Cracks Or Scratches On Two M200 Cognac Demonstrators

February 27, 2015

I have just received my second M200 Cognac and, unfortunately, I need your opinion and advise again because the defect I observed in the first pen (picture 1) is also present in the replacement (picture 2).

I have noticed that it is an external mark. I think that it is a crack, and not a scratch: the fact that is noticeable in the deep/concave part of the thread continuing until the edge of the section makes me think so. But opinions about this point are also welcome.

It is clear that the seller did not send by mistake the same pen. In the second the crack/scratch is shorter and straighter.

So the big questions now are:

— Does it occur in other Pelikan demonstrators?

— What can have caused it?

— Is it an actual problem or a potential one? I never inked the first one and I have not inked this second one yet, so I do not know if it leaks or not. I am, actually, more worried about the future: even if it does not leak now I don't know if the problem is likely to appear with the use, as I would like to use this pen as my everyday writer.

— What should I do?

Thanks a million in advance for your help. All your opinions will be, as always, very useful.

February 27, 2015

I don't have a good answer for you as to the origin of the mark but I might be of some reassurance. I have to again say that your eyes must be a good deal better than mine. I just went and scrutinized my demonstrator collection which includes every modern demonstrator ever released in the M2xx line-up except for one. Eight of those are specifically in the M200 line. For those demonstrators in the modern trim styling, 7/8 had the mark that you depict. There are the two seams and then in-between is this line that you show. The one pen that did not have that line is the blue demo which is darker and the line may just be masked from my eyes. The mark is of varying length, some shorter, some longer but clearly present on pens from the early 2000's right up through 2014. I assume this mark is a consequence of the manufacturing technique. None of my pens have been known to leak or provide me any issue. I would put the mark out of mind as I don't expect it to be an issue for you. This is the nature of demonstrators. For better or worse, any and all markings will be shown. I hope that helps alleviate some of your worry.

February 27, 2015

As sargetalon mentioned, these are mold lines. My m215 has these, perfectly normal for the m2xx line of pens from pelikan.

If the mold lines bother you, all modern m4xx pens and up do not have these.

February 27, 2015

As sargetalon mentioned, these are mold lines. My m215 has these, perfectly normal for the m2xx line of pens from pelikan.

Mold lines are different, they are two straight protruding lines that appear all along the section, from one edge to the other. I was expecting these mold lines. I do not love them at all, but I am willing to ignore them them providing that they appear on the sides (which is not always the case).

This thin line is a curved one that appears in between and, as sargetalon says, has a variable lenght. If it is protruding or not it is something I cannot tell apart, as it is much thinner than mold lines and I can just barely feel it with my finger or nail.

Edited February 27, 2015 by zuhandensein