Pelikan 100N - A Highly Biased Review

[georges zaslavsky]

Guillaume is one of the good guys and he was present at the Pelikan hub with Carlo Naldi. I plan to purchase a pen from him.

[stoen]

Hello,

Please pardon my joining this thread somewhat late, Ive come across it only recently.

I couldnt agree more with it.

IMHO, Pelikan 100N is not only one of the most vital and most influential industry design standards in writing instruments manufacturing, but also one of the finest pens ever made.

I have a 1937 red tortoise model, which used to belong to my grandfather; it was constantly in use for 80+ years.

Four years ago it eventually needed the grip and barrel replacement, now it writes and behaves as if it was new.

Recently Ive also purchased a 1948 Pelikan 100N, the most standard black/green post-war model w. flex F nib, for a very fair price. It is fascinating, how the manufacturing quality and writing appeal have persisted in following a high standard throughout the 17-year manufacturing period, interrupted by a world war and challenged by technological changes.

Pelikan 100N, IMHO not only counts among the finest handwriting experience, but is also neither that hard to find in the second-hand market, nor that overpriced, as long as it goes for the standard model.

It was never a status symbol, but rather the most reliable and finest writing tool for those who needed it.

Nowadays, amidst the digital era, I use it not only in getting a satisfying break from working with computers, but also for handwritten sketches and notes, where they are irreplaceable in the feel and performance.

No other pens Ive come across could match this level of experience.

Edited February 19, 2020 by stoen

[mana]

Hello,

Please pardon my joining this thread somewhat late, Ive come across it only recently.

I couldnt agree more with it.

IMHO, Pelikan 100N is not only one of the most vital and most influential industry design standards in writing instruments manufacturing, but also one of the finest pens ever made.

I have a 1937 red tortoise model, which used to belong to my grandfather; it was constantly in use for 80+ years.

Four years ago it eventually needed the grip and barrel replacement, now it writes and behaves as if it was new.

Recently Ive also purchased a 1948 Pelikan 100N, the most standard black/green post-war model w. flex F nib, for a very fair price. It is fascinating, how the manufacturing quality and writing appeal have persisted in following a high standard throughout the 17-year manufacturing period, interrupted by a world war and challenged by technological changes.

Pelikan 100N, IMHO not only counts among the finest handwriting experience, but is also neither that hard to find in the second-hand market, nor that overpriced, as long as it goes for the standard model.

It was never a status symbol, but rather the most reliable and finest writing tool for those who needed it.

Nowadays, amidst the digital era, I use it not only in getting a satisfying break from working with computers, but also for handwritten sketches and notes, where they are irreplaceable in the feel and performance.

No other pens Ive come across could match this level of experience.

What can I say... welcome to the light? 100N/101N are by far my most favorite pens ever, especially the post war ones with synthetic piston seals. They tick all the boxes for me design, engineering, build quality, ergonomy and writing experience wise.

 

Too bad finding them has gotten somewhat more difficult during the previous decade but yes, one can occasionally find close to NOS/min condition 100N, some even with more interesting nibs for somewhat affordable prices (especially if you take a chance on ebay etc.).

 

And oh yes and oh boy, the 101N and other more fancy/exotic models... a different game altogether. Sadly, in desirable condition they are most often out of my league or when cheaper way overpriced for what they actually are.

[stoen]

@mana: Thanks for sharing your opinion. This is more than a matter of opinion; there are objective criteria which justify these pens to be simply good. As for me, I’m not such a big fan of 101Ns, the profit based on their scarcity makes them overpriced, post-war models in particular - I can hardly remember ever having come across any.To me, the pre-war 100s with their full flex nibs, are also a class of its own.

Edited February 20, 2020 by stoen

[Niskayuna55]

I am in total agreement that the Pelikan 100N is the best pen.............. ever ! I have owned these Pelikans: M800, M600, M400, 400NN, M200, 150, 100 (original) and 100N. I can say that after writing with all these Pelikan, my absolute favorite is the 100N. I owned a Montblanc 146 at one time and although it too was a great quality pen, I still prefer writing with the 100N .

[mana]

@mana: Thanks for sharing your opinion. This is more than a matter of opinion; there are objective criteria which justify these pens to be simply good.

All we have are opinions, some just more informed than others.

[cgreenberg19]

Nice pen. Very well written and detailed review. Thanks for sharing!