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Pen Pit Stop : Pelikan Souverän M605 Tortoiseshell Black Welcome to the Pen Pit Stop. Here you will find reviews of pens that already have some mileage on them. More specifically, these reviews are of pens that are in my personal collection, and that have been in use for at least a year. I thought it would be fun to do it this way – no new & shiny pens here, but battered vehicles that have been put to work for at least a year. Let’s find out how they have withstood the ravages of time. The fountain pen that makes its pit stop today is the “Pelikan M605 Tortoiseshell Black”. Pelikan is one of the best-known European pen-makers, with a long history dating all the way back to 1832 when the company was founded in Hannover, Germany. The brand offers both semi-entry-level pens (like the M200 series) all the way up to their flagship M1000 model. All Pelikan pens adhere to the same classical style, and as such are immediately recognizable. I bought this pen in May 2022. For one, the M600 size feels just right for me and is extremely comfortable for long writing sessions. But the main reason, my dear Watson, is indubitably the pen’s gorgeous tortoiseshell body – a timeless black & silver design that I simply couldn’t resist. It’s usually paired with a nice grey ink. Pen Look & Feel The M605 Black Tortoise is the epitome of elegance, the girl that steals all the looks at a stylish cocktail party. Think Wednesday Addams with her black & grey dress at the school ball. All components work together to create that stunning image: the tortoiseshell binde design with its black & silver striped pattern, the black grip section/piston knob/cap and the palladium trimmings that complete the pen. All these come together in a pen that is a feast for the eye. Gold accents would have destroyed the looks of this pen, so Pelikan wisely decided to drop the traditional two-toned nib, and opted for a monotone rhodium plated 14C-585 gold nib. It’s hard to avoid comparison with that other black & silver pen – the M605 Stresemann. In my view, they are like two faces of the same persona. The Stresemann with its straight alternating lines has the stylish businesslike looks – a more formal design that fits the boardroom. While the Black Tortoise shows the more leisurely outfit that is at home at the cocktail party – more playful, but still real classic looking. Beware that the Black Tortoise is a mystery pen. There is no ink window and the barrel lacks any meaningful transparency, so it is impossible to judge the amount of ink still remaining in the pen. With the Stresemann, the light stripes are semi-transparent and allow you to get a good feel for the pen’s ink level. Not so with the Black Tortoise. Like all Pelikans, the cap unscrews with about three quarters rotation, so it’s quickly ready for action. The M600/605 is a medium-sized pen, that posts easily and securely. For those with smaller hands, posting is unnecessary and the pen sits comfortably in the hand for longer writing sessions. If you need a larger pen, just post it. The light-weight cap won’t disturb the pen’s balance. The original F-nib on this pen worked perfectly out-of-the-box producing a relatively wet line. It’s rhodium plating nicely complements the black & silver colour theme of this pen. With most of my pens, I’m not inclined to match pen and ink. But for this one colour is totally out of place … just feels like blasphemy! So I always fill up this pen with a nice-looking grey or black ink. The pictures above illustrate the size of the M605 Tortoiseshell Black in comparison with a standard Lamy Safari. The pen is just a tad smaller than a Lamy, but still reasonable in size so that it sits comfortably in the hand (both posted and unposted). Pen Characteristics Build Quality : build quality is excellent. The pen looks really polished and refined. The pen also withstands the passing of time without any problem. After three years of use, it looks good as new. Weight & Dimensions : about 134 mm when capped, 125mm uncapped, and 155mm posted. A nice size for longer writing sessions. And the pen is definitely a featherweight, so you won’t get tired holding it. But if you prefer hefty pens, the Pelikan M600 model will not be for you. Filling System : this is a piston-filler, that holds quite some ink. The piston is made from plastic, but works really well. Pelikan are known for their excellent piston mechanism. Just be aware that the Black Tortoise has no ink window, so you won’t be able to judge the ink level. This is a pen to use at your desk, where you can easily refill when needed. Nib & Performance : the M600/605 Souverän pens have gold nibs. This one comes with a rhodium-plated monotone nib, that really suits the aesthetics of the pen. The nib unit can be exchanged quite easily. Being able to change nibs is a significant plus in my book! Price : about 396 EUR, including taxes. Not cheap, but also not overly expensive for a gold-nibbed pen. In my opinion you get value for money. Conclusion My Pelikan Souverän M605 Tortoiseshell Black is a true beauty that draws everyone’s looks with its captivating black & silver striped pen body. A stunning design that is both playful and elegant at the same time. It’s a true twin of the Stresemann, with its more formal and businesslike looks. I’m lucky to have both pens in my collection. Add a grey ink, and you are in writer’s heaven!