Pelikan Souveran 300

[AndyHayes]

It's hellish expensive, but I feel myself drawn to this pen.

 

There isn't a review on one so perhaps someone here is using one and can tell me what it is like?

 

Is it only available in the less tasteful gold trim?

[Richard]

I have an M320:

 

http://www.richardspens.com/images/collection/zoomed/M320.jpg

 

It's a very solid little pen, and it writes quite nicely. Because of its color, I use only orange ink in it, but that's just me. Elaine, one of the FPN admins, also has an M320, and hers wears a full-flex nib that I did for it.

 

"Expensive," like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. These pens are IMHO worth the price; they're true Souverän models, with all the writing and handling qualities that make the line so attractive to use -- as well as the appearance that makes it so attractive to look at. Despite the widely held conception that tiny things are fragile, that's not true of the M3xx pens; they're as robust as their bigger siblings.

 

FWIW, your use of "less tasteful" to describe the gold furniture is very much an expression of your personal taste. I generally dislike white metals as trim because, to me, they look cheaper than gold. Here are two otherwise identical Targas:

 

http://www.richardspens.com/images/collection/zoomed/targa_flighter.jpg

 

http://www.richardspens.com/images/collection/zoomed/targa_fe.jpg

 

To me, the upper one looks more elegant; it looks more costly and classier. The lower one looks to me like a version that exists because some people aren't willing to spend the extra few dollars for the gold. See? It's all a matter of taste and perception. That said, there is currently no M305 available.

 

 

[girlieg33k]

I have the Pelikan M320 which is the same pen but in the color of orange marmalade. Richard Binder has them available, as does Swisher Pens. I was able to get mine for under $125 on eBay.

 

Richard's site gives a good representation of the actual size of the M300/M320 -- comparing it to the other Souverän pens. It's a very small pen -- perfect for me, but others may find it uncomfortable to use. Also, note that like the M1000 and unlike other Pelikans in the Souverän series, the M300/M320's nibs fit only that model. In other words, you will not be able to interchange nibs -- like say on a Pelikan M200. Mine has a M nib, and it's a very wet, smooth writer. Filled with PR Orange Crush or Herbin's Orange Indien or Diamine Orange, it is pure bliss. Hope that helps.

 

Edited to fix links.

Edited July 15, 2007 by girlieg33k

[AndyHayes]

Thanks to both of you for the replies and especially the links.

 

Richard: Yes you are right about personal taste. I am not a jewellery fanatic, but I do wear a thin gold chain, but it is of white gold. It would be platinum if I could afford it. So I suppose understated is the way that I like things. The important thing to me is that I know what it is, but I appreciate that there are those that are less inclined to the "silver" trims. That's OK because there is all the more for me!!

[andyk]

Was tempted by the M320, but tried out an ordinary M300 in a shop and found it was too small for regular use. I have a couple of 150s which are a bit small for me, but my wife likes them (I think these are a similar size, maybe smaller).

 

Still like the look of these, but as I buy pens to use, unless I see one very cheaply somewhere I will probably carry on with the bigger Pels.

 

I have a few other small pens mainly Sheaffers, Parkers and a few Dinkies but can only use them for shortish periods.

 

For the price they usually retail for I would strongly suggest you try one first (or buy from a buyer that will excange/refund if you don't like it).

 

Edited because I type badly, M100 should have read M150.

Edited July 15, 2007 by andyk

[PelikanPenman]

Andy,

 

I am unsure why you call this an expensive pen, but Swisher has the M300 for $189.00 and the M320 for $208.08. Of course this does not count shipping, customs, etc.

 

I have never ordered from Swisher so I have no idea on their customer service or response. Cheers.

 

Now they do have a nice M605 on clearance for $150 that is interesting. But I am saving my pence for a Chicago.

[AndyHayes]

I am considering its price by the cubic inch!

 

I bought a 200 with an OM nib in from a 400 for £80, so perhaps I am not comparing like with like?

[AndyHayes]

AndyK: All my pens are users too. I must admit that the 805 is by far the favourite, but as I carry a Moleskine notebook about with me I thought that the M30x might look a bit classier than the Parker profile which is currently attached to it. I really would prefer the 305 though if I could get one, but I am not sure that it would be worth the premium price that it might attract.

[PelikanPenman]

Andy,

 

Okay I can see your point on the price per cubic inch.

 

Did they make a M305? That would be nice, I also prefer the silver furniture to the gold. If you noticed most of my Pelikans have silver furniture. There are some that just do not come with it. The M805 in dark blue is a beautiful pen, and I think it would be ruined with gold furniture.

 

Thats why I pointed the M605 for only $150 (75 pounds to you and me), that is a very nice deal and is a very good looking pen. Plus it has the advantage of more nibs.

 

Cheers.

[AndyHayes]

Yes, I bought a 605 from Pam for about £80 delivered. Or rather my better half has bought me one for my birthday. I did the complicated bit - the ordering - she did the paying bit.

 

I have now got a list in mind for birthday and christmas list. The Chicago is on it but I suspect that you will have yours in your hand before I get one!

[andyk]

Now that I have adjusted my previous post, why not try an M150, not as pretty as the M300/320, but can be picked up rather cheaper and about the same size. Less choice of nibs though.

[AndyHayes]

It's certainly cheap enough. I will have a look at the pictures Of PP's collection and see if I can figure out the size of it compared to the 300.

[AndyHayes]

Wouldn't a 305 look nice in here though ...

 

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb177/shetlink/IMG_0216.jpg

[coco]

I have 3 (2 M300s, 1 M320) and I love using them. They're small, perfect for carrying in a daytimer, but I carry them in a Pelikan M300 pouch (purchased it online at Swisher Pens). I keep telling myself 3 is too much and I should sell 1 someday, but the thought quickly passes

 

I bought my pens at auctions (both 300s were a little over $100, the M320 more).

 

 

[AndyHayes]

I have 3 (2 M300s, 1 M320) and I love using them. They're small, perfect for carrying in a daytimer, but I carry them in a Pelikan M300 pouch (purchased it online at Swisher Pens). I keep telling myself 3 is too much and I should sell 1 someday, but the thought quickly passes

 

I bought my pens at auctions (both 300s were a little over $100, the M320 more).

 

It sounds like you have my share too. Just pop one in the post and there will be no need to involve the police at all

[AndyHayes]

Hand-crafted, finely engraved 14 carat / 585 gold nib with rhodium decoration

 

This is the description from the Niche Pens site - Note: Rhodium decoration, but sadly the furniture is gold coloured

Edited July 15, 2007 by AndyHayes

[Bogtrotter]

Don't tell anybody over in the Montblanc forum, but my 300 fits nicely in my Montblanc Mozart Notepad. It's also much less expensive than the Mozart FP.

 

bt

[woodwindmaster06]

I would love to have one, but am short on cash right now!

 

Oh well

[playpen]

I also have the M320 and it's just adorable. What a little gem!

[penhound]

I bought a Pelikan from ebay several years ago and fell deeply in love with the pen. It had been listed as a 400 and having never seen a 400 before thought that was what it was so last year I bought the honey/white 400. Was disappointed when it arrived and was bigger than the pen I had. Took me a little time to search this out and find that what I actually had was a 300.

 

I like the 300 size so well that I have now got it in not only the original green strip with B nib, but the black with M nib and another with F nib. Recently, I got the M320 F nib and am in love with it, too. I put orange ink in it and together they go great with my Rhodia blocks and notebooks!

 

The other day, while playing on eBay, I saw the M320 listed in Green marble. I think I am going to have to get that one also! I have the 300 pencil and am waiting for the just ordered ball point. There is only one drawback to the 300's - - - I don't have enough money to buy one with every size nib! :>)

 

Not everyone will be happy with this pen because of it's size. It is a very small pen. It fits nicely in my average size female hands. Guys only get this pen if you are aware of it's tiny size. It may look just like it's big brother the M1000 but it is very definately the baby of the family...