Pelikan M200 with 1.5mm italic nib

[dimitri_livitz]

Pelikan M200

1.5mm Italic Nib

http://imgur.com/PKGEKl.jpg

( full size: http://imgur.com/PKGEK.jpg )

 

This is my first review, and this is my first real pen, save a bunch of Chinese knockoffs. I'm gonna use a bunch of pictures, because things like appearance are very objective. The number before each category is the weight I use to calculate the total.

I will also note (if you somehow miss this form the pictures) that this pen has an R.J Reynolds camel affixed to the clip, as far as I know it was intended for the company, but I don't have any information about it.

 

Images are my own, thumbnailed, and with a link to the fullsize image under them.

 

(2)Appearance/Design/Dimensions- I absolutely love the look of this pen. When I opened the small flatrate box, my first impression was "wow". Before I bought this pen, I didn't understand why everyone was glorifying screw-on caps... now I understand fully. It really is satisfying to uncap this pen, post it, and start writing. This pen looks beautiful, so 9/10

http://imgur.com/SbIO8l.jpg

( full size: http://imgur.com/SbIO8.jpg )

 

 

(2)Construction & Quality - The nib and feed remove easily, as supposed to, and the pen doesn't feel flimsy anywhere. My complaint about this pen is that when I turn the filler knob (or whatever it's called) I feel like I'm breaking something. This could just be me doing something wrong. The pen feels very reliable and sturdy when I write with it, so no complaints there. 7.5/10

http://imgur.com/o90UNl.jpg

( full size: http://imgur.com/o90UN.jpg )

(2)Weight & Dimensions - This pen is very lightweight, a lot lighter then a lot of pens I've used, although my other pens were Chinese knockoffs and a rotring core. Again, this pen is a little shorter capped and a little longer posted then I would want in my "ideal" pen, but other then that, it's a very good sized pen. 8/10

http://imgur.com/WJJXrl.jpg

( full size: http://imgur.com/WJJXr.jpg )

 

(3)Nib & Performance - I have been given the pleasure to write with a few higher end pens, such as the pilot vanishing point, pelikan m400, and a few others, and I have to say, this pen write very smoothly with it's steel nib, and sometimes approaches the smoothness of the above mentioned. The italic nib writes well, and has not yet failed to start. The fine nib I also bought with this pen writes a little less smoothly, but still has a very good feel to it. Both really do have the buttery smoothness that most reviewers of the m200 found.7/10

 

http://imgur.com/tdlbVl.jpg

( full size: http://imgur.com/tdlbV.jpg )

 

(1)Cost & Value - This pen cost me only $50, and I think that was an amazing deal, that kind of price for such a nice pen isn't too common. What am I rambling about? 10/10

http://imgur.com/Iv2czl.jpg

( full size: http://imgur.com/Iv2cz.jpg )

 

Conclusion - This is a very, very nice pen, and I am glad I bought it, and it is going to last me a while. And THANK YOU Julio for offering this great pen to me at such an amazing price!

 

 

Final Score = 80/100

Edited March 14, 2010 by dimitri_livitz

[razr]

2 questions: 1) I've never seen a camel on a Pelikan clip, and 2) Who did the stub customization?

[Yuki Onitsura]

2 questions: 1) I've never seen a camel on a Pelikan clip, and 2) Who did the stub customization?

 

That camel is quite cool. And I don't think the stub is a custom. If you look closely at one of the close-up nib photos there's a 1.5 stamped on the nib.

 

Yuki

[dimitri_livitz]

2 questions: 1) I've never seen a camel on a Pelikan clip, and 2) Who did the stub customization?

 

Maybe I'm misjudging the nib, here's another picture: (full size http://imgur.com/tRjrD.jpg )

http://imgur.com/tRjrDl.jpg

 

I think this nib is italic (I could be wrong..) and where the fine nib has an "F", this nib has a "1.5" (can you see form the pic?), so I am assuming this is a factory nib.

 

About the camel, I have no idea, do you want to see a closeup?

[Feanor]

As someone said in a different thread, this is probably an old smoker's club reward pen. From the logo (two baby birds), and Penpedia's page on Pelikan, It appears to be from before 1993, and from the engraved cap logo (as opposed to stamped), I'd guess a fair bit earlier, although I don't really know anything more about dating Pelikans.

 

It does look nice, especially for the price. I haven't seen many italic Pelikans, but I'd bet it's got a wet enough feed to keep the nib running (as opposed to my Lamy Vista, which just can't keep up the 1.5 italic).

 

The problem with the piston sounds like either dried ink along the sides or it just needs a good lube, likely both. So find a thread in the repair (or maybe Pelikan) forum that shows you how to lube the piston, and while it's disassembled for that try giving it a good rinse. I don't know how this pen would react to soaking or ultrasonic cleaning, so I'll let others weigh in on those.

[Ed Ronax]

Nice review, great nib, thamks.

[Koyote]

As someone said in a different thread, this is probably an old smoker's club reward pen. From the logo (two baby birds), and Penpedia's page on Pelikan, It appears to be from before 1993, and from the engraved cap logo (as opposed to stamped), I'd guess a fair bit earlier, although I don't really know anything more about dating Pelikans.

 

It does look nice, especially for the price. I haven't seen many italic Pelikans, but I'd bet it's got a wet enough feed to keep the nib running (as opposed to my Lamy Vista, which just can't keep up the 1.5 italic).

 

The problem with the piston sounds like either dried ink along the sides or it just needs a good lube, likely both. So find a thread in the repair (or maybe Pelikan) forum that shows you how to lube the piston, and while it's disassembled for that try giving it a good rinse. I don't know how this pen would react to soaking or ultrasonic cleaning, so I'll let others weigh in on those.

 

Then the original owner is probably dead.

[PianoMan14]

Lubing the piston is easy. Just get some 90-100% pure silicon grease, put a little of it on a toothpick (only a little mind you!) and fully retract your Pelikan piston. Next, put the grease on the inside of the ink chamber right where the piston meets the wall. Move the piston back and forth a couple times to spread the grease and you are set!

 

I had an m215 which made odd noises whenever you cranked the piston. After a lube, it was buttery smooth.

[chkuo]

Judging from the cap, this is indeed an older model so I would recommend lubing the piston too.

The camel on clip is interesting but it feels a bit out of the place (not to mention it covers the poor bird's eyes).

[breaker]

nice review

[david1600]

nice nib

[rfranca]

Great review

The nib looks very nice and you can see quite a line variation with that italic

 

 

 

 

Then the original owner is probably dead.

^^ this was one of the funniest posts I've read in a long time. I just started laughing alone in the room

Edited December 29, 2011 by rfranca

[myyrkezaan]

Very nice.

 

I also like your lorem, I write that too, but a different ending.

[Fuzzy_Bear]

I will be willing to bet it was from a camel cash catalog.

[inkstainedruth]

What ink are you using? I ask because I had an M200 which was sold with what was described as a "wide" nib. It actually was was an italic medium, and it was a firehose even by Pelikan standards of wet pens, and even with some of the driest inks I had. I swapped the nib out for a nicely tuned B nib unit, and then lost the pen a couple of months later -- but I still have that IM nib unit.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Fuzzy_Bear]

Wish I had the money to make an offer on that nib!

[Fuzzy_Bear]

I've got an M150 I just picked up that had a 1.0 noon and am enjoying it. Still trying to find its sweet spot.

[OCArt]

I believe the 1.5 stub nib is from a Pelikan 120 calligraphy set. I have a similar set--- normal 120 pen with a desk taper.