[Bisquitlips]

Originally Posted by IGY

I can add value here.

I have owned an M1000 briefly, but returned it to the store. It is an oversized pen and not really an everyday pen for anyone that does not have massive hands. Sure, it can be nice to write with a large nib, but the pen was unwieldy.

The Pelikan M800 series of pens is identical quality and same basic look to the M1000. It is still a large pen, but no longer oversize. A good size I'd say for most male hands. I actually own an M815 and M900. The M900 Toledo (which is an extra fancy M800 really) is my favourite pen from my collection and the one I use the most. I have it with an EF nib.


EXCELLENT!

Pelikan nibs are worth commenting on further. If you are used to Japanese nibs like the Platinum, just be warned that European pen nibs tend to be half to one size higher than the Japanese equivalent. In other words a Japanese fine is similar to a European extra fine. Pelikans tend to be particularly fat compared even to other European brands. So ideally try (wet dip) before you buy. There is no right or wrong here: some peoples' hand writing and style favours bolder nibs. I just prefer finer nibs in general. Some people say that the M1000 has a flexible nib. Not really. It is not built to flex. If you abuse the nib that way you will likely damage it. So dont buy into that. It is a relatively soft nib however. The M800 has a slightly firmer feel to it.

I also own some Montblancs. The pens themselves are boring 149s, but in each I bought them because they have special nibs. The first is a caligraphy flex nib, which is designed to flex (unlike the M1000). I think Montblanc still make a version of this, but it is hardly an everyday pen. The second is an Italic Edge nib by Fritz Schimpf in Germany. Very specialist. For Xmas cards and that sort of thing. Beautiful and fun nib to use.

I've also got a Scribo. I definitely recommend them. They offer a very interesting choice of nibs and there is a wide variety of interesting pen colours to choose from. Scribo actually bought the nib machines used by Omas (which in case you have not heard of them were like the Patek Philippe of the fountain pen world.) Very good pens, especially for the mid-price that they charge.

As for pen shops in London, it is slim pickings I am afraid. There are big department stores like Harrods and Selfridges that sell Montblanc, Montegrappa etc. The only Pelikan specialist in London that I know of is outer London and not worth a long trip to the middle of nowhere for. Most of the UK Pelikan dealers are mail order in places like Wales or Somerset (many hours away). I actually think that the best stores in Europe are in Germany (Fritz Schimpf) and the Netherlands (Appelboom). If your trip extends to any of these countries check out these stores.

Best of luck choosing a nice fountain pen to add to your collection.

(Oh, I have a Namiki Yakari on the way but I pick it up from a Japanese friend next month... looking forwards to trying my first Japanese fountain pen).

Great information from the owner/user perspective!

My Compliments!