Which is it and why, if I might ask?

Because it fits my hand better. I am used to this size pens. A MB 149 is too big for me. A Pelikan 800 is as big as I can go. But I can write all day with a 600-size pen.

Interestingly, the M4xx is almost exactly the same size as the Esterbrook J, which I truly love.

Also, I voted for M4xx because the poll was limited to the Souverän series. Had the Tradition series been available, I'd have voted for M2xx (which is exactly the same size as the M4xx); I prefer the simpler, less bling-heavy look.

M800 because it fits my hand perfectly (I don't post my caps). #6 arrived from Malaysia yesterday (thanks Grasshopper) and is my first one with silver trim.

I left out the 2xx Traditions becuase they are the same sizeas the M4xx, yes. Call me a little OC but limiting things to one all encompassing series, Souveran, makes for a neat and tidy poll. If you need an explanation where your Toledo 700, for example, or whatever else fits, just ask.

Since the question refers to size, my vote goes to the 800's size. However, I've slowly discovered that I generally prefer lighter pens, so in reality the 800 is a bit too heavy for me - enter Chris Burton I too don't post my pens, apart from my Sailor pocketpens, so the 800 has a nice comfortable length for me, in addition to the nice girth.


G.

(hope you like it Chris!)

Do you have a picture of that? I also LOVE silver trims.

Hi,

Go to http://www.souveraen.de/

You can buy that pen everywhere now.

Dillon

The M1000 is my favorite size!! I love the large springy nibs and the size of the barrel. I love the M600 pens too!! Thats another great size. I have a lot of M200 and M400 models and they are a great pen to keep in an agenda.

TNS

I love the M1000s but yet again I love those "cute" m300s.

I voted 600. I tend towards largish, light-weight pens. The 600 approaches the 800 in size, but is much lighter. I save my 800 (with Mottishawed B nib) for signatures.

I bought a M300 on FleaBay about 2 years ago with a 18kt Medium nib and at the time I was really not savvy on FP's and about the different sizes. I thought that the M300 was larger than the M200's and the M400's. Well needless to say I was a bit disappointed when I opened the box but once I filled it up with ink and started writing, all my disappointment turned to joy. There is a lot of bang in this pen, thats for sure. It holds very little in the way of ink but the nib was super springy and it felt like writing with a stick of butter!! I tend to keep my M300 with my check book and filled with Noodlers Black to make sure the ink wont come off any of my checks!!! Oh did I mention that I bought the M300 brand new with the 18kt nib for 65.00 on an auction? Yes it is way smaller than I prefer but there is a time and a place for it and it does get a lot of use!!

I didn't vote because I only have the M400. After more Pelikans come to roost, I'll be able to form an opinion.

I'm not sure what the next one will be, but it will have a 0.7mm crisp italic nib!

Interesting. One would think that the 4xx size would have the most votes because of the large amount of talk the 200, 250, and assorted 400 pens get around here. Maybe folks who only have Traditions series 200s and 250s aren't voting?

I would have guessed the 4xx and 8xx sizes to be a close first and second, but I am surprised to see the 6xx clearly in second at this point. It seems that size is the silent but popular choice for a larger portion of folks than I expected from reading the boards.

Ahh, now the 400s are catching up.

8xx. Fits my hand best. Actually I have an eye for the 805.

I voted 8XX, because they write great unposted. I prefer light pens, yet the Pelikan M805 I have, perhaps due to its weight distribution, almost writes by itself, and it's very comfortable for long writing sessions. It also holds more ink than the smaller Pelikans.

Hi I voted M1000 but M800 is very good too.I prefer OS pens.

Take Care,
Emrecan

The funny thing is, the 2xx/4xx overall length and width are great for me. The problem is the step from the barrel to the filler knob catches the webbing between my finger and thumb. I like Pelikan, but I'd rather no go all the way up to an 800 (600 is not longer enough, either).

M600 unposted cap right now is the perfect size.

Owned : 200, 400, 600, 620 Cities, 730, 800 (I thought 800 was the ultimate for me)
Now I have :1000 and 620 Athens

IMHO, it is a MYTH that the 1000 is a humongous pen. If you can handle the 800, 1000 is not that much different since the sculpted shape section helps with making the pen feel not as big.

If you can handle a MB149, Dupont Orpheo, Nakaya, Dani Trio Raw Ebonite in any sizes (smallest to biggest), then the 1000 will feel just right at home or even a bit like an anerexic in your hand.

That's a fact based on my reality of feeling the pens pver the years. So I am officially a fan of 1000 model. Regretted that I had been too chicken to take a 1000 in earlier.

That's my story and I am sticking to it.

But I can tell you if you have tried a 1000 nib, and if you like semi-flex nibs, then 1000 is the best writing experience because of the wet springy semi-flex.

1000 does not feel noticeably heavier than an 800.
I like the 1000 nibs so much that I am willing to let go of my 800, it's that good and worthwhile.

My 2 cents.

600. Not too big, not too small. Just right. Plus it's short enough to fit in a shallowish aloha shirt pocket. Interestingly (or maybe not) it's shorter than my Namiki Falcon capped, but longer posted.

I like a big pen. I have the M800 and the MB149. I was going to get anM 1000, but have been told that the ink resevoir is the same size as the 800. Rather then leap to the 1000, I am waiting for another reasonably priced large piston fillpen to come available.

I think the 600 is about perfect, especially for extended writing. I used one to write the bar exam, which is a ton of writing.

Nevertheless, I also think the 800 is a great size for jotting shorter notes.

I have several in the 400 size, and while they are nice pens to carry in a shirt pocket, they feel just a tad to small in my big hands.

The 600 is probably the perfect size for all around use.

I agree 100%!!!!! The M1000 was my first true OS pen and when I saw it for the first time (thats when I bought it) I was wondering, "How in the heck am I going to write with this thing"??? Well, it took me about 5 minutes to get used to the size and I love it!!! My MB 149 is a bit more curvaceous (Mae West) than the Pelikan M1000 and I have to admit that the MB 149 is a tad bit more comfortable than the M1000. Now I said a tad!!! The M1000 nib IMHO blows away the MB149 nib any day of the week. Both are mediums and both are nice but I find the MB149 nib to be a bit more on the rigid side in comparison to the M1000 nib.

The Pelikan M1000 opened the doot to OS pens!! The Pelikan M1000, I thought was the largest pen on the market, well until I started to find and buy more larger pens. Such as the Laban Kaiser & Mento (both 18kt nibs) OMAS 360, Stipula Etrurias, Danitrio Densho and Mikados, and Bexley Prometheus.

Since I got over my initial fears and concerns over OS pens, thats all I pretty much buy now. I have very small hands for a dude but the larger pens seem to fit me like a glove. Dont let the size scare you out of buying a pen, you will be totally suprised about how comfortable they really are!!!

I own several pelikans in all of the modern SOUVERAN models with the exception of the M800. I have several in the M200 and M400 size. They have become a bit to small for me but they are still somewhat comfortable to use for taking notes at meetings while I am at work.

I have
M75
M150
M200
M250
M300
M400
400NN
M600
M1000

I am passing on this vote While the Souverans grow noticeably in girth when going up to the higher numbers, the grip sections seem to remain rather short, and that's one flaw thas has prevented me from going beyond my M200. Perhaps the quick handling at the pen show wasn't enough and I could easily get used to the M600/800, but as soon as a grab these pens, I feel restrained in where I can grip them.

for me, hands down, the M1000 is my favourite. I like the flext, large nib, and its reasonably large girth.
One reason why I like thcker pens is this - i have suffered some serious nerve damage in my hands as a result of a brian tumor. Skinner pens seem to stress the muscles i n the palm of my hand very fast, and after about 5 minutes of writing, my hand seizes up, and gets stuck sort of like a trigger fingure type of situation. fatter pens make writing easier for me.
So, nowadays, in addition to the Peki M1000, I like the Delta Dolce Vita OS, MB 149, Bexley Prometheus, and modern Parker Duofold centennials. I am saving to get a DaniTrio Mikado.

I am very new to fountain pens.

I bought my first (a Lamy Safari) about four months ago. I also own a Namiki VP that my husband has made off with.

I just bought a Pelikan M805 last week from Larry at Dromgoole's in Houston. I tried the whole line of Pelikans and the 800 is what fit my hand the best.

Now, I don't have exceptionally large hands, but I do occasionally have hand and wrist problems.

I can easily grip and write with the Pelikan for hours.

When I get the money, I'll buy another one.

I chose the 800, but i have a wide range when it comes to the Souveran line
and can use any comfortably for long periods except the 1000. I test drove
an inked 1000 at a pen show (barely used for $200) and I really wanted to
buy it, but just couldn't get comfortable with it posted or unposted
(and I use a 149). Could not imagine writing with it for more
than a short note. I don't think it was the girth. Maybe the balance was
off for me. A pity.

The M4xx got my vote - with the cap posted the size feels just perfect in my hand. I love the M300's too, but not for sustained writing periods.

The M400 is the longest of my 'small pens' collection, In general I don't like many pens past 5" capped. The stouter, the better.

I have a fantastic Pelikan M1000 CP6 in sterling silver. Magnificent pen! I like the M1000 size simply because I like large pens. I'm one of those guys who considers the M800 a medium size pen, so I can only go for a bigger one, the M1000. And no, I NEVER post the cap on my fountain pens.

I signed addressed and signed 200+ letters today. I alternated between using a vintage Sheaffer Balance with a fine stub and a Pelikan 400 with a cursive italic nib.

All the letters are to donors to the non-profit I direct announcing my retirement and introducing my replacement.

I don't own one but I'd like a 400.

I love the M800,it fits my hand perfectly.I must admit though I dont write so much anymore as much as I didnt when I was a student.If I was to write that much maybe I would consider or give the M600 a chance.

The M600 size is the best for me in terms of size and weight, but I can comfortably use the smaller M200/400 size, too.

A 1000- simply because it fits my arthritic hands without causing pain- and it looks so good- for al those youttful hands, if and when you are cursed and struck down with too much bone in your fingers, may you all have a 1000 to grab onto- you will thank the German nation- if only for that.

t

I voted for the 800 which, until it went out to Chartpack for repairs, was the most used pen in my collection. (I wrote with it so much that it actually fell apart in a mere two years.)

In the interim, I've been using my Namiki Falcons and my new Sheaffer Legacy IIs a lot. Now, my 800 seems a bit too big.

Time to buy and try a M600? Well, the city series has been seducing me for awhile with its luscious colors. Painted Jezebels, I don’t think I can resist you much longer!

I second (third, whatever) what's been said about the M1000's nib. My O3B just caresses the page. I could probably write much more comfortably with it unposted, but I'm terrified of losing the cap. I did this with another beloved pen and not only lost the cap, but haven't found another to replace it.

I have the M400 and M600. They are identical in barrel diameter, but the M600 is longer. I was considering the M300 because it is the lightest and has the smallest barrel diameter among the other models, but the length I thought would be a bit too short. And yes, the extra 10/16" does make a difference (no jokes, please )!

The M800's and M1000's barrel diameter, coupled with the weight (when posted), makes both a bit too big and heavy for me.

Hey Chad,

When I took my Bar Exams, I was told I couldn't use a FP. I had to resort to a ballpoint and I couldn't move my hand for a week after. Maybe each state has different pen-requirements...

I'm probably in the 96th or higher percentile when it comes to number of words written per week so I always gravitate toward lighter pens. The only Pelikan I own is the M650 with a medium nib. A very nice pen to be sure. I chose it over the 800 and 1000 series pen because it doesn't have the brass plunger thus saving all kinds of grams in the hand. I can write with the M650 all day long and not get tired. Its very similar to the PFM in that regard. The M650 is slightly shorter but weighs about 1 gram more at around 24.5 grams versus the metal capped PFM IV. Two great pens, seperated at birth?

PeteWK

in retrospect, do all 200 owners realize that the 200 and 400 are the same size? I wonder if the Traditions had been included if the answers would have been different for that reason. It was some time after I had owned a 200 that I even considered a higher-end pelikan and until that time I didn't know anything about the 400s. For just a moment, even though I'd voted long ago and even though I know better, I thought "what? Where is the 200?"

I guess it just surprises me that the seemingly ubiquitous 200/400 size doesn't have a higher share. It is, after all, not that much different in size than the Esterbrooks Richard pointed out and the original Pelikans.

In terms of absolute size, the M200 is actually not that small. But - I must sound like a broken record now - there is omething about the design of the grip section that makes it feel small in the hand.