Pelikan M400 Tortoise Review: A Small Pelikan with a Big, Juicy Italic Nib

Introduction

The Pelikan M400 Tortoise is the modern reincarnation of a classic Pelikan material, produced for a limited period rather than a limited number of pens. It is not the vintage model, but it carries a lot of the charm that made the original tortoise so desirable: warm brown striations, gold trim, and a genuinely good nib. This particular example has an italic broad nib, and it turns out to be a very entertaining combination.

One thing to know up front: this pen sits on the smaller end of the Pelikan range, the same size as the M200, but it posts comfortably and holds a generous amount of ink thanks to its piston filler. Here is what makes it interesting, and where it falls short.

Design and Materials

The tortoise material is the star of the show. It features lovely brown striations in the resin, and unlike most Pelikan pens, there is no ink window. Instead, the material itself is translucent: hold the barrel up to the light and you can immediately see how much ink is left. It is a subtle but very practical touch.

The trim details are equally considered. The cap finial carries the little pelican feeding its chick motif that has gone through revisions over the years, and the clip is a stylized pelican with eyes and bill. You have to look closely to appreciate it, which is exactly the point. The center band is engraved with the Germany branding, and the turning knob carries two gold rings. One detail that is easy to miss: the cap and turning knob are not actually black. They are a very deep dark brown that is hard to pick up on camera but rewarding in person.

The Nib and Writing Performance

The pen uses a 14 karat bi-color nib with a plastic feed, and the nib units screw out, so swapping to a different width later is straightforward. The section tapers down and flares out slightly with a small gold ring, and it is a little on the small side, which nudges most users toward posting the cap.

When Pelikan says this is an italic broad nib, they are not kidding. The tipping is a flat, squarish block with fairly sharp corners, not rounded off like a stub. That geometry delivers serious line variation: broad downstrokes and narrow side strokes, straight out of the box. There is no reason to push down for variation, and it is not a flex nib anyway. Reverse writing still produces a crisp italic edge because of how the nib is cut.

On the page it is wet and wide, and genuinely a lot of fun. Some Pelikan broad nibs can come across as over-polished, but this one is a true broad with a beautiful italic cut and it is very pleasant to use.

Everyday Use and Comfort

Pelikan caps unscrew very easily, which is convenient, though pocket carry calls for a bit of care. As a piston filler, the pen holds a nice amount of ink, and the translucency of the tortoise material means you will rarely be surprised by an empty pen.

Size is the main consideration. This is the same footprint as the M200, so it is on the smaller side for anyone used to the M800 or M1000. Even so, posted, it is comfortable to write with for extended sessions. If you want a bigger pen, the M600, M800, and M1000 exist for exactly that reason, and this criticism is not entirely fair to the M400 on its own terms.

Things to Consider Before Buying

• The size is compact; test whether you prefer posting the cap.
• The italic broad nib is expressive but wet and wide, which may not suit tight handwriting.
• The pen was sold in limited production runs and is sold out in most places, so availability is the practical hurdle.
• Pricing when it was available sat around 270 euros before VAT in Europe.

Buying Advice

If you want a smaller Pelikan with character, the M400 Tortoise is an easy recommendation on its merits: wonderful material, refined trim details, a reliable piston filler, and a nib that makes everyday writing feel like an event. The italic broad version is especially appealing to anyone who enjoys expressive line variation and generous ink flow. Given limited availability, if you find one at a reasonable price and the size works for you, it is worth acting on.

Conclusion

The Pelikan M400 Tortoise is a lovely, comfortable pen with a genuinely striking material and a true italic broad nib that is a joy to use. It is small, wet, and wide, and none of that is a complaint. For anyone drawn to classic Pelikan charm in a compact package, this is a pen worth hunting down.