I just pulled the trigger on a Pelikan 215.

[Sullybob]

I just pulled the trigger on a Pelikan 215 with an extra fine nib.

I have been using a couple of FP's to take notes at school this semester and I have really enjoyed it.

Like most of our rationalizations, I figure that using a FP is going to save me money in the long run :blushing: I typically go through one or two G2's a week, I take a lot of notes at school :blink: and write a lot at work.

Now the waiting begins:tongue_sm

[maxman]

Yes. That will do nicely.
Good choice.
:thumbup1:

[pal]

I just pulled the trigger on a Pelikan 215 with an extra fine nib.

I have been using a couple of FP's to take notes at school this semester and I have really enjoyed it.

Like most of our rationalizations, I figure that using a FP is going to save me money in the long run :blushing: I typically go through one or two G2's a week, I take a lot of notes at school :blink: and write a lot at work.

Now the waiting begins:tongue_sm

Wow, 2 G2's a week..... Heck, when I was in school, I may have LOST two pens a week:lol::lol::lol::lol: All kidding aside, you will love that Pelikan. The waiting is really the worst part.

[Greyfox]

:thumbup1:

[penmanship]

nice ! :thumbup:

[DunEdinRanger]

Congrats!

Does it write as well as a Jinhao X450? :tongue_sm

http://www.astronomy-pictures.net/telescopes/telescope-image-large/jinhao-x450-marbled-roller-ball-pen-great-gift-2_250574459675.jpg

[LuckyR]

I just pulled the trigger on a Pelikan 215 with an extra fine nib.

I have been using a couple of FP's to take notes at school this semester and I have really enjoyed it.

Like most of our rationalizations, I figure that using a FP is going to save me money in the long run :blushing: I typically go through one or two G2's a week, I take a lot of notes at school :blink: and write a lot at work.

Now the waiting begins:tongue_sm

Congrats.

What are you doing for ink?

[djh]

Pelikan is probably my favourite brand of pen. Congratulations Shawn, I hope that you have many years of enjoyment with your new purchase.

[Sullybob]

Congrats!

Does it write as well as a Jinhao X450? :tongue_sm

http://www.astronomy-pictures.net/telescopes/telescope-image-large/jinhao-x450-marbled-roller-ball-pen-great-gift-2_250574459675.jpg

I don't know. How well does a Jinhao write?


Congrats.

What are you doing for ink?


Currently I have:

Noodler's Heart of Darkness
Noodler's Polar Brown
Private Reserve Electric DC Blue
Private Reserve Purple Mojo

Heart of Darkness is my most used ink. Polar Brown has not been a good match for any of my pens.

I have been looking at some of the different red inks and some of the blue/blacks.

Any suggestions for some nice reds or blue/blacks?


Pelikan is probably my favourite brand of pen. Congratulations Shawn, I hope that you have many years of enjoyment with your new purchase.

Thanks, I have read so many great things about Pelikans that it was an easy choice for my next pen. I have been looking at this particular pen for nearly a year now so it really wasn't much of an impulse buy.

[Groat]

I've got a couple Pelikan pens and I've been (mostly) happy with them. The bodies and mechanisms are top notch. I had a problem with the nib QC on one of my pens, but it was taken care of quickly. I'm sure you'll love it.

[superbleu]

For reds, I really like the noodler nikita. Sheaffer red gets lots of praise though I have never used it myself.

Most blue/black inks are more green/black.
Noodler legal lapis is a good one, waterman is ok, my favorite is sailor blue/black.

[Sullybob]

For reds, I really like the noodler nikita. Sheaffer red gets lots of praise though I have never used it myself.

Most blue/black inks are more green/black.
Noodler legal lapis is a good one, waterman is ok, my favorite is sailor blue/black.

Thanks for the recommendations.

I have been looking at Legal Lapis for a while now, but I figure it would be very similar to my Noodles Heart of Darkness. I'll check out the Nikita.

[DunEdinRanger]

The Jinhaos write very smoothly. At about $10 max per pen, I believe they are the best bargain in Fountain Pens.

You might enjoy Ellis Island Blue, a color unique to the Fountain Pen Hospital.

http://facstaff.uww.edu/pellizzt/Ink%20Reviews/Noodlers%20Ellis%20Island%20Blue%20Black.jpg

[LuckyR]

I don't know. How well does a Jinhao write?




Currently I have:

Noodler's Heart of Darkness
Noodler's Polar Brown
Private Reserve Electric DC Blue
Private Reserve Purple Mojo

Heart of Darkness is my most used ink. Polar Brown has not been a good match for any of my pens.

I have been looking at some of the different red inks and some of the blue/blacks.

Any suggestions for some nice reds or blue/blacks?



Thanks, I have read so many great things about Pelikans that it was an easy choice for my next pen. I have been looking at this particular pen for nearly a year now so it really wasn't much of an impulse buy.



If you like the DC Electric blue, you'll go gaga over Baystate blue.

[DunEdinRanger]

If you like the DC Electric blue, you'll go gaga over Baystate blue.

Isn't Baystate Blue one of those inks that can cause permanent staining in a pen?

[Sullybob]

Isn't Baystate Blue one of those inks that can cause permanent staining in a pen?

That would be a deal breaker for me with a pen that has a window that allows you to monitor the ink level.

[superbleu]

Isn't Baystate Blue one of those inks that can cause permanent staining in a pen?


That would be a deal breaker for me with a pen that has a window that allows you to monitor the ink level.

Yes, Bay state blue has the tendency to stain light colored pens and sometimes ink windows so should be used with caution. Some claim no problems, but I play it safe and only use on pens that I wouldn't be heart broken if they got stained.

Also red/brown/purple inks also tend to stain pens more than other color inks.

[LuckyR]

I only use it in pens that are blue or black or inexpensive. But it doesn't stain the clear plastic in converters, for example.

[Miles]

+1 for Legal Lapis. It's my most used ink, and the fact that it's very permanent is a good insurance policy for important class notes, especially during labs.

Very different from Noodler's black, but dark enough to be visible. Works great in a Lamy safari, haven't tried it in my Pelikan 215, though. I tend to stick with the Lamy's for schoolwork since they are such tanks and I don't have to sweat losing a pricey pen.

Post some pics of your new pen if you can.

[ezmike]

Just my $.02.

I have a Pelikan either a 200 or 400 series, I forget which, given to me as a Christmas gift several years ago with a M nib. It is by far one of the nicest writing fountain pens in my collection. Easily my go-to pen for my signature with their royal blue ink. I never, ever have a problem with the ink flow even after several days of inactivity as I rotate my pens as I do my razors.

Anyway, my only comment about the 215 would be the girth and overall size of the pen. Mine is quite slender and although I do not have large hands, I would prefer either a 600 or 800 series pen. I find this one uncomfortable for writing long documents.

However, pens are personal items like razors and cigars, many things factor into what is right for you.

There you have it.

Enjoy!

Mike

[Sullybob]

I have had the chance to use the pen for almost two weeks now. I initially filled it with Noodle's Heart of Darkness and when the pen needed to be re-inked I used the same ink.

I really like the pen. It looks great, it writes very smoothly and it starts up with out a problem. The only complaint would be that I find the extra fine nib to be a little bit larger then I would like, and it isn't much of a complaint really. When I am taking notes at school I have to write slightly larger then I am used to or some of the letters, numbers and symbols start to look alike. I have been thinking of contacting Richard Binder to see about getting an EEF nib, depending on price this could make this pen nearly ideal. The amount of ink it holds is pretty nice, I was able to go through two days of school and two days of work before it ran dry.

[Miles]

Awesome! Keep us posted if you go the Richard Binder route, that is an option I have been considering also.

[jakko]

nice pen! Was thinking of getting it but alas... budget constraints forced me to go get the Jinhao Zhuge liang and the twsbi diamond 530F for less then half the price of a m215 :mad3:

[LouieGrandie]

Pelikan's are excellent pens. Great quality of workmanship on the pen and nib. Pelikan's are one of the few pens other than Mont Blanc and a couple of Lamy that are still piston fill.

If you want something finer than the EF you might want to look at either Pilot or Sailor in Fine or Extra Fine. Their nibs run a size smaller and are well regarded.

As for ink you might want to try Aurora which is a bit faster drying ink than the Noodler's. While you may think that ink is ink you will be amazed at the difference between say Aurora Black and Noodler's Black.

[LouieGrandie]

Here is a great page that shows the difference in nibs by manufacturer.

Tipping sizes compared (http://www.nibs.com/TippingSizespage.htm)

[nemo]

At the risk of opening a huge can of worms here I would avoid the use of Noodler's in a Pelikan piston filler. Trust me, I know what I'm saying after years of fountain pen repair.

Look at Fountain Pen Network for some of the many heated discussions over this topic. Whilst I am a member there I quietly avoid the flaming I get from rabid Noodler's fans. FYI, Chartpak (Pelikan's designated USA repair facility) and various other highly regarded pen repair folks void their warranties with Noodler's use.

I do use Noodler's ink occasionally but in vintage pens with easily restored filling systems. If you insist on using it, at least understand it is a higher maintenance ink and deserves proper care accordingly. I recommend an ink made by a pen manufacturer (Pelikan, Lamy, Parker, Sheaffer, Waterman, Omas, etc.) and avoid "boutique" ink makers.

[LouieGrandie]

Well I guess you have opened a can of worms. I would hardly call Noodler's a "boutique" ink. What people need to understand is that Noodler's unlike other brands makes different type's of ink. This from Glenn's Pen great page on ink. I stay with the standard inks and have had no trouble in any of my pens.


Noodler makes standard, lubricating, eternal and invisible inks. The standard inks are what one would expect.

The lubricating inks have a cleaning and lubricating agent. Noodler refers to this as the American Eel series. The labels on Noodler inks are always interesting, look for the eel on the label and that ink will contains lubricants for use in moving seal mechanisms.

The Eternal are permanent inks and the invisible inks are can only be seen under a black light.

The permanent inks have dyes that react with the cellulose of paper and then dry permanent. Just what you need to address those envelopes. But take care, flush out your pen as if the ink mixes with other ink it looses it qualities of the reactive dye.

They also make a special ink, not for fountain pens, they call Emperor Blue.

[LouieGrandie]

The only complaint would be that I find the extra fine nib to be a little bit larger then I would like, and it isn't much of a complaint really. When I am taking notes at school I have to write slightly larger then I am used to or some of the letters, numbers and symbols start to look alike. .


You should look for a SAILOR fountain pen with a Saibi-togi nib. Read this web page for a comparison to your pen. Sailor with Saibi-Togi (http://www.nibs.com/SailorSaibiTogiNib.html)

[jakko]

European nib sizes are typically one size larger than those of their asian brethren. My Safari Fine nib writes like a pilot medium nib (birdie ftw!).

[Sullybob]

Here is a great page that shows the difference in nibs by manufacturer.

Tipping sizes compared (http://www.nibs.com/TippingSizespage.htm)

Excellent link, thanks!


Pelikan's are excellent pens. Great quality of workmanship on the pen and nib. Pelikan's are one of the few pens other than Mont Blanc and a couple of Lamy that are still piston fill.

If you want something finer than the EF you might want to look at either Pilot or Sailor in Fine or Extra Fine. Their nibs run a size smaller and are well regarded.

As for ink you might want to try Aurora which is a bit faster drying ink than the Noodler's. While you may think that ink is ink you will be amazed at the difference between say Aurora Black and Noodler's Black.


The Nakaya EF could be just what I am looking for.


At the risk of opening a huge can of worms here I would avoid the use of Noodler's in a Pelikan piston filler. Trust me, I know what I'm saying after years of fountain pen repair.

Look at Fountain Pen Network for some of the many heated discussions over this topic. Whilst I am a member there I quietly avoid the flaming I get from rabid Noodler's fans. FYI, Chartpak (Pelikan's designated USA repair facility) and various other highly regarded pen repair folks void their warranties with Noodler's use.

I do use Noodler's ink occasionally but in vintage pens with easily restored filling systems. If you insist on using it, at least understand it is a higher maintenance ink and deserves proper care accordingly. I recommend an ink made by a pen manufacturer (Pelikan, Lamy, Parker, Sheaffer, Waterman, Omas, etc.) and avoid "boutique" ink makers.

I didn't know that noodler's ink would void the warranty of my pen. What problems does Noodler's ink pose for a piston filler?


You should look for a SAILOR fountain pen with a Saibi-togi nib. Read this web page for a comparison to your pen. Sailor with Saibi-Togi (http://www.nibs.com/SailorSaibiTogiNib.html)

Thanks for the link.
I think that the Sailor Saibi Togi nib might be too small. My Pelikan is .25 mm and the Saibi Togi is .10 mm, it looks like the Sailor EF at .23 mm might be just what I'm after. Even though their is only a .02 mm difference between the Pelikan EF and the Sailor EF the writing sample gives the impression that the Sailor is much finer then that Pelikan.

[LouieGrandie]

I didn't know that noodler's ink would void the warranty of my pen. What problems does Noodler's ink pose for a piston filler?

In all the pens I have owned and sent in for service, be it Cross, Mont Blanc, Waterman, Nakaya, Sailor, Visconti, NO ONE has asked about my use of Noodler's and at NO TIME has any pen company I corresponded with indicated that the use of Noodler's would void their warranty.

You have to remember that ink is a chemical mix that has a shelf life (about 1 year for most inks) and does change with age. Noodler's has different types of ink while most brands are just standard ink. A good rule of thumb is to flush out your pen with cold water when changing inks. I flush when re-filling.

Note that a Nakaya will set you back at least $400 and it is worth every penny. Sailors are excellent pens at reasonable price. Note that Sailor pens are cartridge/converters.

One more link. Here is an excellent web page from Glenn's Pens on the pH level of Ink and what it means. http://www.marcuslink.com/pens/ink/ink-and-ph-levels.htm

[nemo]

OK folks, do what you like, they are your pens. I was offering what I thought was some useful advice for a gentleman who just purchased a fine German writing instrument. Congratulations on the purchase!

At a recent pen show I asked several fellow pen repairmen their views on the use of Noodler's and all concurred about the staining, clogged feeds, and in Pelikan's case, a deterioration of the plastic piston. Pelikan's modern M800s can easily be repaired but Pelikan has made the M150, M200, M400, M600 series fairly unserviceable compared to the 1950's and 1960's piston fillers (for which obtaining a replacement piston usually requires a donor pen!).

Noodler's is not ink anymore, it has turned into a religion. To study more of this cult, one could peruse the threads at various fountain pen forums.
Like here (http://kamakurapens.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=1530), here (http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=56380&hl=chartpak+noodlers), or here (http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=58805&hl=chartpak+noodlers).

This quote makes me run for my flame suit: "I have never seen such strong defensive reactions to ink criticism before. If you whine about PR [Private Reserve] ink, you will have company. Complain about Quink, MB or another brand and people jump on the band wagon, but pointing out that Noodler's may be a difficult product and the villagers light their torches and head for the castle."

From Rick Propas of Penguin pens (http://www.thepenguinpen.com/tech/tech.html): "Some time ago, I came to the conclusion that Noodler's ink should not be used in all vintage and most modern pens and stated on my website that its use would void the warranty on the pens I sell, particularly Pelikans. In return, I was publicly vilified by the maker of the ink, several of his retailers and others. I stand by that belief.

Now I read that Abigail Weeks, the repair technician at Chartpak, has, after several years of working with Pelikans on a daily basis, come to the same conclusion. I should note that Abi and I have never talked about inks.

Now you folks are free, of course, to believe what you want to and to do what you want to do. But it should give you pause when two people who are intimately involved with Pelikans on a daily basis over a long period of time tell you to stay away from the stuff."

I am a top collector of Pelikan pens in the USA. This will be my last post regarding this matter. --Doug

[LouieGrandie]

Doug I will add that all of the pens I have used Noodler's in have not been piston fill. I do not care for Mont Blanc, just too wet writers for my taste. For the most part I use converters and rotate ink and have never had an issue so it may seem that Pelikan parts and Noodler's ink just do not go together.

I will also note that I have stressed that while most ink brands are standard inks Noodler's has other types of ink such as their permanent types of inks. Users of these inks should be aware of the consequences in piston fill pens in particular and pens in general. People need to pay attention to these details. I have seen people use India ink, iron gal ink in pens and then wonder why their pens having issues.