Well,
I'm taking my dip in the Pelikan Pond! I was able to find a source for a Pelikan Chicago and can't wait to put new pen to paper.
Thanks to everyone that has posted their experiences with Pelikan. I'm confident that I will be quite pleased with the purchase. It's coming with a medium nib, so I may be visiting nibs.com to purchase a fine nib....we'll see. I write rather small, so I think I may want to go down a notch.
Just like many others, I'm already planning the next addition. I really really like the looks of the 625, something about the blue, sterling and stripes appeals to a number of my sensibilities
I'm also finding myself attracted to a few of the Sailor models. I will be using these pens at work, and I tend toward a little more understated taste, so the Professional Gear looks nice to me.....then again, so does the 1911 Sterling (perhaps a little too flashy).
I get the impression that, quality-wise, I won't be disappointed with either brand. I do like the more user-changeable nibs of the Pelikans.
Any owners of above-mentioned models, or any similar ones for that matter, I'd love to read anything you have to contribute.

Thanks, and........make room in the pond

I think you will have a difficult time finding better modern pens. I have 14 modern Pelikans, including 5 city series pens. I have 2 chicago pens, which I think is the best of the city/square series.

I have had some nib difficulties at first. Some have had to go to Chartpak for nib replacement, which doesn't take long. Some I have repaired myself. This is no reason to be alarmed.

You might find that you want to buy more Pelikans.

Welcome to the Pelikan Addiction - i hope all goes well with your first dose.

I was recently gifted with a Piazza Navona which I absolutely love. It and all the Cities series are 600 pens - pretty much the top of my range for pen size. The nib is 18K on these and I was surprised that I really liked it. I have other 18K nibs and they're just too mushy for me. But this one is just right - not overly firm, not mushy.

i *plan* to write a review of it. Like I plan to post samples of all my inks, sell a bunch of inks, sell some fabrics, etc.

anyway - love Pelikans all around.

Sailor has a very good reputation and until the new Dani Trio Hanryo showed up, the 1911M in yellow was the next pen on my wish list (hence selling inks and pens soon.) I've heard nothing but good about Sailors so I don't think you can go wrong there either.