4001 TP/6 Ink Cartridges for Fountain Pens, Royal Blue, 0.8ml, 6 Pack (301176)

First, being new to Pelikan fountain pens, the vintage 1980s Pelikan Signum P530 F fountain pen I purchased on eBay is my introduction to the brand. I didn't realize that this pen is part of a series that Pelikan designed to be very different from most of the pens they had made up to that time. The P500 series was designed to look fresh, along the idea of "Bauhaus", that German aesthetic that stretched from about 1919 to the mid 1930s. It's a "form follows function" thing, and so the P530 I'm using is slim, smooth stainless steel with the only additions being a pocket clip, the Pelikan logo and touches of black at the very ends of the cap and barrel. The nib is very minimalistic, being straight and flat on the three sides. This design appears to be very distinct and different from other Pelikan pens, but there are two areas that it shares with the rest of their pens: The international standard cartridge, and how nicely the pen performs. When I found this pen online, I was specifically looking for pens that used international standard cartridges, as I already owned another German-made (no-name) fountain pen that uses this cartridge type. I was also curious about the reverence this brand is held in by many that use fountain pens. I'm not sure if I made the best choice of Pelikan's pens to start with, but so far I love it. And I'm really liking the Pelikan 4001 ink in these cartridges. My P530 has a Fine nib and lays down beautiful script. I also have a number of Sailor fountain pens, running the gamut from a $20 Sailor calligraphy pen to a beautiful $$ Sailor Pro Gear Slim. My favorite is my Sailor "Anaid". It has this name on the clip, assuming it was a "promotional" gift from a company. But the Fine nib it has writes beautifully with exceptional script clarity. With the new Pelikan 4001 ink, my new P530 runs a close second to my favorite Sailor. For me, the reasonable price on this Pelican ink makes its purchase a "no-brainer".

While writing with pens has become a rare, even somewhat occult practice, the real zealots using old world devices such as fountain pens, are actually still looking for interesting inks and when demand exists there will be ones who make it and sell it - and indeed many a company, big and small produce exotic inks and stains for the afficionados who refuse to substitute the nib for a stylus, the hand for a mouse or keypad. However may of those fancy inks are super expensive, may get too thick or too watery and give you flow issues. Pelikan dont do fashionable or even fancy - they produce basic colored inks that can be stored for years and still provide excellent color and flow, that rarely dry in the pen even if you do anything in your power to make it happen etc. So in my boos - this is the kind of ink cartridge you want in your open if you actually need to write, you know? Just saying.

Great, dependable ink. Great for any pen that takes an international cartridge. Highly recommended in my experience.

Good

Like: rich, dark, black ink. Don't like: It's quite a bit shorter than I expected, compared to the ink cartridges I have.

great fit, works well in my Mt Blanc slim fountain pen

Always loved this product.

Perfect fit for a vintage fountain pen. These go in the pen back to back so there is a spare cartridge at hand. Ink flows well. Fits a large number of European pens.