Pelikan Epoch P360 Emerald Green

[Steven]

First Impressions (5/5)

My first Pelikan fountain pen, a Pelikano with a fine steel nib, I purchased some 25 plus years ago and is a nice writer that is very smooth and consistent. My second Pelikan, an M400 with fine nib, was purchased about a year ago. I like using cartridges and had no idea that the Pelikan Soverans were piston fill and was most surprised when I could not take apart the pen to insert a cartridge. Thus after buying a bottle of Pelikan 4001 ink and filling the M400, this pen also wrote smooth but with a little more flex in the nib then the Pelikano. Very much liking both Pelikans I wanted to round off my small collection with a more modern styled Pelikan that used cartridges and had a stiff nib like the Pelikano. So I ordered an emerald green Pelican Epoch 360.

 

Appearance, Design & Finish (5/5)

I chose the Emerald Green because it most closely matched the styling scheme of the Soverans using gold coloring for the rings and clip, gold plating on the stainless steal nib, black for the cap, and a black top for loading ink that is separated by a gold ring. The pen arrived nicely packaged in the typical Pelikan box with one blue cartridge and with styling that has definitely given a newer shape to the classic Pelikan design. The green satin-matte aluminum body is smooth and comfortable to hold and the black plastic cap comes with a clip similar in style to the familiar Pelikan beak clip trimmed in gold plate. The green body flows from the nib to a black cartridge loading screw on top. The cap is a snap on type that has a good solid feel. I don’t normally post the cap when writing but for this review I did and the cap posts well and feels nicely balanced. This Epoch is slightly heavier than the M400 but is still a light pen.

 

Loading the ink cartridge is unconventional. Instead of unscrewing the bottom section where the nib is attached like most cartridge pens, the Epoch opens at the top of the body. By removing the top end, you find a slender tray that accepts either a long cartridge or two European short cartridges. Inserting the top into body with cartridge in place and turning it tight, the cartridge is pushed into the nib tube. All in all the appearance, design and finish are excellent for a pen of this price.

 

Nib Design and Performance (2/5)

The stainless steel gold plated nib is firm and makes a consistent line. I measured the width of the ink line to be 0.4 mm which is what the M400 and the Pelikano also measured. Thus Pelikan seems to do a good job with respect to consistent line widths for the three pens I have.

 

After installing the ink cartridge it took a little coaxing to get the ink to flow for the first time but once started it was not to wet or dry. Nib performance out of the box was scratchy on the right to left movement. Careful inspection of the nib under a loop revealed a slight misalignment of the tines. After making the necessary adjustment to correct the alignment, the pen wrote very smooth and compared well with my M400 and Pelikano. Because the performance of this nib out of the box was poor I rated it only a 2 out 5. Although I was able to adjust the nib to write very well, I have based my rating on how it was delivered. After all anyone can send a pen with a poor nib off and get it fixed, but at price of $66.00 there should be no quality problems like this especially in this day and age.

 

Value and Conclusion (2/5)

If it were not for the initial poor quality of the nib I would have rated this pen highly. The poor nib quality also makes this pen a poor value. I really like this pen a lot. It now writes very smooth, with a nice consistent line, but were I not capable of adjusting the nib to get it to write well I would have returned it for a refund.

Edited July 22, 2007 by Steven

[mike1]

I have one of the same color Epochs and I have had no problems with it at all. I find it to be one of my favorite pens, but I say that about all of my pens.

[Steven]

I have one of the same color Epochs and I have had no problems with it at all. I find it to be one of my favorite pens, but I say that about all of my pens.

 

I am glad your Epoch was good out the box. I am sure my pen was the exception and not the rule. Unfortunately, the one time I decide to write a review, the pen arrived with a not so smooth nib. This caused me to ding it in the review for what is an otherwise very nice pen that has also become one of my favorites.

[ericthered2004]

Thanks for the review. This is my first Pelikan, so it's interesting to hear from an established Pelikan user. You got a nice deal too; I ended up paying close to retail (I think around $85) for mine, though I did get it from a B&M store.

 

I share mike1's enthusiasm for the pen, and the good experience out of the box: an nice smooth and servicable nib. I got the F, which is a shade thicker than I would prefer, although with Richard Binder's strictures against Pelikan XF's I didn't dare pursue one of those.

 

One thing I did notice is that with Waterman cartridges the pen leaked slightly internally. They seem to have a marginally larger opening than the Pelikan ones, which I've been using with no problems. I haven't tried the two international cartridges option, but may give it a go.

 

It's quite a chunky pen, and I find slightly unusual to hold, but definitely worth getting used to.

 

Cheers,

Eric

[Hennypenny]

I bought the JADE GREEN Epoch -- and I LOVE it!! It's a lighter green with silver-colored trim -- according to Fahrneys catalogue, this color will only be available during 2007. I like the tactile feel of the anonized aluminum (reminds me of the glasses my Mom used to serve Kool-aid in), and the light weight but large girth of the pen. It's a very sturdy pen that I don't worry about carrying on a daily basis. My pen's medium nib worked wonderfully right out of the box -- it's shape is reminiscent of a vintage Sheaffer Triumph nib! I got a great deal through Pamm Braun ($52), so I'd give this pen a 5/5 for durability, function and value.

 

I like that Pelikan has tried something a little different -- this pen is a breath of fresh air!

[rroossinck]

Great review!

 

My experience with the Epoch (mine was Saphirblau) was very positive...and to a point, I really wish I hadn't sold mine. I bought one for (get this) $15 at a Franklin Covey (I think they mis-marked it) and it came with a medium nib. The nib wrote well, but it was wider than I wanted. I called in and talked with Abi at Chartpak and she saved an XF for me. After swapping it out and sending it back, I really loved it. The nib was terrific out of the box. The styling was definitely something I liked, and that big tubular nib was neat.

 

So...EricTheRed, you might want to make a phone call out to Abi at Chartpak. You might get lucky and she may be able to help you out with an XF.

 

Oh...one other thing for you Epoch owners. You don't HAVE to use cartridges with this pen. If you use a standard international converter, you'll find that it fits just fine. I took some pics about 8 months ago and posted 'em in the Pelikan forum.

[TwilightFury]

I bought the JADE GREEN Epoch -- and I LOVE it!! It's a lighter green with silver-colored trim -- according to Fahrneys catalogue, this color will only be available during 2007. I like the tactile feel of the anonized aluminum (reminds me of the glasses my Mom used to serve Kool-aid in), and the light weight but large girth of the pen. It's a very sturdy pen that I don't worry about carrying on a daily basis. My pen's medium nib worked wonderfully right out of the box -- it's shape is reminiscent of a vintage Sheaffer Triumph nib! I got a great deal through Pamm Braun ($52), so I'd give this pen a 5/5 for durability, function and value.

 

I like that Pelikan has tried something a little different -- this pen is a breath of fresh air!

 

Sorry for the late comment, but I just ordered this very pen and can't wait to get it! The Jade Green color is so soft and soothing.

[RLTodd]

Only problem so far has been a bit of a problem piercing PR cartridges. No problem with Pelikan cartridges.

 

[Federalist Pens]

Yes, I wondered about the cartridge issue too on these pens.

I do not have an Epoch, but my brother does.

This is his only FP (I talked him into one after my raving about Pelikan pens,

but he wanted something easier to use than piston fillers)!

The standard (Int'l) carts did not seem to work, but the Pels did!

(I tried with PR and Diamine carts).

 

Frank

[RLTodd]

Yes, the "Father of Ductus" tray load system has so far impressed me as gimmick. Just another thing to break and it puts another variable into the cartridge seating process. I am thinking the pen would have been better if they had just dispensed with the tray mechanism and used the usual design for cartridge installation.

 

I think the tray is going to eventually break.

[emiliovillegas]

I can't wait until I have saved enough money to buy this pen ! Three weeks more and I'm already dreaming about it! BTW I just got my Pelikan Pura which I absolutely LOVE! Pelikan makes great pens! Some are way underrated. Even the Pelikano is one of my best workhorses

[pmn]

Hi,

I got a saphire blue one.

It is a very nice modern design that, IMHO, captures well the identity of the brand.

A bit like the new Mini by BMW, if you allow the comparison.

Yes, there's the hard nib and it's not a piston filler, nevertheless it is a good and enjoyable everyday pen.

Mine worked fine right out of the box eventhough I ended up grinding the M nib into a more expressive cursive italic.

It does not substitute a vintage pel but I like it, I even like the cartridge tray thing.

 

Cheers.

[jsalmons]

I have one of these pens, but the cap was damaged. Anyone have an idea where I could locate a cap? Mine is emerald green with gold accents on the cap. Thanks!!