M600 vs M800 -- cannot decide

[parker51man]

Ok lets put a spanner in the works, I am an accountant by trade and use a pen a lot, I use a M1000, I dont like using a posted pen, but, you have to be so careful about them rolling off the desk, mine rolled off a few years ago and bent the nib, bought a replacement, always use fine, however a friend decided he would have a go at sorting my old nib, he double ground it, so now I have a fine, and a superfine by writing on the back. I think as we get older, we need a larger diameter pen (grip) for comfort. I have bought myself a "penshelf" to put my unposted pen on when looking through paperwork.

[bernardo]

I'd go for a M1000. The bigger the better

[nm4]

I've tried the 600 a few times and just don't find the size much different from the 200. On the other hand the 800 definitely feels larger...and I love the heft added by the brass piston. That said, I still feel like the 800 is a little short...and the 1000 a little big. I wish Pelikan made an M800 girth pen with M1000 length.

 

Cheers,

NM

[PatientType]

I don't post the cap when I use my M800 and M1000 Pelikans and the comfort and balance are quite good. The M400 and M600 versions were not as attractive to me as they were smaller and lighter and I like a substantial feel from the pen as I write. This is an awfully subjective thing, though. A friend of ours that also enjoys using fountain pens has a couple of M400s and really likes them.

[Bo Bo Olson]

I do find the medium large 605 to be 'bigger' than the Standard M400.

As one who is use to standard and medium large...from the days of the silver dime, I'm happy posting a standard pen.

 

I did have a 800 cross my hand in trans-mailing it for someone. '83-89. nice somewhat springy regular flex nib.

I found it thick, and has back weighting...but I'm into basically Standard pens.

The 800 is not a pen to post, the 600 just fine.

It's back weighting did not bother me in my #1 pen is a standard sized '55 MB 234 1/2 Deluxe.

 

I use the 'forefinger' up method of grasping a pen, so I hold it differently than you more than likely. That method is covered in the threads 'Tripod' and 'Death Grip' in the advanced section, in this sub forum.

 

Try your 600 posted, with the pen in the web of your thumb.

For notes where you don't have time, two seconds to post the cap, Pilot and Lamy...might be a solution.

 

For me it's the 600 as compared to vintage, fatter blobbier nib that's a tad stiffer than the '90-97 M400 I compare it against.

 

The modern 800 is a nail nib....all of them. I have 4 nails (B, M,F & EF, what do I need another one for?

 

I tried the 1000 in a B&M, and if you can get use to a large 800, non-posted, you can get use to an over sized 1000 non-posted. It has a semi-flex nib.... .

 

That might not be what you want in note taking.

I have a modern medium large MB Wolf with it's springy nib...and wish I'd tested that 1000 that day.

And I'm not into over large pens...but that nib is worth learning how....much better nib than the springy 149... I'm into semi-flex.

[murfie]

This is an awfully subjective thing, though

 

Hear, hear!

 

The right pen for you is the pen that feels best for you. I own and use the entire range of Pelikans from the M150 to the Big Bird (M1000). My preference can change from week to week. If I had to keep just one it would be the M600, but that doesn't mean it's what you would like. Writing a couple of sentences on a pen shop counter is not a really good way to trial a pen. I need to write 3 or 4 pages of ruled A4 to really get a feel for a pen. For many people there is a dire urge to find THE right pen for them. For mine, I just love the variety swapping from one to another in the inked rotation.

[FriendAmos]

The M800 is as close as you will get to a perfect pen in this world. And on late Sat night, if your luck doesn't hold up, it might be the closest you'll get to ... oh, never mind.

 

Size: I have large hands, so for me this is a medium-sized pen. But it is a very "different" sort of medium. The pen is about the same size and weight as a Parker Duofold Centennial, but if you have large hands you will want to post; otherwise either pen will not seem right. But the lengths are very different when posted, with the M800 being quite shorter.

 

The real test: I have owned many pens, from super-cheap to super costly. The best nib I have ever had, even taking into account tinkerings from a "nibmeister", was on an M800. Writing with it was ... an inkly symphony of delight. Or something. And that was straight out of the box. My ideal pen is the M1000 with a more M800-like nib.

 

If you can't test-drive in a penshop and have to take a punt, I'd take the M8000 over the M600 anyday.

Edited January 11, 2013 by FriendAmos

[Freddy]

Fasinatin'..ain't it..

m200 4 15/16..m600 5 1/4..m800 5 7/16..with solid brass sleeve..which gives it

some more weight..Read .. on - line..therefore must be true..that Pelikan pens

where voted the Best Pen in 2012..by "The National Exaggeration Council"..

which..incidentally..is still headed by John Randolph of Roanoke..

 

Fred

...she messed around with a bloke named Smokey...she

loved him though he was cokey...he took her down to

Chinatown...Where he showed her how to kick the

gong around...

~ Cab {zaz..zuh..zaz} Calloway ~

[vibin247]

If I had a choice, I would get both (eventually). I would start with the M600. It's a light pen that would give you lots of performance in long writing sessions. I've written with the M800 before, but it's a different feel since the 18kt nib is a little less springy, plus the added weight of the brass mechanism is a factor in overall comfort. Pelikans are wonderful writers, reliable, and beautiful in their design.

[RitchieMac]

I second vibin247's view. I had the dilemma between M600 vs M800, until I've tried both pens in a store. I need a everyday carry around workhorse pen, and M600 fits nicely because for me, it can be written unposted as well as posted. I always post my pen because I'm afraid of losing or dropping the pen cap. It also fits nicely into my shirt pocket. At first, I thought it's a little light, but it worked out well, as I carry 3 fountain pens all the time - imagine carrying 3 heavy pens!

The M800 has a good weight unposted. When it is posted, it is back heavy. It will be a nice desk pen for me. I will probably get it ... eventually ....

[akustyk]

I find the M800 to be the perfect size and weight for me. I've had the M400 and M200 and they were just too small for me. I sometimes use the M800 posted, and I really like the fact that it's so perfectly postable.

[Simius]

My experience.

 

I've in the past gone for "smaller" pens. When I wanted to try Pelikan, M600 seemed to be the perfect choice. I bought one and liked it so much that I acquired two more M6xx. Very pleased, overall. However, an M800 pen came along, and I couldn't resist getting it. This is now my favorite pen, and since then I've gotten two more.

 

I like a previous poster's suggestion of getting both sizes. It's difficult to see how you can lose.

[Nibwitz]

This last posting describes what's happening to me these days; there should definitely a WARNING be written at the index-page of this forum:

 

Entering here may cost you a fortune and can cause serious addiction to fountain pens, pens and related items!

 

I'm (back into) fountainpens since a year now, and I can't help keep collecting and buying. In my case especially Pelikan's, among others.

Trying to choose between a M600-M800 and the M1000, I now already now that I'll end up getting all of a kind...

 

Be warned, do not go past this sign! Mines ahead!

[kaan]

This last posting describes what's happening to me these days; there should definitely a WARNING be written at the index-page of this forum:

 

Entering here may cost you a fortune and can cause serious addiction to fountain pens, pens and related items!

 

I'm (back into) fountainpens since a year now, and I can't help keep collecting and buying. In my case especially Pelikan's, among others.

Trying to choose between a M600-M800 and the M1000, I now already now that I'll end up getting all of a kind...

 

Be warned, do not go past this sign! Mines ahead!

Yeah, indeed It's like a never ending story

[JML]

You can also try one of the 600-series with the metal section. They're heavier and sort of bridge the gap between the 600 and 800.

 

One of the reasons people like the 800 is that the longer nib moves the section a bit further away from the paper. It's not just the width of the pen that makes a difference, it's where your grip ends up being located in relation to the nib/paper interface.

 

Here's the 625.

 

 

http://www.pelikan.com/pulse/vfs-public/exclusive/products/souveraen/blue-transparent/souveraen-m-625-large.png

Edited January 26, 2013 by JML

[Joker4Eva]

That 625's sweet.

Never thought I would want a Pelikan in other than black with silver trim, but that's sweet!

[Niagara Falls]

The first EDC-Pelikan was the M605 from galeria Kaufhof, I still own today. After years and having nearly all colours of the M600 (and M620) I decided to buy the M800's from a very well known German internet seller for aboput EUR 260.- a piece. And I sold four of my M600's. And I don't regret it. Never. The M800's are the perfect pens for me. Big, but not huge. Heavy, but they feel balanced in my hands. A big range of colours and some special editions...if you buy in the net stores, you can test the pens for a range of two weeks and give them back, if not damaged or scratched. So I would advice buying a M800 in the mentioned store (if you don't know who I mean, please contact me)with the desired colour and nib and then test it. I think you'll be very enjoyed about it.

[wangwei]

The Sheaffer's legacy might be good for you.

It's weight and balance is better, I think.

[Bo Bo Olson]

I'd buy a '83-89 800 in a heart beat. Has a very nice springy nib. I'd have to try and really think about the not quite so good a nib on the '90-97...I'd probably say no.

 

I would never buy a nail post '97 800. I want more from a nib than a smooth nail. :mad:

 

 

If you like Large back weighted smooth nails...then the 800 is the pen for you.

 

Not the lighter more nimble regular flex medium-large 600.

[Nibwitz]

Medium flex M600? In my memory of trying a M600 it was a'nail' as well...

 

I recently bought a 1987 M800 from Ebay with a 14C 'F' nib; it has to be tuned a little because it is scratchy now, but it is certainly what you would call a 'semi-flex'; the tines spread about 1mm apart with moderate pressure on the nib, and this nib bends easily with that pressure. (but the nib is not as soft as the M1000; also it bends in different places-> the M1000 bends right at the end of the nib, the '87 14C M800 that I now have bends over all the nibs length)

However; I do not put such pressure on my pen when writing with a fountain pen.

So it remains the question what exactly is the use of such 'semi-flex'; to my idea you must have a easy-full-flex, or no flex at all to be able to use it in 'light pressure writing' as with writing with a smooth fountain pen.

 

And about sizes; to my surprise, without cap, the M200 is just about 2-3mm shorter than the M800! (It much fatter though), but in length, the M800 isn't much longer than the modest M200.

Edited February 3, 2013 by Nibwitz