Ode to the Pelikan M215 Lozenge

[piembi]

Those 215s are really nice pens. I got a lozenge and a ring style 215 from ebay. Both for a very attractive price. The lozenge became my favourite pen at home though I am really a great fan of the vintage 400/400NNs. The 400s are still in my daily pencase for work, but at home the 215 has taken over

[hunter186]

  piembi said:

... at home the 215 has taken over

 

I'll second that. My VP has been my go-to pen since I bought it. Up until last week, when a ringed M215 with a Binder stub arrived. Now I don't know what to carry. Still love the VP, but it's been bumped to second place.

 

I've wanted to try a Pelikan for a while, but I don't like the looks of standard M200. A bit too plastic-y for me, if that makes any sense. The 215 is all class, though.

[MrNoodle]

Great review and comments everyone. This pen has just made it to the top of my "pens I really want" list!

 

I have yet to write with a Pelikan FP, so I'm curious, how subtle (or not so subtle) is the difference between the F and M nibs for this pen?

 

I have a Rotring Esprit M nib, and think that I might like a slightly finer nib.

[ToasterPastry]

Queen:

 

Great review.

 

As I have stated on countless posts, the M215 was my very first FP, and still my favorite; although I'm saddened to learn that yours came with the pear, and mine did not. Was this optional or standard?

 

More importantly, I had just recently received a Caran D'Ache Ecridor pen, and read your review from a year ago. Comparing these two pens (Pelikan M215 vs. CDA Ecridor): which pen do you truely like better? My choice will still be the M215. While the CDA definitely rules on 'status', 'coolness', and 'impressing the uneducated masses,' I think the M215 is a much better for the money in multiple areas. The CDA is a big metal rod, whereas the M215 is a work of engineering.

[QM2]

  MrNoodle said:

I have yet to write with a Pelikan FP, so I'm curious, how subtle (or not so subtle) is the difference between the F and M nibs for this pen?

 

I have one Pelikan with an F nib (that I will soon get reground to an EF), and I've tried M nibs in shops. To me, the difference seems quite significant.

 

  ToasterPastry said:

As I have stated on countless posts, the M215 was my very first FP, and still my favorite; although I'm saddened to learn that yours came with the pear, and mine did not. Was this optional or standard?

 

Alas, the pear I had to supply myself : )

 

  ToasterPastry said:

More importantly, I had just recently received a Caran D'Ache Ecridor pen, and read your review from a year ago. Comparing these two pens (Pelikan M215 vs. CDA Ecridor): which pen do you truely like better? My choice will still be the M215. While the CDA definitely rules on 'status', 'coolness', and 'impressing the uneducated masses,' I think the M215 is a much better for the money in multiple areas. The CDA is a big metal rod, whereas the M215 is a work of engineering.

 

For everyday writing, I like the Pelikan M215 better for several reasons:

. piston filler mechanism

. interchangeable nib units

. softer nib

. thicker barrel and section (more comfortable to grip)

. better balance

 

However, the Caran d'Ache Ecridor, being of solid metal construction, is a more durable pen. Also, the very stiff and precise steel nib works better for technical drawings, blueprints, carbon copies, editing manuscripts, etc. I had the nib on mine ground down to a needlepoint, and use it mainly for these purposes.

 

In short, I think that these pens are inherently meant for different purposes, and you can get the most out of them in these respective contexts. Hope you enjoy both!

 

QM2

Edited December 19, 2008 by QM2

[ParkerBeta]

Loved the review and the photographs -- an ode is indeed what I'd call it!

 

By the way, by a curious coincidence, just after I bought the black-no-stone MB Boheme that you have (see my post here and your subsequent post, with my reply), I saw a good deal on the M215 lozenge design and ordered it, and what do I see? Your ode to it!

 

Given your and ethernautrix's enthusiastic recommendations, I'm eagerly looking forward to its arrival.