The Pelikan M800: Its Great Reputation...

[cnjackson]

Dear All, as we slowly approach the DC pen show (yes, still months away!), I have been thinking about the big (for me) purchase I would like to make there. I've considered a MB, a Nakaya, and a few other possibilities. But lately my thoughts have turned to Pelikan--a Pelikan M800.

 

I'm still relatively new to FPs, but here and there I have seen respected FP people refer to the M800 as one of the great modern pens--maybe the "best" modern FP?

 

I know this is a strange question--but have others encountered this sentiment? can anyone shed light on what it might mean?

 

Thank you!

 

Chris

 

 

Edited May 6, 2013 by cnjackson

[goldieinraleigh]

Well, I for one, am smitten. I love my M805. It is the first pen I select, followed closely by the M600. If I could have only one pen it would be the M805. I have large hands for a woman, and find the size, balance and the utter silkiness of the nib make writing for extended periods a pleasure. I do not own a lot of pens as I was lucky enough to find the M805 on my second try,. The M600 was my first purchase. I hope this helps, and have a wonderful day.

 

Goldie

[cnjackson]

Hi Goldie--Thank you for your post! It does help. I'm very grateful for positive testimony on a pen that I am considering!

 

Which M805 do you have? and what nib size dd you choose?

 

Chris

[hari317]

I have a few M800s. the moderm M800 nibs are hit and miss, so try before you buy at the show.

[MJ Vesuvius]

Hi CN,

 

I finally bought a Pelikan M800 after years of admiring them from afar.

Got a great deal from Bertram's Inkwell (no afill, just love 'em) in the basic green stripe model with a Broad nib. Normally I gravitate to Fine and ExFine, so I thought I'd end up swapping it out, but it is a revelation! Buttery smooth, wet enough to really show off my favorite ink, and with just enough horizontal/vertical line variation to allow for some really fun stylistic creations. What's more, the pen, though substantial in size, is light weight and perfectly balanced. The only pen I have that's better balanced or more ergonomic is the Aurora Optima ... so the M800 is in good company.

 

I carry it every day now ... I think my other pens are getting jealous!

Anyway, believe the hype! And go for it!

 

-- MJ

[goldieinraleigh]

Hi Chris,

 

I have the blue with the black cap and a fine nib. I should add that my handwriting has more than a few flourishes so the fine nib works best for me. Yes... Go for it!! Take care.

 

Goldie

[GutSchrift]

I know the following might seem strange -- but this is all IMHO. I bought an m1000 first and have always loved it. In fact I like to use it posted. For a long time I thought it would be ridiculous because its so large when posted but in fact it has excellent balance when posted and doesn't feel that heavy. I recently acquired an m800 in tortoise. While I think the size is perfect I found that it has very bad balance, even when posted and seems rather heavy. I end up using it unposted more often. I'm not really sure why but I think it has to do with the weight / size. While the m100 is much heavier, its large enough that the weight is distributed more evenly while the m800 just ends up feeling very heavy. Its still a wonderful pen and I love and use mine often, but I was a little disappointed by the weight & balance issues.

[jkingrph]

I have a few M800s. the moderm M800 nibs are hit and miss, so try before you buy at the show.

 

I too have a few, but trying before buying is not an option for me and for a lot of us. If it were not for the internet, and on line sales I would not be able to participate in this endeavor of acquiring and using fountain pens. Simply put, distance is the killer, at least me for sampling and looking at pens firsthand. The time and expense are too great for me to attend shows, or go to a few of the cities that have dealers who stock nicer pens,

[whichwatch]

I first saw and handled a Pelikan M800 at Richard Binder's booth at the Columbus show a few years ago. Actually, I was able to handle the entire range of sizes and chose the 800 as the size I liked the best. I didn't buy one that day, but the Pelikans stuck in my mind.

 

I purchased my M800 green striated from Pam Braun shortly before she went out of business. I loved it from the start. There was always something so elegant and well engineered about it.

 

I bought the M800 Tortoise from Larry Dromgoole when they were first issued earlier this year.

 

My current love has turned out to be Omas and I have been buying far too many. I have sold a number of others to fund the addiction, but not the Pelikans. They just feel so right. The piston is far far smoother and easier to turn than the Omas units, and the M800's just ooze class.

 

If you're going to Washington, you'll have a chance to handle the pens and compare prices from a number of highly respected dealers of new pens, as well as seeing quite a few pre-owned for sale. I don't think you can go wrong with an M800! Happy shopping!

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7BAEE3B5C9-D0D4-400A-A762-86639756BCCB%7D/origpict/DSCN7085.JPG

 

 

[cuza]

There is a M800 (F) is my shirt pocket right now. It is my favourite pen; an MB 146 and a Sailor Realo tied for a distant second.

 

I paid a lot for it but it has been worth every penny. I think you are on the right track my friend considering an M800/805!!

 

cuza

[Bill]

A great reputation is not something created instantly and can only continue based on a quality product that makes its owners happy. Flashy advertising is trumped by positive word of mouth. FPN is an example of that.

 

The fact that the M800 is often used as the standard in comparing other pens shows how strong that reputation has become. While boring compared to many pen lines (think those fantastic Italians), Pels simply do what they are designed to do with class.

 

While I own many Pels ranging from M1000s and LE/SE models to humble school pens, I find the M800 a proven performer in a larger size that I prefer.

 

In fact, as I write this I am between flights in an airport lounge in the land of Pelikan ;-) In my pocket is a Montblanc 149, but I pulled an M800 demonstrator out of the briefcase to do some writing earlier. I almost always travel with an M800 of some flavor and a favorite Bexley Poseidon White Tea (custom ground nib and short pocket length). The MB was an impulse selection from FPs already in the inked rotation. Unlikely to do that again ;-) AND to top it all off, about an hour ago, I finally got around to ordering a new M800 brown tortoise. I have all the M400 brown tortoise versions and love the color but I prefer the larger size for actual use. How's that for an "M800 day"?

[RLTodd]

The M800 is a large, heavy pen.
You either like it or you don't like it.

It is a personal fit thing.

 

Mine is in storage as I don't care to write with it all that much.

 

It is one of those try before you buy things.

[cnjackson]

Dear All, Thank you, everyone for your insight and input! I'd like to respond to everyone individually below!

 

Thank you Hari and RLTodd--I will be sure to try pens out. Earlier this year, a very generous member of FPN lent me his M800 and M1000 for about a month to let me get a good feel for the pens. I liked both, but found the 800 especially nice.

 

MJ--Thanks for the positive response. I'm glad to hear that the B works well for you. It sounds like it has a bit of line variation. I'd heard that Pelikans don't generally have much variation. I myself am yearning for a BB. I don't want it to be fully stubbed, but maybe just a bit stubbish, if that makes sense.

 

Goldie--Thanks again: I like the Blue 805!

 

Gutschrift--That's really interesting about the weight--but I think I can understand. Maybe something about the proportion of the pen volume to the weight?

 

Thanks, Whichwatch! Thanks for the pic of the green and the tortoise. I admit that the tortoise is my first choice! Just a beautiful pen.

 

Thanks, Cuza! I'm starting to think that I really am on the right track!

 

Bill--I love your avatar! What you say about reputation makes sense to me: a lasting reputation can't come out of nowhere. I envy you your tortoise! As I wrote above, that is the pen I covet--with a nice brown ink on nice smooth paper.

 

Thanks again, everyone!

 

My appetite has only been whetted by reading your posts!

 

Chris

[kestrel]

I bought a basic M800 blue-striped Souveran with a medium nib from an eBay seller 5 or 6 years ago. I don't care much for most modern pens but this one is different. For the next couple of years it spent more time in the rotation than out of it and worked well with any ink I put in. I have arthritis in my hands and the balance, size, and weight were almost perfect for me. A year ago I celebrated a major life event by purchasing an Italifine nib for it from Richard Binder and the pen hasn't had a rest since. On occasion I will let fellow pen nuts take it for a test write and the smiles on their faces light up the room. I own two wonderful modern pens and the 800 is one of them. If you are going to a pen show you can also consider some of the modifications to the nibs available. My regular 800 was a very good pen but the Italifine made it so much better. I have handled a Pendleton Brown modified 800 (different from Binder's nib but also a delight to use) and a medium nib that had been tweaked by Mike Masuyama (also great to use) so you have a lot of options. All are smooth writers with good flow and character that sets them apart from standard issue nibs. Try out as many variations as you can.

 

If you feel overwhelmed, read the section of Tom Sawyer where Tom visits the knife shop. The situation will apply to you at the pen show, as well, and I hope you get a similar resolution. Have fun.

[alexander_k]

My M800 from almost 20 years ago remains my benchmark: ergonomically excellent, reliable and thoroughly enjoyable.

[cnjackson]

Thanks, Kestrel! I'll need to check out the passage in _Tom Sawyer_: it's been years since I've read it! In fact, last August in DC was my very first (and so far only) pen show--and it truly was overwhelming! I had gone in wanting to purchase a nice used MB 149 B or BB, and quickly started to flounder as I was comparing prices and pens and everything. I almost gave up! But I found the pen that was really waiting for me--a MB 146 M, which has become my most used pen.

 

For the M800 (BB) I hope to get, I do want to investigate the possibility of having it customized. I don't think I want a full-on stub, but something just mildly, softly stubbish. So I'll look forward to seeing what one of the nibmeisters there might do for me!

 

I don't think I know what an italifine is. It sounds very intriguing!

 

Chris

[cnjackson]

My M800 from almost 20 years ago remains my benchmark: ergonomically excellent, reliable and thoroughly enjoyable.

 

Hi Alexander_k: that is exactly the kind of testimony that helps make my decision easier. Thank you!

 

Chris

[hari317]

My M800 from almost 20 years ago remains my benchmark: ergonomically excellent, reliable and thoroughly enjoyable.

you might be in for a shock if you tried a modern M800. they dont make the nibs like they used to, even as recently as 20yrs ago unfortunately.

[Mike_Dowling]

I love my Pelikan M800, I use it everyday and rarely grab one of my other pens. Feels great to write with. I bought the M1000 before selling it and grabbing the M800, i lost a bit of money but it was worth it. I much prefer the M800 over the M1000.

[cnjackson]

 

My M800 from almost 20 years ago remains my benchmark: ergonomically excellent, reliable and thoroughly enjoyable.

you might be in for a shock if you tried a modern M800. they dont make the nibs like they used to, even as recently as 20yrs ago unfortunately.

 

 

Hari, what differences do you see between the older 800 nibs and the modern ones?

 

Even acknowledging this difference, though, it seems that the reputation of the 800 is very good, yes?

 

Chris