I tried an M1000 at the NY/NJ Pen show yesterday at Richard Binder's table. When I was getting my nib reground, Richard and I talked about the M600 I got for him and how I'm planning on getting an M800 soon. I told him how I tried the M1000 and how big it is. He said "If you like using a baseball bat for a pen then its right for you." Honestly, how could you use a pen that size? Its got to attract so much attention.

x2

do tell

I really think the size of the M1000 is overrated by its detractors. It's not a baseball bat or a cucumber - it doesn't really get any second looks from people when I use it. It fits my hand great and that big nib writes beautifully. I love it!

Of course it's a big pen, and, yes, with a big nib.
But it's the uniqueness, the springiness of the nib !!!!!!!!!!!

Mike

I would expect baseball bat comments from people who prefer vintage pens. Take a look at a 149 compared to a M1000 or a Dani Trio Ginkao ( sic) these are all large pens that people write with comfortably.

K

The M1000 is not that much bigger than the M80x.

I use a Mikado on occasion. Now that is a BIG pen. It makes an MB149 look like a handbag (purse) pen.

Richard is notorious for his fondness for smaller sized pens. However, to each his own. I respect Richard's opinion on most issues, but I disagree with him on the merits (or lack thereof) of large pens. The enduring popularity of the Pelikan M1000, the Montblanc 149, the Dupont Large Orpheo, the Waterman Edson, the Omas New Paragon, the Delta Dolcevita Oversize, the Danitrio Mikado, the Sailor King of Pens, the Nakaya, and the new pens from Brian Gray all indicate that many fountain pen users like the feel of a large pen.

The M1000 fits my hand nicely. It is light despite its size which makes it comfortable for longer stretches of writing. However, I also like to use the M800 for similar reasons. And yes, I agree with previous posters: The M1000 is big, yes, but not excessively so. Nowhere near a bat in my opinion. And you gotta love that springy extra big nib that the M800 for instance does not offer.

As I said coming from a lover of vintage pens. I could have said vintage toothpicks but that would not have been nice

Kurt

I have always found the m1000 comfortable posted. Never found it too large nor have gotten ant more attention to then anyother fountain pen. I guess my question would be how do you use those tiny m200/m400

Well that's sort of funny (of course, actually, it's not all that funny) but I have relatively large hands and prefer my M800 or the up and coming M1000 for the sake of the size....
... BUT, I also treasure my M215 and will also soon get an M320 just because it is so tiny. Fits perfectly in my T-shirt pocket (to repeat myself again).
It's just that {a} I can get used to different sizes, and {b} I like changing FP sizes and grips a lot each day.

Mike

I have to add my reply to this question .. thanks for asking it

Unposted, the Pelikan m1000 and the MB 149 are the exact same length

Posted however, the m1000 is larger than the MB 149 in length

I guess I have slightly larger hands, but I love to write with the m1000

The nib for me is a pleasure to write with. Yes, it is bigger than most other nibs, but still looks and feels good

Now, if you have prefer smaller pens, then obviously the m1000 is not for you

I write with the pen posted, and it fits my hand like a glove.

However, as you said, this pen is not for everyone. And as you rightly put it, the pen is a magnet to attract attention no matter where you take it out

But the smooth Pelikan piston, aesthetic looks of the nib, and good size of the pen makes it verrrry nice

I am about to purchase a Nakaya Urushi Long Model, and I know THAT will be oversize

My hands are not particularly large but I like the larger pens that are available these days. In the 1950's, 60's and 70's, the pens I could buy were rather smallish. I generally wrote with them in the way I was taught to write with a dip pen (whose shafts are really skinny). I find an M-1000 much more comfortable to write with, and in many ways more fun to use, than many older, smaller pens.

I have some Delta FP's from the 90's that are the same size as the M-1000, but with nibs that are more M-800 sized. I also have Montblanc 149's, a Dupont Large Orpheo, Waterman Edsons, a Delta Dolcevita Oversize, and a couple Danitrio pens including Cum Laudes, a Densho, a Takumi (sp?) and a Mikado. The only one I consider attention getting is the Mikado, and even it is not a baseball bat - to me.

Richard was expressing a personal opinion. My opinion happens to differ from his on this issue. I love larger pens.

I have a Genkai from DaniTrio, so the 1000 strikes me as a rather mid sized pen. But that could just be me. JC

Jdboucher, you tried the M1000 yourself.
From your description, I gather you did not have so much trouble writing with it technically as you do psychologically. Your question was:

"Honestly, how could you use a pen that size? Its got to attract so much attention."

If you are afraid of the attention: by all means, do not buy a large pen. But also, do not write with a fountainpen at all, as many people comment on that, large or small.
Also, only wear plain grey or brown clothes, never wear jewellery, and if you must, only a very small watch. And better not to wear glasses, too.

Meaning: what the heck other people say about the size of your fountainpen. If YOU think you like it, for it's writing abilities, for it's design, for the way it fits your hand or whatever reason, just use it.
If you have size 15 shoes, you're not going to buy a size 12 just because people are going to comment on them, won't you?

Mr Binder is apparently a very good craftsman. but he has his likes and dislikes, just like any other. And well he may have. But your not going to ditch your blonde girlfriend just because he states he likes brunettes, do you? (actually I don't know his tastes) But I would listen very carefully if he explains why a certain nib is just perfect for the way YOU write.

Many people enjoy writing with large pens. I do. I also like to write with a heavy pen. That way I can relax the grip on the pen, let the pen push itself on the paper by it's own weight, and just concentrate on the writing.

Also keep in mind, that most people with hand-problems, eg rheumatics, stroke patients etc prefer thicker pens, as they are easier to hold and control.

There is one definite drawback to large pens though: the often don't fit very well in your shirtpocket.

So, try it in your hand, and if your hand says yes, buy it.

D.ick

Warning. Silliness ahead.

I checked with my friend Sigmund and he reminded me of something he said long ago "sometimes a pen is only a pen."

To which I replied, "Siggy, it isn't just the length, but it has a huge nib and holds lots of ink!"

He sat me down on the couch and pulled out a pad and a M600, lit up a cigar, and said "Tell me about your Father and Mother. What kind of pens did they use?" Did you love your Mother's pen or were you jealous of your Father's pen?

I replied, "What does this have to do with pen size?

Patiently, he commented" Sometimes, repressed childhood emotions are expressed by transferring those feelings to objects. Those objects may share characteristics with the source of the emotions and one of the ways that is manifested is by acquiring and controlling your own objects. By declaring an appreciation of larger and larger pens your subconscious can manifest that you can indeed measure up to your father's expectations for you and reacquire the nurturing you no longer get from your mother."

"All that from a pen" I asked?

"Not just pens. Also fast cars, bicycles, straight-razors, guns, knives, non-existent paramilitary groups, quaint technology, and even religion and politics" retorted Sigmund.

"But that's all we ever talk about on FPN" I cried.

"Now, now, don't get too excited" he soothed. After all, FPN is just a substitute for dealing with these issues with real people. On FPN you can invent personas and avatars, make outlandish claims about the number and size of your pens, glean insights from handwriting analysis, compare colors, and show how tough you are. FPN is a worthy substitute for having a real life. Pen friends are a good substitute for not having real friends. After all, if boasting about having a Pelikan Souverain 1000 makes up for your self-selected inadequacies, then posting on FPN makes up for not having a real life."

He went on "After all, it is all about your fantasies. For some, they are expressed in dreams. For you, it all comes out in your FPN posts. Like dreams, they can be instructive, but they are evanescent, non-material, and, like when Mother wakes you up for school and you hurriedly roll over on your stomach, they are but history when the FPN archetypes purge the record."

Thoughtfully, I staggered out of his parlor, leaving him toking away on that big cigar.

Is it meaningful if I like big pens?
Is it meaningful if I have a big pen?
Do I think less of people with small pens?
Will people think less of me if I have a small pen?

Hmmm. I'd better take my M1000 out of display storage and return it to daily rotation. After all, what must people think if I only use my .......................



Andy

Absolutely brilliant, Andy! I loved it! I've been reading Frankl and Jung, and was debating whether to read Die Traumdeutung... Your post was perfectly timed -- and a real hoot!

Thanks, Andy... I needed that

Bill

Bill

I love vintage pens, and I love my Pelikan 800, from the pictures the 1000 is not that much bigger. It might not be my favorite size, something I won't know until I actually get one in my hand, but I certainly would not call it a baseball bat. (But than I do have extra large hands, well bigger actually, extra large gloves tend to be pretty tight.) I have let Diane use my 800, she thinks it is a bit large, but, when not posted, very useable, she has very small hands, of course she is 4'11".)

Sheaffer Snorkel TM's ARE toothpicks, but I like them nearly as much as my larger pens. I just wish that they had been made in a thicker model with the Triumph nib, at which point they would be practically perfect. I just find them a bit hard to handle for lots of writing, for that kind of writing I reach for a fatter pen. Personally if them were as thick as the Parker 5.5" 51 it would be far more comfortable and I would love them more.

Snorkels are in my daily rotation, just not quite as often as my thicker pens. Well, other than the PFM III, that one gets in the dailies right up there with the 800.

i have one and i love it...

big pens are my preference, i actually found the M1000 a little light. My previous pens were the Yard-o-led Retro grand, which is bigger and heavier, so is my ST Dupont Olympia...so the M1000 for me is great...especially with the flexible nib!

i think it all depends on the size of your hand...for me, recently i bought a couple of Parker 51's and eventhough they are great pens, i find them small and light, which is somehing i will have to get use to.

sammy

I have a Namiki Emperor and it is much bigger than even a Pelikan M1000! Obviously, it's not a pen I use in public.

I actually don't like the M1000, but that's because the nib is too flexible for my liking. The nib tines have a tendency to spread, which I dislike. I find the M800 the optimum size for a Pelikan.

No way I could handle the 1000. But y'all keep talking about that springy nib and I may have to rethink this.

oh wait. no money.

neeehverrrmiiind.

Ha! Loved the Sigmund Freud story. I was actually thinking about this while reading this thread and then came across the post. Brilliant!

Nice andy

Andy, thanks!
I'll print that out and hang it over my bed.
No, somewhere between my LaserJet 6L or Deskjet 570 or Officejet 5610

Mike

Lets look at this another way.
I'm 6'00 tall, weigh 300 lbs, and have a size 11 1/2 hand. How ridiculous does it look for me to be holding and trying to use a dinky little pen like an M400 or some other such size pen. My M 1000 is quite proportionate and comfortable for me. While we're at it, lets take a look and see that it's smaller than my Nozac LE.s, and Visconti Voyager LE. Those are just the pens laying on my desk, I know it's smaller than My Densho and a couple of other Dani Trio's I have.
Just a little something to consider, and maybe put the M 1000 into a more realistic light.
Best regards, Ken.

The m1000 has a nib with a delightful feedback and great springiness. I have seen one in second hand and immediately reserved it because good occasions never represent themselves twice. I will buy it next week.

I find the M1000 to be perfect for my large hand, yet it is quite light and delicate.
Mine is fitted with a fantastic smooth and flexible XF nib.

just bought mine last friday and it has a nice a flexible fine nib with an original inhouse pre bock nib marked pf= pelikan feder.

I'm a novice here. I use large pens because they write bigger. I have pre-orderd the Pelikan 1500.

Brilliant

Yes that is one suprising thing in that the nib does have some flex. Purist would say no but there is line variation!

Kurt

Hi I recently brought the M1000, it's very nice and I like it. It's not as big as described in some of the posts. It really feels in your hand. I've a Sailor Professional, Sheaffer Legacy. I like M1000 more than the other two.