In 1996, Pelikan introduced an completely new fountain pen, the Level fountain pen⁽¹⁾. The fountain pen was characterized by an oversized ink reservoir. The entire barrel served as the ink reservoir. The ink capacity of this fountain pen was about three times that of a conventional piston filler and five times that of an ink cartridge (Pelikan-collectibles.com). A special ink bottle came with the Level (Fig. 12). A new feature was that the filling did not take place via the nib, but from the rear. When refilling the ink, the ink bottle in the pen stand is put against the turning knob (Fig. 10) so that the metal nozzle at the tip of the ink bottle enters the hole in the turning knob (Fig. 10, 11)⁽²⁾. The ink bottle is made of plastic, and ink is injected into the storage ink reservoir when the ink bottle is pushed. See Figure 14 for more information. Near the nib was is writing ink reservoir (Fig. 9 arrow head), which is separated from the storage ink reservoir (Fig. 9 arrow) by a valve (an O-ring). Turning the knob at the end of the barrel opens the valve (Fig. 10 right), allowing new ink to flow from the storage ink reservoir into the writing ink reservoir, making writing possible again. By separating the storage ink reservoir from the writing ink reservoir, there was no longer any concern about ink spurting out of the nib when ink was injected to the storage ink reservoir. In addition, by limiting the capacity of the writing ink reservoir, the risk of ink dripping was eliminated.

The first Level fountain pen introduced in 1996 was the L65, designed for teenagers⁽³⁾. The cap had a flattened and widened cap top, which allowed it to stand with the rear end up. This was probably intended to allow the ink bottle to be pressed against the rear end in this position to refill it with ink. The nibs and the feeds seemed to be the same as those of Pelikano junior (万年筆おやじの備忘録). Dealers had to learn how the new pens worked. So the promotional pack was provided with the dealers (Pelikan-collectibles.com). One year after the introduction of the teenager model, the adult model L5 was introduced. The fountain pen returned to the modern and sophisticated appearance (Fig. 2, 3) from its previous classic appearance (see New Classic)⁽⁴⁾. The stick clip with a spring came back (Fig. 4). The nib and feed were reminiscent of the previous new P series, although they were also unique (Fig. 7, 8). Some models featured gold nibs. The Pelikan logo on the cap top and nib was eliminated and only "LEVEL" was engraved on them (Fig. 6, 7). All models came with a special pen stand to store the fountain pen in a safe and decorative manner (Fig. 1). The pen stand housed an ink cartridge, and the pen could be filled with ink without removing the ink cartridge (Fig. 11, 12). Technically, the mechanics of the two level models L65 and L5 were identical. However, the overall length of the L5 was slightly larger, and the rod between the valve knob and the valve was also slightly longer (Pelikan-collectibles.com). The first models of the Level L5 were all transparent blue body barrel. The cap, turning knob, and section were black (L5 black) or silver (L5 silver). Later, ceramic- and golden-coated models were introduced. In 2001, red and anthracite colored bodies were also produced. 

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As stated above, the Level was a very innovative fountain pen, but it had both advantages and disadvantages.

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Advantages

• A very large amount of ink could be stored. Nonetheless, the ink was difficult to leak.

• It was possible to refill ink without getting your hands dirty. There was no need to wipe the nib because the nib is not dipped into the ink bottle (no need to open the cap in the first place).

• The remaining ink level was easy to see.

• A special pen stand came with the Level 5 series.

Disadvantages

• The ink could not be refilled without a dedicated ink bottle. Yet, cartridges were only available in two colors: black and blue-black⁽⁵⁾.

• It was not easy to flush and clean the pen⁽⁶⁾. Sometimes the ink would clog and make it difficult to open the valve (maybe it was just my pen?) and reducing ink flow.

• When a large amount of ink was added, ink sometimes would leak from the turning knob (maybe it was just my pen?).

• The cap of Level 5 can not be posted to the pen (even if the cap could be posted, the balance of the pen would have been very bad).

Although adults were attracted by the technical innovation and the striking design, and the Level received several awards, overall customer base was too small to accept the model and it never grew to the point of economical production (Pelikan: Ein Unternehmen schreibt Geschichte)⁽⁷⁾. The production of the Level series ended in 2001 (Werner's Info-Page Pelikan-Pens), and the Level was taken off the market in 2006  (Pelikan: Ein Unternehmen schreibt Geschichte).

 

Note:⁽¹⁾What does the word "level" mean when it is used in the name of a fountain pen?

⁽²⁾"Like the gas cartridge in a gas lighter, the ink bottle had to be placed on a valve wheel and the fountain pen was filled" (Pelikan: Ein Unternehmen schreibt Geschichte).
⁽³⁾Initially, the advertising was aimed at young people. It was hoped that after winning over this group of buyers, they would be able to use it as a basis for appealing to adults. However, it failed to win the hearts and minds of young people between the ages of 12 and 16 (Pelikan: Ein Unternehmen schreibt Geschichte).

⁽⁴⁾Just to be clear, the successor to the New Classic was the Celebry released in 1997, not the Level. The Level and the Celebry were sold together for a while.

⁽⁵⁾Theoretically, it was possible to change the ink to other colors. The lid of the special ink cartridge could be opened, so that the ink could be replaced. Of course, Pelikan neither guarantees nor recommends this. You are on your own if you do it.

⁽⁶⁾Theoretically, it was possible to disassemble and clean the pen (Fountain Pen Network). Of course, Pelikan neither guarantees nor recommends this. You are on your own if you do it.

⁽⁷⁾The disadvantages made it difficult for the Level to gain popularity? For those who enjoy refilling their fountain pens with ink as if they were winding their hand-wound watches every day, was an overly practical Level not enough? I would like to see the LEVEL revived once again with Souverän's design.