Pelikan Pura

April 7, 2008

A review of the Pelikan Pura.

This is my first review on FPN. I worked with a Canon A430 PowerShot, wished for a light tent, and learned great respect for those who can take sharp, bright photos. Photography is an art indeed.

I measured and photographed the Pura alongside a Cross Townsend for comparison.

The Pelikan Pura is an excellent daily user that will write for years without trouble. My experience with the Pura began by means of an experience with a Level 5. The ink capacity of the Level 5 attracted me, yet while I appreciated the engineering of the Level series I was disappointed by poor material quality. The pen was entirely made of soft plastic with the exception of the cap, nib, and a spring. Flow gradually decreased after five fillings and finally stopped. I tried all the tricks: washing, flushing, blowing, trying different inks, shaking, learning to disassemble and reassemble the Level 5. When Chartpak graciously offered to replace it with a Pura, I accepted.

I was surprised when the Pura arrived. It shared the same nib and feed as the Level 5! My heart sank. While I liked the nib, I feared another bad experience with the feed. The real surprise, however, was that I learned to admire the Pura and was moved the write the review below.

First Impressions (2/5)

The pen came in a zippered plastic case with two fobs and space-age styling. I should have recognized the meaning hidden in the juxtaposed fonts on top of the case, reading “Pelikan” and “Pura.” Über-conservative Pelikan was building another pen with the same modernist philosophy that led to the Level 5, and this time they did much better. The difference was that the Level 5 was plastic; the Pura is all metal. Everything about the presentation was minimalist and functional. Cap and barrel were mostly aluminum, except at the ends. And the pen looked ... well, very silver. In fact, the entire pen was silver: matte or chrome, silver it was.

Appearance (3/5)

I kept asking myself as weeks passed, “Is this really a Pelikan? Are you sure it’s not a Lamy?” The minimalist design and reliable line of ink made me think of the Lamy Studio. I would look at the circular stamp on the nib, see the bird and chick, and then see tiny lettering on the lip of the cap reading “Pelikan” and “Germany,” and go back to work thinking, “I guess it really is a Pelikan.”

Design/Size/Weight (4/5)

Let’s do the numbers first. The Cross Townsend is used for comparison since it is well-known and the Pura less common. Weights were measured with a household diet scale which was, admittedly, lacking precision.

The Pura’s uniform silver appearance conceals a curious weighting philosophy. The section weighs in at a heavy 12 grams. The section is very well-made, with finely-machined outer threads and a clean, crisp appearance inside near the nipple. This is good German machine work, and this section will remain trouble-free for years. Yet the weight of the section seems to have been the starting-place from which all other decisions followed, thereby compromising the competitiveness of the pen. Had the weight of the section been reduced through the use of a lighter alloy, the closed end of the barrel and of the cap could have been lighter, permitting a lighter writing instrument (uncapped) as well as a reinforcing ring at the open end of the cap. As it is, the design team responded to the weight of the section by (1) weighting the end of the barrel to balance the section, (2) weighting the end of the cap to balance the entire pen when capped, and (3) minimizing the weight of the cap’s barrel through the use of thin-walled aluminum.

The pen was named “Pura,” yet I found the meaning of the word to reside in its appearance, not in its overall engineering, which seemed not pure but expedient. The Townsend, often spoken of as a heavy pen, offers a lighter section and barrel, tapering over greater length to provide remarkable comfort and balance.

The Pura’s cap, designed to balance the pen when capped, is unbalanced by itself. Weight is concentrated at the top of the cap in chromed brass, leaving a very thin aluminum barrel liable to being dented or crushed. The absence of a reinforcing trim ring near the cap opening remains an area of concern. The imbalance of the cap is further illustrated by the ability of the cap to remain standing vertically on a desk top without assistance; the heavy brass top providing a very low center of gravity. While this trick provides a moment of curiosity, a reinforced cap band would have been preferred.

The clip is firm, and presses down into a recessed area in the cap which runs the length of the clip. Daylight does not appear between the clip and the cap. The clip’s firmness and its recessed resting area make it ideal for carrying in the pockets of thin shirts. It does not seem ideal for thicker material such as flannel.

The cap posted smoothly onto the barrel, but after a few postings became loose and began falling off when the pen moved from vertical to horizontal. There was no wobble, yet neither was there any grip. The Pura is not for anyone who really must post.

Like the cap, the barrel is made of aluminum with a very fine matte finish. The barrel is, however, of thicker material than the cap. When flicked with a fingernail, the cap emits a tinny, dull, cheap sound. Flick the open end of the barrel, and a clear metallic ring occurs, restoring confidence.

Inside the barrel are finely-machined threads matching those on the section, yet twice as many as on the section. The barrel threads onto the section smoothly with close tolerance evident to the touch. Barrel rotation begins to offer minor resistance as the rear of the barrel gently presses the cartridge firmly into the nipple. This accounts for the extra threads inside the barrel. Again, thoughtful engineering. The threads could only be stripped by careless abuse, and that would require some effort.

I liked the matte finish on the barrel and wished that it had been present on the section itself. Moisture and oil from my fingers accumulated on the smooth chrome section and led me to grip the pen ever tighter as I wrote in order to maintain control. This was a second area where expedience overtook good engineering. The aesthetic decision to make the section, barrel end, and cap end appear distinct using shiny, slippery chrome led to a pen that is uncomfortable for users whose hands are, for better or worse, moist.

While the Pura’s unposted weight was only four grams more than the Townsend, those grams seemed significant. The thicker barrel and section, shorter length, and heavier weight of the Pura’s section and barrel made it feel very substantial in the hand, sometimes too heavy for my comfort during long sessions of writing.

Nib (5/5)

For those who like a smooth-writing rigid nib, the Pura is excellent. The nib bears signs of precision shaping and stamping, the shoulders having a perfectly neat crease and the circular Pelikan imprint being crisp and clean. I especially appreciated the mirror-smooth top surface of the nib; no scratches or wavy areas. The tipping material was nicely-rounded, leaving a uniform monoline that neither skipped nor bled.

The feed is smooth on the underside with no visible comb, and is well-suited for environments that might contain dust and grit. Flow was generous for the medium nib, and remained perfectly consistent at all times. I used Pelikan Royal Blue, and was surprised to note that it appeared darker on the page than with any other pen in my collection. The feed / nib combination was slow to dry out and started perfectly each time.

Following my experience with the Level 5, I learned to appreciate the feed and nib in the Pura. It will perform reliably with no special treatment for many years. I only wished that the tipping had just a hint of trim to allow thick - thin line variation as I wrote.

Filling System. (5/5)

The pen came with a single international cartridge. This was my first experience with the long cartridges, and I gained appreciation for them. The volume saved by not having a converter piston assembly and finger screw allows the Pura to hold a considerable amount of ink. I often tired of the section becoming wet and slippery and hoped to write the pen dry in a hurry, yet the long cartridge kept me writing for the rest of the week.

Cost and Value (3/5)

The Pura retails at or about $60.00 USD, and can be found pre-loved for $40.00. I can justify $60.00 on the grounds of good engineering in the nib, feed, and section. This is a good pen that will provide years of trouble-free service, even if it isn’t an eye-catcher. The drawback is that it isn’t a pretty pen. Clean, spartan, and reliable, yes. But not inspiring. Aesthetically, there are better pens to be had for $60.00, yet the Pura offers respectable working value for its retail price.

Conclusion (4/5)

I concluded this review feeling confused about the intended purpose of the Pura. The pen is an excellent jotter, equally at home in a school bag, purse, desert, saltwater, or industrial environment. The Pura’s robust

section, solid threading, and finish make it a performer in these rugged environments. But is that it’s intended market? At a $60.00 price point, maybe so. And for that $60.00 you get a good, reliable pen. I just don’t see the Pura being used as a daily writer by those who are, like myself, daily writers who write for a living.

April 8, 2008

I get the Pelikan M200 brand new for $58, way better pen than the Pura and for less money. I couldn't justify the Pura. Even of you buy the M200 at one of those ridiculously priced website for $80 its still a better deal and way better than the Pura.

April 8, 2008

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A very nice and thorough review. I appreciated the thoughtfulness you put into this.

I've looked at the Pura, and agree that it's quite minimalist and looks like it can be a Lamy. I think that's why I haven't gotten it. Because I don't own a Pelikan, and want very much to own one, I don't want one that doesn't "look" like a Pelikan. As a result, I think my first Pelikan will be a M215 or a Demonstrator. I own two Lamy Studios, two Safaris, and a 2000 because of their design, so I'm not opposed to modern designs. But they're Lamys!

Thank you.

A review of the Pelikan Pura.

This is my first review on FPN. I worked with a Canon A430 PowerShot, wished for a light tent, and learned great respect for those who can take sharp, bright photos. Photography is an art indeed.

I measured and photographed the Pura alongside a Cross Townsend for comparison.

The Pelikan Pura is an excellent daily user that will write for years without trouble. My experience with the Pura began by means of an experience with a Level 5. The ink capacity of the Level 5 attracted me, yet while I appreciated the engineering of the Level series I was disappointed by poor material quality. The pen was entirely made of soft plastic with the exception of the cap, nib, and a spring. Flow gradually decreased after five fillings and finally stopped. I tried all the tricks: washing, flushing, blowing, trying different inks, shaking, learning to disassemble and reassemble the Level 5. When Chartpak graciously offered to replace it with a Pura, I accepted.

I was surprised when the Pura arrived. It shared the same nib and feed as the Level 5! My heart sank. While I liked the nib, I feared another bad experience with the feed. The real surprise, however, was that I learned to admire the Pura and was moved the write the review below.

First Impressions (2/5)

The pen came in a zippered plastic case with two fobs and space-age styling. I should have recognized the meaning hidden in the juxtaposed fonts on top of the case, reading “Pelikan” and “Pura.” Über-conservative Pelikan was building another pen with the same modernist philosophy that led to the Level 5, and this time they did much better. The difference was that the Level 5 was plastic; the Pura is all metal. Everything about the presentation was minimalist and functional. Cap and barrel were mostly aluminum, except at the ends. And the pen looked ... well, very silver. In fact, the entire pen was silver: matte or chrome, silver it was.

Appearance (3/5)

I kept asking myself as weeks passed, “Is this really a Pelikan? Are you sure it’s not a Lamy?” The minimalist design and reliable line of ink made me think of the Lamy Studio. I would look at the circular stamp on the nib, see the bird and chick, and then see tiny lettering on the lip of the cap reading “Pelikan” and “Germany,” and go back to work thinking, “I guess it really is a Pelikan.”

Design/Size/Weight (4/5)

Let’s do the numbers first. The Cross Townsend is used for comparison since it is well-known and the Pura less common. Weights were measured with a household diet scale which was, admittedly, lacking precision.

The Pura’s uniform silver appearance conceals a curious weighting philosophy. The section weighs in at a heavy 12 grams. The section is very well-made, with finely-machined outer threads and a clean, crisp appearance inside near the nipple. This is good German machine work, and this section will remain trouble-free for years. Yet the weight of the section seems to have been the starting-place from which all other decisions followed, thereby compromising the competitiveness of the pen. Had the weight of the section been reduced through the use of a lighter alloy, the closed end of the barrel and of the cap could have been lighter, permitting a lighter writing instrument (uncapped) as well as a reinforcing ring at the open end of the cap. As it is, the design team responded to the weight of the section by (1) weighting the end of the barrel to balance the section, (2) weighting the end of the cap to balance the entire pen when capped, and (3) minimizing the weight of the cap’s barrel through the use of thin-walled aluminum.

The pen was named “Pura,” yet I found the meaning of the word to reside in its appearance, not in its overall engineering, which seemed not pure but expedient. The Townsend, often spoken of as a heavy pen, offers a lighter section and barrel, tapering over greater length to provide remarkable comfort and balance.

The Pura’s cap, designed to balance the pen when capped, is unbalanced by itself. Weight is concentrated at the top of the cap in chromed brass, leaving a very thin aluminum barrel liable to being dented or crushed. The absence of a reinforcing trim ring near the cap opening remains an area of concern. The imbalance of the cap is further illustrated by the ability of the cap to remain standing vertically on a desk top without assistance; the heavy brass top providing a very low center of gravity. While this trick provides a moment of curiosity, a reinforced cap band would have been preferred.

The clip is firm, and presses down into a recessed area in the cap which runs the length of the clip. Daylight does not appear between the clip and the cap. The clip’s firmness and its recessed resting area make it ideal for carrying in the pockets of thin shirts. It does not seem ideal for thicker material such as flannel.

The cap posted smoothly onto the barrel, but after a few postings became loose and began falling off when the pen moved from vertical to horizontal. There was no wobble, yet neither was there any grip. The Pura is not for anyone who really must post.

Like the cap, the barrel is made of aluminum with a very fine matte finish. The barrel is, however, of thicker material than the cap. When flicked with a fingernail, the cap emits a tinny, dull, cheap sound. Flick the open end of the barrel, and a clear metallic ring occurs, restoring confidence.

Inside the barrel are finely-machined threads matching those on the section, yet twice as many as on the section. The barrel threads onto the section smoothly with close tolerance evident to the touch. Barrel rotation begins to offer minor resistance as the rear of the barrel gently presses the cartridge firmly into the nipple. This accounts for the extra threads inside the barrel. Again, thoughtful engineering. The threads could only be stripped by careless abuse, and that would require some effort.

I liked the matte finish on the barrel and wished that it had been present on the section itself. Moisture and oil from my fingers accumulated on the smooth chrome section and led me to grip the pen ever tighter as I wrote in order to maintain control. This was a second area where expedience overtook good engineering. The aesthetic decision to make the section, barrel end, and cap end appear distinct using shiny, slippery chrome led to a pen that is uncomfortable for users whose hands are, for better or worse, moist.

While the Pura’s unposted weight was only four grams more than the Townsend, those grams seemed significant. The thicker barrel and section, shorter length, and heavier weight of the Pura’s section and barrel made it feel very substantial in the hand, sometimes too heavy for my comfort during long sessions of writing.

Nib (5/5)

For those who like a smooth-writing rigid nib, the Pura is excellent. The nib bears signs of precision shaping and stamping, the shoulders having a perfectly neat crease and the circular Pelikan imprint being crisp and clean. I especially appreciated the mirror-smooth top surface of the nib; no scratches or wavy areas. The tipping material was nicely-rounded, leaving a uniform monoline that neither skipped nor bled.

The feed is smooth on the underside with no visible comb, and is well-suited for environments that might contain dust and grit. Flow was generous for the medium nib, and remained perfectly consistent at all times. I used Pelikan Royal Blue, and was surprised to note that it appeared darker on the page than with any other pen in my collection. The feed / nib combination was slow to dry out and started perfectly each time.

Following my experience with the Level 5, I learned to appreciate the feed and nib in the Pura. It will perform reliably with no special treatment for many years. I only wished that the tipping had just a hint of trim to allow thick - thin line variation as I wrote.

Filling System. (5/5)

The pen came with a single international cartridge. This was my first experience with the long cartridges, and I gained appreciation for them. The volume saved by not having a converter piston assembly and finger screw allows the Pura to hold a considerable amount of ink. I often tired of the section becoming wet and slippery and hoped to write the pen dry in a hurry, yet the long cartridge kept me writing for the rest of the week.

Cost and Value (3/5)

The Pura retails at or about $60.00 USD, and can be found pre-loved for $40.00. I can justify $60.00 on the grounds of good engineering in the nib, feed, and section. This is a good pen that will provide years of trouble-free service, even if it isn’t an eye-catcher. The drawback is that it isn’t a pretty pen. Clean, spartan, and reliable, yes. But not inspiring. Aesthetically, there are better pens to be had for $60.00, yet the Pura offers respectable working value for its retail price.

Conclusion (4/5)

I concluded this review feeling confused about the intended purpose of the Pura. The pen is an excellent jotter, equally at home in a school bag, purse, desert, saltwater, or industrial environment. The Pura’s robust
section, solid threading, and finish make it a performer in these rugged environments. But is that it’s intended market? At a $60.00 price point, maybe so. And for that $60.00 you get a good, reliable pen. I just don’t see the Pura being used as a daily writer by those who are, like myself, daily writers who write for a living.