Is The Pelikan M1000 Still A Grail Fountain Pen?

[@bonghungk7544]

That was what made Pelikan iconic the translucent striped barrel in order to see the ink level. That really sucks they stopped doing this now. I’m glad I bought my M1000 in 2016. My nib is F nib and I got to cherry 🍒 pick 4 different F size nibs at a brick and mortar store to pick the nib I like the most. Believe you me there are differences between those 4 - F nibs at the store. Enjoy your M1000 pen.

[@HomerIncognito]

Lack of barrel translucency on the new models is a complete deal breaker for me. It was what set it apart from the competition, now stuff like Leonardo MZG with #8 gold nib looks a lot more attractive than it used to next to it.

[@dewiwilliams9574]

apparently the reason they have stopped doing the old type barrel is that the company that makes the material for them has stopped making it

[@XtianApi]

I have to say, I love the translucency, as everyone, but I got a new m800 at a great deal and I love it also. I use it like a workhorse pen and it's still fantastic.

[@haroldmarenger3435]

Even if they couldn’t get the materials, they could still incorporate an ink window, similar to their all black models. Still it is a great writing pen.

[@TK-lu7vq]

I have owned an 805 for probably 15 years. I had absolutely no idea that the pen was translucent until just now. I held up my phone flashlight to the barrel and voila!

[@kevinu.k.7042]

Yes, My Pelikan with an extra fine writes like a Fine nib on the Medium side. This is what Pelikan say - In case it is useful for folk. _"Our best selling fountain pens are the M400 (or M405 which has silver rather than Gold trim) for both men and women and M800 (or M805) which is most bought by men who prefer a large pen. The M1000 is a very large pen which is most often bought as a signature pen for men or a pen for small amounts of writing, such as writing doctor's prescriptions."_ Thanks for this video. So well done as always.👍

[@mavleashutosh]

Translucent barrel was indeed an amazing feature. You can buy black M1000 if ink window is important for you because it still comes with that amazing nib.

[@gizmogeek23]

I have heard that Pelikan had a high defect rate with the transparent stripes that caused them to move away. I heard some rumors that they may be close to solving them and the feature will likely come back. Personally for me an ink window is a nice to have. I don’t use my pens in a way where it would matter. I would just switch to another pen. Definitely a personal preference and there are work flows where it really matters. I did pick up a modern M1000 this year and love it.

[@gizmogeek23]

Pelikan did get purchased a little bit ago so it could be connected to a change in acceptable rates or maybe their celluloid supplier for the stripes changed and it shifted tolerances

[@ironmic9244]

Finally getting a chance to watch this. Congrats on getting the M1000. It is one of my favorites. Pelikan is going back to transparent barrels. I do think that pound for pound the M1000 does edge out the 149. Now all you need is the KOP to complete the peaks of the Nibalya Range. There were supply chain issues in creating the transparent barrel, so Pelikan has to go opaque to get pens on the shelves. That was the reason for the change.

[@Doodlebud]

That was the reason that was given to explain it, but it is lower cost to do the new method. There have been several things done over the years to lower the production cost of the pen, and this is another one. If it was only supply chain issues, by now it should be fixed. But it doesn't seem they are going back to the previous method. This change was done not too long after Pelikan was bought out. So not surprised things are reviewed and cost reduction steps are taken.

[@haroldmarenger3435]

Great video. It’s unfortunate that they eliminated the “see-through” ink window design. I believe you are spot-on as to why the change. (The MB 149/146 are about the same price point, and MB has an ink window, so..) What I’ve noticed about Pelikan M800 and M1000 nibs, is if you normally use a medium nib in other brands (e.g., Waterman, Lamy, Diplomat, Graf Van Faber, S T DuPont, etc.), then a Pelikan Fine nib would be a closer match. I have a M1000 in EF and F (purchased at least 6 years ago), and both are great writers. To me the older models have a “warmer” feel to them as compared to the new models. As expensive as these pens are, I would recommend a very good nib meister.

[@judyjacobs5827]

Lovely review, Doodlebud. Thanks. For a long time I've wanted a Pelikan, and eventually started to buy some, often with serious problems, like missing clips, sprung nibs, no cap finials. During recent convalescence from surgery, and since the hospital didn't send home health care, there wasn't much to do but sit around in my house slippers and buy pens. Now I have some in working shape, sort of, and the people at the bank love all the debt I've piled up. But I have finally realized my grail pen. It's the green striped Pelikan 400, first year issue. No M, no N, no NN. I saw one or two being auctioned on EvilBay, but they were out of my price range. I polish, I tune, I wait.

[@varadharajannadarajah]

Pelikan M1000 has probably the best piston mechanism. Fills completely in one fill. Nib/Feed alignment is always good. And the ease swapping nib units. Finally the beautiful clip & top. Only negative I'll say is, Nibs are not true to their designated size - put a broader line.

[@SammyUnboxingThings]

That nib 🥲 Too beautiful. Thank you for sharing with us 😊

[@cynthiaalvarado8610]

Great find, DB! I’m very happy with my M800 series Pelikans. Don’t know if I’ll make the leap to the M1000 but I’m glad you found a great deal on yours. They are gushers though so I get the grinding to get it writing to your style. It will have you reaching for it more often when it writes as you like

[@hokeatseng4094]

...by that time Fountain pen was not really practical for my daily affairs so eventually I bought the Ballpoint...and kept it till today ..finally is in my pocket once a week ....like you said...Guess it couldn't go better then this...Design n Colour..✍️💜💯

[@jpfanfic4226]

They are fantastic pens. The skip issue is not uncommon. I had it with mine, and you are right holding the pen a little higher helps. I actually sent mine to the Mark Bacas for a custom grind, hopefully that issue will no longer be an issue.

[@ironmic9244]

Oh wow, you got it. Will be checking out this video soon.

[@TheMagicalSock]

My M1005 Stresemann is one of my favorite possessions. I adore it.

[@amyfeigt6715]

The Pelikan M800 or M1000 used to be my choice for a grail pen, after getting an M200, a vintage 400nn & a vintage M400 Gunther Wagner (with the W. Germany imprint) I've found that they write rather large for my taste, even though 2 of the 3 are EF nibs. I love the ones that I have, but don't use them enough to justify the expense of the larger ones. For now, I'm primarily using my Japanese pens (Pilot, Platinum, Sailor) for the majority of my writing, but will grab one of the thicker-writing pens for headings, or to emphasize something. They all have a place :)

[@scottyg9167]

I have four different Pelikans and love them all (especially my always-used-and with-me pocket M200). I just wish I knew how to tune nibs, as I’d love to make them “perfect.”

[@Doodlebud]

I have a bunch of videos on the topic if you're wanting to learn

[@soxandbears]

i have a west germany m800 and it only takes 3/4 turn to take the cap off. and agree, the green stripes look better in person!

[@khk5723]

The Pelikan M1000 fine nib is the best semi-flex, bouncy, wet nib ever experienced by me. I wished also they made a pocket friendly version too with the same nib.

[@user-bchfldmgd]

Beautiful pen

[@psychophipps]

Glad you got a Pelikan that fits your hands better. My friend also has very large hands, and he runs into similar issues.

[@rogerclark3640]

Hi Doodlebud. YES PLEASE do the grind, and I await it with interest. I have a medium Mb146 nib that is a bit like your Pelly - very nice but could be.... I haven't been brave enough to touch it yet. I don't want to lose what I've got but the thought of what it might be has tempted me for a year now.

[@archivist17]

It's a real statement pen. Although I'm more drawn to the pocket pens (M300 etc), and my aesthetic relates more to the Silvexas, there is one big Souverän I do aspire to owning, despite the chances being vanishingly small, and that's the M815, with Palladium plated stripes, a Rhodium plated Gold nib, and a separate ink window. When I win the lottery, perhaps...

[@siyuanxu3537]

Selfappointed lifetime Pelikan Fanboi just clicked the Like button. I reall like Pelikan, although I have other pens, but when it comes to daily writing, I always go to Pelikans, the never failed me.

[@A_Mathematician.I]

I have one with one chick (1C) cap and 1C nib and 2C cap and 2C nib, I wonder if there was intermediate timeline and they put older nibs on the 1C body or the last owner changed sth. Anyway great review and enjoy the M1000. It is truely a pen which a class of its own, I hope every fountain pen lover can try it out and have fun. One of the fun thing about it is that it finishes your ink bottle pretty fast:D

[@ilikepens]

I have a 90’s m1000 and I freaking love it! Great pen!

[@johnlopez3996]

It would be lovely if Pelikan did return to the translucent barrels. I wonder if the company could send you to the headquarters in Hannover, Germany. Many pen companies would value your engineering expertise and your keen eye for details. Take care.

[@dimhelmet]

I pre-ordered a new M1000 for a great price and can’t wait to use it!

[@eddiecandelaria8691]

Great video DB. I enjoy my M1000 (f) with the striated green barrel as well. So much so that I have this inked up more than my 149 which only seems consistent if it's inked with iroshizuku. Very cool that you have one from the 90's. If it were me, I would leave the nib alone and don't fiddle with it anymore. Because once it's done it cannot be undone. Also, keep your Blue M805, i have two 805's a clear demonstrator (m) and a stresemann in (e/f) and there is no way I would part with either one of them. They're too consistent and a joy to write with, no issues whatsoever.

[@randy25rhoads]

Never have acquired an M1000, but I had an M800 with a double broad nib that I sold a while back. Getting rid of that is one of my biggest pen regrets-Pengrets, if you will.

[@yuklimka7251]

I have tiny hands, but I slowly worked my way up through the Pelikan lineup to the M800 which I bought used. The EF is insanely wet.It comes close to some Western B nibs I own. I wish it would lay down a true EF line and write drier, but I love the dimensions and the heft of it.

[@X1GenKaneShiroX]

Pelikan just recently released a new M1000 sized pen that is renaissance brown and the best part about it is that it’s similar to the price of a green striped or black M1000.

[@XtianApi]

I have a new m800, which I love. Near the section, you can see through the barrel for about half an inch with a bright light. It's not as ideal or cool, but you actually can see the ink level. Except you're seeing it through the green stripes rather than the black stripes . I can post a picture somewhere for proof

[@zeus52452]

Loved the video DB. I recently acquired 2 older version M600's that write decent/wet enough for Medium nibs. The M800 Brown striped with a Fine nib should be arriving next week. I can't imagine it had sat around long enough to be the older see through barrel, but I did get it at what I thought was a decent price. I'm looking forward to feeling the different in hand! As for an M1000, welllllll!!

[@derekdavis5720]

Glad that you’re pleased with the M1000. I think that buying an older model was a good idea. I suspect that this is the better pen. I have the M805 and think that it’s a very competent pen mine is about 7/8 years old it suits me particularly as it has a fantastic italic nib grind, by one of the worlds great nib wrights. However the size of the M1000 appeals although I’ve heard there isn’t much in it, weight wise. Great video and thank you.

[@AntonioBarba_TheKaneB]

I was on the fence between picking up an old m1000 or a m800. Gladly I decided for the m800 (I got an old red one, with 2 chicks, early 2000s). I find it to be the perfect size for my hands and just about on maximum limit of weight that I would consider comfortable for long sessions. I would probably get a M1000 at some point, because I just want it to be in my collection, but I already know that it will be for shorter writing sessions for me, just like my 149 which I use much less often than the 146 for the very same reason.

[@jamesmiddleton2856]

My M1000 F has been my favorite pen for a while. I use Robert Oster Deep Sea in it, a wet ink. My hand has learned to write lightly when I write small. I write 2mm above and below the line in Oasis Profolio B5 notebooks ( got them very affordably) They are just average paper at best. My e letters are closed. Everything else is open. I am sure that using a dry ink like Pelikan sells would solve that but I do like a wet line. A woman on Jetpens wrote an article on writing cursive and mentioned writing with short ascenders and descenders. That helped with writing small immensely. Hope some of this helps with how far you want to grind down your nib. If you don't want to think about it or make any concessions then laugh, an EF would be in your future.

[@Hawker900XP]

I remember when you got the two tone on the 805 ✒️

[@gihanzohdy3284]

Pelikans M1000 in maki-e raden are just as classy.

[@Doodlebud]

And only a few thousand dollars more LOL

[@sajjadhusain4146]

I only have the Pelikan M200 and M605. I might eventually offload one or both from my collection. I’ve been sometimes tempted to get the M1000/05 black and red striped pen. I like the classic aesthetics of Pelikan’s Souverain line and the M1000 is overall the best of them all. But I have passed on getting one. I’m not overly fond of Pelikan’s gold nibs. Quite squishy feel to the writing that I don’t enjoy. Inconsistent line widths of the different sizes is a perennial problem with the nibs. Just rather disappointing nibs for the premium price of the pen. But the Pelikans have a beautifully smooth piston mechanism and the screw-out nib units is just a great feature that I love. I don’t at all mind the absence of an ink viewing window in a piston filling pen. I have several such high-end pens sans ink window. For the price and performance, though, I far prefer Aurora Optima/88 to any Pelikan Mxxx. And Stipula Etrurias are also my absolute favorites in expensive luxury pens.

[@OmicronTauKappaClassicDaddy]

Despite not having any transparency my new M1000 is by far my best pen. I got a huge discount on it because it wasn’t moving due to the new obtuse design. The nib is still a real show pony though! 🦄

[@MarcSaegesser]

Congrats on a great pen find! I love my M800, but as you say, it's medium nib is a gusher. I just filled it with with Edelstein Olivine, which is a little dryer, and it seemed to tame the nib a little. I've been thinking about finding someone with a fine nib who would be interested in trading for a medium. The swappable nib units are a nice feature of these pens. The opaque barrels are a deal breaker for me, too. From here on out it's going to be vintage for me. They've been making translucent barrels for almost 100 years and now they stop?!?

[@arcfide]

I actually think the M40x series is the real winner among the Pelikans. It's very hard to find a slim, lightweight, in-house gold nibbed, wet, luxury-level fountain pen these days, and the M400 series is spectacular in this regard. Almost everything else is more generic nibs, heavier weight, or too fat. The Sailor 1911s and ProGear Slim series seem to be the only other real competitors if you want something with a nice, in-house gold nib, and their build-quality isn't the same. I tend to think that the issues around the transparent bind is exactly what they say, that they couldn't source their transparent material anymore. But I think what they left off is that they couldn't source it for the price that they wanted. I expect that they could have still sourced them, but they would have had to raise their prices or eat into their profits to continue getting them, and I think the supplier was having issues getting the material made quickly and reliably enough to meet demand for Pelikan. The same has happened with a lot of Japanese makers, in that they have been raising their prices to account for material cost increases, but I think it's basically the same issue.

[@ibpopp]

Thanks for such an intelligent revue. How disappointing that they have discarded one of their signature features, the translucent stripes. cheers from Oz.

[@halfsourlizard9319]

That blue m805 though!

[@dewiwilliams9574]

one of the guys in our group brought a m1000 stresemann in and i gave it a go and decided there and then that i wanted one ,well i'm lucky enough to actally have 2 one is ef and the other is a medium, gound to cursive italic which is the one i use the most,both are the black model but still fantastic pens

[@williamcatalano1762]

I'm very surprised you got a medium in the 1000 given the Pelikans usually run a bigger line in general and I've heard the 1000 is even more so. I'm going to eventually get one of these. I just wish they had more colors or combinations that aren't Maki-e. I'd probably go with a Fine nib when I eventually get mine. The M1000 is the only one left I don't have in my flock besides a vintage one. Still need a Montblanc as well. Great video Doodlebud! I'd love to see comparisons to both the M800 and the Montblanc 149.

[@Doodlebud]

I was almost going to get a B instead of the M. My plan has been to grind it pretty much before I even got the pen. This nib is lovely, but I think I will love it more if I get it a little closer to where I want it. I wanted a large nib point so I have more to work with when I grind it

[@williamcatalano1762]

@@Doodlebud Ahh that makes sense now then haha I have a broad on my M400 Brown tortoise or well I did... It was just too much.. I might get it ground eventually one day. I'm unsure right now if I should or not. I bought a fine on a super sale for it so I could daily it if I wanted. I also bought an IB (Italic broad) from Dan the Nibsmith for my M200's. It's pretty cool. Basically Pelikan's version of a stub nib. It was a Pelikan factory made nib not ground down by a nibsmith. I love different and interesting nib grinds now. Got bored with the 'Ol mediums and fines lol

[@JefferyHall-ct2tr]

Hi DB! I think the Pelican pens are superior! I recently treated myself to a new M800 in the green w/black scheme your M1000 has. The lack of the ink window is not a deal breaker for me, and I wanted the smaller 800 because my hands are not too large. But that pen writes like NOTHING else I've ever owned. SO smooth! Mine is a Fine and does not seem to gush like the "medium" you have. It will be interesting to see what your adjustments do on that pen. Makes me wonder if a previous owner had some nib work done on it. Maybe they wanted a broad instead of a medium?

[@michaelbradley6488]

My M1000 has the translucent barrel, I do prefer that feature on the Pelikans. Pelikan is perfectly capable of putting an Ink Window on the newer material, they do so on a number of their models and it would help a great deal, that said I just preferred the older striped material and I think many collectors feel the same. I have large hands and prefer the way that my 800's write, obviously this is subjective.

[@NGMonocrom]

As the owner of one.... Yes.

[@ThePengineer]

I have an m605 Black Tortoiseshell EF. Absolutely beautiful pen and frankly my favorite in my collection. BUT i wish it had the translucent black stripes. Thats the one flaw to an otherwise perfect pen

[@santauxia]

Its a classy pen. Nice review.

[@davidparrishproductions5082]

Happy Friday, Dood!

[@bestattitude]

I think this is the very first comment I post on this channel, which I've subscribed to a loooong time ago already. I love our Doodlebuddy! And I love the M1000, which I've been wanting to buy for years now. But I wasn't aware of the latest change Pelikan made to the pen, that makes the barrel completely opaque. It's a shame, really. I'll have to find one from the "older" build, that allows you to see the ink through the barrel. Otherwise, it's a no go for me!

[@Stwa_Bewy]

I had no idea they removed the ink window! How awful

[@edkirkpatrick1231]

Great video thanks. It would be nice if you also told us what paper you are using when doing writing examples..

[@tm502010]

Great pen!

[@andykellens7237]

The Pelikan M1000 is a wonderful pen, but I rarely take it with me because of its size. I also own an M800 (the Grand Place edition ... spectacular material on that one), that is quite often in rotation in my pen pouch. Am jealous of your Aurora 88. I had found the exact same model online, but it was already sold before I could buy it. Any plans to try out Scribo pens? Their nibs are really quite interesting.

[@Doodlebud]

Haven't tried a Scribo yet but perhaps one day

[@gihanzohdy3284]

The Pelikan M1000 is a proverbial pen.

[@Evotionn]

hi doodlebud, when you are showcasing inks or telling what ink a pen uses etc, can you tell us if the ink is washable or not? I, like many people, use an eraser pen thing that has an eraser marker on one side and a blue fine marker on the other. if an ink is washable the clear thing erases it and you write over it with the blue marker. if an ink isnt washable, it just stains the marker soooooo can you tell us, shouldn't take much effort. ty!! (nice videos btw as always)

[@Doodlebud]

Unless I state that its permanent, it will be a washable ink. I only have a couple that aren't washable. If you want more info on an ink you see, check out mountainofink.com as they do great testing on pretty much every ink out there and can probably give you all the info you're looking for

[@Evotionn]

@@Doodlebud ty!

[@escapingdeception5799]

If you sell the M800 I’d be interested

[@slo_carry]

Very lovely pen. I'm still a bit upset they changed the design.

[@evanescentwave181]

I am interested in obtaining a blue striated M800. I would like to find one that has translucent stripes and a gold and black finial. How old does the pen have to be to have these features? Thanks

[@Doodlebud]

This site has all sorts of info on Pelikan thepelikansperch.com/

[@boshkodjordjevich7424]

Thanks very much Doodlebud. It is significantly bigger than I imagined. I did buy two of the M800 in green demonstrator with gold trim back in December when everyone was selling them for 50% off. I have not opened them. (One is for my kid, when he graduates high school, and the other is for me.) Do you find the nib softer than the M800? I've heard some say that the nib is way too soft.

[@ichirofakename]

Yeah, I fear the opaque barrel, along with the recent company sale, is the beginning of the end for Pelikan. Sigh... Extra kudos for getting the old version. The sooner you dump the 805 the happier you will be.

[@Doodlebud]

I even debated grinding the nib on the 805, who knows we'll see

[@paulmchugh1430]

It has been a grail pen for me but I have tested the pen and it is a beautiful nib. Very smooth and a gusher. How did you de-tune the nib?

[@hbird6347]

What is the ink? Sheen looks fabulous.

[@Doodlebud]

I think its Diamine Majestic Blue

[@hbird6347]

@@Doodlebud thank you so much for the response. 🙏🏻

[@billclockwell]

I think the current one do still have an ink window, sadly it's only a small bit of the stripes above the section not all of it

[@fallm9447]

My new M800 seems to have a small ink window. You can see it if you shine a flashlight above the nib section.

[@fallm9447]

Other than laser etching serial numbers, I am not a fan of using it for finial logos. Pelikan should have kept 90s finial.

[@ilikepens]

Correction: your wettest pen you’ve ever used is the Noodler’s ahab that you modified the feed. 😂🤪

[@Doodlebud]

Don't even know if its classified as a pen anymore after what I did to it!

[@ilikepens]

@@Doodlebud 😂😂😂 🫵🏻😎👍🏼

[@gianlucacaputo821]

Any M1000 you buy is a Broad. Regardless of what is stamped on the nib. 😅😅

[@nullifye7816]

Don't you dare grind that down and make it smaller... get a bigger piece of paper and write bigger :P

[@Doodlebud]

The only thing going smaller with be the cross stroke. I'll make it into a cursive italic so keep the width on the down stroke but reduce the line thickness on the cross strokes. I think it will be perfect for this pen

[@Surtak]

I remember when they made that change because I was new to Fountain Pens at that time? It felt like a gut punch because that pen is otherwise so gorgeous. But a piston filler with no ink window at all? Yeah that's a deal breaker for me.

[@norissima95]

I miss Matt Armstrong

[@joem.383]

Md too! Thankfully his videos are still available; no comments though which is fine.

[@charlotteweaver-gelzer515]

What sources do you recommend for old pens?

[@Doodlebud]

I look all around: ebay, www.reddit.com/r/Pen_Swap, instagram.com/virtualpenshow, and many other sites that are out there. The hunt is part of the process

[@charlotteweaver-gelzer515]

Thank you. I confess to a slight trepidation at buying older pens sight unseen, so I appreciate having a word of experience as I start out.

[@BASHER193]

would you recommend the owner of an m1000 to get an m800 as well?

[@ungabungus01]

Wondering just the opposite!

[@BASHER193]

@@ungabungus01 I got the m1000 thinking I'd be getting the best one, now I'm wondering if I am missing out... I'm in love with my m1000 and think it's great, I just don't know how it compares yet

[@A_Mathematician.I]

@@ungabungus01 if you don't mind the bouncy nib, absolutely.

[@A_Mathematician.I]

I got both in a short time, and I prefer m1000 100%. m800 is also very smooth but feels kinda like a nail going from m1000, especially F and EF.

[@EnCwoisant]

Doooooodlebud! I’ve heard M1000 are a size higher than standard pelikan, which can be a size higher than typical Western nibs. So M1000 EF ~ Jowo M

[@rgcainmd]

I actually like that the translucent barrel is no more. Demonstrator or demonstrator-like pens give me the ick.

[@alrayees]

bad experience!! the nib is too soft it’s open like )( when you just totch the pag and the ink floo like the nayagra fowls ! I think the weight of the nib = the smaller M800 but in double size !! i actually loos the nib !! it’s damage!! sorry but i did not like it at all even the skip starter if you stop writing 4 seconds!!! sorry but i was really excited but now … no more comment .

[@AG-en5y]

.noice❤❤❤

[@roybatty6368]

I don't see it as a grail pen.

[@majou666]

Kunst der -Rud-Ey-

[@fossilimprint2954]

Classic bull manure from companies these day, "new and improved".

[@user-ix7iu4wf8o]

i disagree totally, looks are very polarizing & subjective down to individual so we can all agree to disagree and leave that out. we shall talk only about writing performance and for the performance put out by the M1000 yes it is smooth & awesome However I can get the same or better writing performance with most well build pens from china at a respectable price compared to the stupidly priced pelikan M1000 is asking so NO it is not a good buy for using it as a pen nor for status (we laugh at you!) or a grail. As for hobby it is up to individual preferences. P.S. any majohn pens (I would call this grail pens for the performance to price ratio) provide the same performance as any pelikan (will never be a grail). holy grail or grail = greatness in all sense NOT just at one element like price or size or some other shit !