Shopping For A First Pelikan

[Bo Bo Olson]

The standard sized P-75 is the second lightest metal pen I've ever owned. The Lamy CPM-1 is lighter but not of course sterling silver. The nib of the P-75 is a semi-nail.

 

One of course needs a 75....like one needs a 51 and a Snorkel.....and a Pelikan ....

 

If you polish the cross hatching will be harder to see, and the pen will look more chrome like.

I like mine aged silver grey, so the cross hatching is darker.

It is too late by now...I'm sure you hit it with the polish cloth, but over the next six months let it grow darker again. Let the cross hatching become distinctive again...try it.

 

Having learned here to press a nib against my thumbnail to see if it was a nail or regular flex, the first time I pressed a semi-flex 140 against my thumbnail...... I suddenly knew what everyone was talking about...even before inking it.

Yes a 140 is light and nimble...medium-short...perfect for shirt pockets....can even use modern shallow shirt pockets.

[tomgartin]

True on all counts. I did indeed give it a polish. What can I say? I guess I was already giving it a thorough clean, and wanted to do everything possible. Now it feels like a new pen, but I'll let it build up a patina again as we get to know each other.

The nib is a nail, but smooth (for a fine) and I love the feel of the pen in hand. It's also nice to have a pen that can go into a modern shirt pocket.

The look of the P-51 and Snorkels don't appeal to me as much (yet) but I'm pretty sure a Pelikan is on the horizon for me. I didn't realize how much nicer vintage pens are than current production models.

[AustinMalone1999]

I would say go modern. Vintage scares me sometimes. My first pen show buy was not a good deal, I kind of got ripped off. I love the Pelikan M200. The nib has more give than the M400 in my opinion.