Possible First Pelikan - Epoch 360

[mstevens]

I've decided I'd quite like a Pelikan pen. After some reading and unscientific looking at the photos, I quite like the epoch 360 fountain pen:

 

http://www.cultpens.com/acatalog/Pelikan-Epoch-Fountain-Pen-Titan-Silver.html

 

Is this a good pen? How will it compare to the Lamy studio? (my current favourite).

[dennis_f]

I haven't tried the Epoch, but I'm a big fan of Pelikan in general.

 

I have tried the Future and the Pelikano, both of which are less expensive than the Epoch, and both of which provide an experience that is the equal of, if not better than, my Lamy Studios (and I'm not knocking the Lamy).

 

I think -- and I may be wrong about this -- but I think the nib on the Epoch is the same quality as that on the Pelikano, and if so, and if you enjoy the Studio, you should like this pen.

 

The one disadvantage is that the Epoch is a cartridge filler only. Convertors won't fit in the custom cartridge assembly. As a result, you'll be limited in the inks you can use (though, if you're willing to reload cartridges using a syringe, this isn't necessarily an issue).

 

Hope this helps a bit.

D.

[DanielCoffey]

Have you considered the M2## series of Pelikans? Lots of folks consider them good workhorse pens.

[FlorianNeumann]

I recently acquired a Pelikan Epoch and I love it. I found one in a stationery shop on a recent visit to Vienna, reduced to half-price for some reason. I have wanted a Pelikan ever since I became interested in fountain pens, so I couldn't resist it. Mine is the Jade Green (which is a novelty for me, because I have, maybe boringly, always gone for black/steel pens until now).

 

When I first put the Pelikan black cartridge in, it took quite a while for the ink to start flowing properly, but now I've been using it for a few weeks it writes perfectly, and always writes first time. It is reasonably smooth, with just the right amount of feedback (for my tastes). So far it is not quite as smooth as my Lamy Studio but maybe it just needs writing in a bit more. (Although I should say that I did have to change the fine nib on the Studio several times before I hit on a smooth one - the others I tried were far scratchier than the Epoch). The medium nib is finer than the other medium nibs I have (Parker, Lamy).

 

I would be hard pressed to choose between my Epoch and my Studio. But I think the Epoch would be more comfortable for writing for long stretches. It feels very sturdy as well, in fact it feels indestructible, so I would be quite happy to use it as my travelling pen, for example.

 

Hope you enjoy yours if you go ahead.

Edited May 21, 2011 by FlorianNeumann

[O'Hare]

I don't have a Lamy Studio so i can't compare, but I have a Pelikan Epoch P360 and it like it very much. It's smooth and reliable, and I use it with a Pelikan converter. First I fill the converter, then I fit it into the rack. It's a little awkward, but it works. I like my Epoch P360 enough to recommend it to anyone who is interested

[Moppeh]

An epoch was my first Pelikan, and it is a very pretty pen with a typically nice pelikan nib, though I agree that the cartridge only system could be annoying. But I will warn that one pelikan quickly turns into many pelikans. They are just awesome pens.

[anaximander]

I'm a huge fan of the "mainline" Pelikans (2xx, 4xx, &c.), but my impressions of the Epoch were not good. I'll grant that it's attractive, but mine had very poor ink flow and I found the cartridge loading system irritating and ridiculous. If I were you'd I'd spring for an M200 instead.

[mstevens]

I don't have a Lamy Studio so i can't compare, but I have a Pelikan Epoch P360 and it like it very much. It's smooth and reliable, and I use it with a Pelikan converter. First I fill the converter, then I fit it into the rack. It's a little awkward, but it works. I like my Epoch P360 enough to recommend it to anyone who is interested

 

Thanks for the photos! Very interesting.

[mstevens]

I'm a huge fan of the "mainline" Pelikans (2xx, 4xx, &c.), but my impressions of the Epoch were not good. I'll grant that it's attractive, but mine had very poor ink flow and I found the cartridge loading system irritating and ridiculous. If I were you'd I'd spring for an M200 instead.

 

I'm still thinking about it, but all the M2xx fans are kinda selling me at the moment. I do quite like the ability to use cartridges though.

[dennis_f]

I don't have a Lamy Studio so i can't compare, but I have a Pelikan Epoch P360 and it like it very much. It's smooth and reliable, and I use it with a Pelikan converter. First I fill the converter, then I fit it into the rack. It's a little awkward, but it works. I like my Epoch P360 enough to recommend it to anyone who is interested

 

That's a creative solution O'Hare... I just may try this myself.

 

Thanks for posting the pictures.

D

[Bipedallou]

I was once considering getting a Epoch 360 myself, but for me the deal killer was the filling mechanism. I perfer the piston filler over squeeze blatter type. Even a pen that has a converter that is a piston is better, IMHO at least. But the look of the Epoch 360 is pretty nice, and the price is not too prohibitive. But, as has been suggested, the M2XX Pelikan series, especially favor the M215, although it is a bit more money, might be worth considering.

 

Lou

 

 

[mstevens]

The M215 fans have sold me, and I've now got one on order.

[mstevens]

The M215 arrived today.

 

Had to watch a video on the net to find out how to fill it

 

So far I can report that it comes in a lovely box, writes very smoothly, and the screw-fit cap was a pleasant surprise.

 

It's a little on the small side for my hands but not really a problem so far.