Pelikan M805 Stresemann Review

[@crouserm]

You provide such a service in keeping these old reviews up. Your musings over the years on the Souverän line were enormously helpful to me in getting my Souverän m805 Stresemann. Broad nib (which I use mostly for signature) that writes amazingly well in reverse (my primary correspondence mode with this pen). Thank you.

[@markdbenson75]

I purchased an M805 this week (although I decided on the blue just because I felt it lifted the pen with a bit of colour compared to the grey). I made the decision on an 805 on the back of this review and it was a big spend for me. I received the pen yesterday, and having had time to really get a feel for it, I would say that it is, by a country mile, the best writing experience I have had so far (previous experience with Visconti, Edison and Sailor, all good pens). The fully rhodium plated broad nib matches the trim nicely and is super smooth. The weight and balance of the pen are perfect, and the section width is also perfect. It really becomes one with the hand. Probably the result of years of design refinement. This is the first pen that makes me smile when I write with it. It's that good. That said, it's had many hard starts, which have reduced a lot by a good wash in warm mildly soapy water. Thanks to Stephen for the video and tipping me over the edge to make the purchase. Zero regrets. Money well spent. A pen to last a lifetime and give phenomenal writing pleasure! I just can't figure out if I should stub it or not. I'm afraid of losing the magic 😳

[@williamr8366]

Coming in here five years late, but I'm just now exploring this pen, so I watched the review. As always, I enjoy your humor, discerning examination of the product, and precise pronunciation of the "foreign" words. May I add one observation, which is not even a quibble, just a different opinion. I note that you and others have objected to the way the piston knob is slightly inset from the barrel. I happen to think looks just as it should. I think it is a bit of a deco touch, sort of like the top of a building or piece of furniture from that period. One may also note that the intersection is very nicely crafted, with a smooth and, I think, slightly beveled edge at the top of the barrel. Just a thought. Cheers. Oh, I loved the image of this as the film noir of pens. That's perfect.

[@4kassis]

You are right about the film noir reference. Stresemann was a german politician and Chancellor during the Weimar republic. His style of clothing was called for his name, in England Churchill favored the same style and there it was called Black lounge suit. So, totally old time elegance with an edge.

[@DriesPencilcaseblog]

sbrebrown Hey stephen, great review as usual! I noticed you mention that this M805 edition is a special (limited) edition. However, the '5' in this case, is just to indicate the rhodium trims. I must say I was rather surprised, but according to Pelikan, the stresemann version will actually be in regular production (at least for now!) Oh, and the step from barrel to piston knob is actually there to prevent operating the piston when posting!

[@StephenBREBrown]

Yes, you are right.

[@Ecclectitbits]

As always, well balanced, thoughtful and informative review. Thankyou.

[@austinmalone5197]

I have been known to slip that white envelope into a suit coat pocket. The upperflap can hold an additional pen.

[@pratyush7]

The only thing i dont like about this pen is that the grey doesnt have as much variation as the other colours. Its too even. Great review as usual.

[@richardsimms251]

I always enjoy your puns and great humour !! RS Canada

[@nickvergara1398]

The ,ending number refers to the trim material instead of if it's a special edition. The m1005 line includes all of the rhodium trim pens while the m1000's have gold trim. It just happens to sometimes correlate since they do gold more often.

[@sbrebrown]

I stand corrected, thanks for the input.

[@nickvergara1398]

Thanks for the review! It's a gorgeous pen, I just wish they'd do it for the m1005

[@richardsimms251]

As usual, a wonderful review and a great pen Thank you RS Canada

[@EastLancashireJohn]

Excellent review Stephen. Beautiful pen and very nice ink - a great grey combination.

[@sbrebrown]

Thank you!

[@Yootjoob]

Next time review the cat

[@carterhovdet5703]

Hello, I was wondering if you had Levenger Ink would you do a review on it "Prefer Sky Blue"

[@azylee]

It would look mind-blowingly good with ruthenium trim.

[@jaygallegos2665]

just ordered this pen, can't wait to get it. Currently in transit! Should be here Early next week. Thinking about filling it with Lexington Gray. Seems legit, plus I live in Corpus Christi Tx, where we actually have a retired naval ship called The Lexington. Same one? Who knows. Be cool if it were though.

[@MrGalactica75]

I am tossed between this and a custom made Edison Pearlette. I know that the size and weight are VERY different from each other, but the price is not all that dissimilar (I could get the M805 from a seller who would give me a great deal on it). I love my M800, but I also have small hands and so enjoy smaller pens. I love both brands, and I love this finish. In your opinion, would this pen be better than the Edison Pearlette I am thinking about, considering the info I have passed along about myself?

[@sbrebrown]

Justin Baldwin Well, I've never used a Pearlette, so the question is hard to answer for me. If you like smaller pens, I think the Pearlette might be a better choice.

[@charlesjacques750]

So exactly who was Stesemann?

[@quietlife6956]

Reminds me of a Black Frock coat and Pin stripe trousers for some reason. When I have one I will call it "Jeeves"

[@EverGreenElephant]

Quiet Life Stresemann was a german politician who is known to were pin strip suits...

[@10399alex]

Actually Stresemann created the stresemann suit which is a black lounge jacket worn with the same waistcoat and stripped trousers you would with a morning coat which itself is the successor of the frock coat.

[@hamedjabarian1155]

You are really great. Awesome reviews. Please add M805 black-silver in your upcoming list. I'm sure is more classic than stressemann that I believe is your preferred one in 800 collection !

[@roxyravenheart123]

My husband just bought the special edition blue vervain of this pen thank you so much for the review.

[@sbrebrown]

you're welcome.

[@FirstWizardZorander]

I'm really, really tempted, but in the end, my money will probably go towards the M805 demonstrator that's coming very, very soon. Still very tempted, though.

[@jmbaug1229]

When we will get a book about fountain pens made by you?

[@pauljupp2077]

I notice you use a plastic rest for your hand when writing. I am interested in your logic in this and if it helps your hand writing

[@sbrebrown]

It doesn't do anything for the handwriting but it keeps skin oils from soiling the paper, which can interfere in writing

[@sherlocksmith2207]

Dear Stephen, As always you have presented us a very good review of a very nice pen. I have always enjoyed Pelikan Pens and nibs (especially my dads M1000, but he only put in Pelikan Königsblau and almost never let me use it :-( So as almost every time thumbs up (sorry, but the Hello Kitty pen really didnt deserve it). Cheers, Sherlock

[@spicefinchqadir9994]

A question. Why do you keep a plastic sheet under your writing?

[@sbrebrown]

Spicefinch Qadir To keep oils from my skin from soiling the paper.

[@Proj8ct]

I've always been curious, what would a solid silver nib feel like? Would it be as stiff as steel ? Why does one not exist ?

[@sbrebrown]

There actually is a valid reason, I just forgot what it is. I'm going with softness.

[@gammondog]

sbrebrown Silver tarnishes which means it oxidizes. So it would not age well being continually soaked in ink. Water really speeds the tarnishing process.

[@sbrebrown]

William Albert That makes sense, thank you.

[@hamidalimohammadi7255]

Nice reviews as always ! I have watched many of you videos as a reference to buy a decent FP. I am very picky but finally I had made my decision (before watching this review).Actually I have already ordered one and it is on the way! I think you can guess what my choice was, not a coincidence it is a "Plelikan M805 blue stripe, rhodium trim " because you said in one of your previous reviews that "Da book" says "this is the pen" :)

[@sbrebrown]

That's a nice pen!

[@l10industries]

Just FYI, I actually do use the pouch for my M400 :)

[@pyritenotgold]

Mr. Brown, what pen would you recommend in the $100-$200 range? I'm sorry for bothering you, and I'd understand if you left this unanswered.

[@bogboy131]

I was wondering what script you wrote "The End" in, as I have been looking for a script that i could do with most of my normal (not-italic) nibs.

[@sbrebrown]

It's Uncial.

[@bogboy131]

Thank you so much! Also great video as always =3

[@sbrebrown]

+AscensoremDraconum What are you looking for (filling system, nib material, pen material) and how will you use it?

[@charlesjacques750]

Ascensorem Draconum (?)

[@richardc6932]

I have been told that the piston mechanism for the 800 and 1000 series are made of metal. Not sure if that is brass or some other type of metal. Maybe some of your other subscribers might know and fill us in.

[@paulmetdebbie447]

Brass it is.

[@downmute4463]

What is the music in your intro? Thanks!

[@sbrebrown]

Downmute It's Greek Orthodox.

[@Yur556]

Nice review.Which pen writes better m805 or sheaffer agio?

[@sbrebrown]

Sig Sig Those are very different pens, so it's hard to say... I prefer the 805.

[@markrothenberg6009]

Any thoughts on the Pelikan Renaissance? I just ordered one from Regina Martini in Germany. Very excited. Have you reviewed one yet?

[@sbrebrown]

Mark Rothenberg No, I haven't

[@khphou]

Thanks a lot for this great review!

[@TheSharmanova]

"It was the best of inks, it was the worst of inks…". You deserve an LOL for that.

[@jlaurson]

Indeed. That was the thumbs-up decision, right there.

[@steppedchris]

I wouldn't recommend keep a pen in constant contact with that faux leather stuff. There was one fellow's Omas pen whose platic reacted badly with the chemicals in the faux leather. I am guessing that the chemicals used to make the faux leather can react with certain plastics.

[@sbrebrown]

Thank you, a helpful suggestion.

[@bakkermaarten007]

That is probably because the material in question was cellulose. It was a known issue with electric guitars some decennia ago. Pelikan might have used the same material

[@JeffreyChunYinLau]

Hi Stephen many thanks for the review which is great as always. I just wonder what would be the main difference between this pen and the M800 Burnt Orange (apart from different colour)? Thx a lot!

[@JeffreyChunYinLau]

Also, which pen do you like better?

[@sbrebrown]

+Jeffrey Chun Yin Lau The colour is the difference. I like the Stresemann better.

[@JeffreyChunYinLau]

+sbrebrown Many thanks for the speedy reply :D

[@rfraker3212]

Also, on the burnt orange, you can not view the ink level at all. With the striated ones you can hold the pen up to the light to view the ink level.

[@nickwong5474]

Someone is holding his/her laugh behind the recorder... Nice review by the way.

[@thebeansandtoddshow]

steven, loved the review and pen, but where the heck is Azizah? LOVED the penoclock news and serious nibbage, hope everything is ok in the king and queen of penology universe...Jude ...p.s. miss the professor too! " ooh soo fancy!!"

[@garthridgeway]

It's not faux leather... it is pleather (plastic leather).

[@bakkermaarten007]

That is exactly the same.

[@TheArneSaknussemm]

Thank the cat for the ASMR content!

[@yominrak7975]

I bought this Stressemann today with an EF nib, the entire finish is boring, it would be perfect if the nib is a two tone. The writing experience is as good as my M800 Blue O' Blue, still I love the pen despite its boring finish... it is a trophy, not just a pen... a trophy pen like a medal after years of hardworking :D

[@evelynashe8701]

Kittens!~