My White tortoise came in today. The pen writes better than any I have today. Pelikan really does have nice Nibs. the pen itself is a little on the plasticy looking side. I have a Montverde black tie, Waterman, and several Mont blancs. While I know this is not a particular expensive pen, especially compared to the Mont Blanc's, I was expecting a little more heft and substance to it.

Don't get me wrong, I like the pen and the way it writes, I guess It's not fair comparing the Tortoise to a Montblanc, considering the Montblanc cost at least twice as much.

"Heft and substance" do not necessarily equal quality. It's trickier to make a piston-filler light than heavy. A lighter pen is easier to manipulate and less tiring to write with.

By the way, the honey tortoise is not a low-end pen. It's a Souveran, and its original price was $265. You may have got it for less, but that doesn't make it a less expensive pen. Some stores are still selling it for over $200.

Price is determined by supply and demand, not by quality. For example, large pens cost significantly more than small pens, not because they cost more to produce, but because they are currently more fashionable (this being the age of the SUV and all). A company will put a high price on a pen if it thinks it can get away with it. The cost of producing a Montblanc is a tiny fraction of its price. Most of what you pay probably goes into advertising costs.

Anyway, I doubt that any of these considerations will make you change your mind about your Pelikan. If you really believe your Pelikan is a lower-quality pen than your Montblanc because it cost you less, you are unlikely to appreciate a Pelikan's true value.

Wow, I didn't say I did not like it because it cost less than a Montblanc, I didn't even say I didn't like it. What I did say was I didn't think the Partiuclar Pelikan I got was as nice looking as a montblanc, that's all. If it make you feel better,,, I do like the way it writes, even better than a Montblanc in my opinion.

I'm not the type that get's hung up on a brand and defend it to the death like a lot of folks, I was just trying to tell my experience with my first Pelikan.

I think Hulya was just reacting (if a bit strongly) to the suppositions you made. Thoughts that many people new to FPs (or to Pelikan) tend to make - that weight and/or price = quality. You didn't get less heft because you paid less. You paid less because you didn't pay for the brand. MB doesn't cost twice as much because it is a better pen but because it is MontBlanc. I didn't see your post as being unappreciative of your pen, just as having sort of a "newbie" take on what defines "pen quality." Sometimes people react strongly to that because the two brands are often compared with the Pelikan coming out the loser because it's "lightweight." It's a common misperception when people who are used to MB and other moderate-to-heavy pens encounter Pelikan.

As to this particular pen "looking" cheap - well, that's just sacrilege! My Honey is one of the purdiest pens I own.

Congratulations on your new Pel.

I admit I overreacted. But Pelikans -- even low-end Pelikans -- are some of the highest-quality pens around. Implying that a Souveran doesn't feel as high-quality as a Montblanc because it's small and light but that this shouldn't be a surprise since it cost less is simply off the mark. The Souveran line may be a little staid, but it is in no way low-quality or cheaply made.

Anyway, I can see that you're a little disappointed because the pen isn't exactly what you expected. Hopefully, it will grow on you. I love my white tortoise.

P.S. Thank you, kCat, for understanding my reaction and explaining it so well.

The more I write with this pen the more I love it, It is by far the best writer I have. very smooth and just the right amount of ink. Thanks for the replies and by the way the weight is growing on me, It just takes a little getting used to.

heh. BTDT, as they say. I've been known to be protective of my nestlings.