Pelikan Blue 'o Blue

[Guest Pjay]

The release of this pen was a little delayed, as was the M800 Italic. Most of my Pelikans have the traditional striated green binde, and some are straight black, so the Blue 'o Blue is a much less subdued Pelikan experience.

This is a very difficult pen to photograph, as very slight changes of lighting result in different shades of blue. For some reason, the pen is also more of a 'dust magnet' than my other Pelikans, which may have something to do with the different material and manufacturing process used for the blue binde. It seems to generate a significant amount of static electricity. The cap logo has much less contrast than the regular ones, being gold on yellowish gold, and that too is difficult to photograph with my limited equipment and skills.

 

http://members.dodo.com.au/~scribe55/bob1.jpg

 

I ordered my example with an EF nib, and usually prefer nibs that are even finer. One of my favourite nibs is an EEF that was custom ground by Greg Minuskin, bordering on a needlepoint, which would explain why I was a little unprepared for the width of the M800 Italic nib. Back to the subject of this review, the pen wrote smoothly and consistently from the first fill with Pelikan blue-black. No skipping or false starts, smooth writing with just a hint of toothiness, and a reasonably wet line for what is a relatively dry ink.

 

http://members.dodo.com.au/~scribe55/bob2.jpg

 

Some folk have made unfavourable comparisons between the Blue 'o Blue and the blue version of the Waterman Phileas, but the barrel and cap material is quite different. The balance between opacity and translucence means a pen that is constantly changing its hue of blue as it is exposed to different light conditions, and for me that is part of the charm of the pen.

 

http://members.dodo.com.au/~scribe55/bob3.jpg

 

The build quality is of the usual Pelikan high standard, and the pen is a real gem to handle and use. One other slight variation between this pen and regular M800s is a series of four small 'bridges' between the two gold plated bands on the cap. One of these is visible in the first image, in line with the clip.

 

http://members.dodo.com.au/~scribe55/bob4.jpg

 

As a writer, this pen has nothing more to offer than a regular M800. The value of the cosmetic differences will be in the eye of the beholder, and I for one am happy to have paid a small premium for such a unique pen.

 

http://members.dodo.com.au/~scribe55/bob5.jpg

 

 

http://members.dodo.com.au/~scribe55/M800nibs.jpg

Edited September 27, 2010 by Pjay

[LoveMyLamy]

Thanks for the pics. From what I've seen of members' photos, this pen strikes me as being a "moody blue". One picture looks almost grey (on another thread). I realize this can be due to lighting, monitor differences, etc. I have one on order and am looking forward to it. How does it write?

[Guest Pjay]

Of the four M800 pens that I have currently inked, the Blue 'o Blue is by far the smoothest. In the last couple of months I've sampled quite a few M800 nibs from different eras, some stock factory and some modified. None of them have been as sweet as this nib, yet it is just a standard production nib, nothing special. On premium presentation paper, the pen just glides over the surface, quite a sensuous experience, in fact.

 

By the way, LoveMyLamy, 'moody blue' is a great descriptor for this pen!

Edited September 27, 2010 by Pjay

[LoveMyLamy]

Now, I'm getting impatient for my order based on your description. It's going to take a little longer since I'm having it customized to a stub italic.... There really needs to be a thumb-twiddling emoticon available. will have to suffice in the interim.

[jandrese]

Attractive pen, thanks for the review. I like the tassie especially; like everybody else I hate the silkscreened birds.

[breaker]

nice pen but I would prefer the cap less transparent (you can see where the cap screws)

[1000km]

A beautiful pen - thank you for the review. This pen reminds me of the M620 'Stockholm', which was always by far my favourite in the cities series and one of the hardest to obtain.

 

Attractive pen, thanks for the review. I like the tassie especially; like everybody else I hate the silkscreened birds.

 

I personally appreciate the silk-screened logos - crisp and perfect like a freshly tailored suit. The jury's still out on whether the 'blinging' gold logo is an improvement or not.

Edited December 6, 2010 by 1000km

[hsianloon]

One of the pens I want to have, saving up for it

[whichwatch]

Excellent review and beautiful pictures - thanks very much. Blue is my favorite color and I have been thinking about this pen. You may have pushed me over the edge!

[Robert Alan]

nice pen but I would prefer the cap less transparent (you can see where the cap screws)

 

Hello! I didn't see a reply to your question about the cap threads. Yes, the threads cap be seen through the transparent cap, but they are not unpleasant to my eye. Also, I must add that I don't consider the blue a "moody" or grayish-blue since it seems rather bright to me. The engraved logo on the cap top is a definite improvement and it certainly 'reflects' the quality of the Souveran series.

 

I just received my Blue O' Blue directly from Chartpak, quickly, via Todd Nussbaum at isellpens.com, and he offers this model at an excellent price. I must also add that, although I have purchased Pelikan fountain pens and nibs from Richard Binder with good results, other Pelikan nibs and pens received directly from Pelikan, or other sources, have also written beautifully, and I don't think most require any special attention, unless one desires flexibility, etc. Locating the best price from an authorized dealer may be the most important factor for many aficianados.

 

/Robert

[watch_art]

I don't see anything that has been silk screened. What am I missing?

I see a silk screened logo on the cap of the ink bottle, but nowhere else.

[SHK]

Had it already in my hands. Very nice and I like the new emblem on the top.

 

Sascha

[Demonstrative Pen Collector]

Could I ask something?

I know this may be a stupid question to ask: The Blue Acrylic on the Blue O' Blue - how does it compare to the plasticky feel of the Pelikan Cities Stockholm (or for that matter any Pelikan Cities).

I use to have the entire Cities collection (got rid of it)as did not like the cheap feel to the Cities material.

Hope you could oblidge

Thanks

 

The release of this pen was a little delayed, as was the M800 Italic. Most of my Pelikans have the traditional striated green binde, and some are straight black, so the Blue 'o Blue is a much less subdued Pelikan experience.

This is a very difficult pen to photograph, as very slight changes of lighting result in different shades of blue. For some reason, the pen is also more of a 'dust magnet' than my other Pelikans, which may have something to do with the different material and manufacturing process used for the blue binde. It seems to generate a significant amount of static electricity. The cap logo has much less contrast than the regular ones, being gold on yellowish gold, and that too is difficult to photograph with my limited equipment and skills.

 

http://members.dodo.com.au/~scribe55/bob1.jpg

 

I ordered my example with an EF nib, and usually prefer nibs that are even finer. One of my favourite nibs is an EEF that was custom ground by Greg Minuskin, bordering on a needlepoint, which would explain why I was a little unprepared for the width of the M800 Italic nib. Back to the subject of this review, the pen wrote smoothly and consistently from the first fill with Pelikan blue-black. No skipping or false starts, smooth writing with just a hint of toothiness, and a reasonably wet line for what is a relatively dry ink.

 

http://members.dodo.com.au/~scribe55/bob2.jpg

 

Some folk have made unfavourable comparisons between the Blue 'o Blue and the blue version of the Waterman Phileas, but the barrel and cap material is quite different. The balance between opacity and translucence means a pen that is constantly changing its hue of blue as it is exposed to different light conditions, and for me that is part of the charm of the pen.

 

http://members.dodo.com.au/~scribe55/bob3.jpg

 

The build quality is of the usual Pelikan high standard, and the pen is a real gem to handle and use. One other slight variation between this pen and regular M800s is a series of four small 'bridges' between the two gold plated bands on the cap. One of these is visible in the first image, in line with the clip.

 

http://members.dodo.com.au/~scribe55/bob4.jpg

 

As a writer, this pen has nothing more to offer than a regular M800. The value of the cosmetic differences will be in the eye of the beholder, and I for one am happy to have paid a small premium for such a unique pen.

 

http://members.dodo.com.au/~scribe55/bob5.jpg

 

 

http://members.dodo.com.au/~scribe55/M800nibs.jpg

[Montblanc owner and lover]

nice pen and good review