You know you are a lost case when you start getting your pens customized...
Some months ago I found a black-red Pelikan Souverän M800 for sale on eBay. This color option is discontinued on the M800 line. I already had one, but the pen was being sold without the nib by a very good price. When it arrived, I immediately knew why it was cheap: a stiff piston mechanism and a scratched body.
I solved the piston stiffness by disassembling the piston mechanism and lubricating it. Good thing I had a TWSBI wrench, it is perfect for the job. I already had an spare nib, a 3B bought at
Martini Auctions, so I had 2 functional pens.
I don't mind scratched pens, so I tried to trade the pen with the unscratched body for another M800 in other color, targeting primarily the blue version. No success.
Some months later, looking at unread posts at Fountain Pen Network, I saw
a post from Shawn Newton telling that he can make a custom
binde on Pelikan pens. The
binde is an outer shell or sleeve that covers the body of the pens of the Souverän line, as you can see on
this video. Sent him an email, talked about the possibilities, and when all was set sent him the pen. (Advanced payment for the service, btw.)
He finished the pen last Saturday and sent it back to me just few hours ago. He also sent me some photos by email and I'm already in love with the pen.