First Paycheck And First Post!

[youngngray]

Hey everybody!

 

Here we are, my first post after lurking for a while on this great forum.

 

I'll just start by listing the pens that I currently own and quick thoughts on them to give an idea of where I'm coming from:

 

Lamy Safari (F) - This pen is nice and I use it as one of my main pens for everyday writing and work (college student). This is also the first pen I bought myself.

 

Sheaffer Prelude (M) - This is the pen that got me pulled into this great hobby. I actually found it (sorry to whomever was the unlucky loser of the pen!). I like to use this for general writing, but also for some work as well. The nib is pretty smooth which is nice, but the line is a little thicker than I truly prefer.

 

*Cheap Chinese Pen - I got this because, well, I'm not really sure why, but compared to the other pens I have the quality is just awful and I don't use it at all anymore.

 

Parker "51" Special - This was given to me by my Granddad because he had no use for it and wasn't going to use it. I like the way it writes and it's definitely one of my reliable workhorse pens. I had to do a (mostly) full disassembly and cleaning to clear out the breather tube to get it working well again.

 

Sheaffer "Flat Top" Lifetime Nib - Also given to me by my Granddad. When I got it, the sac was shot as to be expected, but I ordered another one, repaired it, and now it works, mostly. I do enjoy using the pen, but due to flow issues, I have cleaned it and put it away for now. No matter what I do, the nib invariably floods and I get the occasional drop of ink on the page. I'll work it out eventually, but for now, it's on the sidelines.

 

Plus, I have a pretty decent selection of bottled inks that I enjoy rotating through my pens.

 

Now to the matter at hand. This summer I will be getting an internship at an engineering firm (I'm majoring in EE). This is going to be my first ever job and I'll be getting my first ever paycheck in a few short weeks. I figured that to commemorate the occasion, I would just completely blow my first paycheck on various things, one being a "nice" fountain pen. I've been looking around and I really have become hooked on the look of Pelikan pens, especially the versions with silver/chrome/whatever material it is trim. Basically, I'm asking the opinion of members on which specific pen in the line they would recommend for me. I know I don't want that M1000 monster, but I'm not sure whether to turn to the M800 or the smaller M600. I like the idea of going bigger, but at the same time, I do like to keep some sanity and I'd like to be able to use it reasonably. What saith thou? Of course, if you think there may be better options as well, don't hesitate to add those!

 

Whew, that was a lot, thanks a ton for any suggestions or ideas!

[Jennings]

Firstly, welcome, well done on the internship, and great that you're blowing the money while you can...before the bills and drudgery of life sets in ;-) hahaha!!!

 

So, you're going to invest in a "serious" pen now? Good plan! And at that price you shouldn't have a problem with budget nibs or components. Sounds like you've picked your brand, and it's really just a case of model. In that case I'd say avoid the temptation to show off and just get the biggest pen you can! If you do that, then find that your hand and writing style prefers a smaller or medium pen, you're left with a status symbol you never use. I'd say try holding them if you can get to a stockist. Personally I love the look of a massive pen, but to write with I prefer something between the M200 and M600 size, though I'd probably stretch to the M800 before I got too uncomfortable. Those meium sizes are large enough for me to feel comfortable in the hand, but also small enough for me to have precision and speed in writing. If you love a massive pen and find that nicer to handle than a smaller one, then go large. Personally i find they don't give me the control I want in the hand, and feel a little too large between my fingers for speed and so on. You might have massive hands for all I know though! Either way...good luck and remember to enjoy it!

Edited May 14, 2013 by Jennings

[Sasha Royale]

The Safari is still a good pen for your work station. Engineers will appreciate the utility

design and the good function. It is easy to maintain and switch nibs.

 

Pelikan makes a fine product in the Souveran line. The M-600 is a "normal" size

comparable to the Parker 51 in size. The M-800 is a big pen. The M-1000, which

is my favorite, is an "oversize" pen. The 800 and 1000 have brass pistons, which

make the pens heavier. The additional weight lets the pen settle itself into the web

of my hand. Don't lend yours to ANYONE.

 

Write with joy.

[PAKMAN]

Congrats on the job! Retired Engineer here. Personally I have grown to love the Peikan 800 size pen and that would be my recommendation.

 

I do wonder, if I had started out at your age with such a nice pen if I would have been able to retire when I did!! I'm glad I got into pens later in life or I may have never saved enough to consider retirement when I did.

[youngngray]

Thanks everyone for the ideas, but alas, it is as I feared. Not only have you all been very helpful and informative, but you have also made the decision more difficult! I had been mostly on the edge between the M600 and the M800, but now I'm just even more polarized than ever! On the one hand, I think I would enjoy the M800 as a more substantial pen with the higher grade trimmings, but the cost difference is also fairly wide when really, the difference is mostly cosmetic.

 

I suppose I have another question now then. Is the higher price really worth it to order from Richard Binder as opposed to another retailer? I've heard a lot of good things about him, but the price is certainly more and I'm not one for needlessly throwing away money.

[FPFan]

 

My female hands are 6.5 inches from middle finger to wrist and the M800 felt just fine in my hand. I could write long, long letters to friends with it and never seemed to get tired of holding its width or weight. As your first good pen I would highly recommend it.

 

The M6XX line is a little lighter pen as the M800 has brass piston parts that give it a little more "heft" which is very nice in a pen you will want to last you a lifetime. If your hands are large enough to handle it, I doubt you will ever be sorry you got it as your first GOOD pen with your very own first paycheck. You're worth it, so go for it!

 

Congratulations on your internship!

[pokermon]

Grats on the internship! You won't go wrong with any of Pelikan's offerings, and if it doesn't quite suit you you can always sell it for very little loss on FPN. Please give us pics when you do get the pen and what you think of the pen.

-Tommy

[Sandy1]

Hi,

 

 

I was caught in the M600 vs M800 quandry, but then the M640 LE pens came along, so I just had to have a Sahara, which was a great solution. The ergonomical shape in combination with the mass of the metal barrel and sumptuous 18K nibs make it one of my favourite writers. *wiggle toes*

 

The M640 series included designs less flamboyant than the Sahara.

 

For a 'milestone' pen, I reckon you should have a pen that is quite special and is also an excellent writer.

 

Bye,

S1

Edited May 14, 2013 by Sandy1

[suits123]

That is the way to do it! Spend the entire first paycheck on yourself. Just don't make it a habit I personally would go with the 600. And use the rest on inks, paper, whatever you want to. Especially if your doubting about the size if the pen. My 2¢

[Ecriveur]

As an engineer I'm guessing you'll want to be writing in a fine line, so I'd suggest a TWSBI 580 Diamond, fine point. It's inexpensive, has a nice, high-tech look, and writes in a nice, sharp line.

[WOBentley]

I'd go with the 800. Higher quality internals (brass piston) though both are excellent pens. I also like the higher weight of the 800.

I have a Binder nib (on my 800) a CI and it is truly wonderful... But that has to be your choice...also keep in mind that Pelikan pens write a line on the generous side compared to their equivalent sized nibs from many other brands in many cases.

[youngngray]

Thanks for everyone's opinions and ideas. I think I have made my decision! Haha!

 

Most likely I'll go with an M805 from Richard Binder with a Fine nib. I'll go ahead with the more expensive one just because this is a one time thing and meant to be commemorative. I just have a nagging feeling that if I decided on the M600, I'd always think in the back of my head that I went the cheap route when I could have gone big (no offence to any M600 owners). You've all been truly helpful!

[kkshadow]

Congrats and welcome to the fray. Of course you've thanked your grandfather for his lovely gifts. You won't go wrong with either of the Pels.

 

I also would suggest that your flat top has an air leak and that is what is causing it to blob ink. My recommendation would be to re-sac it using a new sac ($2.00 investment), especially since I assume you are new at repairs. A surprisingly tiny air leak can get you. What I do now (as I speak from experience) is after I have shellaced the new sac on, I twirl it between my fingers to make sure there's good and complete contact with the section nipple, then let it dry.

 

And do let us all know what you buy - we love pictures, too.