stresemann Pelikan Stresemann options

[Dougal]

Pelikan’s Stresemann range looks great in online pictures, but all pen photos are professionally photoshopped. Have you seen a Stresemann in the wild?

 

Also, I’m more experienced with Parker than Pelikan. What are the various Pelikan models like in the hand? My Pelikan experience is limited to the 205.

[Carrau]

Your questions are rather broad, and you would do well to be more specific in your concerns both in regards to the Stresemann models and Pelikan pens.  Just as there are many Parker models (offering a variety of writing and aesthetic experiences), there are many Pelikan models, whose size, appearance, and vintage offer very different experiences for different users.  For example, the Stresemann alone was made in four different sizes, M405, M605, M805, and M1005.  To my eye, the Stresemann is an understated, elegant pattern which is highly appealing to me.  I own one in the 805 size, which is perfect for my hand size, but a bit large for others, who find the 405 or 605 better suited to them.  I like the M6xx size Pelikans’ size, but the M8xx size is more ideal for me.  
Pelikans in general tend to be solidly built and reliable, particularly their piston filling system.  Their modern nibs are often considered to be mostly inflexible or “nail” like, especially compared with their more vintage cousins from the mid 20th century (lots more info on that in the forums here). One exception I can’t personally verify is that the nibs of the M1xxx series are reputed to have more “spring” to them than modern Pelikan nibs from the other series.  The M2xx series pens are steel, I believe, with the other series having gold nibs.  Many have reported that Pelikan nibs run wider for a given nib size than their Japanese counterparts (recognizing that there is really no standard for nib sizes/widths).  The nib units are readily interchangeable within the series, and I believe between the M4xx and M6xx series as well. I can’t remember if nib interchangeability holds completely true between modern and vintage pens (I seem to recall that may be a one-way street, possibly the older fitting the modern, but not the other way around).

 

I hope this thumbnail gives you some general idea about Pelikan pens.  Spending time reading threads here will give you much more and specific information about Pelikan and individual pens.  You will surely find comments about issues with modern nibs, transparency of  modern barrels in regard to monitoring ink levels, availability of different models in different sizes, cost, however, they seem to be well regarded pens overall.  My personal experience has been quite good.  Others may differ in their opinion. 

[Linger]

I have the M1005 and I use it very frequently. Don't know how to respond to your question though...it looks like it looks in the pictures I guess. Given your experience with the 200 series, the very smallest, I advise you to try out the 1000 series, the very largest, in a store prior to considering buying one. Also, the nib is glorious, but a true gusher. I use the F nib and this is already a rather wet one.

[Dougal]

Many thanks. I prefer nibs that are wet, so that bodes well. Often, I use my Parker Sonnet over my Duofold because the latter feels a little dry—despite having had the Duofold nib tuned.

 

The Pelikan 205 is too small for me, so I need to find a store to try the other Pelikan models for size. Recommended London shops would be welcome!

 

 

[Lam1]

I have the M805 and the M1005 Stresemann and my wife has the M405. They are beautiful understated pens, and very solidly built. If the M205 is too small for you, so will the M405, which is the same size. I am a bit of a contrarian since I don't much care for the M600 (for me it is a size that does nothing).

One thing to keep in mind is that the M805 and M1005 have brass pistons, so they are a little back heavy.

The M800's nibs are nails, and mine all have very controlled flow (I tend to use Pelikan, MB and GvFC inks). The M1000s, have very soft nibs and tend to be a little wetter (they are not flexible, but soft) that offer a very pleasant - to me - writing experience.

[inkstainedruth]

@Dougal I have the M405 Stresemann (the larger sizes are generally too big for me to use comfortably, because I have small hands).  I saved some money on mine by getting it from Rolf Thiel on his eBay store when they came out, and it was the one time in my life that I had the discretionary budget to get whatever I wanted (I didn't have to pay the US distributor markup and he didn't have to charge me VAT and back then eBay didn't collect sale tax) but it's still the most expensive pen I own, followed by the pen I ordered from him at the same time -- an M405 in Blue Black, which has an EF nib on it.

I don't have *quite* the correct nib on the Stresemann, because Rolf didn't have a rhodium plated B nib in stock at the time.  But that's okay with me.  

I like mine very much, and I like piston fillers in general.  But it's a case of YMMV, since they are NOT cheap pens, especially since they were an LE color.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Dougal]

Many thanks—that’s very helpful info.

[Bo Bo Olson]

On 12/9/2024 at 4:12 PM, Dougal said:

The Pelikan 205 is too small for me

Do you post the pen?

 

If you don't post a pen...then go 800 or 1000. I don't find them balanced. But there are folks for religous grounds who refuse to post a pen...as designed, and call them too small ! Ie the 200/400 and 600.

The 140 is a once popular medium-small pen ('50-70), that because of it's longer cap posts to being the same size as the posted 400.

 

I do and don't find the 200/400 too small. In fact posted they have great balance. Back in the day of One Man, One Pen...bought once a decade....if a pen didn't have great balance....heresy happened. One changed brands. One went from being a Chevy man to being a Ford man.

Back Then....Were you a Parker user, you had been trained to a fatter nib, than a skinny Shaffer nib. Parker didn't make a nib as skinny as a Shaffer, in a horrible mistake could be make...some born and bred Parker user, could end up buying a Sheafer that decade...and hard to move a skinny nib user back to a fatter nib.

 

Today with the fatter doulbe ball, the Pelikan is fatter than even a Parker.....but if one goes vintage or semi-vintage, ** even Shaffer was fatter than Pelikan...........before the Japanese went from nitch to mainstream....

Pelikan and Waterman users use to have flame wars of screw out nibs vs Waterman is skinnier.That died when the skinner  Waterman nibs got it's pants beat off by even skinnier Japanese nibs.

 

I have a slew and a half of Pelikan piston pens that were bought as old, used .... there for much cheaper pens that are doing just fine, inspite of being 40-70 years old. Anything after 1955 is Plastic Gasket 2.0 and still used today....so do suggest a 400NN.

 

I find stubbed semi-flex obliques. OF, OM, OB, or OBB, to give you fine line variation. Some people insist they can see line variation in springy regular flex....'82-97....

I have some 3-4 of that era obliques and I have a honking big magnyfing glass and it is a whisper of the real thing. But what one wants to beleive, is beleived. ...Cheaper than buying the right pen.

 

With Obliques you have to cant the pen...rotate it slightly, so the nib hits the paper with the right angle.

 

Obliques in in German '50-70 era pens, come in the normal 15 degree grind and the found in say 1/4th of the obliques are a 30 degree grind. One has to hold it to the light to see.

 

Posted of course, in other wise it's harder to line up the Oblique, if 15 degrees, aim the clip in the middle between the slit and the shoulder....grip the pen in the air. Put to the paper and write. Your cant angle will be right.................no need to hang from the channelers lamps, or twist your arm or hand to prevent the pen from being scratchy...in the cant angle is wrong. The tip of the oblique grind will scratch or hang up in the paper. Canted no problem at all.

If a 30 degree grind....will be found accidentely.  Aim the clip at the right hand shoulder of the nib. Grip in air. Put to paper and write.

 

I've a whole bunch of both....but no 400 in modern....post '97 where they have fat and blobby doulbe ball nibs. Which beside being a semi-nail (less nib repair)...the 400 & 600 are fat and blobby nibs made for ball point users who don't wnat to take the time to learn how to hold a fountina pen.

That concept seems to work well.

 

Best...1950-65 400-400nn. Holds 1.95/2.0ml ink. Is a factory stub in out side of the H & D nibs semi-flex. ................ Not a calligraphy nib....but one that adds natural flair to your normal speed writing.

Folks who practice Nib Abuse complain about how slow semi-flex is, when one is trying to spring the nib.

The '82-now 400 holds only 1.25ml...the large 600 1.35...not real sure but think the 800 has that much ink capacity also.

 

The Pelikan 400-400nn, is as great as a Parker 75 for balance, with both posted.

 

I do like a thicker great balanced 600... The good thing about a 600, is one can put in a '50-65 stubbed semi-flex, or an '82-97 springy tear drop tipped gold nib....or a cheaper steel/gold palted '85-@ 2017 200's tear drop tipped springy nib. I use to really rave about that nib....is worth getting for cheaper....if you can buy an older used 200. @ 2017 Pelikan ruined the 200's nib by changing from a clean line tear drop tipping to that fat and blobby double ball tipping.

The semi-nail 600 nib is smooth, if not too smooth and having baby bottom. I don't care for it, and had mine stubbed from BB to B/1.0.

I had a wonderful '50's 400's factory stubbed, semi-flex B nib on it for quite a long time.

 

I find the Large 800 to be clunky. I have two, and the 1000 is way too big for me. I like the MB large 146, that lacks great balance, being stately...but better balanced than the 800...and the 146 has a springy, nicer nib.

I like my large Firedance Sonnet more than my 800, but it lacks the balance of a P-75 or P45...I only have one P-51...in they are mostly nails....and I don't care for a nail. Of my P-45's one is English, so has a nice springy nib, not the semi-nail fo the P-75/45's.

I don't use my P-15 or P-50 enough to have much of an opinion of, but they are not grab first out of the pen cup, pens. Nailish..

 

** Lost in the depths of my computer I have a pre Japanese nib chart....Fattest by far was Conway Stewart, then came Parker, Sheaffer, Pelikan...and Pelikan 800 had it's vey own narrower than Pelikan 400 nib. Waterman was skinniest. (I've no idea when the 800 went away ... if it did from having a thinner nib than the 400.

 

My Waterman Mann 200 F (@'90) Is as narrow as my tear drop tipped marble brown 200 EF nib. Gee, those folks was right way back when...before the Japanese nib made Waterman and Aurora look fat.

[Dougal]

Many thanks. That’s interesting info.

 

In general, I don’t post my pens.

[Al-fresco]

My luckiest Ebay buy was a Pelikan M605 Stresemann.  The seller said that he'd bought the Stresemann to replace a lost Lamy 2000 and was selling it because he'd subsequently found his Lamy again.   The Pelikan was cheap because it was unboxed.  This explanation made no sense to me as if I'd had to sell one it would have been the Lamy.  I was delighted when a mint condition Stresemann arrived.  It remains one of my favourite pens with a "fine" nib that I'd describe as more like a medium.

[Bo Bo Olson]

6 hours ago, Dougal said:

In general, I don’t post my pens.

For modern large pens I can understand that.

Vintage pens (late '30-s to 1970,) that are large, are few.

The PFM...pen for men, was so heavily advertized in the early '60's, and I never saw one in real life...it didn't sell  well....lacking balance demanded for a day of handwriting.

 

It was a surprise to me in a thin Snorkel, with great balance was actually a large pen, when laid next to a Safari. I had always thought it medium-long, but being skinny made up for being a Large pen.

 

Nimble pens, light enough for long use....

Standard sized pens...DJ Esterbrook, P-75, and a Pelikan 200/400, have great balance posted....none unposted. Then they are too short.

 

I think of a P-51 as a medium-large pen, like a Pelikan 600 and a thin Geha 725. They have great balance posted. IMO...can be used to take notes un-posted; but are better balanced posted.

 

Of my large pens, which I use less than others, my MB 146 can be used posted...it is then Stately, not nimble. For me it's a bit short unposted. I have some 15-20 large pens. They happened more or less.  That size is not something I chase, having been brought up on standard sized pens in the late-50's-early '60's.

 

If one has mostly Large pens I can understand not posting them...in they lack balance to me, both un-posted, being a bit short, and way to long and top heavy posted.

[Penguincollector]

  I don’t have a Stresemann yet- I really want one, but I’ve been distracted by other shiny things lately. I do have Pelikans in the various sizes that it comes in, and while I think that for me the size is almost too big (I prefer junior/lady sizes), I think I would get the M805 size. I love the balance of my M800 with the brass piston more than the smaller sizes with the plastic one. Ideally, I would like a M400 size with a brass piston. I think if you don’t post your pens, the M805 size is nicer than the smaller pens. If you have larger hands or prefer a bouncy nib, go for the M1005. The M100x nibs are really nice, too bad that size is really not usable for me, because I love the way they write.

[stric75]

In short, the Stresemann models are very elegant. Granted, the gray/black/silver combo may not be for everyone, but I have a M405 and find it to be one of the prettiest pens.

[Bo Bo Olson]

It wasn't on my list to buy, used, but has grown on me.

Am missing the red and the blue stripped 400's also.

[Al-fresco]

On 12/14/2024 at 4:04 AM, stric75 said:

In short, the Stresemann models are very elegant. Granted, the gray/black/silver combo may not be for everyone, but I have a M405 and find it to be one of the prettiest pens.

Agreed.  The Stresemann is a stylish and understated pen. Having said that I do love Pelikan 2 tone nibs but they’d be over the top on a Stesemann.