I had seen the Pelikan Pelicano fountain pen around, particularly a display at the Fountain Pen Hospital, and so decided to buy one to try out. The only one left was the clear-orange, medium steel nib but that was fine as I don't have many medium nibs and wanted to see how wide the line was. Mostly, I like this pen. The line is wider than I'm used to, but the fountain pens I've been using have finer nibs so this would seem really wide; I just have to adjust my handwriting.
What I really have a problem with is not the nib but the feed. This pen takes so long to ink up that I usually give up and find another pen to write with. I've carefully washed everything out several times since I got it about a month ago, and yet when I put nib to paper, nothing happens. Even squeezing the ink cartridge, while pushing ink through the capillary and down to the nib, doesn't last long. The ink doesn't continue to feed through, and I have to let the pen stand for a few hours to both dry out and let gravity try to get it to work. It's frustrating, as I rather like the pen and the price. But because of this dryness problem, I think I'll pass on trying one with a fine nib.
I had seen the Pelikan Pelicano fountain pen around, particularly a display at the Fountain Pen Hospital, and so decided to buy one to try out. The only one left was the clear-orange, medium steel nib but that was fine as I don't have many medium nibs and wanted to see how wide the line was. Mostly, I like this pen. The line is wider than I'm used to, but the fountain pens I've been using have finer nibs so this would seem really wide; I just have to adjust my handwriting.
What I really have a problem with is not the nib but the feed. This pen takes so long to ink up that I usually give up and find another pen to write with. I've carefully washed everything out several times since I got it about a month ago, and yet when I put nib to paper, nothing happens. Even squeezing the ink cartridge, while pushing ink through the capillary and down to the nib, doesn't last long. The ink doesn't continue to feed through, and I have to let the pen stand for a few hours to both dry out and let gravity try to get it to work. It's frustrating, as I rather like the pen and the price. But because of this dryness problem, I think I'll pass on trying one with a fine nib.
I sure do like that ink color! As for the pen, I've been a bit tempted to try it out but don't think I will now. I have enough FP's and sure don't need one that is "temperamental!"
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting. I have a Pelikano and a Pelikano Junior both with Left Hand nibs I never have had any trouble with them. They always start up quickly and write very well. I thought they both are very easy to maintain pens. I don't really like the grip on the Pelikano though.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if it's the pen, or maybe it's the ink, but mine is temperamental and doesn't realize I have choices, lol. I might try another just to see if it's this pen in particular. Thanks for the input, Gentian.
ReplyDeletemaybe you should try to ask for a replacement. I have one as well and it writes fine. I also have the medium nib and agree it does write a little thicker than I like but I use it occassionally.
ReplyDeleteI have two of the Pelikano fine points, and one worked all the time but the other would go dry, exactly the way this post describes. I knew that the pens work, since one was great. So, I tried different ink... wasn't that. What I ended up having to do is to loosen and *very slightly* separate the points at the tip of the nib, to allow the ink to get sucked up all the way to the end. Be careful to not bend them too much, because that will be the end of it. But if you work them ever so slightly just until the ink flows all the way, it should start to work for you, as mine did. Good luck!
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