Listen to Mr. Binder.
The worst thing you can do to a fountain pen is to white knuckle it, eventually that much pressure *will* cause issues with the nib. No one is going to snatch it out of your hand, and you won't drop it if you are holding it properly. I have at least one pen quite a bit more expensive than an M1000 and hte last thing I'd want to do is hold it too tight. First because you will be miserable writing for very long (sore fingers/hand!) and second because it isn't good for the pen.
Good news: Pelikan nibs can be swapped out, and all nibs can be ground finer. So consider buying a finder nib and save the medium for signing Christmas cards.
Cradle that bird like... well a baby bird. I changed from a white knuckle grip to one that gets compliments from flex experts in a couple months pretty simply. First I'd start by making sure I had a proper grip (light, pen resting lightly against webbing of my thumb, nib laying on paper with zero pressure). Then I'd start writing. As my hand started tightening up I was really concious of taking a deep breath in, and as I let it out relaxing my hand again. Sometimes it was every word I had to do that. As I relaxed my hand my arm began to do more of the work of writing (never, ever writing without your arm supported by a table or writing desk), and as that happened my hand didn't get tired and start gripping so tightly. Pretty soon I had a nice relaxed grip, was writing with my whole arm more than my fingers and could use even a nice old vintage wet noodle.
Treat it like meditation practice!
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