Pen Thoughts: Pelikan m400

Not a review, but my thoughts on one of my most favorite birdies.

[@ep6507]

I’m here because Howard stern! I love how calming these videos are.

[@imploud]

OMG your handwriting is just perfect!!!!

[@najeebahmad3103]

I love the comparison between modern and vintage--very well done and a great homage to Pelikan. I've really enjoyed your channel, and I have to say that your handwriting is fantastic!

[@Hollis_Creative_Corner]

I love that they kept the vintage look. I hope to one day have one. I love pelicans! Every summer when we go to the beach I just love watching those magnificent birds and how they will fly up and then dive into the water for fish. They will get pretty close and just so amazing. I love how they designed the pen after the bird.

[@adventuredenali]

They’re such cool birds. I don’t get to see them often enough. I am lucky sometimes to get to see them along the Yellowstone River in Montana. I love that the pen is bird inspired as well.

[@frankbruno7122]

You have such beautiful Pelikan's! And I really look forward to your outdoor locations.. I live in Boulder, Colorado and it is pretty.. but I am drawn to the desert and the mountains in AZ.. great work! Frank in Colorado

[@brittanyfreeman9101]

Oh my gosh! These pens are works of art. One of my dream fountain pens is a Pelikan m400 white tortoise. The pelican animal reminds me of my grandmother who passed. She always used to have a little poem she would say to her students at school.

[@PickleToothpaste]

This is a very beautiful handwriting. Thank you.

[@NelsonFJ]

It's very cool that they have kept the brand identity for so long. They continue to offer the "Pelikano" line of school pens, even though the use of fountain pens in European schools is not as common as before. Thanks for the video.

[@jamesaritchie1]

Not as common as it used to be, but not uncommon, either. I've talked to many teens in various European schools who use fountain pens, even though they aren't required.

[@VVV-mz4tc]

I don't know how uncommon though, because learning to write with a fountain pen in the Netherlands it's still a part of the curriculum in most of the primary schools... As a child, I had to write with a with a Lamy fountain pen in primary school, whether I liked it or not.

[@europeancuisine4897]

@@VVV-mz4tc In Austria, we have the same situation. Did you have the wooden lamy as well? The one with the red cap. EVERYONE had to buy one 😅

[@jamesjacocks6221]

I really enjoyed your presentation and what stood out for me was your marvelous tone and evenness of speech. My M805 seems to share the quirks of her siblings; her B nib is BB and was "toothless", but now has bite. Your observations about papers were also inline with mine. New sub.

[@janodewald6087]

Thanks for the video! My first decent pen used to be a Pelikan M205 and I upgraded to an M400 later. Love them both. Just now with my pretty big hands, the larger and more expensive models keep my mind busy. I love the Pelikan pens, and since they are made at about 50 miles from where I live, it feels like using a local product.

[@adventuredenali]

That’s so awesome! Are you able to visit where they’re made?

[@janodewald6087]

@@adventuredenali not right now because of the lockdown, but they offer guided tours and have a flagship store called Tintenturm, Inktower, in Hanover. But I am too afraid to leave as a poor guy :.-)

[@phillipbuscemi4177]

Very enjoyable and informative!! I think you are correct about the step down near the piston fill. It makes perfect sense, i have watched other reviews mention the step down but offered no opinion on it. I would agree with you on your idea of it. I did just recieve my first Pelikan yesterday a M800 in Black and Green on 2/25/21. In an extra fine nib. True to what I could learn before hand is the generously sized nibs. The XF. nib writes more like a medium nib as I have put ink to paper and a fairly wet writer as well. You did have some influence on my consideration of the Pelikan Brand... just so you know😊! Also making me aware of the retail store in the U.K. thru your video on your Black and Brown M800. Thank you for That! It was an excellent buying experience!!

[@adventuredenali]

Thank you and you’re so welcome! Congratulations on your new m800! Will the nib work for you?

[@phillipbuscemi4177]

@@adventuredenali I would prefer a slightly more conservative ink line. I am a fine nib person more often ... maybe with finding a dry writing ink may help. The nib is certainly acceptable but if it could have been a little thinner then we would have perfection. Lol!! I want to Thank You! For What You Provide to us Here as a community it is very much appreciated!! 😊 As Always Stay Healthy Stay Safe Stay Happy!! 🌹

[@andrewtongue7084]

As always, eloquently put, Alicia. Pelikan is also my favourite writing instrument brand - it's German build quality (& that appears to be the collective expression of most scribes that emanate from the Deutschland) is sublime. In terms oif design factors, this too, is well considered. I have Peli's from the 1930's right up to present day, & I can guarantee, all write straight from the box - unless they've been misused, & I do the restoration, myself. Also worthy of note: Pelikan created the piston filling mechanism, & it is that engineering their competitors (inexorably) followed - as you rightly assert, the, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" ethos is proven; QED. My only complaints - (& they are minor ones) would be that the modern counterparts are a little too over-polished on the business end, ergo, nibs; second, the grossly elaborate celebratory models, with excessive gilding for say, the 'Toledo' models - whilst impressive, seem to accentuate the bling factor. Not unlike yourself, I prefer simple, clean lines - classic, if you will - & where posting of a pen is denied because of the ornate workmanship; frankly, that just turns me off. I thoroughly enjoy all the colour variations from the differing eras, as well as the nib materials - Gold, Chromium Nickel, Gold pated steel, & steel, offering a plethora of widths for line variation & shading, but most emphatically, vintage gold nibs are decidedly more flexible (unless they're Kugelfine - nail-like blades), & obviously offer you that Nth degree of variation in characterising your own, unique handwriting style. Excellent presentation - Thank you. Stay safe, Best, Andrew :)

[@armanikenneth6757]

Sorry to be off topic but does anyone know a trick to log back into an instagram account? I was stupid lost the password. I appreciate any tricks you can offer me

[@armanikenneth6757]

@Grey Hugh Thanks so much for your reply. I found the site thru google and I'm waiting for the hacking stuff now. Takes a while so I will reply here later with my results.

[@armanikenneth6757]

@Grey Hugh It did the trick and I now got access to my account again. Im so happy:D Thanks so much you really help me out :D

[@greyhugh2379]

@Armani Kenneth happy to help =)

[@muditsood2814]

Love the pen, love your handwriting ;) I agree, the extra fine I have on my M800 is almost like a medium!

[@adventuredenali]

Thank you! Yeah, they’re a very generous nib, haha.

[@DisneyDuckyLove]

M400 or pilot custom 823? I love your videos. Thank you for getting me started journaling!

[@curtism5333]

Great review. Like Montblanc, Pelikan pays a lot of attention to the pen design as a tool, paying attention to ergonomics. I find the M200/400 to be so comfortable in the hand when posted. The barrel, section and nib sizes go so well together. The cap is the perfect size for posting. Ink capacity great. Your penmanship is great. 🙂

[@inksplat]

This was a nice look at the 400! An m400 is on my wishlist for eventually, but I already know I am in love with the m600 size, so maybe I don’t need to try it. Thanks for sharing :)

[@randy-9842]

Doggone it. Now I want one too. Thanks a bunch! ;-) I really like some of the updated features like the double banding, the gold finial and the two-tone nib, but I think I like the shape of the older feed better. -- I also think you've nailed the reason for the minor step down at the piston knob. Flush, or maybe tapered, would 'feel' better, but this explanation makes a lot of sense.

[@pantaksianno2236]

Love the older one but even more your ring and bracelet!

[@adventuredenali]

Haha thank you!

[@lukaszpokoju]

Apart from their yearly price increase and their erratic factory nib QC , these are excellent pens ! Classy but not too gaudy, reliable, once tuned properly their nibs are wonderful, good ink capacity and no-nonsense ergonomic round section with a wide array of sizes and colors. I got a M800 "black & brown" partly thanks to you. Your tortoiseshell looks pretty sleek ! Bonus point for the matching ink. Any news about the M600 Red Tortoiseshell you planned to buy this winter ?

[@ginettedoiron]

Hi Alicia , just when i thought i can't love my Pelikans more haha...we can't hear too much about a favorite pen right! Loved your appreciation. Oh and wanted to take the opportunity to say that your stickers made it safely to Canada...they are beautiful !! The problem I have now is that being too gorgeous I don't want to use them as stickers hehe..well that's another story ☺️Thank you for all and be safe💚

[@adventuredenali]

I love it when appreciation can grow like that! Also, so glad your stickers arrived safely and thrilled to hear your thoughts on them. Enjoy and happy writing. (And thank you for the support!)

[@ginettedoiron]

@@adventuredenali You are so welcome

[@fernandogabriel4048]

Olá, tudo bem? Sua caneta é muito linda. Você sabe se as pontas de ouro 14k da Pelikan correspondem a mesma espessura das pontas em aço ? A ponta fina de ouro 14k tem o traço da mesma espessura da pena fina de aço, ou a ponta fina de ouro tende a escrever mais larga que a ponta de aço? Comparando a ponta fina de aço da M200 com a ponta de ouro da M400.

[@stewartobrien7447]

So....just received a M400 in the brown stripe (fine) from Nibsmith which joins a couple of m800s. They are truly wonderful. I was surprised at the size difference, the 400 being significantly smaller in diameter and length, but the nib is indeed spectacular. I'm curious where you source your vintage pens, as there is an m800 Renaissance special edition that is no longer available, but which has now become my grail pen. I've not used Ebay before and am wary of purchasing an 800-900 dollar item through that platform. Then again, until I ordered journals from Danika I'd never purchased through Etsy....

[@joymusterer]

Thank you for the comparison! I wondered what the difference between a vintage vs modern Pelikan. I have this same pen and it’s one of my favorite writers too.

[@laitae]

I love my trio of Pelikans too, M400 being the perfect size for me. But I've just pulled the trigger on my very first MB :O

[@adventuredenali]

Ooh how exciting!!!

[@freespirit995]

Thank you for a nice review. I have the M400 in White Tortoise and Brown Tortoise versions, both of which are great and reliable pens- for me they are a "classier" version of the M200s, which are lighter and only have steel nibs. The M400s have beautiful 14 carat nibs and just feel better made and more solid. They are in every way superior to their M200 cousins... You also have very beautiful handwriting, so your writing sample was a pleasure to watch!

[@27122712ful]

Excellent video!!!! I enjoyed it a lot!!! I bought a pelikan because you recommend it in your videos. When you mentioned that you have some problem with Sailor pens in the limit of the cap. I can totally relate to that. I recently bought an expensive Sailor Pro Gear (at least expensive for me) and it broke in the spot that you pointed. I am wondering that a kind of perfect pen is one with the pelikan´s strength and the beautiful nib of the Sailor pens.

[@adventuredenali]

Thank you so much! I would love to see a pen like that. I really enjoy Sailor nibs, but it is really frustrating to spend so much money on something that so easily breaks like that.

[@jennieeveleighlamond]

Thank you I needed a bit of happy in my day today.

[@wordywordpecker]

Does your vintage pelikan have flex nib?

[@nlamproplos]

I want to buy my first vintage pen. I'm debating between this one and the Pelikan 140. Have you used the 140, and if so, how would you say the writing experience differs? Thanks for any feedback you can offer.

[@mavz28]

I love my m400 stub from Dan, but I've been writing with the m800 more lately just because it's more comfortable for my hand size. Still keep the m400 inked though for shorter writing sessions.

[@adventuredenali]

Great to find a pen that feels right in the hand. Thanks for sharing!

[@jamesaritchie1]

I have small handwriting, and I really don't see much of a difference with a stub nib. If I want to change my cursive, I use a flex nib. But, yes, the 400 is just too short for my hand.

[@innerding]

Thanks for sharing, I have the same brown stripe M400. I had planned to add one Pelikan to my collection, well that one pen the M200 green marble quickly became a favorite and well you know how it goes...that one pen lead to another now I have 9 Pelikan’s, my newest addition is the limited edition Pelikan M101N red, inspired by one of their vintage pens, it writes like a dream. If I could have only one pen it would be a Pelikan, hands down the best, I love the size of the M200’s & 400’s, the weight, the design, and their consistently great nibs.

[@joeymaximus8146]

The million dollar question: which one pelikan pen would you choose?

[@tootsfour956]

I always wanted a Pelican. I Will have to save for it. I have Twsbi`s, Metros, two Lamy Studios, which I love. I have been using f pens for a 1 1/2 yrs. When my hands started hurting- I write a lot- someone told me to try fountain pens. And I fell in love. I have a lot of inexpensive pens at first but have mostly put them aside when I found the difference between writing with them and a nice pen. I still like my Metros, though. I enjoy your videos Alicia. Thank you BLESSINGS

[@thuntz29]

Beautiful pen! Do you have any tips on how to prevent or minimise stress fractures?

[@antonio_ar]

Hi, although this video is a few years old, I'd like to take this opportunity to ask you a question. I'm hesitating between buying the Pelikan M400 or the Pilot Custom 743. Which one do you recommend?

[@adventuredenali]

@@antonio_ar I think they’re both solid choices. I will say that if having a piston filler is important to you, then the Pelikan would be the better option. If having a finer nib, then the Pilot is the better option (even the extra fine of a Pelikan nib writes more like a Japanese medium). Not to make your choice even more complicated, but if having a piston filler is important, and a finer nib, the Pilot Customer 823 is a piston filler. After that, it all comes down to your aesthetic preferences and how the pen feels in your hand, which is much harder to experience over the internet. Hope this helps a little!

[@sakojanessian4938]

Hi, out curiosity is the vintage Pelikan 400 from the early 50s, or from 1956? I prefer my vintage Pelikan over a lot of brands, because of the piston as well. No worries about sac disintegration and you can switch the nib and feed. They're great flex nibs..

[@chongliu1715]

Hi, I know it is an old video for you. But I want to ask, if I don't buy the special grind, what is the line with of a EF for M400. Is it like 0.5 ? Or, how it compare to.. say TWSBI ECO EF or Sailor 21k MF. Thanks if you will answer :). I love your hand writing.

[@geslinam9703]

I like the look of these pens, and hear the M200 with the steel nib is exceptional as well. Nice ring, btw. It looks old and well worn, beautiful!

[@adventuredenali]

Thank you!

[@joeymaximus8146]

I started with an M200 and then pulled the trigger on the M400. I feel like you get so much more pen for the money with the M400. So much so that if I had it to do over I never would have purchased the M200. Just my 2 cents anyway. I wish you luck in your future pen endeavors!

[@geslinam9703]

@@joeymaximus8146 I’ve had the M200 with a fine nib for a while now….thinking of buying an M400 from late 1990s. Do you think the fine steel on the 200 writes similar to the 400?

[@joeymaximus8146]

@Geslina M I went from an M200 broad to an M400 broad. The magic was in the glide. I think that it's something that you can feel straight away. I don't know if you have any pen shops in your area, but I would absolutely try to get your hands on one. No pun intended lol check back if you do. Would love to hear your experience with it!

[@aleksandarpetrovic8698]

Very good video. Just keep on going....

[@michaeldruth]

This is my all time favorite pen. I carry three of them with me all the time. One is filled with blue ink. The other two are filled with black ink. One is a backup in case the other runs out of ink.

[@josephlow1102]

Coincidentally I just purchased a Pelikan 400 fitted with a vintage M600 bi color OB flex nib - and yes Pelikan keeps their design philosophy

[@painchaud2000]

They sure are wonderful pens, I've tryed a few of my sister's and they are superb writers!

[@adventuredenali]

Oh that’s so cool! Who writes with fountain pens more, you or your sister? Who started collecting first?

[@painchaud2000]

@@adventuredenali She did, and journaling too, then I saw how fun it was so I got into them too! And she "uses" more than I do I think. She has a lot more pens than I do for sure 😋

[@adventuredenali]

@@painchaud2000 wow! That’s so cool!!

[@painchaud2000]

@@adventuredenali 😁

[@davidmcguigan5497]

Cool pen, cool ring. Take I-10 to I-5, then CA 152 near Santa Nella and US-101 at Gilroy. If you're not in a hurry just head for the ocean and take Pacific Coast Hwy, such a beautiful ride. Interesting about nib grind to favor naturally small handwriting.

[@mysticfox1105]

Love the Pelikans =)

[@adventuredenali]

Me too, both the bird and the pen, haha!

[@pinkpandamiranda]

Stick-to-it-ivness. I love that moniker lol

[@destinedthunder]

Love my m400 both of them 🥰🥰🥰

[@adventuredenali]

They’re so great ❤️

[@lyndasnart7823]

I have the m600 and the 800 loved them both. But the extra size from the 800 seems to improve my writing 😘☕️😷👍🌍🇦🇺

[@thecreepingbam]

I really didn’t know there were vintage versions of these, If you had to keep only one forever, which one would you choose? Please try to answer LoL

[@adventuredenali]

Oh gosh, hahaha! That’s such a hard question! I think I’d go with the newer one - simply because it is newer and if I’m to use it a life time, the odds of it breaking down on my might be less than were i to start with a pen already 70 years old.

[@thecreepingbam]

@@adventuredenali fair reasoning

[@dmullins311]

I was finally able to purchase my first Pelikan the end of last year, I was tossing between the sizes, not ever been able to write with one, I decided the safest bet would be the 600 m and I am so pleased with it! It is hard to describe, but from the first moment I wrote with it every thing just felt perfect in my hand. I absolutely love it, although I agree the F nib is still a bit too juicy for me, but I try and use dryer inks with it. I think I will also enjoy the italic stub like yours - one day! Your handwriting is awesome.

[@skye1767]

Okay, here is a question for you--just looking for your immediate, gut reaction. If I could only save up for 1 pen, do you recommend the M400 or the Pilot Custom? (I know, annoying question--no need to answer). Ideally I could go to a pen store and write with both, and hopefully I can do that by the time I have saved up.

[@adventuredenali]

Oh that’s a really good question. I like them both so much. I prefer the nibs of the Custom 823, but only because I write so small. A Pelikan would be my favorite if their extra fine was more like a Japanese fine. I prefer the look of the Pelikan, and how they feel to hold. But that Pilot nib... it really takes the cake for me.

[@skye1767]

@@adventuredenali Thank you, Alicia, for this thoughtful reply!

[@TommyLane]

Nice review of a nice pen. One day, I will have a Pelikan fountain pen. Take it to the bank. :-)

[@isa382]

i was going to buy a pelikan a few months ago... until i saw the price of it! so expensiveee, maybe one day.

[@zadyboy]

I share your experience of having very small handwriting and sometimes getting pens that have too wide of a line to write with 🤠

[@Jdesimo]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@michaelgoodman3845]

Isn't it stays on the plain 🤔

[@adventuredenali]

Haha it is, but I’ve had it stuck in my head this way since childhood. XD

[@talksfromtheheart]

An M400 is on my wish list. Thanks for this video. And.....your writing is SO tiny!

[@adventuredenali]

You’re welcome! Haha! That’s why i need such a fine nib!

[@PenFriends]

I feel the most controversial meetings discuss how many chicks they’ll loose next. Superb video though! I wonder if a ferret inspired pen could work hmmm

[@adventuredenali]

Haha, the Pelican chicks? Oh, a ferret pen... that could be interesting! I wonder how that’d translate!

[@PenFriends]

@@adventuredenali to the art station! I like the idea of a ferret tail roll stop :)

[@adventuredenali]

@@PenFriends ahh! That’d be so cute!

[@Tamadehenzhan]

Schön Alt-Goldgrün Farbe!

[@Kamdorian]

Your handwriting is beautiful. Which Pelikan nib do you feel is the smoothest? We have the m400 and m800 in fine and EF and feel they are not as smooth as we prefer.

[@adventuredenali]

Thank you! I’ve always used micro mesh to smooth the nibs out, and generally prefer a custom grind anyhow. I don’t really know the difference as the only fine nib I have was ground to a cursive italic, which is very smooth despite how “slicey” it can be.

[@Kamdorian]

@@adventuredenali ahh yes the good ol micro mesh, my wife bought it and we have used it on some pens but we're too scared to use on the pelikan nibs 😅

[@bertrandschmid6737]

My wife and I love Pelikan, but we prefer the older ones. The nibs have a personality that the new ones have lost… A little comparison between old and new (by “new”, I mean since 1990) would be great.

[@adventuredenali]

The older ones have a lot of personality, it’s true. I feel that way about most of the fountain pens though. But maybe, the modern ones are just waiting to be defined by a lifetime of use. :)

[@bertrandschmid6737]

@@adventuredenali Halas, I don’t think that modern nibs (since 1990 approximatively) are shaped and to have a personality… I think they are designed to please the greater number of customers… It’s obvious when you see that Montblanc has not the width engraved anymore. I tried several “modern” Montblanc, Parker and Pelikan and their nibs, but it’s very hard to notice the difference between a F, M and B. At my sense, the last to have really great nibs with some personality are the Hakase and Nakaya… But I wish I coud buy a really good modern Parker or Pelikan (my two favorites brands).

[@archivist17]

I have her to start exploring Pelikan, but, given my penchant for German engineering, I rhino it's inevitable, don't you? :-)

[@adventuredenali]

If you enjoy German engineering - this I’m won’t be a far stretch, haha!

[@archivist17]

That's a weird autocorrect for 'think', by the way.

[@adventuredenali]

@@archivist17 oh, haha! That was a weird auto correct!

[@charlesjacques750]

1000 vs 800 in my 6’4” body’s hand, a 600 might be small for me, then there’s the nib probably a M or B🤔

[@adventuredenali]

Oh! That gives me an idea for a comparison. I am 5’3”, my partner is a foot taller. Once my m600 arrives, I’ll have all but the m1000 size. Could be interesting to share the pens in both our hands were I to ever do a size comparison video.

[@FrankHartley]

Pelikan is one brand that I do not have, along with Sailor...I need more disposable income!!!!! 😆 I don't own any vintage pens...I'd be terrified that I'd break them and wouldn't be able to fix them.

[@tootsfour956]

I meant pelikan

[@jamesaritchie1]

This is a pen I feel guilty about not liking. It is a GREAT writer, but I have two problems with it. It's too short for my hand, and I absolutely hate the way the barrel looks. Like the majority outside of America, I never post any pen except for pocket pens that are designed to be posted. Just because a pen will post doesn't mean it was designed that way. It's often just a coincidence. And most of the best pens either can't or shouldn't be posted at all. Even a soft cap can eventually mar the surface material on the barrel, or the pressure can eventually crack the cap. Most good pens are balanced to be better writers when not posted. It's a bit of an over simplification, but not much of one, to say any fountain pen writes better when as much weight as possible is at the nib. Too, overtightening the cap is often blamed for cracks when the real cause is posting. Overtightening often is the culprit, but posting also causes a lot of cracks. If a cap isn't a pocket pen, or doesn't post with threads, I would never post it, even if I did like using pens this way. T o put it another way, if a cap posts on the barrel by friction, then posting it is usually a very bad idea. It means there's a lot of outward pressure on the cap that can cause cracking, and a lot of inward pressure and friction that can damage the finish on the barrel. This pen isn't comfortable to me unless I post it, and that's a deal breaker. The TWSBI ECO and Diamond 580 pens just seem average size to me. I can't go very much shorter and still use a pen unposted. And as much as I hate to admit it, I think the Pelikan barrel is very very unattractive. It's just personal taste, but UI really, really don't like it. But it's such a good pen that I really want to use it, even if it is too short for my hand, and even if I don't like the way the barrel looks.

[@adventuredenali]

To each their own! Honestly, posting is a personal preference, in my opinion. I have pens I never post and pens I do. I choose that only on how it feels, and don’t worry about scratching a surface. I’m not looking for a museum pen, rather a workhorse that gets the job done. :)

[@adventuredenali]

Wow, you just enjoy a large pen! The eco seems huge to me, haha! But it’s also visually bulky, and perhaps it’s more to do with that then the actual size.

[@erad67]

Tomoe. Think of it as "toe Moe/mow eh" but with the vowels voiced for just a short period of time and each of them being pronounced the same length of time.

[@27122712ful]

Excellent video!!!! I enjoyed it a lot!!! I bought a pelikan because you recommend it in your videos. When you mentioned that you have some problem with Sailor pens in the limit of the cap. I can totally relate to that. I recently bought an expensive Sailor Pro Gear (at least expensive for me) and it broke in the spot that you pointed. I am wondering that a kind of perfect pen is one with the pelikan´s strength and the beautiful nib of the Sailor pens.