What is the best Pelikan fountain pen? For some writers, this is a simple question with a clear and definitive answer. However, many fountain pen enthusiasts will give a response that lies more in the grey area: “It depends.” Pelikan has already established itself as one of the best fountain pen brands in the world, so choosing the best among its offerings is, like many things in the stationery world, a matter of preference and highly dependent on your needs. Here, we’ll explore a bit of Pelikan’s history as a fountain pen brand and go into detail on how you can choose the best Pelikan fountain pen for you.
Pelikan: A Brief History
While Pelikan was officially registered in 1878 with the famous logo we know today, its beginnings can be traced back to 1838 when Carl Hornemann founded a factory for chemical dyes and inks in Germany. His firm specialized in art supplies for professionals before extending the production to office supplies in 1846.
In 1863, Guenther Wagner became the company’s plant manager and chemist and later took over the company in 1871. He designed the company’s logo from his own family’s coat of arms and later registered the Pelikan trademark, which was one of the first ever registered in Germany. The company expanded its distribution to neighboring countries, hired more employees, and added products such as those used for copying and stamping as well as India ink.
It wasn’t until 1929 that Pelikan produced its first fountain pen. By then, many other pen manufacturers had produced similar pens, but they almost always had issues such as inefficient inking methods that resulted in staining and low ink capacity. Pelikan introduced a revolutionary fountain pen that used two threads instead of a single one, allowing the piston to move much faster and resulting in quicker filling and increased ink capacity. The use of cork and eventually plastic also prevented leaks in the fountain pen.
Today, the Pelikan brand is best known for its Souverän series of fountain pens which was introduced in the 1950s. These pens are made with exacting standards to perform with smooth precision which allows for ease and speed in writing, which is why they are held in high regard by many fountain pen lovers. It is this line of Pelikan fountain pens that we will be focusing on.
Choosing The Best Pelikan Fountain Pen For You
Choosing the best Pelikan fountain pen for you takes just a few simple steps and some knowledge of how the brand classifies each pen. Here’s how you can do it:
Familiarize Yourself With Each Model Type
Pelikans are always listed with a letter and number for each model type. Here’s what everything stands for:
M (Mechanik-Füllhalter). Pens labeled with “M” are fountain pens with a piston filling mechanism.
P (Patrone). Pens that start with “P” are also fountain pens but with a cartridge-converter filling system.
K (Kugelschreiber). Pens with “K” are ballpoint pens.
R (Rollerball). Rollerball pens are also called “kugelschreiber” in German, so “rollerball” and its initial “R” is used to differentiate between the two.
D (Druckbleistift). Writing instruments with “D” are mechanical pencils.
Know Your Preferences In Terms Of Pen Size
The best fountain pen for you is one that is just the right size for your hand and writing style. If you have smaller hands and use less pressure when you write, then a smaller pen might suit your needs better. For those with larger hands, a heftier pen might be a better choice.
Generally, the larger the number on a Pelikan model, the larger the pen is. For instance, the Pelikan Souverän M1000 fountain pen measures 146 mm capped and 176 mm posted while the M300 is much smaller at 110 mm capped.
To get a better idea of the sizes, here’s a quick description of each model:
M300. This is a perfect pocket-sized pen that is ideal for compact spaces, such as when you are traveling.
M200, M400, M700. This pen measures 125 mm in length when capped, which makes it a little shorter than other typical-sized pens. But with its average diameter, it makes a great pen for individuals with smaller hands.
M600. The M600 is a standard-sized pen that is ideal for most writers.
M800, M900. These models are longer, heavier pens that are generally best for those with larger hands. However, it doesn’t feel too heavy and can still be used by those who simply prefer bigger pens.
M1000. This pen model is truly oversized and is better for writers with bigger hands.
Decide On Your Nib Material
The number on Pelikan models also indicates the type of nib that the pen comes with. M2XX pens have steel nibs while M4XX and M6XX have 14k gold nibs. The M8XX and M1XXX pens have 18k gold nibs.
Don’t Forget The Other Details
You may have other preferences for your pen that go beyond size and nib type. The last number on each Pelikan, for example, tells you what color trim the pen comes with. Models ending in 0 have gold trim (including clips, cap rings, pen rings, and the primary nib color) while those ending in 5 have silver trim.
The second digit on each Pelikan model is also indicative of other special characteristics. If the second digit is a “1,” then it means that there is metal on the barrel, which makes the pen a little heavier than its regular counterpart.
And of course, there are many colors to choose from. You can select one of the standard colors (green, blue, black, or red) for models like the Pelikan Souverän M800 fountain pen or choose any of the special edition releases with even more exciting shades.
The Bottom Line
Pelikan is one of the most renowned pen brands out there, but choosing the best one for you is definitely a subjective process. It really depends on your needs and preferences as a writer, whether you like shorter pens or heavier pens with softer gold nibs or other characteristics. Understanding what the brand offers is essential to choosing the right fountain pen, and with our guide and Pelikan fountain pen reviews, you can’t go wrong.
Written by EndlessPens Blogger Ramona Kabigting
