Pelikan M405 Review

[jtadcock]

Here is my written review of my new Pelikan M405. I apologize for the image quality, I'm a novice!

 

 

Here is the full text of my review if the images are too small or if my handwriting is too illegible:

 

Pelikan M405 Souveran Fine Nib

 

This is my first “real” fountain pen. I also have a Pilot Varsity, a Lamy Safari and a Noodler’s Ahab. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I ordered the pen; I purchased it entirely on its reputation. I was not disappointed.

 

The pen is an absolute joy to write with. It is much smoother than any of my other pens and glides across the paper. The build quality is exceptional and the pen performs flawlessly. I love the look of the blue striations on the barrel and I prefer the rhodium trim to the gold. I was prepared for the size of the pen, which is a bit smaller than average, but it suits my needs quite well.

 

The fine nib writes a bit broader than my other pens, even more so than the medium-nibbed Varsity. It has required some adaptation at work when being used on the ever-present cheap copy paper, but is by no means unusable. The nib is also wider on this Rhodia paper than my fine nibbed Safari. Again, not really a problem, just an observation.

 

The ink is plain-jane Pelikan 4001 Royal Blue, but I quite like it. The color is quite pleasing to me and I can still use it at work. Using a Pelikan ink in a Pelikan pen also just feels right! I’ve also tried using some Rohrer and Klingner Salix in the pen in an attempt to tidy up the line width on cheap paper but I didn’t notice much difference, plus the Salix took much longer to dry.

 

Overall, I am incredibly pleased with my purchase. At $180 brand new, I think I got a pretty good deal. I was a bit nervous spending this much money on a pen, but I am very glad I did. I can wholeheartedly recommend the Pelikan M405!

[whoelse]

I wanted/love the Blue/Black stripes in Fine too but the store I usually visit only have the M400. I later changed my mind and prefer the gold pen anyhow.

I got mine for $159, a very good pen! I filled mine with Pelikan 4001 Turquoise.

 

Congrat!

[Montblanc owner and lover]

whoelse can't you order it from your store? I'm sure you can and so be able to get the one you want

 

Nice review thanks

[guilhermejf]

Beautiful pen! Congratulations.

Your handwriting looks nice, too.

 

That blue is really beautiful, never get tired of looking at it.

[whoelse]

whoelse can't you order it from your store? I'm sure you can and so be able to get the one you want

 

Nice review thanks

 

I changed my mine when I saw M605 and M600. I wouldn't say which is nicer but the rhodium is very classic while gold planting is more luxury looking. So I am equally fine either Rhodium or Gold after seeing them side by side. I was initially more bias towards Rhodium. Another consideration was that I already have a similar size M205 therefore gold plated on the M400 is not a bad thing.

Edited January 5, 2014 by whoelse

[jtadcock]

I don't dislike gold per-se, but I don't own anything else gold (watch, rings, cufflinks, glasses, etc.) so I figured having a gold-accented pen poking out of my pocket would look weird. In fact I think gold and blue look good together (they are close to the colors of my alma-mater) but I went with the rhodium trim, it just made more sense for me.

[whoelse]

I actually like gold because of my line of business, I'm doing corporate sales. One disadvantage if the old plating is gone, it ruin the whole pen as in corporate look not so much if it is a vintage pen. That was why I originally wanted the M405.

 

Sorry for the bad photo, just a quick snap from with my phone.

 

 

Pen case is 2 pen hard leather from Cross pen ~$14. See the capped/uncapped comparing with a Parker 51?

Edited January 6, 2014 by whoelse

[Dr.Slackware]

Nice review! Now if only I could dig up $180 from somewhere...

[whoelse]

Nice review! Now if only I could dig up $180 from somewhere...

 

Source around, it's $159 here retail

[Bemo]

Congratulations! Use in good health.

[High_Noon]

Overall, I am incredibly pleased with my purchase. At $180 brand new, I think I got a pretty good deal. I was a bit nervous spending this much money on a pen, but I am very glad I did. I can wholeheartedly recommend the Pelikan M405!

 

Where did you find the M405 for $180.00? The best price I have been able to find is $223.00, but I'd prefer not to order from Japan. Thanks.