Pens of Note

Pelikan Souverän M1000

Pelikan introduced the differentiated piston in 1929. The piston has a thread mechanism where the internal part turns faster than the turn of the knob at the end of the pen. This allows a smooth fast draw of ink. For those who have a Pelikan piston fill pen in their collection, they know the smoothness and dependability of action is one of the hallmark characteristics of Pelikan pens.

The Souverän Collection

The line began in 1950 with the launch of the 400. At the time the pen was part of a product redesign. The striped sleeve became, and still remains. a worldwide symbol for the brand. It was not until the the 1980s when the line took the name Souverän.

The workmanship of the pen is impressive. The pen is not made from a solid rod of resin. Raw cotton material is processed in many steps until it forms a striped sheet. The sheet is shaped, sanded and cut with a diamond for exact measurements. The sheets are also available as a solid black finish of high grade resin. The trim on the pen is gold plated. The clip represents a beak, offering yet another truly unique characteristic to this historic manufacturer, whose brand is one of the oldest trademarks in Germany.

The company underwent major changes. It went into receivership in 1982, and taken over by the Swiss Company, Condorport, in 1984. Then in 1996, Goodace of Malaysia, became the majority stockholder. The M400 was re-launched in 1982, after basically not being in production since 1970, and was a hit. The M800 was issued in 1987 as part of the company's launch into the premium pen market.

M1000

Pelikan introduced the M1000 pen in 1998.

Pelikan has pride in creating nibs and feeds that are known for their writing performance. The M1000 is fitted with a large bi-coloured extra large size eight 18-carat gold nib. Pelikan says the nibs are tested with actual hand writing before leaving the factory. Now the nibs are available in four nib widths: EF, F, M, B but previously they were produced in a variety of sizes such as oblique, double double broad etc. Some pens have been specifically issued with an Italic Broad nib..

The M1000 is relatively larger than the M800. The total length of the M1000 is 147 mm (M800 142 mm)/ The body diameter is 14.1 mm (M800 13 mm). The barrel length is 108 mm (M800 105 mm); and the cap length is 69 mm (M800 67 mm). Where you really notice the increased size of the pen is with the M1000 size eight nib versus the M800 size six nib.

I think I must have had the thought if I like large pens, like the M800, then I will like an even larger pen, the M1000. While I like my M1000 - I find that I tend to use the M800s more. They are the best fit for my hand.