If I Love M800's, I May Also Love...?

[sirgilbert357]

I have always enjoyed my Pelikans, but after going from an M205 to an M800 (and briefly holding an M600), I have decided that I will only buy M800 sized Pelikans going forward. The grip section size is just SO much better for me. I still own a blue striped M405 that I love the looks of, but I wish it were a blue striped M805 now!

 

I'm currently planning at least one more Pelikan purchase, maybe two. I want a classic black M805, and I am considering selling the M405 and getting a blue striped M805 to replace it. This got me thinking though...

 

What other pens do Pelikan lovers enjoy in this same size range?? Especially with a section size about equal to the Pelikan M800's...

 

I am looking at a Visconti Homo Sapiens (can't decide if I want the bronze age lava one or just go with the Elegance in resin/acrylic -- both have plusses and minuses) and have flirted with the idea of a Pilot with a Falcon nib. I am also attracted to some Aurora models, but they are pretty blingy for my taste; I might have to see one in person first.

 

I like understated pens with silver colored metal trim usually. So, all that said, I would love to know what other pens you guys love that are roughly the same size as a Pelikan M800. Section diameter of about 11mm is what I'm targeting.

[invisuu]

Pilot Custom 823, Montblanc 146 if you want approximately same quality and dimensions. I prefer M800 over those two, but theyre both fine pens.

 

Plus Montblanc actually still offers interesting nibs.

Edited April 3, 2018 by invisuu

[Driften]

Pilot Custom 823, Montblanc 146 if you want approximately same quality and dimensions. I prefer M800 over those two, but theyre both fine pens.

 

Plus Montblanc actually still offers interesting nibs.

 

 

I totally agree. The MB 146 and Pilot Custom 823 are close the my Pelikan M805. The MB 146 is a little more balanced the way I like then the M805. The 823 is a little lighter feeling but is actually the same weight as the Pelikan.

 

These are my three favorite pens.

[alwayssunnyalwaysreal]

Montblanc 146, or perhaps the Solitaire LeGrand for heavier weight?

Graf von Faber-Castell Intuition Platino?

Parker Duofold Centennial?

[sirgilbert357]

I've literally never considered actually buying a Mont Blanc, lol...but I guess I should give them a fair shake.

 

The Pilot 823 looks OK, but I'm not sure if this can be had with a Falcon nib? I don't think it can, but if I'm wrong, please feel free to correct me. I know it doesn't make a lot of sense, but if I get a Pilot, I really want it to have a Falcon nib (and the CON-70 if possible -- I need to research options with that nib/converter combo).

 

That GvFC Intuition Platino is really interesting. Gonna research that one some more.

 

Parker Duofold Centennial: hmmm, I'm on the fence with the looks. I'll research the available options...

 

Thank you for all of the suggestions so far!

[invisuu]

Not falcon nib, no, but you can get a soft nib for it. I think its interchangable with pilot custom 742, which exists with an FA nib. You can either buy both pens and swap the nibs, or order one here with FA nib:

http://www.japanshop-quill.com/pilot-custom823.htm

 

I heard the queue is very long, though.

[gmathio]

You can try the Parker Doufold Centennial Classic Big Red Vintage. A great looking pen and at almost the size of the M800/805.

 

 

 

[Lam1]

I don't think there are many out there that feel like the M800. For me, the three that come closest are

Parker Duofold Centennial, Pilot 845 (not sure if you can get a falcon nib on it from the Tokyo pen Quill shop mentioned above)

and the MB Donation series (I have the Brahms).

 

I know I'm in the minority, but due to the light weight and torpedo shape, the M146 feels in my hand much

more like a M600 than a M800, even though it has a #6 nib. So, for me, the MB 146 is not a good "replacement" for the M800.

By the way, do give MB a try, it is likely you'll be positively surprised.

 

GvFC Intuition wood (have mine inked now and just did a comparison with te M800) are great looking pens with very smooth nibs.

But they are a bit short and, therefore, the balance is very different from the M800 (IMO). I like GvFC pens, but all 4 I have dry out if you

don't use them every day, and it is a pain to get them writing again.

 

Finally, Visconti HS Bronze are much heavier, if I recall correctly. Mine had a great nib, but the threads annoyed me and I couldn't use it for long periods - so, my

son has it now (he loves Visconti pens). If you get the Bronze age, do consider getting the traveling inkwell too. It is the only way I could reliably fill that pen.

 

Good luck.

Edited April 3, 2018 by Lam1

[Matlock]

I am a great Pelikan fan but I have to say that the MB 146 is a much better bet than the M800. I much prefer the M600 or M400 though and I have quite large hands.

[Andreas Weber]

Aurora Optima or 88 if you don't need the M800's weight as well.

[Diver]

If you get the chance, visit a bricks and mortar establishment, or better still a pen show and get up close and personal. Nothing beats getting hands on to get a proper feel for sure.

 

Left field, have a play with a Lamy studio. Brushed metal with rubber section/grip and easily changeable, readily available nibs. Granted, it is not as luxurious as a Pelikan and is a cartridge/convertor, but is a sturdy workhorse that sits well in most hands. They are not too expensive either.

 

D.

[praxim]

Go back for another look at Aurora. They are available in low-bling styles, especially the modern 88. To me they are the nearest thing to a Pelikan M800, except that their section is longer so more comfortable, and they are lighter. They also make first class piston mechanisms and of course their own excellent nibs.

 

I think of Aurora and Pelikan as highly comparable with different flavours, and of a size, shape and heft which are pretty much in the sweet spot for me. If I were to choose only one with which to write all day then the Aurora(s) would win, even though I love the Pelikans and would happily use them all day as well. My modern Pelikans are three in the M800 style (800, 805, 900) and one M1000.

 

For an alternative outstanding pen very much in the Pelikan M800 class, attractive but not blingy, look at the Lamy Imporium. Solid, excellent quality and writing.

[sirgilbert357]

Thanks for all the replies! I have been doing a lot of research on all of these suggestions. Here is where I'm at currently:

 

-Pilot: I don't think I want a Falcon nib after all now. Maybe just a soft medium or soft broad, so that opens up my options a bit.

-Aurora: Still need to look at their offerings a bit more. I got sidetracked by a string of SBRE Brown's videos about other pens, lol.

-Lamy Studio: I actually have one, the stainless steel body with rubber grip. Its fine, but writes a little drier than I would like with the M and 1.1 stub I have for it. The 1.5 stub is amazing though and has been the sole reason I've kept the pen this long. Not a fan of the snap cap, as I know it will wear out eventually. Actually considering selling this currently.

-Lamy Imporium: I don't like the looks...at all. LOL. It got a decent review by SBRE though!

-Parker Duofold Centennial: Still need to research them a bit more...they were made in quite a few variations, so I need to be sure I know what to target if I pursue this option. Not a fan of the solid colors though, it's going to have to be a patterned color I think.

-GvFC Intuition Platino: I'm not sold on the looks of it to be honest. I think the part where you hold the pen is visually distracting and the abrupt transition to the nib is unattractive. The barrel texture might also bother me, as I prefer smoother grip sections. My Lamy 2000 has about as much texture as I care for.

-Mont Blanc: A bit surprised to find myself actually considering these, but don't want to overpay or get a fake. Will wait for a pen show to see them in person. Nothing about them stands out above any of the Pelikans I am interested in though...not sure why. Maybe if I found one that had a fantastic special nib or something...

 

Just posting my thoughts so far. You guys have been helpful in expanding my horizons. I'm considering things I hadn't before and still have a lot to look into. Thank you!

[DrCodfish]

You said going forward it would just M800 Pelikans

If that is the case then similar pens won't matter much, you won't be able to afford them.

[Andreas Weber]

Green: Aurora Optima

Yellow: Aurora 88

[invisuu]

Aurora 88 had by far the worst nib I have ever seen in my life. Cheap Jinhaos and Heros are literally the best pens in the world compared to that one. I paid 680€ for it, it was the Nebulosa. The nib didn’t write at all. Lots of people seem to love Aurora though, so I must have been really unlucky.

 

Still, the 88 gets a minus from me for having terrible design for cleaning. It’s virtually impossible to properly clean it. Just a heads up, as noone seems to mention what a nightmare it is to clean it out. Perhaps you would find it good enough, if you’re not as pedantic about ink bottle hygiene.

[Driften]

Still, the 88 gets a minus from me for having terrible design for cleaning. It’s virtually impossible to properly clean it. Just a heads up, as noone seems to mention what a nightmare it is to clean it out. Perhaps you would find it good enough, if you’re not as pedantic about ink bottle hygiene.

 

 

I just unscrew the nib on my Optima when cleaning and then it's not such a big deal.

[invisuu]

I only ever had the Nebulosa, does the standard 88 not have the really thin neck between feed assembly and barrel? And the hidden ink compartment in the piston gasket? Because thats really hard to clean out.

[Driften]

I only ever had the Nebulosa, does the standard 88 not have the really thin neck between feed assembly and barrel? And the hidden ink compartment in the piston gasket? Because thats really hard to clean out.

 

 

The current 88's and Optima have the post on the back of the nib feed that extends into the piston area. It does make it hard to clean unless you unscrew the nib unit. You can wash the back of the feed off easy and rinse the barrel out. It's really not a big deal when you unscrew it's interchangeable nib unit. Most if not all current piston fill Aurora pens do this and the units interchange between them. I have fully cleaned the ink out in my Optima several times and it did not take any longer then my Pelikan M805 for me.

 

Tip.... Pelikans also clean faster if you unscrew the nib and wash off the back of the feed....

[sirgilbert357]

You said going forward it would just M800 Pelikans

If that is the case then similar pens won't matter much, you won't be able to afford them.

 

 

I'm not sure I follow...

 

I'm just saying I like a grip section size of about 11mm and a length around that of an M800 (give or take). I'm asking for help identifying other pens with these same basic dimensions to see what I might be missing. I want to see what else is out there that fits my hand so I don't JUST focus on M800's.

 

Just ran across the Visconti Medici Oversize. My mind is officially BLOWN. Gorgeous...