Pelikan Dimensions

[Russ]

I always believed that the Pelikan 100 was larger in diameter and length than the model 140. Since the 140 often feels small in my hand during long writing sessions, I had hoped that the model 100 would give relief. However, the measurements below suggest that the 140 is larger than the 100.

 

Can others share their experience with these pens, and confirm or correct that the differences in size between them are so small as to not warrant buying a 100?

 

Perhaps a Japanese model would provide the same soft nib feel yet with a longer, wider barrel ?

 

 

Pelikan 100 (1937) Length: 114

Pelikan 140 (1954) Length: 113

 

Pelikan 100 (1937): Dia. of barrel: 11.7

Pelikan 140 (1954): Dia. of barrel: 12.4

 

Pelikan 100 (1937): Dia. at threads: 11.1

Pelikan 140 (1954): Dia. at threads: 10.9

 

Pelikan 100 (1937): Dia. at 38 mm: 10.4

Pelikan 140 (1954): Dia. at 38 mm: 11.7

 

Pelikan 100 (1937): Dia. at 25 mm: 8.6

Pelikan 140 (1954): Dia. at 25 mm: 9.7

 

[Measurements are in millimeters, taken from David Nishimura’s site (http://www.vintagepens.com/pen_measurements.shtml).]

[blueiris]

I always believed that the Pelikan 100 was larger in diameter and length than the model 140. Since the 140 often feels small in my hand during long writing sessions, I had hoped that the model 100 would give relief. However, the measurements below suggest that the 140 is larger than the 100.

 

Can others share their experience with these pens, and confirm or correct that the differences in size between them are so small as to not warrant buying a 100?

 

Perhaps a Japanese model would provide the same soft nib feel yet with a longer, wider barrel ?

 

 

Pelikan 100 (1937) Length: 114

*Pelikan 100n (1948) Length: 118

Pelikan 140 (1954) Length: 113

 

Pelikan 100 (1937): Dia. of barrel: 11.7

*Pelikan 100n (1948): Dia. of barrel: 12.3

Pelikan 140 (1954): Dia. of barrel: 12.4

 

Pelikan 100 (1937): Dia. at threads: 11.1

*Pelikan 100n (1948): Dia. at threads: 11.1

Pelikan 140 (1954): Dia. at threads: 10.9

 

Pelikan 100 (1937): Dia. at 38 mm: 10.4

*Pelikan 100n (1948) Dia. at 38 mm: 10.9

Pelikan 140 (1954): Dia. at 38 mm: 11.7

 

Pelikan 100 (1937): Dia. at 25 mm: 8.6

*Pelikan 100n (1948): Dia. at 25 mm: 9.4

Pelikan 140 (1954): Dia. at 25 mm: 9.7

 

[Measurements are in millimeters, taken from David Nishimura’s site (http://www.vintagepens.com/pen_measurements.shtml).]

 

I love my 140--it's a cool, inconspicuous-looking pen. For most writing tasks, it's a lightweight wonder. But I agree with you that it feels a little small when writing for longer stretches.

 

I don't know about the 100, but I can tell you that my 100n feels like an overall bigger pen than my 140 and is more comfortable for me when writing at length. When posted, the 100n is considerably longer than the 140 is when posted (unposted, they're somewhat similar in length). My 100n somehow feels chunkier. It actually feels more similar to my modern M620 pen in size than to my 140. So if you wanted a vintage pen similar to the 100 in style, you might consider the 100n instead.

 

I annotated your measurement data, also from David N's site info. From looking at them, the numbers don't exactly jive with what my perception is in comparing my 140 with my 100n. On paper, they don't seem that different. But in real life, at least with the two specimens I have, the 100n is stockier while the 140 is tapered and slimmer. The pen just feels different too, due to the celluloid on the 100n. The grip sections definitely feel different, and one thing not obvious from the data is that the 100n section itself is longer than on the 140, and maybe that contributes to the bigger feel. I don't know what years my pens are (my 100n is post-war, in the late 1940s, probably). There might have been some variation between years, too, so your mileage may vary!

[Russ]

Thank you for sharing your experience with the 100n. This provides another option for me. Since many people indicate that modern Pelikan's don't offer the same flexibility as vintage, I'm trying to stay with the older pens.

 

I will say this: the 140 is a wonderfully relaxing pen to use. While I take the Lamy 2000 XF into the fevered environment of work each day, quiet evenings spent with the 140 are truly a treat. I can write pages and pages and just enjoy the feel of this nib and the way it lays down discreet lines of ink . . . with some variation. I'm afraid I've been spoiled!

 

 

[blueiris]

I don't know why I didn't think of this before, but maybe a photo would help. If you do go with a 100n, I've seen them come in a variety of nib sizes, including obliques. I think the amount of flex can vary quite a bit (some aren't flexy at all, so I understand), so be sure to ask about that in advance if you want flex.

 

I wrote in my earlier reply that the section is longer on the 100n than the 140. Well, they look like the same length in the photo, but it is just a touch longer, maybe one or two threads' worth. Anyway, here's the photo:

 

[removed the photo and posted a new one in another post below]

Edited May 24, 2007 by blueiris

[Johnson]

Wow, those are some great looking birds ya got there blueiris. Makes me want to start getting into the world of vintage Pels.

[Russ]

Thank you for the photo! It was very thoughtful and helpful. You are right; the sizes are quite close. I'm afraid the added expense of a 100 or 100n would provide very little improvement over what I have now. I'm grateful to you. Thanks!

[Rick Propas]

I am, of course, not a disinterested party, as I sell these pens, but, long story short, I like larger pens.

 

The Pelikan 100, despite its small size in the pocket, feels larger in the hand, as several others have noted, than the 140, which I do not use.

[blueiris]

Thanks for the compliment, Johnson. I was actually going to make a disclaimer that my photos don't make these pens look as nice as they could. The ink chambers are full or partially-full, as seen in the hastily-taken photo.

 

Rick, do you recognize the mugshot?

 

Russ, if you have a chance to try the 100n (or the 100, as Rick says), you might well be surprised by how different in the hand it feels from the 140. But then again, it still might not be as large as you like. I know, I'm no help. Best I can describe it by modern analogy is that the 140 feels like a modern M200-series pen, while my 100n feels more like a modern M600 (I have an M620 cities pen--maybe I should include that one in the photo, too? I can try to do that tonight). On paper, the difference between the M200 and M600 aren't much, either, but they do feel different, and it's not just the length.

[blueiris]

New photo: 100n, 140, M620 (Athens)

 

[Russ]

Blueiris, the Athens is stunning! I’m sure I would never get anything written with it; I would spend too much time looking at it.

 

Both the 100n and the 620 appear a little thicker in the barrel than the 140. Also note that the section of the 140 appears to be the smallest in diameter.

 

I’m sure you are correct that there is a distinct feel to the 620 that lends it a sense of being larger than the 140 even though they appear close in size. Hmmmmmm, I need to make a list before I attend the Raleigh pen show next month. Line Item: "Find table of Pelikans and compare."

 

I’m beginning to wonder if my family should take two cars to the show ... others may want to leave while I review the tables .... again.

[blueiris]

Blueiris, the Athens is stunning! I’m sure I would never get anything written with it; I would spend too much time looking at it.

 

Both the 100n and the 620 appear a little thicker in the barrel than the 140. Also note that the section of the 140 appears to be the smallest in diameter.

 

I’m sure you are correct that there is a distinct feel to the 620 that lends it a sense of being larger than the 140 even though they appear close in size. Hmmmmmm, I need to make a list before I attend the Raleigh pen show next month. Line Item: "Find table of Pelikans and compare."

 

I’m beginning to wonder if my family should take two cars to the show ... others may want to leave while I review the tables .... again.

 

I was lucky to find the Athens in a local pen shop last year--my friend saw it and alerted me immediately, and I pounced on it. I thought they had sold out long ago!

 

The colors in both the Athens and 100n play with the light. When I first got these, you're right, I didn't get much writing done. I kept looking at them, rotating the barrels around and around... Neither of these pens look that great in my snapshot (I just snapped it and uploaded it), but I hope they helped convey the size difference with the 140. Both pens really do feel larger in the hand than the 140.

 

Have fun at the Raleigh pen show! Photos can only do so much. Nothing beats seeing and handling the pens in person.