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#1
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Pelikan pens: quality & nib size (Technixx & Souveran 400, 600)
Two and a half years ago, I made my first foray into the world of
fountain pens, buying a Pelikan Technixx with a medium nib. I was happy at first, but now the paint is flaking off and there are serious problems with ink flow, as in sometimes it doesn't at all. I clean the nib every two cartriges with warm water but it doesn't seem to have made any difference. The other problem I have with the pen is that the medium nib is *huge* - I have very small handwriting, and I can't seem to make an "e" with a space in it with the pen. Now, build quality notwithstanding, I'd like to move up to something a little pricier, but I'm a bit hesitant. I've been thinking about either a Souveran 400 or 600, depending on how they feel (there are no pen shops where I live, but I'll be heading to Calgary next month where hopefully I can test drive both of these pens), but I want to make sure that there aren't going to be any huge problems with either the quality of the nib or the shaft. Finally, the question of size: is there really a difference between F and M? I've been looking at a few comparisons on the net between the two sizes and quite frankly I can't tell the difference. Should I think about getting an EF or stick to an F? My problem is that my retailer of choice won't have an EF unless they special order it, so I'm not sure i'll be able to try it out before I buy. I wish I could have done so with my Technixx. Anyway, thanks very much! |
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#2
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The difference between the 400 and the 600 is the size. You won't experience
the same problem on a Souveran nib as you did with the Technixx. All Souveran nibs are solid gold. -- Best regards, Free Citizen http://www.freewebs.com/fpnet/ "Txiasaeia" wrote in message om... Two and a half years ago, I made my first foray into the world of fountain pens, buying a Pelikan Technixx with a medium nib. I was happy at first, but now the paint is flaking off and there are serious problems with ink flow, as in sometimes it doesn't at all. I clean the nib every two cartriges with warm water but it doesn't seem to have made any difference. The other problem I have with the pen is that the medium nib is *huge* - I have very small handwriting, and I can't seem to make an "e" with a space in it with the pen. Now, build quality notwithstanding, I'd like to move up to something a little pricier, but I'm a bit hesitant. I've been thinking about either a Souveran 400 or 600, depending on how they feel (there are no pen shops where I live, but I'll be heading to Calgary next month where hopefully I can test drive both of these pens), but I want to make sure that there aren't going to be any huge problems with either the quality of the nib or the shaft. Finally, the question of size: is there really a difference between F and M? I've been looking at a few comparisons on the net between the two sizes and quite frankly I can't tell the difference. Should I think about getting an EF or stick to an F? My problem is that my retailer of choice won't have an EF unless they special order it, so I'm not sure i'll be able to try it out before I buy. I wish I could have done so with my Technixx. Anyway, thanks very much! |
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#4
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"Txiasaeia" wrote in message
om... Two and a half years ago, I made my first foray into the world of fountain pens, buying a Pelikan Technixx with a medium nib. I was happy at first, but now the paint is flaking off and there are serious problems with ink flow, as in sometimes it doesn't at all. I clean the nib every two cartriges with warm water but it doesn't seem to have made any difference. The other problem I have with the pen is that the medium nib is *huge* - I have very small handwriting, and I can't seem to make an "e" with a space in it with the pen. others have already expressed their thoughts about the Souveran range. IMO, the 200s, 400s and up are all excellent pens. the clogged nib above. What ink have you been using? Some inks are more problematic than others so I'm just curious. I don't know the Technixx in terms of how it is assembled but a fairly safe way of working the clogs out of most pens is to soak the nib in a mild ammonia/water solution. The standard I've seen is 1 tsp to 2/3 cup. You can go stronger with some materials. You can use a bulb syringe such as that sold in pharmacies with ear cleaning kits or baby care products to force the solution through the section, feed and nib. You might have more success with this than with plain water. I'm not sure about flaking paint though. Is this paint on the pen barrel? Anyway...it sounds like you've got a serious clogging problem. If the pen is not of great value to you then I wouldn't bother with having it fixed. If you'd really like it up and running again, it might need to be cleaned by an expert or sent to Chartpak for repair. Chartpak folks are great and their response time is excellent. Pelikan Germany's response time is less so. good luck with your purchase. I'd go with an EF - especially in a gold nib as *in my experience* Pel gold nibs run slightly larger than Pel steel. kcat |
#5
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Fred wrote:
I am a satisfied customer of Mr. Binder, but the last time I looked, he only sold 150s and a limited edition 200. My mistake - those aren't what the original poster was looking for. Thanks for the correction. David |
#7
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On Wed, 15 Sep 2004 16:10:26 -0400, Garglemonster
said: On 14 Sep 2004 21:33:00 -0700, (Txiasaeia) said: Garglemonster (sucking up ink through the feed helps prevent the Garglemonster buildup, but that never happens if you use Garglemonster cartridges.) this seems unclear to me now. sorry. what i meant to say that was that sucking up ink with the converter helps clean things out. if you're only using cartridges, you're not getting that cleaning. -- The PILLSBURY DOUGHBOY is CRYING for an END to BURT REYNOLDS movies!! |
#8
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"KCat" wrote in message .com...
others have already expressed their thoughts about the Souveran range. IMO, the 200s, 400s and up are all excellent pens. the clogged nib above. What ink have you been using? Some inks are more problematic than others so I'm just curious. I'm using Pelikan black cartridges (int'l long) I don't know the Technixx in terms of how it is assembled but a fairly safe way of working the clogs out of most pens is to soak the nib in a mild ammonia/water solution. The standard I've seen is 1 tsp to 2/3 cup. You can go stronger with some materials. You can use a bulb syringe such as that sold in pharmacies with ear cleaning kits or baby care products to force the solution through the section, feed and nib. You might have more success with this than with plain water. It's always been like this - not this bad, but it never starts ink flow right away. Extremely frustrating. I'll try it, though. I'm not sure about flaking paint though. Is this paint on the pen barrel? Paint on the cap, and the finish from the grip. The entire pen is made out of metal. Anyway...it sounds like you've got a serious clogging problem. If the pen is not of great value to you then I wouldn't bother with having it fixed. If you'd really like it up and running again, it might need to be cleaned by an expert or sent to Chartpak for repair. Chartpak folks are great and their response time is excellent. Pelikan Germany's response time is less so. good luck with your purchase. I'd go with an EF - especially in a gold nib as *in my experience* Pel gold nibs run slightly larger than Pel steel. kcat Thanks very much for the advice! |
#9
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Garglemonster wrote:
The PILLSBURY DOUGHBOY is CRYING for an END to BURT REYNOLDS movies!! This has given me an idea! Pillsbury DoughCharacters (tm)! Starting with, of course, Burnt Reynolds. We could continue with Peter Cooked, George Burns, Bun Affleck, Elizabeth Barrett Browning Nicely, Homer Simpson (Dough!), and F. Murray Abraham. David |
#10
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I've been thinking about
either a Souveran 400 or 600, depending on how they feel (there are no pen shops where I live, but I'll be heading to Calgary next month where hopefully I can test drive both of these pens) The best shop in Calgary to check out pens is Reid's on 17th Avenue SW. But they haven't been stocking a lot of Pelikans lately, so you may want to call them before you go. |
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