Pelikan 205 Fountain Pen Review

Product Review of the Pelikan Classic M205 Fountain Pens

The Pelikan 205 fountain pen comes with a stainless steel nib and chrome color trim. The top of the cap is a black medallion and a chrome clip. Two chrome bands surround the pen at the bottom of the cap and towards the bottom of the barrel. It has a small section of the barrel that is a transparent viewing window so you can see the ink level in the pen.

Pelikan 205 fountain pen review - cap closeupI was initially drawn to the pen because I liked how it looked. The classic look with the chrome trim just sets it off right in my opinion. I opted for the red resin version of the pen because I loved the color although black was a close second. The taupe and white colors are also very nice. I guess it's just a personal preference as to the color choice. I really like all four of the colors so you can't go wrong. I like this pen so much I am tempted to get one of each color.

The Pelikan 205 fountain pen has very little branding on the pen and what it has is pretty subtle. On the top of the cap is a black medallion with the Pelikan logo that sits atop a chrome crown adorning the top of the cap. Around the bottom of the cap is chrome band which is engraved with "Pelikan Germany".

The Pelikan 205 fountain pen comes in extra fine, fine, medium and broad nib sizes. Because I prefer finer nibs I chose the fine nib. The nib on the Pelikan 205 is a stainless steel nib. Some may ask how you can justify the price tag of this pen when there are counterparts available with gold nibs in the same price range. The discounted Pen Chalet price helps making the decision easier but regardless the nib performs beautifully and it writes smooth with good ink flow. Pelikan 205 fountain pen review - nib closeupEvery time I pick up the pen to use it starts flawlessly. I have read online of some that have not had as much success but for me it is a great pen. Overall most people love Pelikan and love the pen.

Pelikan is a quality German brand pen company and is known for their precise engineering. The Pelikan 205 fountain pen is no exception and is very well built. The pen is lightweight and well balanced. I am able to use the pen with the cap posted, which I prefer, and the pen does not feel top heavy from the cap. The grip section of the pen has a slight taper with a ridge at the end so my fingers do not slip of the pen even though the surface is smooth.

Pelikan 205 Fountain Pen Review Conclusion

Overall the Pelikan 205 fountain pen is a solid pen, quality engineered and a precision writer. Although the price tag may be a little steep at $195 full retail, the Pen Chalet price may bring that more in line with the value of the pen. Great pen, highly recommend.

Buy the Pelikan Classic M205 Fountain Pens


Specs of the Pelikan Classic M205 Fountain Pens

Length: 4.875 in.
Posted Length: 5.750 in.
Diameter: 0.500 in.
Weight: 0.400 oz.
Body/Trim: Resin
FillType: Piston



Pelikan Classic M205 Reviews from our Customers

See what our customers have to say about the Pelikan Classic M205 Fountain Pens. Don't just take our word for it, read actual customer reviews of the product and see what they think.
quality:
quality rating 5 out of 5
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function rating 5 out of 5
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value value 5 out of 5
Overall rating:
4.5
out of 5
(33 reviews)

 
This fp is gorgeous and writes so smooth. Fast delivery. Highly satisfied. Thats.
overall: 5 out of 5
overall rating 5 out of 5
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quality rating 5 out of 5
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function rating 5 out of 5
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style rating 5 out of 5
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Purchased this Pelikan pen some time ago. I was shocked by how well the steel nib performed, after reading some negative reviews about it. I would say, it outperforms every steel nib I have in my collection i.e.. waterman, franklin-christoph, faber castell, etc. I also love the filling system and the way it handles any ink I've put into it.
overall: 5 out of 5
overall rating 5 out of 5
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quality rating 5 out of 5
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function rating 5 out of 5
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style rating 5 out of 5
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Great pen.
overall: 5 out of 5
overall rating 5 out of 5
quality:
quality rating 5 out of 5
function:
function rating 5 out of 5
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style rating 5 out of 5
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value value 5 out of 5
Hi :
Beautiful pen and excellent service.
Regards,
Karl
overall: 5 out of 5
overall rating 5 out of 5
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quality rating 5 out of 5
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function rating 5 out of 5
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style rating 5 out of 5
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value value 5 out of 5
Purchased as a gift along with Amethyst M205. Shipped and received without any problems. Did not test pens since they were gifts for graduation.
overall: 4 out of 5
overall rating 4 out of 5
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quality rating 3 out of 5
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function rating 3 out of 5
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style rating 3 out of 5
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value value 3 out of 5
This is one of my favorite pens. At first I didn't like the taupe color and wished I had bought the white one. It has grown on me. I love it and use it as my everday carry. I love it filled with colors like Chesterfield Topaz and Levenger Cocoa. Just beautiful. The price was right. I bought it when it was a special at 40% off I think. I will buy more Pelikan pens to add to my collection.
overall: 5 out of 5
overall rating 5 out of 5
quality:
quality rating 5 out of 5
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function rating 5 out of 5
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style rating 5 out of 5
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value value 5 out of 5
Out of the box my pen suffered hard starts nearly every word. Pen Chalet offered to replace it, but I had already shipped it to chartpak (Pelikan's US distributer) and they replaced the nib and feed assembly. Now it writes wet and perfect and starts every time.

After using the pen quite a bit for six weeks or so, it's not my favorite. I think the chief problem is it's a bit small for my adult male hands (even posted). It's a little bigger than a prera, and smaller than a Lamy2000 or Safari. It would be a good pocket pen, except the threaded cap is not fast to take off and put back on after jotting a quick note, and the medium nib I ordered is too wet for cheap notebook paper or copy paper at work. It ends up being my correspondence pen at home.

The other interesting thing is the nib is quite flexible. Not flex-nib flexible, and it doesn't give much line variation, but if I apply any pressure it bends up and the line gets really heavy; this was very surprising coming from mostly ballpoint pens. The pen encourages a light touch. Switching between the Pelikan m205 and other steel nib pens takes some adjustment each time because they feel so different.

In all, I like the piston filling mechanism and the great build quality. If I got another Pelikan it would be probably a fine or extra fine. Next time I would get the 400-series or larger though probably.
overall: 4 out of 5
overall rating 4 out of 5
quality:
quality rating 4 out of 5
function:
function rating 4 out of 5
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style rating 4 out of 5
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value value 4 out of 5
This has turned out to be my favorite writing pen. The material is light, and feels good to touch. I enjoy the transparent window where you can see your remaining ink color. I am always lifting it up the window to see the ink. This was my first piston filler. Seeing a video on how to fill and clean the pen really helped, and the mechanism really makes the cleaning and transfer of new ink a fun little ritual. I have the medium nib. At first I thought it would be too wide, but after writing with it for a few days I discovered that it is a really good size for my handwriting. It is not an italic nib, but there is a bit of thick and thin in the line which I like a lot. I find the writing smooth and on the wet side. I don't always use premium paper for my journal writing, but it is always a pleasure with my 205.
overall: 5 out of 5
overall rating 5 out of 5
quality:
quality rating 5 out of 5
function:
function rating 5 out of 5
style:
style rating 5 out of 5
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value value 5 out of 5
Like all Pelikan pens, the 205 is delightful to use, dependable, smooth, elegant.
overall: 4 out of 5
overall rating 4 out of 5
quality:
quality rating 5 out of 5
function:
function rating 5 out of 5
style:
style rating 5 out of 5
value:
value value 5 out of 5
Pros:
* Springy steel nib
* Piston filler
* Wet and juicy
* Post-able
* Line variations!

Cons:
* Nib too wet for me

More details at https://althaven.squarespace.com/blog/2014/12/14/175hzjshztutuprfc3xwszt4eio1ve
overall: 5 out of 5
overall rating 5 out of 5
quality:
quality rating 4 out of 5
function:
function rating 4 out of 5
style:
style rating 4 out of 5
value:
value value 4 out of 5


Pictures of the Pelikan Classic M205 Fountain Pens

Pelikan Classic M205 Fountain Pens
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