Admok vs Pelikan M800 - Clone or Crap?

[@brycemachalek7192]

Hey Doug, great review. I actually have the Admok M800 in the galaxy resin, they do exist!

[@wittwittwer1043]

I have more than 20 Pelikans, Including 2 Ductus (1 F, 1 M); 2 M800 (1 blk, 1 green stripe), 1 blk M1000, 1 M700 Toledo, and various SEs. I like them all, especially the vintage green or solid green ones. The feature I dislike about the Pelikans is that the M nibs write more like a broad, so all my recent Pelikan purchases have been with a F nib. I enjoy Doug's comments even when he is reviewing a crappy pen. Lately, he has reviewed some Hongdian pens that influenced me to buy them, and I have three now, I find them to perfoem as well as his demonstrations. If you are an FP addict, you will find his recommendations and advice reliable.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thank you, Witt!

[@bovnycccoperalover3579]

I have a few HongDian fps and their price to quality ratio is fantastic.

[@misswoodhouse5720]

Hi Doug, thank you for "taking one for the team", I appreciate Doug's public service announcements. Chels c:

[@cassioozn]

Risking the best pen you have to review a crap pen takes courage, I wouldn't dare to. Great review, as always, Doug!

[@beria_]

Nice humor feeling😂

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thank you kindly!

[@FountainPenNews]

This was really helpful, Doug. Thank you. I had been eyeing the admok and wondering if I was missing out. Instead, I spent a little more and ordered a Pelikan m205 at a crazy-low price. (for the pen and matching ink, well under $150) I understand that the m205 won't be a pelikan m800, but for me, the m800 is just too far out of reach so I started with the entry-level pen. At least I know it probably won't feel like MOTS. Cheers!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Congratulations on joining the bird club!

[@michaelmable336]

The Pelikan M200 is a lovely pen with a great nib. I picked up a black one many years ago for a crazy good price, and was astounded at just how good the steel nib was - even in comparison with my M600 and M800.

[@judyjacobs5827]

Be aware that following the most recent sale of Pelikan, the "luxury writing" dept. doesn't make that traditional material with clear stripes adjacent to those with green, blue, red, whatever, making it possible to see the fill mechanism and the ink inside the barrel. They are replaced, at present at least, with paint over a metal tube. Cheaper? Not the same M series at all, imo. So regardless of how many of those shekels you stash away in your "this envelope is for the birds" folder, check before handing them over. Secondary market, perhaps?

[@InkquiringMinds]

@@judyjacobs5827A more vintage version of the M800 with the translucent barrel would be advisable.

[@michaelmable336]

@@judyjacobs5827 Paint over a metal tube...? I really don't think so. Yes, newer pens don't have the ink window through the stripes on the barrel, but they are still made from cellulose acetate and resin.

[@brettsmith1655]

Luv the vid. I have been eyeballing these Admok pens on AliExpress for a couple of months now and I was just about to the point of pulling the trigger but you have saved me. Thanks for the guidance

[@InkquiringMinds]

Glad it was helpful! I will have an update shortly as I'm swapping this one with a Inkquiring Minds fan. I'm getting the Galaxy finish with a Bock nib.

[@crouserm]

Good review of shoddy knock off. If people really want a nice Chinese homage to an European pen, Asvinardo leaps to mind. The Asvine P20 looks, feels, and writes better, and costs less, than the Admok. Then there are the Wing Sung nods to Mont Blanc, but at a bit more, justifiable, cost.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I agree 100%, @crouserm!

[@vladimirminkov3722]

Another interesting cop-age is the HongDian 1866. A nice wooden body pen with a great nib that looks too much like a Graf von Faber-Castell/just Faber-Castell, without being a straight clone.

[@Naruto-oh2ix]

Jm98​@@vladimirminkov3722

[@frankvars7925]

Hi Doug! Thank you for your nice review, very interesting, amazing ink. It should be kept in mind that the Schmidt #6 nib for you in the USA as well as for China is an imported German product. We can price it at no less than 30 dollars. Maybe with 20 dollars they could have made a better resin but consider that Admok has already made very interesting fountain pens with a converter system. When Admok takes inspiration from the Pelikan M800 by creating a fountain pen with a piston system, I don't think we can complain about the 20 dollars they ask for in addition to the cost of the Schmidt nib.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks, Frank. I'm aware that Schmidt is a German nib, like Bock and Jowo. I would buy the M800 Admok if it were $20 not $50, just for the nib. But, in my experience, Schmidt nibs are either okay or really bad, so, luck of the draw. This Schmidt is good and will go in another pen.

[@frankvars7925]

@@InkquiringMinds Consider that important Italian fountain pen manufacturers such as Visconti are moving towards Schmidts. Now we have a new generation of Bock nibs, some say made in China... JoWo production is too inflated. All of these nibs are engineered to be used exclusively with their own power supplies and nib assemblies for best performance.

[@bradbeth63]

Great video Doug. Pelikan 800 still the gold standard in my opinion.

[@InkquiringMinds]

100%!

[@unknowncrash1]

They also come with brass pistons as an option, or you can get the piston separately. There's even amber and galaxy color ways.

[@Javi_C]

Thanks for the review on it, was looking at it. Saving me the time. Thanks Doug!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Glad to help

[@jamesbarrett1590]

Wish your review would have came out a few weeks ago😭 My piece of 💩 even came with a pelican sticker to put on the finial!! Now that’s ingenuity!!!

[@InkquiringMinds]

SERIOUSLY!? A sticker?

[@patupat530]

Hi, good reviews. Don't understand much about fountain pens but one think I loved very much that was your ink color. If there is no problem can you tell the name of your ink? I would like to buy for my Son. He uses fountain pens. Thank you.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I’m assuming you mean during the intro? It is J Herbin Kyanite du Nepal.

[@teresaharris-travelbybooks5564]

What is the name of the resin? I've seen someone else, who got one of these that has very nice blue resin. Mine is scheduled as being out for delivery, but I'll believe it when I have it in my hands. The shipping delays; from China; are becoming annoying. I believe that some sellers are advertising and accepting payments for pens that they don't have, and in some cases, haven't even been made yet. I've had to request several refunds. The only shops/makers I trust anymore, are Hongdian and Asvine. Even Jinhao is having trouble with delivery due to inventory issues with the Heartbeat nib. I understand that items sell out, but don't continue to accept peoples' hard earned dollars, for a pen that may eventually get manufactured, unless it's clearly labeled as a pre-order.

[@InkquiringMinds]

The only indication on the sale was colour "G". I assume that meant "garbage". Buyer beware. When I bought it, Bobby's Etsy shop was the only place to get one and it was the only blue model. I've since seen them all over the place with a lot of different acrylic choices. The "galaxy" finishes seem to be called "Deep Sea" or "Blue Sky" and are sold out. Miss Marilyn is exchanging her "Galaxy" with my "MOT". And her version has a phoenix or partridge type emblem laser etched on the top finial. Which leads me to believe, I have an earlier version and they've already made some changes. Some of the recent delays in shipping from China are because of the two-week long Chinese New Year shutdown.

[@teresaharris-travelbybooks5564]

@@InkquiringMinds those letter designations; in place of color patterns; are confusing. I've seen that in advertisements for Wing Sung pens. You can't be 100% sure if you're going to get what you wanted. Miss Marilyn Darling's pen is very nice. I'm thinking you'll be pleased, unless the nib is crap. In which case, you'll change it out!

[@paulfiorino7463]

Worth it for the intro music alone. "Hey you."

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thank you so much, @paulfiorino7463!

[@oscarmedina1597]

Your review of this knockoff is timely. I currently have my M805 inked up and enjoy how the pen feels in hand. My only issue with it is that the tines were misaligned when I got the pen, but i adjusted the nib enough times that it’s now writing very smoothly and reliably. I understand your preference for the real deal.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Great to hear!

[@bovnycccoperalover3579]

I already own the Pelican M800, which I love so no need to buy another version. I bought it decades ago before trail opens became so expensive!

[@avgjoeshow4208]

I saw a review of this that almost made me consider it because they praise the pen, but luckily I didn’t get the urge to purchase right away. His pen came in a box, and it actually had a pelican sticker to put on the top finial to pass it off as a pelican.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Wow

[@MissMarilynDarling]

I wish you had gotten the galaxy one you would love it..I have the galaxy version it's beautiful and i got the bock nib too

[@InkquiringMinds]

I would have enjoyed that if the acrylic is as nice as the Moonman M800 Galaxy.

[@MissMarilynDarling]

@@InkquiringMinds IT TOTALLY IS and because I like you Ill offer you mine in exchange for yours it has a bock nib though but I already have a jinhao 100th anniversary galaxy I dont need 2 of them but only if you want it :)

[@InkquiringMinds]

@@MissMarilynDarlingSounds like a plan! Send your address to my email [e-mail]

[@vajmanjinha]

I'm glad to hear you've had a couple of good Schmidts with positive feedback. A really good Schmidt is hard to come by.

[@InkquiringMinds]

They are!

[@vajmanjinha]

@@InkquiringMinds No lie. Love your show.

[@williamcatalano1762]

Ali Express has a finish called Starry Sky and another called deep sea which is more like a Galaxy resin. I don't really need one of these, but there is temptation still. If I did happen to buy one I'd get the turtle brown or starry sky I think. Great Review Doug.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks Bill!

[@williamcatalano1762]

@@InkquiringMindsFinally got my Silicone for my Pelikans. I'm putting your stuff on in the background to do some of them now.

[@frankvars7925]

I have a Jinhao Centennial "black sea", a black resin that reproduces the reflections of the moon on the sea at night. Very beautiful, with the new Jinhao #6 Extra Fine nibs of remarkable performance. Purchased in AE for 12 euros ($13) during promotions.

[@pamelameier3405]

I have a black Pelikan M800 with a B nib and the Admok M800 in starry night with a B Schmidt nib. I like the acrylic, it´s deep blue with some parts that look like the milky way (and it looks chatoyant to me). The top of the cap has a crane etched in it. Considering the fact that I would have to pay 25 Euros (in Germany) + 6 Euros Shipping cost for the nib assembly alone, the rest of the pen is well worth 26 Euros, at least my version. I paid 57 Euros on Aliexpress and I don´t feel ripped off. I have a sweet spot for Schmidt nibs, though. So I´m quite satisfied with this pen.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Miss Marilyn has agreed to swap my Admok for her Galaxy!

[@pamelameier3405]

@@InkquiringMinds I noticed that the nicest acrylic designs had Bock nibs attached to them :)

[@DanCarmell]

Nice, I have a silver trim Admok coming with the Starry Night although I’m having regrets after Doug’s review…

[@paulmchugh1430]

So tell me Doug, what do you really think of the pen? Lol. This is a great review and I have seen one other review that said the Admok is a very good substitute for the Pelikan. Well, given the parts are nearly identical (save for the nib and body composition), one could almost draw that conclusion. I have the Pelikan M800 and was going to do my own comparison. Glad you have done it for me for this P.O.S. Nicely done.

[@InkquiringMinds]

The nib is great but the acrylic isn’t worth spending $50. $10 yeah.

[@lorenzoemmepi3302]

Hi! Thank you again for your opinion on this pen! may I ask you your opinion about the hongdian n12 vs this pen? thanks!

[@InkquiringMinds]

The N12 is a bit bigger (longer) than the Pelikan M800 but a well built pen and worth the price tag.

[@lorenzoemmepi3302]

​@@InkquiringMinds I watched your review about it =) I meant between the admok and the asvine,not the asvine and the pelikan, but thank you!

[@InkquiringMinds]

@@lorenzoemmepi3302 The Asvine P20 is a superior pen. It was on my top list of 2023. The Admok will be on my worst of 2024.

[@lorenzoemmepi3302]

@@InkquiringMinds Thank you again! So I may aim for the hongdian n12 then! I already have a gorgeus moonman m800 with a bock nib, I would like to try the asvine p20, but they may be too much similar

[@InkquiringMinds]

@@lorenzoemmepi3302 Except the P20 is a piston filler.

[@jpanthony]

Thanks for leaning into that pitch, the team thanks you! ⚾️💥😢

[@wkasimer]

I wish that I'd watched this before I ordered one - it's arriving soon.

[@santauxia]

Another great review, Thanks Mr. DR.

[@InkquiringMinds]

My pleasure! Good to see you yesterday!

[@hyundongcho4328]

So would you say the hongdian n12 is a superior "clone" to the admok m800?

[@InkquiringMinds]

Yes indeed!

[@hyundongcho4328]

@@InkquiringMindsThank you! Would you mind reviewing the Hongdian M2 next? It's an aluminum "clone" to the kaweco sport

[@InkquiringMinds]

@@hyundongcho4328I have one and it will be reviewed in a couple of weeks.

[@hyundongcho4328]

@@InkquiringMinds Appreciate it!

[@ibpopp]

Good review, and thanks for the warning. P.S. have you received email?

[@InkquiringMinds]

Yes I have

[@sonstatoazzurrodisci]

Let's hope Asvine gets into the m800/m1000 clones game.

[@InkquiringMinds]

It would be better than this!

[@Shanghai_Knife_Dude]

During the size comparison, i am expecting to see your new Pelican m800 14c.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Yeah, I misspoke when I mentioned my green M600 14k. It is not an M800. The blue stripe is the M800 and is 18k. The M600 green is there in the size comparison.

[@Mikey-ii8ef]

The "resin" reminds me of the Leonardo Blue Positano design - not for me. While the Leonardo is likely better feeling, I need a certain amount of depth/chatoyancy to my resins. Thank you for the fine review, Doug!

[@williamcatalano1762]

I thought so too. I have a Blue Positano Furore Grande.

[@InkquiringMinds]

It isn’t even CLOSE to Blue Positano!!

[@wkasimer]

Mine arrived yesterday - the brown marbled version. It was actually more expensive, presumably because it has a Bock nib. It's not a bad looking pen, actually (I think that the brown acrylic looks better than the blue version that Doug demonstrated). The nib, however, is one of the worst I've ever received. It would not write at all out of the box, and after I spread the nibs, it was still crap. Fortunately, I had a JoWo #6 lying around and with that swapped in, it writes resonably well. I'm not going to confuse it with my Pelikan M800's, but this one will be OK to use at work, so I won't need to worry much about it being stolen off my desk. But at $60, it's definitely overpriced - given the quality, it should be closer to $20.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I'm convinced there are two versions of this pen. The one I have has a Schmidt nib and a logo etched on the top finial, whereas the newer versions have Bock nibs and a bird etched on the finial. I'm doing a swap with a pen fan where I get the Galaxy version with the etched finial. I'll do an update. I agree they should be priced around $25.

[@alanshaw2353]

Thanks for playing some Pink Floyd!

[@InkquiringMinds]

You bet!

[@fountainpenworld]

Thanks Doug, I was waiting for your review and expected right from the start a verdict like you gave it. 51 Bucks are a shameless impudence. I guess the real retail price in China is around 20 Bucks and "Admok M 800" seems to me just a make up name by the few sellers who are offering it, trying to attract more western customers "Ingenuity" is a nice name but doesn't fit this particular brand and pen. Thank you deeply for saving me a good amount of money which I can spend on a decent pen. Basically I would like to speak about 2 more, but different topics: The no-quality of my FPR Himalaya GT, bought only 1.1/2 years ago which seems to be on the same side as this Admok (beside the nib, but the plastic) and the sudden price drops of the P 138, since last week.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Perhaps the P138 isn't moving quite as fast as they expected? Don't get me started on FPR - poor quality, Indian-made crap. Buy Ranga for Indian-made quality.

[@aag24]

Superb video sir. I’d be scared to swap bits between the sublime Pelikan and the naughty “Ad Mock”. I’m lucky enough to own the very same M805 …. But never managed to get an M1000 before I fell into poverty. I really want to try the M1000 before I die.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I was able to try out Murray's M1000 Stresemann. The nib is huge and was way more flexible and juicy than I had expected. It was too thick and wet for me to handle. And it is a big pen. The M800 is the perfect size for me.

[@aag24]

Phew! Someone said similar - I thought it would be the pinnacle of penmanship seeing that the M800 is so good. But … I think the M800 is just the perfect size. @@InkquiringMinds

[@nrs6956]

Loved Sinatra tune!

[@zeus52452]

Thanks for another good review Doug. I guess the only good thing to come from the pen is the nib.

[@InkquiringMinds]

You got that right!

[@judyjacobs5827]

Oh, Doug, tell us what you really think...oh, wait. You did. Thanks. One unaddressed aspect of dimension comparison is the cap finial-clip assembly. I have a terrific, possibly frankenized Peli that lacks its cap finial and clip, and is therefore unusable, other than a dip pen. If a pseudo-Peli finial could close up the end of the cap, maybe it would work. Maybe not. Your thoughts?

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks, Judy. You would have to destroy the Admok cap to get at the finial it seems. Since I'm swapping this one with Miss Marilyn for one in Galaxy, I dare not even attempt to remove it. It looks like the cap seal would have to be removed and it quite possibly is glued on to the top of the cap.

[@judyjacobs5827]

@@InkquiringMinds Never one at a loss for inventive solutions, Miss Marilyn, are they? (My daughter, The Most Precious Object in the Universe, has become insistent on this new pronoun thing. Progress or puddleduck? No idea. Maybe Marilyn knows.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I dunno from pronouns but I’ll ask.

[@spiderwrangler4457]

I was gifted a channel membership by someone, but the email didn't say who. If it was you reading this, thanks!

[@InkquiringMinds]

That was me. I did a five membership random giveaway as part of the livestream.

[@spiderwrangler4457]

Oh, nice! Thanks Doug. Haven't watched the livestream yet, as they are during hours I'm typically working the side gig.@@InkquiringMinds

[@patupat530]

Yes, I mean the intro. Thank you very much.

[@schm4704]

Ouch, those Frankenpens really hurt my brain. 😃

[@wendyholiday2021]

I appreciate the review. ❤ you saved me the disappointment and purchase of ugly resin.

[@archivist17]

Ad-mokery! 😄 An interesting review of ups and downs. Mostly downs....

[@InkquiringMinds]

The nib is very nice. It might need a new home.

[@archivist17]

@@InkquiringMinds Isn't that Kanwrite looking for a new nib? 😉

[@InkquiringMinds]

@archivist17 LMAO!🤣 You funnee!

[@georgeparapadakis]

I can’t quite put my finger on it, but something tells me that you don’t like it. Maybe the body language, the facial expressions, not too sure what exactly 😂😂😂

[@InkquiringMinds]

I try to be subtle.

[@billpemberton6304]

I've been tossing around ideas for a pen to ink up and, damn, if you didn't nail it. I'm going to ink up one of my M800 pens. That Admok looks like a fpos. And the Admok clip looks folded. While I may have some matte finish pens in my aggregation they are solid colors. This is truly a pen to pass on. Nothing to see here. Move along. Thanks!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks, Bill!

[@billpemberton6304]

@@InkquiringMinds and the winner is the M805 Demo with Montblanc Enzo Ferrari. Looking Good!

[@jantajov]

I would be willing to pay $50 if they marketed it as the thing that it really is. Movie prop. It is nothing more than movie prop.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thank you, @jantajov!

[@brightonbabe2139]

Really the only thing good is the nib. Not a pen on my bucket list. Thanks for showing us. I could hear the Pelikan scream as you violated her. It wasn’t a pretty sound.

[@InkquiringMinds]

LOL! The nib will end up in another pen somewhere.

[@BO-kh1iz]

Clone or Crap? Crappy clone. Amazing, how well the Majohn/Moonman M800 clone of the Leonardo Momento still performs in comparison to much of the other Chinese stuff.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I pass the Admok M800 around at my latest pen meet-up. I big Pelikan fan who has many Pelikans said "That's very nice". I said "It isn't a Pelikan". He took it back and wrote with it again and examined it as was stunned.

[@BO-kh1iz]

@@InkquiringMinds I heard Canadians are very polite people. So maybe he was just very Canadian? I´ll gift me a Pelikan M805 this year, they are expensive here in Germany as well but not as excessively priced as in your country (import taxes, I guess).

[@LANCSKID]

Admok? Er, clue is in the name, uh?

[@johnsomers8269]

Oh those crafty Chinese! What might you expect with "mock" (mok) being in their name? I have a few Jinhao pens that I use and don't object to their flagrent copying as their copy is rubbish. Maybe it is time to boycott Chinese pens.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Just because one is bad, doesn’t mean they all are. My Moonman M800 Galaxy is one of my favorite pens and is a copy of my favorite Leonardo MZ! According to Thorhilur, “Admok” means “chubby uncle”.

[@sushanart]

Thank you for the warning! 😊 The plastic looked terrible and flat, even for a FP novice like me. The Majohn M800 and PenBBS 308(?) looks so beautiful in comparison. 😇🩵🙏🙌

[@InkquiringMinds]

Glad I could help!