REVIEW: Pelikan M710 Toledo

[QM2]

http://queenmargot.com/pelm710_2.jpg

 

PELIKAN M710 TOLEDO

Black and Sterling Silver

 

I had wanted a Toledo for a long time, but the M910 was just too expensive and the vermeil M700

too golden for my taste. The M710 version has not been produced sine the late 1990's, so I feel

especially lucky to have found it.

 

http://queenmargot.com/pelm710_1.jpg

 

First Impressions and Presentation

 

This New Old Stock pen came in a plain cardboard box with stickers that had tattered and yellowed

from 10 years in storage. (Am I the only one who loves seeing these NOS boxes?)

Inside the cardboard box was a beautiful black lacquer wooden box, the lid decorated with one of

the Toledo designs. The box has a dark silvery-gray lining, in which the glorious Toledo is nestled.

 

http://queenmargot.com/pelm710_3.jpg

 

Looks and Design

 

The silver bind on each pen is carved by hand and incorporates the engraver's signature. It is

difficult for me to take close-ups with my camera that adequately capture the engravings, but I

posted a thread earlier with pictures of all the engravings on the different models.

 

http://queenmargot.com/pelm710_4.jpg

 

The silver models, including my M710, feature:

- one panel with a single pelican opening its beak

- one panel with an adult pelican feeding a baby pelican

- and a squared circle decorative border

 

The background on my pen is not black, like it is on the gold vermeil model, but a dark slate

gray-green. In person this is quite noticeable, but the pictures don't really capture this unique

look.

 

The caprings on this pen are marked sterling silver, but I am not sure about the clip. I do not

see markings, so it may be a different material.

 

http://queenmargot.com/pels3.jpg

 

Size, Weight and Balance

 

Many are surprised when they realise what a small pen the Pelikan M710 is. It is the same size

as the M215, as you can see on the photo above: just under 5" capped, 4.75" uncapped, and

6" posted. The weight of the M710 is 23 g, which is not a great deal heavier than the weight

of the M215 (20g).

 

http://queenmargot.com/pelm710_5.jpg

 

http://queenmargot.com/pelm710_6.jpg

 

Nib

 

The M710 comes with a two-tone 18K gold nib. This is my first Pelikan gold nib, and I was

surprised by the combination of matte and shiny gold in the design.

 

For those unfamiliar with the Pelikan nib system, the nib units on MXXX and Souveran series pens

screw in for easy interchangeability. The M710 nib unit is compatible with M2XX, M4XX, and M6XX

pens. I believe that M1XX nibs units will fit into the M710, but not the other way around. This is

great, because I can use my Toledo not only as a regular writer, but also as a calligraphy pen with

one of my M200 Binder calligraphy units.

 

The nib that came with my pen is a Fine. It puts down a wide line, and unfortunately, was also very

scratchy out of the box. This is ironic, because I have had great experiences with all of my factory

steel XF nibs from Pelikan, which are supposed to be hit or miss. It is too bad that this gold one

is the problematic one. However, since the nib writes too wide for me anyhow, I will soon send it

for regrinding to a cursive italic, which should also make it a smooth writer. In the meanwhile, I've

smoothed the nib a little on my own with Richard Binder's starter kit, and this has made a difference.

 

http://queenmargot.com/pelm710_7.jpg

 

Filling System

 

Like all MXXX Pelikans, the filling system is a piston -- which on my pen is extremely smooth.

 

The ink window on this pen is very green. When I first saw images of the pen online, I thought

this must be an exaggeration due to light, but no -- it is a very distinct, translucent forest green.

I like it and I think it goes well with the silver.

 

http://queenmargot.com/pelm710_8.jpg

 

Value

 

I do not know what the street price for this pen is, since it is no longer produced. The gold vermeil

M700 can be bought today in the upper $700's range. I bought my M710 from a retailer who was

going out of business, in the $400's range. I suspect that this is an excellent value -- but I have no

point of comparison, as I have never seen this pen offered for sale before.

 

http://queenmargot.com/pelm710_9.jpg

 

Conclusions

 

Tastes are subjective, but for me the M710 and M910 models are the most beautiful Pelikans ever

made. I stress again that the M7XX Toledos are very small and some may not want to pay the $700+

retail price tag for such an itty-bitty pen. But personally, I think that I prefer the M710 to the M910,

as it is more delicate and the engravings seem more intimate. Plus, the size matches all the other

pens in my little Pelikan collection: Perfect!

 

http://queenmargot.com/pels1.jpg

Edited October 17, 2008 by QM2

[Phthalo]

Great review! You have a very handsome selection of Pelikan pens. :)

[FrankB]

I enjoy your reviews, and this is another great one. Thank you. I also get a lot out of your comparison pics. I envy that talent.

 

For me the Toldeo would not be so much an issue of pen size vs. cost, but pen size vs. my hand. I have and like an M-200, but it is not a pen I can use every day because of its size. I was very surprized to see how small the Toledo is and the size does indeed dissuade me from owning one.

 

Of course, my not owning one does not mean I cannot appreciate its looks. I think the Toledo is a lovely pen. I have only ever seen pictures of them, and you are correct that I never imagined the grey-green background color. I hope I can see one if/when I make it to a pen show.

 

I find it ironic that the nib is scratchy. So what is the bigger nib gamble - steel nibs or gold nibs? Alas! A topic we have discussed so many times here.

 

Good luck with the nib customization.

[goodguy]

Lovely review.

Thank you and I hope you will enjoy the pen for many years.

[Immoteus]

Congratulations on acquiring such a beautiful pen. But I do think its a bit small... Pelikan should come out with a Toledo based on the M800-1000.

[QM2]

Thanks for the comments everyone!

 

Just a note: the size of the M710 Toledo reviewed here is not representative of all Toledos!

. M7XX Toledos are the same size as Pelikan M215: 5" capped, 6" posted. The weight is 23g. The nibs are the M4XX nibs.

. M9XX Toledos are the same size as the Pelikan M8XX: 5.5" capped, 6.5" posted. The weight is 40g. The nibs are the M8XX nibs.

The latter is quite a substantial pen. So if you like the Toledo design but want a larger pen, go for the M900 or M910 models.

 

FrankB -- Actually, my macro-photography skills are pretty bad, but I figured out a trick. I go on my back porch either early morning, just before twilight, or on an overcast day. I lay the pens out on a nicely coloured piece of clothing or sheet of paper. And then I let the diffused natural light do the work. I am using a point and shoot digital camera for this, so no other skills or tricks at all. The key is to use natural light without bright sunshine and no flash. Give it a try!

Edited October 18, 2008 by QM2

[hari317]

Beautiful pen, very classy! Wish I could get one! Thanks for an informative review

 

 

[Italicist]

Thanks for a thorough review of a beautiful pen, QM2. If you have the nib reground to a cursive italic, then the pen will verge upon perfection as far as my tastes are concerned, the criteria for which are as follows: such a pen woulld be (1) a piston-filler, (2) an italic nib by a nibmeister, and (3) a generous flow of ink, and (4) an engraved silver bind. What a wonderful combination of characteristics. Enjoy!

[QM2]

Thanks for a thorough review of a beautiful pen, QM2. If you have the nib reground to a cursive italic, then the pen will verge upon perfection as far as my tastes are concerned, the criteria for which are as follows: such a pen woulld be (1) a piston-filler, (2) an italic nib by a nibmeister, and (3) a generous flow of ink, and (4) an engraved silver bind. What a wonderful combination of characteristics. Enjoy!

 

My thoughts exactly!

 

I have several pens that meet some, but not all of those criteria. For example, I have a Bexley with an engraved silver bind, customised to a cursive italic by Richard Binder (3rd pen from the right) -- but it is not a piston filler. And I have a piston-filling Omas Paragon Milord, customised to a cursive italic by John Mottishaw (1st pen on the right), but it is not a silver overlay. Once the M710 becomes italicised, its magnificence might be too much to bear!...

 

http://queenmargot.com/flattop2.jpg

[Levatio]

Very nice pen and review, MQ2. What a lovely pen the M710 is! You got it for a great price. The closest comparable would be the Toledo M700 plus a premium because yours is out of current production. So I think you made a good deal and you are fortunate to own such a pretty pen. Do customize that nib and enjoy!!

[Dave_g]

QM2,

 

I like the presentation of the pen on the box. I like tactile pens that have some feel to them with out getting in the way. I also like to have a medium size pen with a large reservoir. The Pelikans I have are some of the best writers I own. Once I smooth the inside edges of the tines, the pens write great upside down giving a finer line with slight line variation. The scratchy nib was fortunate for you. If the nib was perfect, the pen would have been in someone else's draw by now, clogged, scratched, dented and forgotten. We know how to over come a bad nib.

 

I thought something I read when looking at the history of Toledo as it would relate to the pen , Metal work, was quite poignant.

 

"Under the Caliphate of Cordoba, Toledo enjoyed a golden age. This extensive period is known as La Convivencia, i.e. the co-existence of Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Under Arab rule, Toledo was called Tulaytulah (Arabic طليطلة, academically transliterated Ṭulayṭulah)." Hang-on, I'm not suggesting anyone rule over anyone else, just this, that when tolerance was exercised every one is better off. Also the MFA in Boston just had this painting on display

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:El_Grec...w_of_Toledo.jpg

 

Keep the pictures and reviews coming....

 

Dave

[QM2]

QM2,

 

I like the presentation of the pen on the box. I like tactile pens that have some feel to them with out getting in the way. I also like to have a medium size pen with a large reservoir. The Pelikans I have are some of the best writers I own. Once I smooth the inside edges of the tines, the pens write great upside down giving a finer line with slight line variation. The scratchy nib was fortunate for you. If the nib was perfect, the pen would have been in someone else's draw by now, clogged, scratched, dented and forgotten. We know how to over come a bad nib.

 

I thought something I read when looking at the history of Toledo as it would relate to the pen , Metal work, was quite poignant.

 

"Under the Caliphate of Cordoba, Toledo enjoyed a golden age. This extensive period is known as La Convivencia, i.e. the co-existence of Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Under Arab rule, Toledo was called Tulaytulah (Arabic طليطلة, academically transliterated Ṭulayṭulah)." Hang-on, I'm not suggesting anyone rule over anyone else, just this, that when tolerance was exercised every one is better off. Also the MFA in Boston just had this painting on display

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:El_Grec...w_of_Toledo.jpg

 

Keep the pictures and reviews coming....

 

Dave

 

Thanks for this Dave, and the Toledo information is quite interesting.

 

You are unbelievably good at putting the final smoothing touches on an annoying nib, and hopefully I will be able to imitate that some day.

[QM2]

An update about the technique: According to an article I found about the history of Pelikan Toledo, the technique used is actually not the Toledo method. An interesting article for those interested in these pens.

 

It is very interesting to know that two false statements concerning the view of the Pelikan T111 (Toledo), have spread amongst collectors worldwide.

 

A very serious misunderstanding results from the name itself: Despite its name the Toledo was never produced using classical Toledo workmanship. In such cases, a steel that gains black colour through a chemical process (burnished) is usually the basic material of Toledo production. The surface, for instance, is stitched with a chased cutter, which creates a dovetailed groove. Afterwards a thin golden thread is hammered into the groove to get an almost even surface again. This kind of work is also known as exchanging/ compensating. A short glimpse at the surface of the Toledo clearly shows, that a different production technique is used for its creation.

 

The motifs of the body were carved into a relief by using a corrosive method, deep parts are burnished, distinguished motifs are gold-plated and parts of the line drawings are then re-engraved by hand. Even though some parts of the method are identical - the grooves of the real Toledo workmanship could also be corroded -, the decisive process of the exchanging is not carried out.

 

Another mistake made regards the material of the body. Since the body of today´s Toledo fountain pens is made of sterling silver, the same feature is expected from the historical version. It has been proven that the basic material is steel - not silver! This explains why the price was set far under the flagship, the Pelikan 112.

[irishteamer]

 

"Under the Caliphate of Cordoba, Toledo enjoyed a golden age. This extensive period is known as La Convivencia, i.e. the co-existence of Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Under Arab rule, Toledo was called Tulaytulah (Arabic طليطلة, academically transliterated Ṭulayṭulah)." Hang-on, I'm not suggesting anyone rule over anyone else, just this, that when tolerance was exercised every one is better off. Also the MFA in Boston just had this painting on display

 

Thanks for the excellent pen review and the thoughts about the city of Toledo, Spain (nowhere near northwest Ohio, btw). I was in Toledo two years ago and was amazed at it's beauty, history, elegance and reknown for sword-making. Of all the European cities I have visited, it is my favourite. It is for that reason that my next pen will hopefully be a Pelikan Toledo.

[Bill Smith]

You scored and great review. Every time I had the opportunity to get a M710, lack of funds was an issue. That is a great pen.

[QM2]

Every time I had the opportunity to get a M710, lack of funds was an issue. That is a great pen.

 

I've actually never seen that pen offered for sale except at the pen show where I got it!...

And now it looks like the 910 is becoming more and more difficult to find as well.

 

 

"Under the Caliphate of Cordoba, Toledo enjoyed a golden age. This extensive period is known as La Convivencia, i.e. the co-existence of Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Under Arab rule, Toledo was called Tulaytulah (Arabic طليطلة, academically transliterated Ṭulayṭulah)."

...

the MFA in Boston just had this painting on display

 

Hey, I missed that! Will have to look up the painting now.