Anyone Here Still Using Pelikan Vintage Pens

[Albinoni]

I would love to own and add a nice Pelikan vintage fountain pen to my collection one day and especially to my Pelikan collection, so far the only two Pelikan FP's I own are a the M800 and a recent M600, but been thinking of adding a nice and mint condition vintage to my collection.

 

Have seen some very nice ones on eBay most from Germany and all in mint condition too plus I am sure they would write like a dream too, alot are the N and NN series. Alot are from the 1950s to 1965.

 

So just like to know if any users here are still using Pelikan vintage fountain pens and how do you find them, is it worth getting one and adding it to a fountain pen collection.

 

Also witjh most Pelikan vintage fountain pens do the nibs on them unscrew ?

 

Thanks

[AndrewC]

Yep. Vintage Pelikans are like vintage Waterman or MBs. Sturdy, usable, but the nibs can be nicer than new ones if you like a little flex. I have one from my birth year. Works like a charm. Of my vintage pens, the Pelikan is a pen I never worry about babying. Rock solid, Absolutely worth getting. You can find them all over the place really. Many sales sites will have listings for them, or there is ebay. Post a WTB here and see what you get offered.

 

For information, I suggest visiting Rick Propas' site- http://www.thepenguinpen.com/ -for further information. Rick is a huge font of knowledge about Pelikan. While not the least expensive site for buying, if you buy from Rick you know your pen will work, and work well. He is a stand-up guy and goes great work.

 

Not sure about the screw-out nibs, but I think most do. But don't quote me on that.

[proton007]

Vintage Pelikans have something unique the newer ones don't. They're nice and wet writers, the nibs are flexy.

Also their color combinations are much better than the newer Pelikans. The newer ones go for more bling rather than simplicity. I only bought one blue M400 before I discovered the 400/NN.

 

 

Not all vintage Pelikans have a screw out nib/feed. Some of the early models have a friction fit nib.

 

In my experience, unless you're able to do a bit of tinkering yourself, its better to buy from Rick or any other established seller. It guarantees your pen will work well. Most of the time the piston and feed are in perfect working order but the nib may be misaligned and out of use for a long time, so it takes some work to get them going (I'm saying this from personal experience, a couple of my Pelikans I bought on eBay were a bit fussy).

Edited August 13, 2013 by proton007

[sargetalon]

Vintage Pelikans are absolutely worth it. They are beautifully styled, balance well, are piston filled, and have amazing flexi/semi-flexi nibs. They are very durable and a true joy to write with. The nibs are mostly interchangeable with only a few exceptions. Unlike modern nibs, extra care must be taken when unscrewing a vintage nib as the transparent polystyrene collars used in some models are very fragile and the ebonite feeds can be easily broken. I'd recommend you look into a 400 or 400NN in brown tortoise. Absolutely beautiful pens.

[pmn]

I usually keep about 4 pens inked for everyday service.

I don´t know why, but when I look it is allways the 400 that needs a refill

Truth is, that vintage nib is absolutely great and the pen is very suited to my desk work.

+1 recommending 400, 400nn

I'd say also 100n but if you've been using the M800 you'll find it small.

[Albinoni]

Vintage Pelikans are absolutely worth it. They are beautifully styled, balance well, are piston filled, and have amazing flexi/semi-flexi nibs. They are very durable and a true joy to write with. The nibs are mostly interchangeable with only a few exceptions. Unlike modern nibs, extra care must be taken when unscrewing a vintage nib as the transparent polystyrene collars used in some models are very fragile and the ebonite feeds can be easily broken. I'd recommend you look into a 400 or 400NN in brown tortoise. Absolutely beautiful pens.

 

Hi when you say brown are you referring to the tortoise shell one ?

[sargetalon]

Hi when you say brown are you referring to the tortoise shell one ?

 

Precisely, the tortoise-shell brown one like this

 

400

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f282/jdanley/400_1_zpsdffdc861.jpg

 

 

or this 400NN

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f282/jdanley/400NN_4_zpsd79b6562.jpg

[HDRoot]

The new(er) Pels never did much for me. I recently got two early-50s 400s and I'm in love! One is a green fine very flexible that I bought from a reputable dealer in Germany. The other is a brown medium semi-flex that I got from the good Mr. P. Neither of these pens were terribly expense (relatively speaking). It's definitely worth a few extra bucks to buy from a dealer who knows what they're doing.

 

I drooled over Rick's pens at the DC Pen Show but 2 Pels in 2 months is about all my wife can tolerate.

 

Regards,

 

Herb

[Ernst Bitterman]

I've got a 140 that I wish I could use-- flexible OB point, yummmm. Alas, it's got a dose of Cracked Nib Collar that I need to have addressed, and other things keep demanding money (food, shelter-- trivia of that sort). I've recently laid in a quantity of semi-vintage from the 1960s and '70s, which I'm using quite a lot. They're creatures of their time, and as nice as anything of that age, but the M20 is not quite as nice in my deeply subjective opinion as the 140.

[ethernautrix]

I'm using a 140 with a semi-flex nib (filled with Noodler's Walnut) that I bought from Rick Propas at the LA Pen Show, 2012.

[christof]

I always have a Pelikan 100, 100N and 400 inked and in rotation. (besides the Parker "51")

 

These vintage Pelikan are very reliable and easy servicable too. And if you have found "your" nib, these will be pens for a lifetime.

 

The new Pelikans couldn't convince me. The plastic feels cheap and the mechanics too (except M800 and M1000). And the modern nibs.....well....I prefer not to comment. But that's not only a Pelikan problem.

[Albinoni]

I usually keep about 4 pens inked for everyday service.

I don´t know why, but when I look it is allways the 400 that needs a refill

Truth is, that vintage nib is absolutely great and the pen is very suited to my desk work.

+1 recommending 400, 400nn

I'd say also 100n but if you've been using the M800 you'll find it small.

 

Is the 400n or 400nn abot the same size as a M600 ?

[Albinoni]

 

Precisely, the tortoise-shell brown one like this

 

400

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f282/jdanley/400_1_zpsdffdc861.jpg

 

 

or this 400NN

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f282/jdanley/400NN_4_zpsd79b6562.jpg

 

Hi just re the picture on the bottom now I have a green striped one just like that, that typical torpedo shape but needs a bit of work done to it, nothing major. Actually the pen is in very good condition, but the two problems I am having is I am finding the nib to be scratchy dont like it also the clip is loose, just wondering if it can be tightened. That ring above the clip looks like its a bit off and not put on properly on mine eg not screwd down properly. I have a feeling a M400 nib will fit mine and my nib also does unscrew. I wouold love to do some work on mine and actually start using it.

 

Thank you

[elysee]

So just like to know if any users here are still using Pelikan vintage fountain pens and how do you find them, is it worth getting one and adding it to a fountain pen collection.

 

Reading the topics posted on the various FPN forums, you will find that folks are "still" using lots of vintage pens, Pelikans included. Vintage Pelikans are a joy with which to write as are modern Pelikans. I own both vintage and more-modern 1990's Pelikans.

 

In regard to locations, you can find vintage Pelikans in many locations including pen stores, eBay, penboard.de, and FPN classifieds.

 

As for me, I own vintage Pelikan 400-series pencils, ballpoint pen, and fountain pen as well as vintage Pelikan 500-series Silvexa ballpoint and pencil. I bought my vintage tortoise-stripe/brown Pelikan 400-series fountain pen, 0.5 mm pencils, and ballpoint pen at an art store; I was very surprised to find an art store selling vintage Pelikan pens. I bought my vintage tortoise-stripe/brown 1.1 mm pencils (two of them) on eBay; they match my other tortoise-stripe/brown Pelikan 400's perfectly. And, I bought my vintage green/silver Pelikan Silvexa 550 ballpoint and Pelikan Silvexa 555 1.1 mm pencil on eBay.

 

I bought my tortoise-stripe/brown Pelikan 250-series fountain pen and rollerball pen, my Pelikan 800-series green-stripe/black ballpoint pen, 0.7 mm pencil, fountain pen and rollerball as well as my special edition green transparent 800-series fountain pen and ballpoint pen (matching pencil years later via eBay) new in the 1990's which some may consider to be vintage now.

Edited August 13, 2013 by elysee

[Freddy]

I use'em all the time..P1's..140's..400 & 500 series..

but..particularly fond of 100..100N's....And did I mention the outstanding

nibs extra-fine to bbb..obbb..manifold to sexie-flexie....Hey..what's not

to like....

 

Fred

Television? The word is half Latin and half Greek.

No good can come of it.

~ Attributed ~ C.P. Scott

[Albinoni]

I have a Pelikan 400NN (torpedo shape) in green stripe but need to do some work on it.

 

The following is wrong with it:

 

1. Loose clip, wonder if this can be fixed

2. Nib is scratchy, I am thinking of getting a new M400nib for this and I am sure it will fit. I am not sure if my current nib is 14kt gold or steel, the nib is gold

colour itself but scratchy and i dont like it sorry.

[GemMayhem]

I enthusiastically echo the sentiments of others - a vintage Pelikan is an absolute treat. I always have at least one (okay, probably more like 3!) inked and find the writing experience to be perfect for me.

 

The nib glides across the paper and the feel of the pen itself is pure quality. As others mentioned, the vintage nibs are amazing, especially if you like semi-flexible or flexible. Care is straightforward - I don't feel as thought I need to "baby" them because they are so well made.

 

I, too, would recommend trying a 400 to see if you like it. If you don't like it, I can think of a few of us who would be happy to take it off your hands for you.

[proton007]

I have a Pelikan 400NN (torpedo shape) in green stripe but need to do some work on it.

 

The following is wrong with it:

 

1. Loose clip, wonder if this can be fixed

2. Nib is scratchy, I am thinking of getting a new M400nib for this and I am sure it will fit. I am not sure if my current nib is 14kt gold or steel, the nib is gold

colour itself but scratchy and i dont like it sorry.

 

Not too sure about the clip, but the nib doesn't need replacement. You can align the tines yourself, it fixes the issue 90% of the time.

[pmn]

Hi,

Here is a pic comparing sizes of modern Pels. The M400 is the same size of a 400.

(I don´t remember where I downloaded this form, I appologize to the unrefferenced owner of the photo)

[Albinoni]

 

Not too sure about the clip, but the nib doesn't need replacement. You can align the tines yourself, it fixes the issue 90% of the time.

No I think the nib is actually a F or EF and like I said bit scratchy, I am one for more so M nibs or OM nibs.