Penexchange

Hello everyone!
I own a Pelikan M760 Jubilee Gold fountain pen and I am very pleased with this writing instrument. The pen is gold plated with no signs of brassing (up today) and there is a blank on the barrel side available for personalized engraving. I would like to engrave my name on this blank space but I am concerned if the engraving would probably remove the gold plating, which is a very thin coating and protects from brassing, leading thus finally to brassing which would arise from the engraved letters. Can anyone help me? Is it safe to engrave my name or this will eventually turn out to brassing much quicker?
Thank you in advance!
Evans

Hello Evans,

There are some very difference opinions in this topic. Principally two opinions divide fountain pen users in two sides.

- An engraved fountain pen is the perfect personalized writing instrument.
- I would never engrave my pens

I think it depends on your circumstances and the pen. If you plan to keep the pen then it can be a nice touch. Engraving pens have a sentimental value, but decreases monetary value. If you plan to cycle through the pens, use them a bit then sell or trade them, then an engraving wouldn't be a good idea.

I know that not an answer to your special question, but you should think about this. For the other side, if there is a place for a personalized engraving I think it would be safe.

Best regards
Werner

Thank you Werner for your reply!
Actually, I have no intention to trade my pens so as you understand I would like to engrave my pen to personalize it more. The only thing that concerns me is whether the brassing after engraving should be accelerated since the cap barrel is not solid gold but coated with gold (plated).
Thanks again!

Evans

Hello Evans,

sorry, I don't know which basis material Pelikan has uses for the cap and barrel. If I get any information I will post it here.

Werner

Hello Evans,

I think cap and barrel are made of (black) resin and have a goldplated (M760) or silverplated (M750) metal coating. The measurements are matching those of the M400.

Best regards
Werner

Hi Werner,
No, I think not since plating is the general name of surface-covering techniques in which a metal (and not a resin which is an insulator and not a conductor) is coated onto a solid surface. It is also used for decorative purposes, typically to provide a silver or gold exterior.
Thanks for your reply.
Evans