Pelikan M1000 vs M800: Which Grail Fountain Pen Is Right for You?

Introduction

Pelikan’s Souveran range tops out with two genuinely impressive pens: the M800 and the even larger M1000. Both are grail-level fountain pens with a shared design language, 18k gold nibs, and high-quality piston fillers. The question is not which one is better, but which one suits your hands, your writing style, and your daily routine. This comparison walks through what they share, where they diverge, and how to choose between them.

What the M1000 and M800 Share

The two pens share more than they differ. Both barrels are made of cellulose acetate, the black sections are high-quality polished resin, and all gold accents, including the top logos, are 24k plated gold. Both carry the classic Pelikan pelican-shaped clip and the same dual rings and general proportions, scaled up or down to fit their length.

Both use 18k gold nibs available in extra fine, fine, medium, and broad, and both have a piston fill mechanism of very high quality. One practical benefit shows up during cleaning: a few flushes are enough to clear out a previous ink color entirely. Note that neither pen has a translucent window in the barrel, so you cannot see the ink level, a feature vintage Pelikans offered.

Both pens are made and assembled in Germany with careful attention to detail, and the essential aesthetic is identical. The M800 measures 141 mm and the M1000 is 146 mm, but those extra 5 mm make a real difference, especially in girth.

Size and In-Hand Feel

The M1000 is 5 mm longer and about 4.5 grams heavier than the M800, and that is substantial. It is a large, bold statement pen that feels a bit like writing with a giant crayon: girthy, commanding, and very much a showcase piece. It suits larger hands particularly well and rewards riders of broad strokes, like signing your name, where a big beautiful statement pen is a genuine pleasure.

That said, even reviewers with fairly large hands find it can feel a bit unwieldy, at times like controlling a fire hose. It is also too long to post comfortably, since the extra cap weight tips the nib upward and hurts balance. It is just long enough to be a tight fit in many fountain pen cases, and it is substantial in a pocket, lapel, or purse.

The M800, by contrast, is probably perfectly proportioned. It has the elegance and grail-pen presence while remaining comfortable for almost everyone. It is easy to maneuver, easy to write with, and comfortable in the pocket, making it a perfect all-around daily fountain pen.

Nib Feel: Bounce, Flow, and Line Width

Much is made of the softness of the M1000’s nib, and the attention is deserved. The nib is gargantuan, fun to write with, and has a noticeable bounce or softness, though not as soft as a true flex nib. If you write with pressure, you will feel a demonstrable difference, and the fine nib flows so freely and smoothly across the page that it almost behaves like a medium.

That wet, luscious flow has trade-offs. Writers with very small, precise handwriting may struggle to form tight curls of cursive or print with such a large nib, and even an extra fine M1000 would likely flow like a medium. It is a unique, inspiring nib, but it may not be right for everyone.

The underrated twist: the M800’s nib is bouncy too. Its softness is noticeable on downstrokes, just less pronounced because the nib is smaller. That takes some of the rationale away from choosing the M1000 for nib feel alone, while the M800 still delivers an incredibly smooth, wet writing experience in a size most hands feel at home with.

Everyday Practicality and Carry

If the M1000 will live on a desk or come out for signatures and special writing sessions, its size is a feature. If a pen needs to survive pockets, cases, purses, and all-day writing, the M800’s more normal proportions win on pure practicality.

Which One Should You Buy?

If you want a grail pen that is unique, striking, and wholly different from anything else you have used, the M1000 delivers. You pay for it: these pens are generally around $700 (often listed higher), though they frequently go on sale depending on color and configuration.

The M800 sells for around $588 and still delivers a genuinely impressive grail pen that suits everyone. Between the two, the M800 is the easier recommendation for most buyers because you get more mileage from it, and you can always come back for the M1000 another day.

Conclusion

Both the Pelikan M1000 and M800 are well-made, beautiful, joyful pens, and you really cannot go wrong with either. Choose the M1000 if you want impressive and wholly unique. Choose the M800 if you want a fountain pen that is perfect for writing every day.