won't have one.