MB146 OR Pelikan M800 ?

[kavanagh]

Dear Colleagues,

 

I have saved enough money to buy either a MB146 or Pelikan M800.....but I cannot make up my mind.......

 

I would appreciate your opinion's on the following ( Please ignore the cost and brand of each of the pens ):

 

1) Quality and Durability

2) Writing Ability

3) Nib reliability

4) Which would survive continous use and occasional rough usage.

 

I have been seduced by both pens when trying them out at 'Selfridges' store in Oxford Street, London.......what a dilemma......could I use an analogy......it's like having to pick between 'Cindy Crawford' and 'Carmen Electra'........the decision would be easier if I could have them both .......

 

Kind Regards,

 

Kavanagh

 

 

 

 

[goodguy]

Dear Colleagues,

 

I have saved enough money to buy either a MB146 or Pelikan M800.....but I cannot make up my mind.......

 

I would appreciate your opinion's on the following ( Please ignore the cost and brand of each of the pens ):

 

1) Quality and Durability

2) Writing Ability

3) Nib reliability

4) Which would survive continous use and occasional rough usage.

 

I have been seduced by both pens when trying them out at 'Selfridges' store in Oxford Street, London.......what a dilemma......could I use an analogy......it's like having to pick between 'Cindy Crawford' and 'Carmen Electra'........the decision would be easier if I could have them both .......

 

Kind Regards,

 

Kavanagh

I dont think I can easily answer this.

Both pens are wonderful but as far as I know the 146 is more expensive new.

I had both pens but they look so different that I never actualy thought to compare between the two.

As much as I can remember both are pretty close in size.

The M800's piston feels smoother.Both pens are very reliable but I have a feeling the M800 will take abuse easier then the 146 due to the fragil nature of MB special resin.

The MB will probably attract more attantion due to the white star at the top.Both nibs are close in performance.All the Pelikans and MB I own and owned were smooth and stiff writers.

The M800 has the advantage were you can easily replace the nib.

 

As I said its a tough question and is more of a personal preference.I love MB pens so I would go for the MB but thats me.

 

Remember this you cant go wrong with aither pen.

 

Good luck and let us know what you got at the end.

Edited January 16, 2008 by goodguy

[FloridaRandy]

i'd vote for the pelikan. both are truly world class, but i'd give the nudge to the 800 for:

 

1. durability of materials (some greater fragility to resin in MB)

2. ability to buy and easily change nibs on the pelikan....like having multiple pens for a fraction of the price

 

my 2 cents.

 

randy in florida

[greencobra]

I don't think you could go wrong with either pen. I like them both for the same reasons. Both are classic. They are piston fillers and hold a lot of ink. I like both companies fine nibs. I own 2 146's but not a M800. I do have one Pelikan which is my best writing pen to date and that alone would sway me to the 800. If you can, get to a shop and handle both.

[obmike]

i have both.

 

i would vote for the pelikan 800. it really is a great pen.

 

btw, i love my 149, so no mb bashing here.

[goodguy]

I'd like to add the Pelikan is a Benchmark.Many times people want to compare one pen to another the M800 name will come up.That is for a good reason this pen is simply wonderful and for too many reasons but I think the 146 has a class that surpace the one the M800 has.I always was a sucker for classy pens like the 149/146.These two pens has a certain royalty in my eyes that no other pen has not even other Mont Blanc pen.

 

Oh and even though I would say the material the M800 is made of will be less pron to trouble dont think the MB falls apart so easy.

Lots of 146 and 149 that are 30 and 40 years old will show you that they are as good as new.

Both my 146 and 149 are around 30 years old and they look excellent with very very little ware.

Edited January 16, 2008 by goodguy

[John Cullen]

I have both. I think the pelikan has an edge for the same reasons others have said, especially if you want a

fine nib and if you are in the US and can work with chartpak, j

[Tsujigiri]

I don't have either of the pens, but I have a 149 and m1000, which are pretty close. And if you're looking for those 4 criteria, the Pelikan wins all four. Montblanc is good for customer service, appreciating value, and recognition. The Pelikan nib can be unscrewed, and the build quality of the pen itself is top-notch. The better pen depends on whether you are primarily interested in the use of the pen, or other things.

[Djehuty]

I'd vote Pelikan. My experiences with Mont Blanc pens have all been unpleasant. If you're contemplating "occasional rough usage," you should know that Mont Blanc pens have a reputation for cracking and even shattering. You'll also find plenty of people on this forum who've had terrible experiences with Mont Blanc fountain pens (myself included).

 

On the other hand, my Pelikan M805 (same as the 800, but silver where the 800 is gold) is my best writer, holds tons of ink, and is sturdy and stable. You can't go wrong with that pen.

 

[George]

I have a 146, and I dont really like it. I never really use it because I am afraid I will break it (cheap?). It dosent feel solid like my pels.

 

Go for the Pelikan. Better pen.

 

George

 

Vintage MB's, thats a different story

Edited January 16, 2008 by George

[shoughie0]

Buy the M800 from a US source before the £'s value against the $ deteriorates any further. Place any money left over towards saving for the MB and start enjoying the Pelikan.

[beezaur]

I think, when a person is having a hard time deciding between a Mont Blanc Meisterstuck and a Pelikan Souveran, it is best to go with the Pelikan. The reason is durability and flexibility (nib changes, etc.). The Mont Blanc Meisterstucks are pens to get when you know you want one. Not that you would necesarily be unhappy with the MB, but the odds are better with the Pel.

 

Scott

[jmkeuning]

I'll affirm what has been said in favor of the Pelikan. I think it's preferable as to 1 and 4. 2 and 3, toss up.

[Fred Kozub]

Have them both--Pel w/med nib, MB w/broad nib. Use one at a time-and they reside in the shirt pocket when in use. Both write well, are equally attractive, neither has been a problem, choice of use is dependent on what needs to be written----(unposted the Pel is a tad longer). If I anticipate a lot of writing (many pages) I seem to favor the Pel, probably b/c of the length and balance in my hand BUT neither has any clear cut advantage. Price was not an issue as I bought the Pel a few years ago and recently traded for the MB so outlay was similar. Sorry-not much help here,

[PenTieRun]

I have both and love both, but my vote goes to the Pelikan because it can handle the rough usage you speak of. I would never exposed my MB to a situation where even slightly unsettling (much less rough) usage could occur. It just seems too fragile. The MB's nib is prettier, but the Pelikan's is smoother (though it's a fine and the MB is an extra-fine). The MB is more narrow than the Pelikan.

 

The 800 is cheaper than the MB, perhaps by hundreds depending on how you buy it.

[pmormack]

Well, it's nice that so many people love their Pelikans. I have four right now, including a M800, and am not happy with the performance of any of them. If I put them all together somehow I'd have a good pen. All of them have nib problems. Two of them have piston problems. My M800 has both a nib and piston problem. The nib feels like it's dragging. It's a fine and definitely not smooth. It doesn't skip but it has a resistance that is tiring. The piston worked fine for a year or so but not requires a lot of effort to turn. When it is twisted the whole way in it's a bit loose.

 

Yes, it does feel a bit sturdier than a MB 146 and yes it's less expensive, but Pelikan standard pens have a somewhat bland design. Yes, the nibs can be swapped out, but how often does anyone really do that? If I want variation in line thickness, I'd rather get two pens rather than one pen with two nibs. With MB you can have them change out the nib if you don't like how it writes or prefer a different line thickness.

 

Frankly, my Bexley pens feel more fragile than either Pelikan or MB and that doesn't stop me from taking them to work and treating them like work tools. My current favorite pen is a MB Big Boheme, which honestly feels better made than any Pelikan I've ever handled. The resin is quite thick and the overall feel is very solid. It has a mechanical element with the big retracting nib that is smooth. The shape is much more ergonomic than a Pelikan M800. But it was expensive for a black pen--same price as a 149. But I'm so glad I bought that pen.

[njh1974]

I have the 146, but my next pen will be the M800 or M805. I suppose I am advocating that you get both!

 

Nathan Hondros

[FrankB]

I also feel that you can't go wrong with either pen. Both are classic conservatively styled pens that work well and feel great in my hand. I think the Pelikan piston is a bit smoother, but both have performed well for me. Both pens are dead on reliable! They are among my best performing pens.

 

I will bet that you end up with one of each. That being the case, I think I would suggest you get the Pelikan first and wait for a good used 146. But, as I said, i feel there is no wrong decision here.

 

pmormack, I really regret your Pelikan experience. If you decide to try again, why not try one from Richard Binder? You will pay a little more, but you will get a pen that has been tuned and has guaranted performance.

[kavanagh]

Thanks Guys,

 

Your opinions are really useful..........it looks like the M800 has won this battle.

 

kavanagh

[John Cullen]

Kavanagh, let me tell you that about the time the piston gets sticky you will really want the Pelikan. Unscrew the nib and a little silicone grease and the piston is as good as new. If your MB piston gets sticky, then you have a situation, unless you live close to a MB botique.

 

I do have a 146 MB that has a smooth M nib that works smoothly on ANY paper, even cheapo paper, so I have to give MB some credit.

 

I do not think you want to take the nib out on a regular basis just for kicks. There is a chance you can turn the nib in its collar and end up with a problem. I think it is likely that on occasion people who are having problems with their pelikans have turned the nib incorrectly in its collar and caused an issue.

 

Pmormack, sorry for your problems. Was each pen new to you or did you inherit problems? When you unscrew the nibs, do you pinch the nib between thumb and first finger and then turn the barrel rather than the nib?

 

Do you hold the pen at a high angle, which could easily be the cause of the resistance? I hold my pen at a high angle and it really can be a problem with some brands of pens, or even with certain models. I have been able to try out six M1000 Fine nibs in the last six months and they all have some drag on the upstroke if held at high angles. For me, that is a problem because of my hand.

 

Do you turn your wrist when you write? Some pens will tolerate well various angles of attack and others will not tolerate the slightest variance. To me, Sailor nibs catch on the side, but that statement shocks most people who have tried a Sailor nib and keep their hand at a consistent point of attack and without any wrist turning.

 

If you are in the US, talk to Chartpak and see if they can fix you up. Maybe Pelikans just are not for you, the way Sailor is obviously not a pen for me?

 

I am curious though. If you had three Pelikans that you did not like, why did you buy the fourth?

Edited January 16, 2008 by John Cullen