Pelikan 100 or 100N

[RyanL27]

I've been contemplating a Pelikan 100(N) for a long time, but I haven't so far been able to plunk down the necessary pile of money for one. I absolutely love the way the pen looks capped. Honestly, this is my major impetus for wanting one, but I also love vintage Pelikan nibs. I would definitely make the purchase from Rick Propas, which would put it around $400.

 

So, for those of you who have experience with the 100s or 100Ns - are they worth the money? Are they comfortable in the hand posted? Also, is there any worry of cap lips cracking since the pen almost requires posting for comfortable writing?

 

Lastly, can a restored 100(N) be expected to work for years without extra work, similar to a modern Pelikan?

 

Thanks for the help!

 

[halljer]

Yes. Yes. Yes. The Pelikan 100 and 100N's are some of the finest pens ever made. The nibs have a fantastic flex. Posted they are very comfortable to write with, and I have large hands. They are as long as my Mont Blanc 147 when posted. They are as durable as any pen made. There is no one finer to do business with than Rick. There is a cork seal in the barrel that may need to be replaced after some years of use, but it's a great daily use pen as well as a fine collectible. Taken care of, you'll always be able to get your money back out of it. If you like flex nibs, you'll be in heaven with the 100 or 100N. IMHO

 

Best regards,

 

Jerry

[Bill Estherson]

I've bought quite a few pens over the last 10 years, and my Pelikan 100N is hands down the best of them all.

 

(I got mine from King Pen for about $225.)

 

Bill

[blueiris]

I have a 100n that I purchased from Rick. It's my favorite pen. It has a wonderful near-EF nib with a lot of flex, which I specifically requested. If you want a certain style of nib, mention it to Rick, because in my experience (comparing my pen to a friend's pen), the nibs have varying characteristics. Some aren't as flexible as others.

 

Regarding the feel in the hand, it's proably the most comfortable pen that I own, and I'm not just saying that. It's closest in feel/size to my Pelikan M620 Athens pen, but the feel of the 100n celluloid is nicer, in my opinion.

 

As for your durability questions, I haven't worried about posting the cap. The cap on mine isn't such a tight fit that I feel like it is stressed when posted. I think the story might be different with the 100. As for the piston seal, mine might be a later model than Halljer's, because the seal on mine is not cork; it's a synthetic one that Rick installed. Rick assured me that the 100n is a user. I do take care of it, so it's a "user" and not a "beater," but for sure, it does not sit idle in a case. I've had it for less than a year, but I use it often, and it is very reliable. I sure hope that it will be reliable for years to come; I don't see why it wouldn't be. Oh, one thing on this issue is that I don't screw/unscrew the nib unit when filling/changing ink, because Rick warned me that the section may be more fragile if it happens to get stuck.

 

Also, my 100n was one of Rick's less-pristine, more user-grade 100ns, so it was a bit less than the price you mentioned. This fact might account for some difference in the "worth the money" question, but I can say that I haven't regretted this purchase at all, because it really is my favorite pen.

[RyanL27]

Thanks for the great advice, all! It sounds like the 100(N)s really are worth it. It's fun to hear such enthusiasm about a pen I've eyed for years. It's time to start saving

[Richard]

Are they worth the money? Are they comfortable in the hand posted? Also, is there any worry of cap lips cracking since the pen almost requires posting for comfortable writing?

Yes. Yes. No.

 

Lastly, can a restored 100(N) be expected to work for years without extra work, similar to a modern Pelikan?

Yes, especially if it's a 100N with a replacement piston seal (which Rick can install).

 

And you ain't gonna do any better than buying one of these pens from Rick -- he's as good as it gets, and you can tell him I said so.

 

FWIW, when I decided I had to have a 100, I never even considered buying one from anyone else. This is the 100 Rick sold me:

 

http://www.richardspens.com/images/collection/zoomed/pelikan100.jpg

 

I haven't for a nanosecond regretted this purchase.

[Dean]

What's the difference between the 100 and the 100N?

 

Dean

[Rick Propas]

First, thanks to everyone for the kind words.

 

The 100 and 100N are fairly different pens, and it would take a great deal of time and space to go through all the differences, but . .

 

The 100N is a later pen, introduced in 1937. Compared to the 100 it is larger in the hand with greater length, girth and more ink capacity. In style it is more rounded, more streamlined. Those are the major differences. The later models, it was produced from 1937-44 and resumed in 1947 through 1954 (maybe), have acrylic bodies that tend to be more durable than the earlier cellulose nitrate bodies on the 100s and earliest 100Ns.

 

The base similarities are the nib, the filler and the quality.

 

Either pen will give you great service, but with differing senses of style. The 100 is pure German modernism, the 100N is, as I noted, more streamlined. The 100 came in a slightly broader range of colors, etc .

[RyanL27]

I just ordered a green 100N from Rick, and I'm so excited!

 

 

[rustynib]

Hi all

 

I have to let You know that, in my opinion, 100 and 100N are getting too much expensive...

 

People are paying loads of cash to fetch one of them, and if You are going to spend so much money I support the suggestion that You buy from a seller which delivers impecable stuff!!!

 

If You don't want to spend so much, You can find acceptable items on sale on ebay from around 45 or 60 euros. For more heavy duty collectors try to look for the first years 100, with bhr caps and turning knobs - those can be found, probably with green barrel sleeves, from around 80 euros.

 

rusty

[blueiris]

I just ordered a green 100N from Rick, and I'm so excited!

 

Great, Ryan--I hope you enjoy yours as much as I love mine!

[TrevorML]

who is this Rick chappy?... having a VERY slo-mo day I think!!

Edited June 4, 2007 by TrevorML

[RyanL27]

Here's Rick's site: http://www.angelfire.com/mac/penguin0/

 

If you want vintage Pelikans, he's your man.

[TrevorML]

DOH !!! sai I was having a slo-mo day... that is my favourite one-stop-shop for Peli info... should have known better !!!

[Margana]

Thanks for the great advice, all! It sounds like the 100(N)s really are worth it. It's fun to hear such enthusiasm about a pen I've eyed for years. It's time to start saving

 

 

I just ordered a green 100N from Rick, and I'm so excited!

 

Congrats and send pics. But first I want to know what you've gotten into to make that kind of money. PM me if you don't want to share it broadly. $400 in two days is my kind of savings plan!

[RyanL27]

Margana - check the Marketplace for the past two weeks

[Margana]

Margana - check the Marketplace for the past two weeks

 

Yep, I saw the anthracite M200 too late and I think there was another one late last week that would have been a good addition to my collection. Sorry I was unable to help you acquire the 100N. Maybe next time.