Pelikan M400 Tortoise

[Sallent]

I just received my Pelikan M400 Tortoise LE, and after a "test drive" here are my thoughts and impressions:

 

 

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z248/osall001/DSC00672.jpg

 

Fit and Finish: 9/10

It is small by modern standards, but grows to a nice size when the cap is posted. The pen is light weight and well balanced. The resin feels very pleasant to the touch, and typical of Pelikans, the pen is extremely well put together. Definitely will last decades of continuous use...I have an M200 as my daily user...and 5 years of abuse, the pen is still holding up well. Pelikans are built to last, an this one is no different.

 

Aesthetics: 10/10

I know this is very subjective...but let's face it, as far as pens go, this is definitely a good looking pen. Pelikan has been making pens virtually with the same design and materials as they were making them 50-60 years ago. While other pen makers have lost the ability to make them like they used to, every Pelikan Souveran is a classic from the moment of birth.

 

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z248/osall001/DSC00674.jpg

 

Filling System: 10/10

Typical of Pelikan, butter smooth piston mechanism. It operates flawlessly and the ink supply is more than generous. With a semi-transparent body, checking the ink supply is extremely easy. I don't now how Pelikan manages to be so consistently good with their piston mechanisms, but whatever they do, I hope they keep it up. It obviously works!

 

Nib/Writing 10/10

Like most Pelikan nibs, it works flawlessly from the start. The nib is butter smooth and never skips or fails to start. I'd submit a writing sample, but my handwriting sucks, and I don't want to spoil my review by making you stare at it. The best feature is that the nib is easily interchangeable. This is a lost art today, but many vintage pens also had interchangeable nibs. It means that you can swap nibs in 30 seconds or less, and with nibmesiters producing flexible nibs for Pelikans, this is a big plus. I will be buying a flexible nib for this baby.

 

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z248/osall001/DSC00676.jpg

 

Price/Value for money: 9/10

At $175 USD, it is still excellent value for your money, considering this pen will run circles around most $400-$500 pens I've ever owned. However, Pelikan prices have been going up recently as most Americans become aware of just how good this brand is. Although it is still excellent value for the performance and quality, I can't give it a 10/10. Pelikan should not forget that one of the largest things the brand has going for it is providing excellent, good looking and classic pens for a lot less money than the competition...(ie. Mont Blanc, CS)

 

Conclusion: 48/50 pts

This pen is a prime example of why people who own Pelikans always complaint that their "flock" just seems to breed like wild rabbits. It is just so good that you can't help but want to buy another Pelikan, and another, and another, etc.

Edited February 17, 2010 by Dr Ozzie

[Sallent]

I forgot to add this: The Pelikan M400 Tortoise is a limited edition pen. It is no longer being made, but thankfully most dealers still have a few in stock. Won't last long though. Tortoises are very desirable within the Pelikan community because of their low production numbers and the infrequency with which Pelikan makes them available. It may be 8-10 years before Pelikan releases another Tortoise design. A pitty, because this Pelikan Souveran is desperately pretty.

[Federalist Pens]

Great review Dr. Ozzie!

Great looking pen!

 

Glad to see you are still here!

 

Frank

[PianoMan14]

I forgot to add this: The Pelikan M400 Tortoise is a limited edition pen. It is no longer being made, but thankfully most dealers still have a few in stock. Won't last long though. Tortoises are very desirable within the Pelikan community because of their low production numbers and the infrequency with which Pelikan makes them available. It may be 8-10 years before Pelikan releases another Tortoise design. A pitty, because this Pelikan Souveran is desperately pretty.

 

+1 Richard Binder is sold out (waaah!). Seems like I am going to have to wait until I get my doctorate (a long way off...) to get one of these. IMO, they are the best looking pelikans.

[bartlee01]

Wow! I bought an M400 Tortoise from Richard Binder last night. Maybe I got the last one!

[Ed Ronax]

Excellent review, thanks.

[pyroyuy]

Wow... I was going to wait till next payday to get one, but I found myself with some spare cash... so I bought it... buahaha, yay I'm glad I didn't wait... Now I just need to wait two weeks for it to get to me *cry*.

[Pfhorrest]

That's what I call an elegant Pelikan. Shiny black and the bright colored bindes can't compare with the richness of the tortoise.

 

I'm also glad they eliminated the ring next to the filler cone - that would really kill the appearance.

Edited February 18, 2010 by Pfhorrest

[razr]

Great pen & great review

[anaximander]

I couldn't agree more. I have one of these fantastic pens and I love it! I've sent the nib away to have it re-ground to a stub and can't wait to get it back. And yes, my flock keeps breeding.

[beluga]

I forgot to add this: The Pelikan M400 Tortoise is a limited edition pen. It is no longer being made, but thankfully most dealers still have a few in stock. Won't last long though. Tortoises are very desirable within the Pelikan community because of their low production numbers and the infrequency with which Pelikan makes them available. It may be 8-10 years before Pelikan releases another Tortoise design. A pitty, because this Pelikan Souveran is desperately pretty.

 

+1 Richard Binder is sold out (waaah!). Seems like I am going to have to wait until I get my doctorate (a long way off...) to get one of these. IMO, they are the best looking pelikans.

 

 

 

Great little pen, at a sweet price.

 

While I got mine from Pam (and hers and Richard's appear to be gone by now), there may still some be available at nibs.com - if you don't mind the slightly higher price.

(See http://www.nibs.com/PelikanM400BrownTortoise.htm )

This pen is well worth the money.

 

 

 

 

B

Edited February 21, 2010 by beluga

[lovemy51]

I forgot to add this: The Pelikan M400 Tortoise is a limited edition pen. It is no longer being made, but thankfully most dealers still have a few in stock. Won't last long though. Tortoises are very desirable within the Pelikan community because of their low production numbers and the infrequency with which Pelikan makes them available. It may be 8-10 years before Pelikan releases another Tortoise design. A pitty, because this Pelikan Souveran is desperately pretty.

 

nice pen and review! i don't think this is a LE pen, but rather a LP (limited production)... i could be wrong!!

Edited February 23, 2010 by lovemy51

[bartlee01]

I've had mixed fortunes with buying fountain pens online so I decided to get my M400 tortoise from Richard Binder and it's now my favourite pen. It writes very well nice and wet and always starts first time even if it's been sitting a day without use.

 

I have this idea to see if he can rip the guts out of my Visconti Divina LE and make it hold a decent amount of ink...

[Ondina]

Just wonderful pen. Many thanks for the nice photos and the review.

[Juicyjones]

I read this before and forgot to reply that I think that pen looks great. Thanks for the review.

[haver]

I own one with a broad nib. Love it even though I find it on the small side of optimum size for my hand. It writes beautifully. A daily writer for me with my Bamboo.

[Juicyjones]

 

 

...Pelikan has been making pens virtually with the same design and materials as they were making them 50-60 years ago. While other pen makers have lost the ability to make them like they used to, every Pelikan Souveran is a classic from the moment of birth.

 

 

You hit the nail right on the head there!

[DAYoung]

Gorgeous, Dr Ozzie - thank you.

 

And nice to see the tale of Ilium in the background...

[jetdipar]

The refinements add beauty and high value to the Souveran 400 Series; the legendary. The M400 fountain pen is meticulously crafted with high quality material, a presicion to 100ths of a millimeter. It features a diamond-ground surface and a gold-plated Pelikan clip, The fountain pen fills with a classic plunger filling mechanism and features a hand-crafted, finely engraved 14 carat / 585 gold nib with rhodium decoration, available in Fine, Medium or Broad nib sizes. I like this pen....

Edited April 7, 2010 by jetdipar

[Blackforest]

one question about size - is this the same size as the vintage 400, 400N & 400NN model?

 

thanks in advance:

christian