Pens of Note

Pelikan Souverän M1000

Pelikan introduced what is called the differentiated piston in 1929, this is where the thread mechanism has the internal part turn faster than the knob at the end of the pen. Allows a smooth fast draw of ink. For those who have a Pelikan piston pen in their collection, the smoothness and dependability of action is one of the hallmark characteristics of Pelikan pens.

The Souverän Collection

The start of the line began with the launch of the 400 in 1950. At the time the pen was part of a product redesign. The striped sleeve became and still remains a worldwide symbol for the brand. In the 1980s the line took the name Souverän.

The workmanship of the body is impressive. It is not made from a solid rod of resin, rather raw material cotton is processed in many steps until it is shaped into a striped sheet. The sheet is shaped, sanded and cut with a diamond for exact measurements.

In terms of the M800, it came out in 1987 as part of the company's launch into the premium pen market. After going into receivership in 1982, being taken over by the Swiss Company, Condorport in 1984, and 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. It was a hit.

M1000

Pelikan introduced the M1000 pen in 1998. The striped material that makes up the distinctive barrels is composed from a cotton base using a formula developed especially for Pelikan. The layers are slowly built up over months before being sliced and shaped using a natural diamond. Also available as a solid black finish of high grade resin.

The trim on the pen is gold plated.

The pen has a cap made from resin. 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.

Pelikan has pride in creating nibs and feeds that are known for their writing performance. The M1000 is fitted with a large bi-coloured 18-carat gold nib. Pelikan says the nibs are tested with actual hand writing before leaving the factory. The nibs are available in four nib widths: EF, F, M, B.

The differential piston filling mechanism, which Pelikan introduced in 1929, holds an a good supply of ink - about 1.5 ml. The Pelikan solid brass differentiated piston is well known as one of the best.

The pen is relatively larger than the M800. The body diameter is 14.4 mm. The length of the pen is 146 mm and when posted 175.7 mm. Sitting in your hand, not posted, the pen is 135.2 mm. But where you really notice the increased size of the pen is the nib. It is massive.

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.

The nib of the M1000 is very large, and it delivers an incredible amount of ink to the paper. Broads were almost to the point where I could not even write with the pen. I use the Medium nib almost consistently in this pen.