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Pelikan Classic P200 (2014-         )

Pelikan released the cartridge pens, P200 from the Classic series in 2014⁽¹⁾. The Ductus was discontinued in 2015. This marked the disappearance of the high-end line of cartridge fountain pens from the Pelikan Fountain Pens.

The P200 is based on the M200 from the Classic series. The caps are identical on the two models and are interchangeable. It has a single cap band, a pelican beak clip, and a single chick Pelikan logo on the cap top. A metal ring is on the barrel where the barrel screws into the body. Like the M200, the nib is gold-plated stainless steel with a single chick Pelikan logo (Fig.3). The nib unit can be turned and removed like the M200, but the nib unit of the M200 is not compatible with P200. This is because the feed of the P200 is specifically designed to fit cartridges or converters. Different from the feed of M200, the feed has a single groove running down the center (Fig.4), similar to the New Classic and the Celebry. This is probably a dedicated air channel⁽²⁾. In addition, at the rear end of the feed, there is a protrusion that fits into the hole of a cartridge or converter when they are inserted (Fig.5). It is not easy to remove only the nib and replace it with another nib, for example, a M400 gold nib. This is because when the nib unit is inserted into the knockout block and the feed is punched out, the protrusion at the rear end of the feed is crushed. Instead of the cartridge holder system previously used for the Epoch and Ductus, the cartridge is inserted directly into the section, as in the Celebry. A converter can also be inserted and ink can be filled from the bottle. When a cartridge or converter is inserted into the section, it does not fit the section firmly, but pushed by the back of the barrel, the cartridge or converter is secured in the barrel firmly in place (Pelikan’s Perch)⁽³⁾. The entire pen is made of plastic, lightweight, and the same size as the M200, making it easy to hold and not unbalanced when the cap is posted. Ink flow is good and the nib is flexible.

With the P200, Pelikan's cartridge fountain pen returned to the standard one for the first time in a long time. Since the Signum, Pelikan has tried to add value to its cartridge fountain pens through design innovations and a unique filling mechanism, but the P200 has none of these. This is probably because users have come to expect simple cartridge fountain pens that are easy to hold, easy to write with, and easy to maintain. Some users may complain that the P200 looks mediocre, is too light, or does not offer a choice of gold nibs, but for those who are not particular about Pelikan's history, piston filler, or gold nibs, the P200 will serve its purpose well as one of the good entry-level fountain pens.

Note;⁽¹⁾Edelstein inks were basically available in a 50ml crystal glass bottle, but most of the colors since 2014 also as a set of 5 large-size cartridges in an embossed metal case (pelikan-collectibles). It appears that the P200/P205 was released in conjunction with the launch of Edelstein's cartridge ink (ぷぅコッコの一期一会). 
⁽²⁾Since it is difficult for ink to enter the feed simply by inserting a cartridge, Pelikan probably tried to facilitate ink entry by providing a special air channel.
⁽³⁾The Edelstein cartridges and Pelikan converters are different lengths (the converter is slightly longer)(Fig.6), but both are firmly fixed by the barrel. There is a step at the back of the barrel so that only the converter can reach further into the barrel.

Pelikan Classic P200

My collection.

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