Pelikan M200 Review

[Ish.P]

No : extra fine, but that's a German nib, so it's always a bit large on modern pens...

 

Thanks. Are XF 0.7 mm.and F 0.5 mm.?

 

If I prefer 0.5 mm. writing, I should select Fine nib, right?

 

No, the XF, or EF, is the finest. I've never had it done myself, but many people on here have had their nibs reground to be finer or to change them in some other way. You might like to search the site and investigate this. Also, those that have them say the Japanese pens write finer than the European ones so could be worth investigating. I'm a bit out of my depth here—maybe someone else can jump in and elaborate?

 

There are some handwriting samples on the Pelikan website, though having said this, each nib width fits into a range of sizes, they aren't one single size. People say that the Pelikan steel nibs write finer than the gold ones—certainly my EF M400 writes the same as my F M200.

 

 

I know that these reviews are subjective and we all have our opinions, but... To me this one seems almost comical in its over-the-top praise for the relatively mundane workhorse pen that is a Pelikan M200. Rating 10/10, really? Where do we go from here, I wonder?

 

Don't you think it's quite valid for the reviewer to give the pen a 10/10 in a review of that pen if they couldn't find any faults and it was perfect for them? If it was a comparison review between that and one they found even better then the results would, as the OP said, be different.

[silverfish]

No : extra fine, but that's a German nib, so it's always a bit large on modern pens...

 

Thanks. Are XF 0.7 mm.and F 0.5 mm.?

 

If I prefer 0.5 mm. writing, I should select Fine nib, right?

 

No, the XF, or EF, is the finest. I've never had it done myself, but many people on here have had their nibs reground to be finer or to change them in some other way. You might like to search the site and investigate this. Also, those that have them say the Japanese pens write finer than the European ones so could be worth investigating. I'm a bit out of my depth here—maybe someone else can jump in and elaborate?

 

There are some handwriting samples on the Pelikan website, though having said this, each nib width fits into a range of sizes, they aren't one single size. People say that the Pelikan steel nibs write finer than the gold ones—certainly my EF M400 writes the same as my F M200.

 

 

I know that these reviews are subjective and we all have our opinions, but... To me this one seems almost comical in its over-the-top praise for the relatively mundane workhorse pen that is a Pelikan M200. Rating 10/10, really? Where do we go from here, I wonder?

 

Don't you think it's quite valid for the reviewer to give the pen a 10/10 in a review of that pen if they couldn't find any faults and it was perfect for them? If it was a comparison review between that and one they found even better then the results would, as the OP said, be different.

 

That is in fact the Niche Pens website and not the Pelikan website! But no matter, it is an excellent example of the nibs. And Niche Pens and the Writing Desk both offer excellent service and carry a big range of pens and inks. If you buy a pen from them they will almost certainly have checked the nibs and pen generally.

 

I'm not associated with either, just a satisfied customer.

[Ish.P]

That is in fact the Niche Pens website and not the Pelikan website! But no matter, it is an excellent example of the nibs. And Niche Pens and the Writing Desk both offer excellent service and carry a big range of pens and inks. If you buy a pen from them they will almost certainly have checked the nibs and pen generally.

 

I'm not associated with either, just a satisfied customer.

 

Oops, sorry! My mistake

[silverfish]

That is in fact the Niche Pens website and not the Pelikan website! But no matter, it is an excellent example of the nibs. And Niche Pens and the Writing Desk both offer excellent service and carry a big range of pens and inks. If you buy a pen from them they will almost certainly have checked the nibs and pen generally.

 

I'm not associated with either, just a satisfied customer.

 

Oops, sorry! My mistake

Don't worry, and in any case I think they may well be the official Pelikan agent (or one of them) in Britain. The Pelikan website itself if I remember correctly also has line width's for the various pens, but these are only an approximation as nibs of the same sort often vary.

[robofkent]

I have a M215 (the black ring design) but I also have a M200 Demo and a M205 in that gorgeous red colour on the way too!

[branodncooley92]

nice review

[ShinyDemon]

This is exactly the review I've been looking for. From what I can tell, the difference between the M200 and the M215 is the barrel.

The M200 is resin and the M215 is lacquered brass, which I would think is heaver.

I've decided to get one. As you say earlier in your review, if one could only have one pen, given how versatile this is with the interchangeable nibs across the range, this may be well be it. But I can't say I'm an expert.

I think I want the M215 with the (discontinued) rectangle pattern.

[Nibwitz]

Today I wrote with a recently purchased NOS Pelikan M400 'M' from the 80s.

It's now safe to say that I prefer my M200. It's simply a better writing nib, despite being cheaper.

Better 'feedback', not the 'numbness' of the golden nibs, even more flex. I still have to encounter a better pen.

Perhaps the M1000...

 

Pelikan shows that bigger, or more expensive is not necessarily equal to 'better' in this world.

[mrul]

I was thinking about buying the M200 and thanks to this review I have clear. Many thanks for your work

[Inguz]

Nice photos Moviestar!

[ShinyDemon]

Well, I've taken the plunge and bought one on amazon for £44. I had a £25 voucher so I only paid £19. Result!

At this price they quickly sold out. I was literally watching the stock count tick down and I bought when they had four left. When it was replenished the price went back up to £58.

It remains to be seen if it comes in all that nice packaging. You can never be sure when buying online, but it won't be end of the earth if it doesn't.

It seems like a good deal. It should arrive in a few days. Over-excited!

[Minty]

The Pelikan M-200 is a great pen. I bought mine new in 1987 for $40 American. Have used it almost every day since then, except when I've been away traveling. Have never fed it anything but Pelikan royal blue ink. It has never given a moment's trouble. Should have bought 2.

 

"American by Good Fortune. West Virginian by The Grace of God."

[ShinyDemon]

The Pelikan M-200 is a great pen. I bought mine new in 1987 for $40 American. Have used it almost every day since then, except when I've been away traveling. Have never fed it anything but Pelikan royal blue ink. It has never given a moment's trouble. Should have bought 2.

 

"American by Good Fortune. West Virginian by The Grace of God."

 

Is there any particular reason that you've only used Pelikan ink? I have some Diamine that I'm planning to use with mine. I know Pelikan say only use their ink, but most pen manufacturers that also make inks say much the same. I've always thought it was just to maximise profits.

[Minty]

The Pelikan M-200 is a great pen. I bought mine new in 1987 for $40 American. Have used it almost every day since then, except when I've been away traveling. Have never fed it anything but Pelikan royal blue ink. It has never given a moment's trouble. Should have bought 2.

 

"American by Good Fortune. West Virginian by The Grace of God."

 

Is there any particular reason that you've only used Pelikan ink? I have some Diamine that I'm planning to use with mine. I know Pelikan say only use their ink, but most pen manufacturers that also make inks say much the same. I've always thought it was just to maximise profits.

 

Sure there's a reason. I liked Pelikan royal blue ink from the beginning & in all these years never saw any ink I liked better. Same reason I use Montblanc royal blue ink in my Montblanc pens, I like it. If you like the Diamine go for it.

[FPaholic]

Beautiful review! I, too, just entered the beautiful world of Pelikan with a shiny, red 205 and a customized gold italic nib is being delivered from nibs.com today. Can't wait!

[Safari_Camo]

Moviestar===> congrats! you have a nice pen, I'm a happy owner of a M215 (Lozenge) Medium nib and Fine nib, The fine nib behaves better than the Lamy Safari.

 

I use my Pelikan with Noodler's X-feather, took to a flight travel and filled the customs forms, the FP passed with flying colours the plane pressure

[Runnin_Ute]

Gorgeous pen. A M2xx is certainly one I would look at seriously in the Pelikan line of pens. My budget isn't very large for pens and they would certainly be within it. (or at least very close)

[CAG_1787]

For those of you who have an M200, can you compare the grip section to the TWSBI 540 for me? I know the M200 is shorter, but that's not as important has having a substantial enough grip section.

[larrytx01]

Just bought my first Pelikan M200 in classic black and I have to say, what a great pen! I think this is probably one of the best price points for someone wanting to enter into the realm of the premium fountain pen. It doesn't have a true sold gold nib, but man is it smooth. Great start to the Pelikan line.

 

 

 

 

 

As you all know i have purchased an M200 and an M600 and the M200 arrived today.

 

As soon as i opened the packaging i could tell that this is a serious pen from a serious company.

 

As you can see the pen was packaged in an old fashion type envelope design with the Pelikan logo as a sort of stamp. This made the whole product feel classic and elegant before even looking at the pen.

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/S1ZDN.jpg

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/wyOrn.jpg

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/OBVuc.jpg

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/lGfYt.jpg

 

 

What beautiful packaging i can honestly say that this is the best packaging i have ever seen for any product it makes the whole experience more of a luxury.

 

Now onto the pen. I was quite surprised by the size of this pen i thought it would have been abit bigger but i had no problem holding it posted it was a nice snug fit in my hands. I also have the M600 which is bigger so it will not be a problem for me.

 

http://i.imgur.com/IA9tw.jpg

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/IWwvR.jpg

 

 

What a beautiful pen this is. It is so elegant and simple looking it isnt one of those pens that screams 'LOOK AT MEE!!' it is sophisticated and classy and its almost like the pen does not try to hard to look nice instead it makes its mark by its performance. Here are some more photos of the pen.

 

http://i.imgur.com/1EAPa.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/OAwdV.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/UjXra.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/qjUuR.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/6Jh3Y.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/MYugx.jpg

 

This is a gorgeous pen i can only imagine what the M600 will look like.

 

One of my favourite features of the pen is its removable nib. In the world of fountain pens we know that there are some expensive pen brands where you cannot take the nib or the feed out of their pens and you cannot clean the pens thoroughly as you would like to. If there is any problem with the pen or nib you have to send it off and wait some time until you see your pen again. With Pelikans (As you all know) it is not like that. you can remove the nib and easily replace it with another nib of your choice without sending it off. Its that simple.

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/PfQuX.jpg

 

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/nr1R1.jpg

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/Hd7NR.jpg

 

 

And speaking about nibs these are where Pelikan have grown their popularity from and its the nibs which have given Pelikan their name. Although this is a steel nib and not a 14kt gold nib it is one hell of a smooth nib! You really cant tell the difference in performance and smoothness in my opinion. The nib is wonderfully smooth and has a slight spring to it which is lovely. The nib is not too dry and not too wet in my opinion and my mind has been blown by this pen.

 

I can honestly say that if i had to choose ONE pen to write with and only one to own i would choose the M200. This is making me even more excited to get my hands on the M600 and ink it up! If this nib blows my mind i can only imagine how the M600 will write.

 

Below is my writing sample and this is by far my most favourite pen. Im totally hooked on Pelikan now!

 

http://i.imgur.com/H8izl.jpg

 

 

This pen gets a 10/10 for me it is an all round great pen and i am impressed with its performance and quality. This may be one of Pelikans cheapest pens but it sure outweighs its expensive rivals, just goes to show you dont need an expensive gold nib pen to get the job done. Buy a pelikan M200 instead

 

Hope you guys like my first proper review

[RickH9]

Very beautiful pen. I might purchase one for myself.