Pelikan M405 Review

[Rockus]

Hi folks

 

I've been using my Pel M405 as my daily writer for a good few months now. This is my first review ever, so bear with me.

 

So l picked up this pen pre-owned from the bay for a reasonable price. It was my second Pel after the M200 which, as it turned out, far from sated my Pelikan obsession. It didn't disappoint, just left me wanting 'more'.

 

I had read somewhere that the M4xx pens were the standard that most pens were judged. I was intrigued by this bold statement so when this nice example came up, l had to try.

 

 

My first impression of this pen was slightly mixed to be honest. Although the glossy black with silver touches looked the business to me, the pen felt small and not flimsy but just well...insubstantial. I was used to my Cross Apogee which is a bigger metal pen so perhaps l was being unfair.

 

 

So to the nib (a fine). Now this looked awesome with ingravings and the two tone gold and rhodium plating. It reminds you that despite its light weight, this is a serious pen.

 

 

Writing with this pen is a joy. It lays down a nice, sharp wet line. The nib is caramel smooth with very little flex. Its not nail-like but likewise its not so soft that you can't write on papers that my other pens flounder e.g. Moleskine Sketch-pads. I found the feed kept up well with fast writing.

 

 

The more l used this pen, l really began to appeciate its light weight. Its so easy to wield, you can write forever! Pelikan nibs run a little wide but I found the F nib, was perfect for me. Perhaps a M nib wouldn't be so usable for filling out forms etc.

 

 

 

What can l say about the piston filler? Well l only seem to get excited by pens that fill this way. Its perhaps not as smooth in the M405 as in my M1000 but it works well. It holds a decent amount of ink for my needs anyway, but l don't think you'd feel agrieved.

 

To conclude, this is my go-to pen for many reasons. It looks great, feels well made and writes wonderfully. Perhaps the greatest asset is the fact that its so competent. It loves all inks from the thin J Herbins to thicker Noodlers. It writes well on just about every paper l use. And because you can remove the nib, you can flush it out so easily. By that token also you can swap out you nib for another if you want!

 

 

So the Pel M405 is very competent pen and with so many bonuses afforded by its intellegent design, l really can see why some people regard this as the standard by which all pens should be judged.

 

 

Thanks, hope this was helpful

[rodrigaj]

Thanks for the review. I own 200's, a 400, and a 600. The 400 is by far my favorite. I agree that at first they seem a bit insubstantial.

 

Do you post your pen? I post mine - mostly because I teach and if I don't I am forever misplacing the cap. Posted or unposted the 400 is great for everyday use.

[Rockus]

Like me you're on the way to getting the whole flock!

 

I find l post it most of the time, but l agree its great unposted as well. did you ever consider the big daddy M1000 or the M800 series?

[The Good Captain]

I have 200/400 and 600 and love them all. The ones I use the most are the 200/400 just because they clip to my shirt pockets a little easier than the longer 600. They have their individuality but I can't fault any of them.

Enjoy!

[Rockus]

No you really can't.

 

Thanks

[rodrigaj]

Like me you're on the way to getting the whole flock!

 

I find l post it most of the time, but l agree its great unposted as well. did you ever consider the big daddy M1000 or the M800 series?

 

No. The 600 is as large as I would go. I have an aurora that is about the same size as the 1000 and it feels way to big in my hands. I use it because it is a very nice pen but I don't make it an everyday pen. Like the previous poster, I carry my pen around in a shirt pocket, so that limits my everyday pen choice.