M600 vs. M800?

[removablemike]

Hi all, I am struggling a bit on deciding whether to buy a Pelikan M600 or M800 for casual writing.  I currently have two Lamy Studios, a Lamy Al-Star, and a Lamy Safari (I prefer the Studios).  I am a mid-30s male with average size hands.  My primary concern is that if I purchase the M600 I may regret that I did not get the M800 instead.  Any thoughts from those of you that own or have used both of these pens?  Thanks!

[Targa]

If you are prone to that feeling, then get the 800.  My hands are not your hands, but I feel like the 600 is just too small.  Also, with the 800 you get the brass piston mechanism, very easy to dissassemble, for cleaning / a bit of silicone.  The 800 nibs are just that nice!

[amberleadavis]

Are you anywhere where you can try them both?

Having finally bought an M800 (used), I am in love. The M600 is smaller in my hands and less comfortable. I have larger hands for a woman. The M800 is amazing.

[Carrau]

I have both, and have medium-large hands, and I find the M800 more comfortable for me.  One thing I have noted, however, is that my writing tends to get smaller when I write with the M600 (this happens with most smaller pens for me).  If you already write small, perhaps the M600 is more appropriate for that size writing.  The M800 doesn’t make me necessarily write larger than I want.  It allows me to write with my usual hand.  The weight of the pens might be a consideration for you as well.

[OMASsimo]

I think that both are very nice pens but feel a bit different. For me the M600 is a regular sized pen and the M800 rather big. It’s also a good bit heavier than the M600. However, I’m used to vintage pens, which often are much smaller, so writing with small pens is not an issue for me.

Of course it would be best if you could just try both models at a store. If not, you might be better off going with your gut feeling because otherwise it’s quite likely that you will buy the bigger pen anyway in a little while.

[Ron Z]

I have both, use both, and still can't decide.   I just put my 800 away in favor of my 600s last week.  But then I found a Sr Half Balance, and love the size, and especially the nib, and the 600s (which I always said was "Just right") seems too small.  Buy one, plan on buying the other eventually.

[kestrel]

I have one of each and much prefer the 800.  It feels better in my medium to large and arthritic hands, size and weight and balance.  The nib is amazing (an Italifine by Richard Binder) with just a little spring to it.  Great pen.

[A Smug Dill]

I prefer writing with my M605 Vibrant Orange to my M815 Metal-Striped any day, but that has much more to do with their nibs than the size and/or weight of the pens.

[langere]

As I understand it, the M600 was made for the average hand and should work for most folks.  The M800 is a bigger and heavier pen.  

 

I think you should try both in a store (or a pen show), if at all possible.  Everybody is different.  If you like large and heavier, the M800 is the right one for you.  If you like lighter, go for the M600.

 

I have both sizes, but my pocketbook can mainly only afford M600s (and on sale)...

 

Erick

[JulieParadise]

As @A Smug Dill already mentioned, the nibs of the M600 and M800 are quite different, the M800 nibs being noticeably stiffer. 

 

If you have the chance, try both before you commit to a purchase, especially if you know that you do not want to or cannot afford to end up buying anyway. (That would then be the enabler's answer: "Get 'em both, problem solved!")

[Karmachanic]

As always, it's a subjective thing.  Those who prefer the 600 recommend the 600.  Those who prefer the 800 recommend the 800.  Then there's those who like both.   So now you know.   Wait for the Pelikan Hub Nov 18?

[A Smug Dill]

4 minutes ago, Karmachanic said:

As always, it's a subjective thing.  Those who prefer the 600 recommend the 600.  Those who prefer the 800 recommend the 800.

 

I don't recommend either of those Pelikan Souverän models (or their siblings with rhodium trims), even though I personally prefer the M60x, and like my M600 Vibrant Orange very much. I see no reason to recommend the pen to others, especially when I have no stake in someone's purchasing decision, and there are plenty of good non-Pelikan fountain pens in the market as competition.

[fountainbel]

Given the poor "snap-fit" fixation of the filling system in the M600, I surely would opt for the M800 which features a perfect screw in filling system.

Francis

[Strega]

When I was working, we had a supply cabinet full of various pens and pencils, and except for whiteboard markers, all were skinnier than an M600.  (Or an M200 for that matter.)  Thus, I am convinced that most people can pretty much buy whatever size and be happy it.  Of course, if you eventually have both sizes, you may prefer one or you may keep bouncing back and forth, but I don’t know how to predict your preference in advance.

 

I’ve noticed that some things like eyeglasses and wrist watches go in fashion cycles that make them bigger and smaller. In SLRs for 50 years, Canon and Nikon have generally had larger cameras, and Olympus has had smaller ones, etc.  There seems to be no single answer to these questions.

[Jeffrey Newman]

I have both, and I like each of them.  For me the M600 is more comfortable posted and the M800 unposted.  My M600 seems to write wetter and be more expressive -- both have modern nibs.  

[removablemike]

Thanks all for your feedback.  I decided on the M805 (blue) after trying out a similarly sized Montblanc Meisterstück LeGrand earlier today while visiting Las Vegas.

[ruby.monkey]

Now you just need an M600 to confirm you made the right choice.

[Karmachanic]

Congrats.  I prefer the M805 to the MB146P, which is in the out box.

I prefer the 149 to the 1005.  I'll keep both.

[stric75]

Many have said many good things before me. All I can say is that I have both and like them both. However, 800 has a nicer nib and is better balanced (unposted).  The size and weight may play a role too so it’d be nice if you can try them before you buy either one. 

[removablemike]

19 hours ago, ruby.monkey said:

Now you just need an M600 to confirm you made the right choice.

 

That will be my next order 🤣