Well, I received my Pelikan M620 “Chicago” this morning. I haven’t inked it yet, but wanted to give my initial impressions just to solicit comments.
The fit and finish seem really good, especially for a fairly mass-produced pen. It’s very nice looking with the black, silver and gray marbled look. I like the iridescence of the lighter tones and the way they change tone at different angles. I am not disappointed at all in the initial look of the pen.
I am surprised a bit at the “lightweight” feel of the empty pen. I expect that will change a bit when I fill it with ink, but for right now, it seems very light. I know the body is cast resin, but can anyone shed any light on the clip material? I know it’s supposed to be plated, but is it plated metal, brass, what? It does not stick to my magnet, so I’m hoping it’s not plastic (please, tell me the clip is NOT plastic). It seems to have some spring to it and stamped on the backside of the clip, in very tiny letters, is the word “Metal”. Can any fellow Pelikan owners confirm that their pen has this marking as well?
Anyway, I will give some more impressions when I actually ink and use the pen. I do like the look, I was just expecting something more substantial (not a criticism, just an observation). The only thing I currently have to compare it against is my Namiki VP, which is a fair amount heavier…….I know, Apples and Oranges.
One other thing, when you fill these with ink, how much does it impact the look of the pen? I prefer to write with blue ink, but I'm a little concerned that blue in inside that body will cast quite a blue hue to the black, silver and gray body. What has been your experience? I'll buy some blue and if I don't like the look, I'll just use it for my VP and fill the Chicago with black.

Thanks, Dean

I have two Pelikan Chicagos (and always looking for more).

The pen is very light, as you mention. I think you will find that this is not a downside, but a good thing. For a while I was using my M805 models and found that I preferred the less weighty Chicago for extended writing. Also, I don't think the weight, or lack thereof, should be used to judge the quality of the pen.

I have used black ink almost exclusively in both of my Chicagos. I think that is because I like black ink, particularly black Quink, not because of how the ink looks in the pen. I did use some Aurora Blue in the pen, and couldn't really see any difference until the ink got low. Filled black v. Filled blue looks the same.

I like the iridescent specks as well. I think such a design would look good with a blue base color as well.

Enjoy!

Well, first comment is that the light weight of Pelikans is, in large part, one of their features that draw many of us to them. The belief that heft=quality (or difficulty of manufacture) is not based in truth. Yes, that clip is metal. What sort of metal I can't say but I can assure you it isn't plastic. None of the 200 or greater Pels are. Supposedly the plating on 400 and up Pelikan series pens is thicker, better quality than the 200s. You'll have no problems with the clip I'm sure. mine have stood the tests of time and abuse quite well. Yes, the tiny word "metal" is on the inside of my pels clips also. Veeery small.

Filling will add to the weight but not greatly - but do give the pen a chance. You may find that you like the lightweight feel and that it is less fatiguing. Everyone's different though. I find that, while I generally do *not* post my caps, if I do for some odd reason, I still can very comfortably use my 200s and 600. Which is unusual for me but can be owed to the light weight of the pen. I don't have any other similarly sized pens that I can make that claim about.

While I agree you can't really "compare" the VP with the Cities Pelikans, you can contrast and still come up with two excellent pens. The VP is heavier because the body is brass through and through. Plus the mechanism for the nib retraction probably adds some weight. It isn't until you get the M800 or M1000 that Pels go up significantly in weight (brass innards). However, the VP's weight is well-distributed across the pen, IMO which means that I can use it just as comfortably as my light weight pens. I point this out only because it shows how such a wide range of designs can suit a large number of folks. I though, before my VP, that I would only ever tolerate pens as light as Pelikans.

KCat,
Thanks very much for your reply. Based on the posts I've read, you are definitely one of the people from whom I hoped to get a reply. I felt a little silly having some of the doubts about the pen, mostly because Pels seem to have quite a following, and I knew that should speak for itself. I am also quite a newbie, and am likely one who "equates heft with quality". I am going to buy some ink at lunchtime and am quite looking forward to putting this pen to paper, as I know that is where Pels shine.
Thanks again, Dean

Well, do let us know how it works out. Yes, they're tops on my list. I imagine I drive folks nuts about it at times.

Did you say what nib you got?

I got the Medium nib. This seems contrary to what I've read here, but it appears to be a bit finer than my VP with a "M" nib. It certainly isn't any broader than the VP. Now that I'm trying it again, it actually seems about the same in line weight, but it seems significantly "drier" than the VP. That may have as much to do with the ink I'm using (Parker Quink Black in the Pelikan - Namiki blue cartridges in the VP) as it does with the nib........ ahhh, so much to learn.
I'm also wondering, do the Pelikan nibs require a more vertical angle with the pen than the Namiki VP, for example? The reason I'm asking is because, at my customary writing angle (between 45 - 60 degrees) the Pelikan skips just a slight bit. If I angle up a bit (closer to 60 degrees) it seems to be pretty flawless. Again, not anything major, just one of those idiosyncrasies that make writing with these instruments more fun and interesting.
Also, with the very little bit I've written so far, I can see your point about and begin to appreciate the lighter weight of this pen. Especially for longer writing sessions, it seems like it would become more of an extension of your hand and less noticeable than something heavier, especially considering that you don't need the weight of the pen to help do the writing as you would with an BP or RB.
I'll continue to experiment and learn and post as I go. Probably won't be as much help to the veterans, but maybe a newbie or two like me can get a glimpse of what to expect.

Thanks, Dean

My favourite pen is my Chicago which has a lovely Binder Cursive Italic nib. It is just a superb pen. I agree with the surprise of how light it is but it is something that you forget after a little while. I've got my eye on an M625 and hope that the silver adds a little extra weight!

Great pen.

I write at an average angle which is probably around 45-degrees. So technically, i don't think you should have to raise the angle and I don't think it's typical. Your nib may be a bit baby-bottomed or you may a) want to try a "wetter" ink or just play with it for a while and see if you adjust to it comfortably. I hope it's not problematic but if it is, don't hesitate to contact Pelikan. They have excellent customer service. US's contact (chartpak) is really quick as well.

Thanks KCat,
I'll play around with the angles and see what happens. Your comment about the nib being "baby bottomed", besides being funny, is probably true. Funny thing is, I read all these posts about the Namiki VP nib squeaking it's way across the page, and mine has never made a peep. I haven't read one thing about the Pelikan squeaking, but guess what mine does. It doesn't "sing" like some have said their Namikis do, but it let's you know it's there. That, in itself, makes me believe the very minimal skipping is due to the newness of the nib. By the way, you mentioned using the Quink. That's what I bought, and I like it. While this pen doesn't seem to lay down a really wet line, that Quink ink has a very nice deep black with very little "fading" around the edges.
Isn't it funny? I'm analyzing my writing and the performance of the pen much more since I got this "real" fountain pen. I don't know why, but I don't look at my Namiki the same way. I know it's just as much a fountain pen as the Pelikan, but it's so cleverly disguised, it doesn't come under the same scrutiny..................different topic I guess.

I'd better talk a couple of co-workers into getting fountain pens so I don't feel like such a goof-ball.

Dean

The Pelikan M800 and M1000s have quite a bit of heft. This is the main reason my M800 sits in a drawer while my M605 stays in my front shirt pocket.

I just wanted to add my .02 about the skipping. It doesn't sound like you have a particularly goofy handwriting angle, and you shouldn't have to alter it as you have to get the pen to write well. If you've written through an entire load of ink and the problem persists, consider flushing it with moderately warm water and soaking it overnight. Ink it and see what happens. If it still persists, I would seek either an exchange from the place you bought it from, or a nib exchange via Pelikan.

Thanks to everyone for the input. I am enjoying the pen and probably need to let some of the newness wear off before I form too many opinions as to it's writability. I am confident, especially based on the comments I've read on this forum that it will be a great performer - and actually, it's not like I ask a trememndous amount from my pens. I'm not writing novels or anything, just taking notes in meetings, etc. The lighter weight is actually more and more appealing because, as Amin says, this one will stay in my pocket. I'm still seriously considering the M625. Do any of you have this pen or have you seen it in person? I'm a sucker for the blue laquered stripes and the amount of silver on this pen. Probably a little heftier because of the metal, but surely manageable.

Thanks again, Dean

Hi, Cam. I don't know about the 600 series, but I have a 420 (the black one with the stirling silver cap and piston) and the silver definitely adds some weight to the pen in comparison to other pens in the 200/400 series. I would imagine the same would be true for the 625 in relation to other 600s. Take care,

David

I do not have one of these but I can tell you that most Pelikans are light and that is one of the many reasons I love em to death.

Music PN Guy: Tim