It’s time for us to learn about the first Souverän for this year: the M815 Metal Striped Blue fountain pen. Many may remember the original M815 Metal Striped from 2018, a pen that is now being retrospectively dubbed the M815 Metal Striped Black. It’s hard to believe it has already been 7 years since that original release. Pelikan is refreshing the design with this new version featuring a deep blue resin and brass body with palladium accents. The design adds extra weight to what is already a hefty pen and seems to vary only in color from the earlier model. This new M815 is expected to be released in June 2025.
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Pelikan’s Manufacturing Future Uncertain After Hamelin Takeover
Hamelin officially acquired Pelikan (and Herlitz) on December 13th, 2023, bringing hope for a brighter future for these companies, which have faced bankruptcy, takeovers, tough market conditions, and austerity. However, for many employees, that hope has faded. Hamelin has aggressively reduced redundancies in Germany, Poland, Italy, Benelux, and Switzerland. A key change has been the closure of Pelikan Vertriebsgesellschaft (PVG), Pelikan’s German sales and distribution operations in Hannover and Falkensee, affecting around 250 employees. There have also been changes in distribution; Stone Marketing, which distributed Pelikan in the UK for over 25 years, is no longer involved as of January 1st because Hamelin has its own logistics in the UK. Eric Joan, Hamelin’s CEO, aims for growth by offering a wide range of products from a single catalog. Emphasizing the need to reduce redundancy, Mr. Joan recently summed it up like this; “We only want to run one company and not three.” Although Hamelin’s plans for Pelikan’s Peine-Vöhrum manufacturing plant are unclear, there are indications that developments are forthcoming.
Continue readingNews: M200 Marbled Red Special Edition
As of this evening, we have a first look at Pelikan’s newest fountain pen, the M200 Marbled Red Special Edition. For their initial offering of 2025, Pelikan chose to revisit the Classic line, known for its marbled finishes since the late 1980s. Previous versions include their Green, Blue, and Gray Marbled pens along with unique variants like the Gray-Magenta/Telekom (1994), Brown Marbled (2017), and Petrol Marbled (2021). The last marbled offering was the M200 Gold Marbled in 2019. The Red Marbled fountain pen is set to release in March/April 2025, alongside the Edelstein Apricot Achat.
Continue readingReview: M800 Cream Blue (2024)
Over the past century, fountain pen users have increasingly gravitated towards larger pens. This doesn’t mean that everyone prefers them, nor that larger models are a novel phenomenon. While this trend deserves its own discussion, the Pelikan M800 stands out as an essential model in the Souverän lineup. Its larger size and added weight contribute to its appeal for a broad swath of fountain pen users. It should come as no surprise then that this is where Pelikan concentrates many of their new releases. Their latest addition to the M800 line is the Cream Blue, unveiled late last year. Although there’s nothing revolutionary about it, the dark blue barrel and cream accents create an attractive package, and if you’re looking for an M800, it won’t disappoint. However, I can’t help but think about the untapped potential of this model. Read on for more of my thoughts on the M800 Cream Blue.
Continue readingNews: Edelstein Ink Of The Year 2025 – Apricot Achat
A new cycle of Pelikan news begins for 2025, starting with this year’s Edelstein Ink Of The Year: Apricot Achat. This year’s ink is a non-shimmering shade of vibrant golden orange, inspired by Pantone 163C (Hex: #ff9d6e/RGB: 255,157,110). The hue resembles apricot agate, making it the fourteenth gemstone-inspired ink in the Edelstein series. Like previous editions, it will be available for one year or while supplies last. Apricot Achat is set to launch in March 2025, offering a fresh shade for Spring.
Continue readingReview: M670 Warm Grey (2024)
Launched in 1987, the White M100 paired white resin with black trim, eventually becoming something of a classic thanks to its unique look. At the time, white pens were uncommon, and its black anodized trim stood out amongst Pelikan’s fine writing instruments. It would earn the nickname “Stormtrooper” because of its resemblance to characters from George Lucas’ 1977 film. The White M100 was discontinued in 1993 due to poor sales and we haven’t seen anything quite like it since. Now, thirty seven years later, Pelikan has introduced what some are already calling the “Dirty Stormtrooper.” The new M670 Warm Grey is different; it doesn’t use a typical white resin and departs from Pelikan’s usual trim conventions, employing a black PVD coating. It has its own distinctive model designation, but still feels familiar. While I’m not keen on the resin color, I appreciate the innovative approach this pen represents. Although I find the model a bit forgettable, I’m curious about the possibilities it might unlock. Keep reading for a detailed look at the M670 and my thoughts on the line’s potential.
Continue readingPelikan’s New Canadian Distributor: What You Need to Know
One important part of the supply chain is the distributor. Distributors connect manufacturers and consumers, helping move products to the market. They manage inventory, take care of logistics like storage and transport, and build relationships with retailers. This allows manufacturers to reach more customers without the hassle and expense of direct distribution. By combining orders from several retailers, distributors can achieve economies of scale in transportation and logistics, thereby reducing costs for manufacturers. In short, distributors help consumers access many products more easily. Pelikan has always depended on regional distributors to deliver its products, but a new competitor has disrupted the North American market, replacing Chartpak in Canada. With the change comes hope that the long held concerns of Canadians might finally be addressed. Read on to find out more about your North American distributors and how this change may impact you.
Continue readingContest: WIN A Pelikan M200 Golden Lapis Fountain Pen & Ink Set
Many of my long-time readers have noticed fewer posts from me in recent months. This is largely due to burnout and chronic fatigue, making it hard for me to find time for writing. I obviously dedicate my remaining time to my family, but I haven’t abandoned the blog. My interest in this community and in Pelikan remains strong, even if I can’t write as much right now as I would like. Still, I remain committed to my mission to bring you all of the Pelikan news, reviews, and in-depth articles that I can. September 1st passed with little fanfare but it marked the tenth anniversary of The Perch. There was no celebration, just the satisfaction of a decade of connecting others with this brand. To celebrate this milestone birthday, I would once again like to host a contest where one lucky winner will receive a 2024 Pelikan M200 Golden Lapis fountain pen and ink gift set purchased from Fritz Schimpf, a top-notch fountain pen retailer out of Germany. Read on for details about how to enter the contest.
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