Collection: Pelikan

Pelikan is one of the classic “buy it for life” German fountain pen brands. They're famously smooth, wet writers, have generous ink capacity (because they're primarily piston fillers), and that iconic striped look. Their modern identity is still rooted in the company’s early piston-filler innovation: Pelikan acquired/republished patents for a piston mechanism in the late 1920s, which helped make their pens reliable, high-capacity everyday tools.

Most people meet Pelikan through the Souverän line: striped barrels (made from cellulose acetate) paired with glossy resin, and manufactured and assembled in Germany. It’s a “luxury workhorse” vibe—elegant, but designed to be used daily.

Why We're Pelikan Fans at Bottle and Plume

Yes, I learned to write cursive with a Pelikano. Yes, I inherited my father's pre-1997 Pelikan pens. Yes – I have a special attachment to the brand. But I don't think anyone can argue with the fact that Pelikan means:

• "Piston fillers done right:" easy filling, big capacity, great for journaling and long writing sessions.
• A juicy nib and writing experience: Pelikans are known for a smooth, wet flow, and many writers find the nib sizes run a bit broader than average (especially the gold nibs).
• Swap-friendly nib units: on many (though not all) modern Pelikans, the nib unit can be changed by the user. This makes for easy upgrades and a "one pen, many nibs" experience that can actually save you money over the long run.

Quick “which Pelikan?” guide

Classic M200/M205: Pelikan’s approachable piston-filler with a stainless steel nib.

Souverän M400/M600: step up to 14k gold nibs in classic mid-size bodies. The sweet spot in terms of ergonomics and price for most people.

Souverän M800/M1000: big, iconic pens with 18k gold nibs and a more substantial feel.

Bottom line: If you want a fountain pen that makes ink look extra good (shading, saturation, all the fun stuff) and feels unapologetically “classic fountain pen,” Pelikan is a top-tier place to start—and a dangerously easy brand to collect.