Pelikan M605 Tortoiseshell-Black - Fountain Pen Review

[@marilyngardner4269]

I have one of these black tortoise M605s and I agree it is very beautiful. Unfortunately, mine came with some rather wide stripes of black only in the striped area, which seems to be a common complaint with this model. ( Yours is a much nicer example of the black tortoise finish.) I was disappointed at first but have grown to love it.

[@andrewtongue7084]

Ah, Marilyn, the 'broader black stripe' are more commonplace in the earlier releases - & it's a subtle way of determining point & time of manufacture; mine shares this same trait, but it's a gorgeous writing instrument in spite of this 'difference'... 🙂

[@marilyngardner4269]

@@andrewtongue7084 How interesting. I did not know that. Sometimes it is not a good thing to buy early...

[@andrewtongue7084]

In such instances, Marilyn, I consider one has to hold a philosophical approach - but your point is clearly made. For myself, I am an ardent user of all-things Pelikan, from the 1930's to contemporary pieces; I find such incongruities a more attractive element to the brand. Enjoy the remainder of your day ! 🙂

[@marilyngardner4269]

@@andrewtongue7084 I agree that accepting the idiosyncrasies of a particular pen is important to enjoying said pen. If I hadn't loved it, I would have returned it to the seller. But I had to buy online, and if I'd had the opportunity to view several choices in a shop, I would have asked for the opportunity to pick my favorite. I was already aware of the issue of the all-black areas when I made my purchase. And I agree with other commenters here -- the inability to see the ink level in any way is more bothersome in the long run.

[@andrewtongue7084]

This is one of the downsides to purchasing writing instruments online, Marilyn - gone are the days whereupon you could walk into a shop & try a pen out; partly a result of the Pandemic, as well as the UK leaving Europe. Under such circumstances, I tend to buy most of my pens from European sellers, & as such, make a phone call to the store in question; I find it invaluable to actually converse with the vendor, so that I might be appraised in all aspects - it also builds a trustworthy relationship between the two parties - & ultimately, they're unlikely to sell you a duff product - for their reputation hangs upon that transaction. Certainly, there are a few Pelikan models whereby you cannot see the ink level - but as intelligent individuals we accept that as a (minor) drawback - or not, as the case may be.

[@basta.dotto_]

This M605 + CdA Ultra Violet = 🔥❤👍 I have the Stresemann M805: I like the colour, the smoothness of the piston, and the shape of the 18k nib, so I'll be passing on this M605. However, should Pelikan come out with a tortoiseshell-black M805, I would be very tempted - I like grey, and I like stripes! And I too agree that this tortoiseshell-black with a gold finish would not look as good 👏👏👏

[@Scrivelynotes]

Yeah, and M805 in this finish would indeed be wonderful! I would also be tempted ;)

[@andrewtongue7084]

Excellent overview, Michael. When this was released in '22, I purchased it immediately; as you assert, it is a stunning looking piece, & frankly, had Pelikan given this scribe gold accents, it wouldn't have worked - so thankful they kept to a more sober finish. It has a clean aesthetic & writes beautifully (mine is also EF). I'd say the company could get away with making an 805 version, easily - it would sell very well; so now I am fortunate to own four 600 series, tho' not the Stresemann (yet), just the Black-Red, Red & Black Tortoise models, & an early solid blue. In terms of value for money, I cannot see how you can go wrong. The updated packaging, I suppose, is better - well, certainly the pen wallet; the sloped bed is nothing particularly special, but I guess they're trying to move with the times. Trusting that you & yours are in fine health, my friend, Best as always, Andrew 🙂

[@Scrivelynotes]

I could even see this one in an M1005 :). Summer is here - which makes me happy!

[@andrewtongue7084]

Indeed, my friend, an M1005 would be a superb addition to the line-up - & yes, Summer has arrived, thankfully; all my flowers are in bloom - & that (too) makes me happy. By the way, were you able to attend the Dutch Pen Show (as featured on Joost's channel) ? I couldn't make it due to work constraints, but it is hoped that I'll make the London show. Take care, Michael, Best as always, Andrew 🙂

[@Scrivelynotes]

@@andrewtongue7084 unfortunately I could also not make the Dutch pen show! Family commitments etc. But now off to a summer break and some travel soon. Hoping you, too, will get some recharge time

[@andrewtongue7084]

Ah, a pity, Michael, but of course, family must come first. I hope you enjoy your Summer vacation, with the attendant travel, too. My son & I are off to Northern France, primarily to visit my son's French Grandmother, who dotes on her Grandson; it will be good to be back in Normandie - if for nothing else, the fine pastries, bread & cheese (one of our favourite foodstuffs !). One day, I may even put on weight 😉. Take the very best of care, my friend, Best, Andrew 🙂

[@Scrivelynotes]

@@andrewtongue7084 nothing better than bread and cheese. I could do with that for the rest of my life 😊. Normandie sounds wonderful. I hope you enjoy. Be well!

[@peterhofmann8292]

Once again a lovely overview, real pitty about Pelikan having discontinued the transparency of the barrel. Certainly a pen I will have to look into more closely.

[@Scrivelynotes]

Thanks my friend! Yes, I also am not happy with the non-existent translucency. Was such a classic hallmark feature!

[@HeidiRaatz]

Thanks for the review! I'm fortunate to have both the M600 Tortoiseshell Red and M605 Tortoiseshell Black in my collection now (Thanks Appelboom!) and can attest to their beauty. Now to find the elusive Tortoiseshell Brown ... 😊

[@Scrivelynotes]

Ha, yes, that Brown Tortoise. And once you find it, they want an arm and a leg for it!

[@jaystone4816]

Nice review. Gorgeous pen!

[@Scrivelynotes]

Thanks much, Jay!

[@draganaj6752]

Ooh that's tempting...only downside is that kind of invisible ink status...I do own a M605 in white already and I love the size, would like to see this tortoiseshell-black in the m805 version, as I do not own a 800 size yet. In general, I am absolutely no fan of gold trim which makes it hard to find attractive pens in general, as everybody seems to love gold finish and a lot of pens are not available in silver trim. So have to give this one a thought...would prefer the 800 size though.

[@Scrivelynotes]

M800 is the perfect pen size, indeed! A lot of the Japansese and Italien brands offer most of their pens in both gold and silver trims. E.g. Pilot, Sailor, Aurora, Platinum, etc.

[@inksplat]

Lovely! I ordered this exact pen from Appelboom a couple months ago, but it’s been backordered, so I’m looking forward to receiving it soon, hopefully. 😍

[@Scrivelynotes]

Did you get it already?

[@inksplat]

@@Scrivelynotes not yet. I was told it was on order and would be available in July. :)

[@Scrivelynotes]

@@inksplat hope it will arrive soon. Or already has

[@jamesfahey7188]

What’s a souverän ef like? I have a m805 in f and it is not a f! I love it and it’s one of my favourite writers, but I would be pushing it if it were a m. I have always wondered what their ef is like. I got my 146 in ef and it’s scratchy and unpleasant. If I were to ever buy another Pelikan, it would be in ef to justify the purchase.

[@Scrivelynotes]

Hard to say, as the Pelikan nibs unfortunately are not super consistent. You best bet might be to use the "nib nook" of Goulet Pens - a tool that lets you see and compare different nibs widths of different pen makers. But again, this will only be as helpful, since the Pelikan nibs are not very consistent. As for your MB, I bet that the tines are misaligned. Should otherwise not be scratchy. I also have MB EFs, and their are splendid!

[@davideselmin8018]

WOW ! Definitely more beautiful and elegant than the Montblancs...

[@Scrivelynotes]

a matter of taste, I would say

[@Addwrite]

Beautiful as the pen is, I wouldn't feel comfortable writing with it as it is a collection piece and, so I presume, it would be difficult to replace.

[@andrewtongue7084]

That would be up to you of course, Darryl, but fountain pens (be they LE or SE models) are utilitarian; I've never quite understood individuals who merely collect - I'm a collector-user - & presumably, Pelikan have that ethos in mind when manufacturing same, otherwise it's a pointless exercise. But hey, each to their own 🙂

[@Addwrite]

​@@andrewtongue7084 Thank you for your reply. I agree with your logic: why have a pen if you're not going to use it. I suppose I'm a bit wary of using expensive pens for frivolous writing. I tend to hoard them rather than use them, which is a shame. I'll revise my feelings.

[@andrewtongue7084]

Well, no, Darryl - those are your sentiments - & why should anyone else make dictate upon your choices ? Your rationale is clearly understood. Take care & enjoy your pens !

[@BO-kh1iz]

What a beauty.

[@franciscoramos7339]

That's a beautiful pen....

[@freespirit995]

Thanks for the interesting review. I agree that it is a very beautiful pen but I am still put off by the fact that it has no ink window or transparency. I have the Red Tortoiseshell where one can (just) see the remaining ink by shining a strong light on its barrel (for example the IPhone light) but it is not very satisfactory. I have so far resisted buying this Pelikan (and I own a lot of Pelikans of all sizes) simply because I think the inability to see the remaining level of ink would become very irritating and impractical. It seems that Pelikan's decision to abandon transparent or translucent bodies is a cost-cutting measure, a sign of regrettable decline in the quality of these wonderful pens. The same decision was made with the re-issue of the M800 Red and Black model, although fortunately I own one of the originals... So, despite the informative review, I think I will still resist buying this M605- but then I am comforted by the fact that I own a number of the M600/605 range...

[@Scrivelynotes]

Yeah, in principle I agree with you. I also miss the transparency dearly. However, it is not a dealbreaker for me, making me not get an otherwise beautiful pen. I know of almost no pen user that carries only one pen. So even if it runs out of ink, I just grab the next pen from my three-pen-case ;).