Pelikan Polar Lights

[Bananafish]

The Pelikan Natural Wonders series didn't appeal to me initially due to its shape, but the color of the Sahara was too tempting so I capitulated. It turned out to be the most comfortable grip ever in my experience not to mention the beautifully etched pattern on the barrel itself.

 

Again I hesitated towards the Polar Lights at first. In this instance, I thought the color was too dark. From photos, the barrel looked like a plain black and green contrast. Not interesting. In real, however, the barrel shades from light green to dark green and only then to black. It’s a subtle swirl of colors. This somehow balances out the plain black cap I think, and creates an attractive overall effect. The barrel-pattern recalls the borealis I suppose; it’d be prettier if the pattern were etched. Still I find it pretty enough. My only gripe is the opaque ink window – I wrote the Sahara dried the other day without realizing it was out of ink, and thought finally I got a bad nib from Pelikan and get to call Chartpak.

 

Anyway if anyone wants a closer look I took some snapshots. I wonder what's next for the NW series - rainforest, the Amazon, tsunami, acid rain?

 

By the way, I bought the series from Pam Braun at oscarbraun.com. Pam is 24kt solid gold.

 

Edited June 19, 2008 by Bananafish

[NeoTiger]

Very nice pen, first time I've seen the Polar Lights version without the cap posted...

 

So you own all three pens now? Great collection there.

[QM2]

I like the Polar Lights far better than the others in the Natural Wonders series; the colours and design on the PL barrel are quite beautiful. But one thing that stands in the way of wanting this pen is the clip: Why, why did they do that to it? I just don't understand : (

QM2

[Bananafish]

I like the Polar Lights far better than the others in the Natural Wonders series; the colours and design on the PL barrel are quite beautiful. But one thing that stands in the way of wanting this pen is the clip: Why, why did they do that to it? I just don't understand : (

QM2

 

I tried to visualize the beak-styled clip on it, and also compared them side by side. I think the beak-styled clip would have to be made quite large to work on the new shape; also the beak-styled clip itself has a bulbous tip and this might not offset the already bulbous shape of the Natural Wonders series (I've lazy fingers and kept calling them the Nature series thanks for the cue). Anyway I'm just speculating; I actually do not miss the beak-styled clip as much as I thought I would.

Edited June 19, 2008 by Bananafish

[Celeste]

OHHHHH!!!! Nice!

[Eltea]

So cuuute...

[Hans-Peter Ording]

Great photos, thank you.

I wonder if these pens are a bit back-heavy because of the bulbous barrel.

 

Regards

Hans-Peter

[Richard]

The M640 is heavier than I like, but that's because I really prefer pens of the featherweight persuasion. The M640 is remarkably well balanced either posted or unposted.

 

The color, for them as are interested, is really interesting. The barrel does not go all the way to black; it stops just short of it, as a deep midnight blue. The section and cap are both black. You can see this clearly in the zoomed pix from my site:

 

http://www.richardspens.com/images/sales/pelikan/zoomed/polar_lights_capped.jpg

http://www.richardspens.com/images/sales/pelikan/zoomed/polar_lights.jpg

 

To my eye, this is the nicest Natural Wonders pen so farl

[SquelchB]

Very nice pictures indeed. Looks even better than on the stock photos.

 

Wish I could get my hands on one of these...

[Bananafish]

Great photos, thank you.

I wonder if these pens are a bit back-heavy because of the bulbous barrel.

 

Regards

Hans-Peter

 

I don't find it back-heavy at all. When I hold the pen the bulbous part rests in the cradle between my thumb and forefinger; very comfortable grip. The cap is not heavy so even when posted I don't feel any difference. As Richard mentioned, it's remarkably well-balanced.

Edited June 21, 2008 by Bananafish

[FrankB]

The barrel shape reminds me of some Japanese pens, a Mae West-type shape. I like it. But, like QM2, a Pelikan jes ain't a Pelikan without a pelican beak clip.

[Hans-Peter Ording]

I don't find it back-heavy at all. When I hold the pen the bulbous part rests in the cradle between my thumb and forefinger; very comfortable grip. The cap is not heavy so even when posted I don't feel any difference. As Richard mentioned, it's remarkably well-balanced.

Yes, I noticed that the pen isn't as long as I thought. I did some research now and I think the pen would fit my hand very well, being a bit longer and also thicker than the M600. If Pelikans weren't such expensive pens (at least the "normal"-sized ones) I would now seriously consider buying one of these.

 

Regards

Hans-Peter

[Bananafish]

Yes, I noticed that the pen isn't as long as I thought. I did some research now and I think the pen would fit my hand very well, being a bit longer and also thicker than the M600. If Pelikans weren't such expensive pens (at least the "normal"-sized ones) I would now seriously consider buying one of these.

 

Regards

Hans-Peter

 

Hey I see you're located in Germany. Don't you get good prices for Pelikan in Germany? Do you also get special German only editions? I'm curious

[Hans-Peter Ording]

Hey I see you're located in Germany. Don't you get good prices for Pelikan in Germany? Do you also get special German only editions? I'm curious

I would have to pay EUR 210 (US$ 330) including VAT for an M600 - I don't think that this is a good price.

Don't know about German special editions - I have at least never heard about that. I only know that there are people in Germany who desperately try to get their hands on Pelikan pens that are not available in Germany (I think the M605 or 805 is one of those).

[PaulGeo]

WOW.. beautiful pen I'd love to have all 3.

[ko6]

I am always fascinated by M640s. I just bought Sahara and Niagara immediately

after they became available.

 

But this time, although I think that I will get a Polar Light anyway, I will wait for

a while, mainly because my preference is inclining to larger pens, such as M800 and MB149.

 

The Balance and weight of M640s is excellent, but the nib is too small. I wish that M640

had the size of an M800 nib, as well as those nib width selection.

Edited June 24, 2008 by ko6

[Deirdre]

I just saw a picture of the box on nibs.com:

 

http://www.nibs.com/www/WEBSITE%20PICS/Pelikan%20website%20pics/PelikanPolarLights_Box.jpg

 

Call me shallow, but I love it!

[Bananafish]

Deirdre, I find it a lovely box too! Mine looks a darker green than the photo's; not as bright as PR Avacado but lighter than MB Racing Green. The whole box is glaze-finished so it has a glossy sheen to it. Pelikan probably blinged a little for this series. My fav is the one that came with the Sahara; you probably knew already - it's weave-textured in a joyful orange color. I hope your dislike of brown doesn't extend to orange! The boxes are kinda big for the pens, but they sure is pretty. I can only imagine how big the box that came with your Lighthouse of Alexandria

[Bananafish]

The Balance and weight of M640s is excellent, but the nib is too small. I wish that M640

had the size of an M800 nib, as well as those nib width selection.

 

I too find the 640s nibs to be too small in proportion. My secret wish is to stick a M1000 nib to every one of my Pelikans!

[GardenCity-NY]

Pretty pen! I've never seen that green used in a pen before... anyone else?