Pelikan M800 Brown-Black Review: A Limited Stripe Finish with Real Presence

Introduction

The Pelikan M800 in the Brown-Black finish is one of those special editions that earns its spot in a collection rather than simply occupying one. This finish was released as a limited variant of the M800, and it pairs Pelikan’s classic striped resin with a warm brown and black palette and gold trim throughout. It is a large, substantial pen with an 18 carat gold nib, and it has proven to be a reliable writer right from the box.

In this review we look at the packaging, the design details, the nib and piston filler, and how it performs on paper, so you can decide whether this large Pelikan deserves a place in your own rotation.

Design and Build Quality

The M800 is Pelikan’s second largest pen, sitting just below the M1000 in size. The Brown-Black finish takes its name literally: the barrel and cap are wrapped in alternating brown and black stripes, with genuine variation between the bands that makes each pen look slightly different in hand. The 800 designation signals gold trim, where an 805 would carry silver, and the warm hardware suits the brown resin beautifully.

The finial carries the standard stepped design with the Pelikan symbol, and the clip is shaped like a pelican’s beak. It is not spring-loaded, but it grips well and feels functional. The cap band reads Pelikan Germany, and the piston knob is rounded plastic with a couple of gold bands. Uncapping takes exactly one rotation, which is the Pelikan signature: a screw cap that behaves like a slip cap, so you can go from pocketed to writing in a single motion.

There is real heft to this pen. Because the piston mechanism inside is all metal, the back half of the pen carries noticeable weight, and the M800 feels far more substantial than a typical resin pen. One thing to note: unlike some transparent Pelikan stripes finishes, this one is opaque, so you cannot check the ink level through the barrel. Also expect micro-scratches around the cap threads over time; that is normal wear from daily use, not a defect.

The Nib: Two-Tone 18 Carat Gold, Extra Fine

Underneath the cap sits Pelikan’s two-tone 18 carat gold nib, here in extra fine. The nib unit is about the same size as a standard gold nib such as the one on a Platinum 3776, so it is not oversized, but the design is distinctly Pelikan: swirling engraving, rounded and streamlined edges, and a large bulbous feed beneath. Pelikan makes its own nibs in-house, and they are genuinely some of the most attractive in the business.

A practical advantage of every Pelikan M-series nib is that it screws out. That makes deep cleaning of the barrel, nib, and feed easy, and it opens the door to swapping in a different nib, such as an italic, without servicing the whole pen.

Writing Performance

The piston filler is gloriously smooth and effortless, arguably the best piston action in the business. A single full rotation of the knob draws in roughly two milliliters of ink, which is generous for a cartridge-converter world. The pen has never dried out in regular use.

Ink choice matters less than you might fear. Filled with a warm honey-brown ink for testing, the extra fine nib wrote very smoothly in every direction, with minimal feedback and only a faint audible texture. Flow runs medium to wet: sufficiently wet without being a fire hose.

Flex is modest. There is a touch of bounce under light pressure, but the M800 nib is noticeably firmer than the nibs on the smaller M600 and M400, which are said to be springier. Applying pressure does not produce line variation; it simply increases the flow. If you prefer a firm, consistent writer over a flexy one, that is good news.

Things to Consider Before Buying

Size and weight are the two honest caveats. The M800 is a large pen with metal piston parts, and if you prefer smaller or lighter pens, it may feel too big in hand. Pelikan covers that range well, though: the M600 is a solid medium size and the M400 is their smallest, so there is a comfortable option at every scale.

The opaque Brown-Black resin also means no ink-level visibility, and the standard Pelikan micro-scratching near the cap threads will show with use. Neither is a dealbreaker, but both are worth knowing before you buy.

Buying Advice

Pricing on the M800 varies widely depending on the finish, the trim, and where you buy it, with import costs pushing prices up outside Europe. Expect a range of roughly $400 to $700, and treat the top of that range with some skepticism. Anywhere in the $400 to $600 window, it is worth it. The Brown-Black was a limited finish and is difficult to find new anymore, so sale or clearance listings have been the realistic route.

Pelikan’s standard packaging includes a faux-woodgrain cardboard box, an elastic pen pouch, care guides, and warranty information. Nothing flashy, but the pouch is genuinely useful. Across their lineup, from standard striped finishes to special editions like the tortoiseshell, there is something for nearly every taste, and the build quality means these pens last a very long time.

Conclusion

The Pelikan M800 Brown-Black is a classy, well-built large fountain pen with a unique in-house gold nib, a superb piston filler, and a finish that stands apart from Pelikan’s usual catalog. It is pricey, and the size and weight will not suit everyone, but for writers who want a substantial, reliable, and distinctive pen, it is easy to recommend. If the Brown-Black is out of reach, the broader M800 family delivers the same core experience in a range of finishes.