Fountain Pens

Pelikan Pura Fountain Pen Review: A Modern, Metal-Body Pelikan

An anodized aluminum cartridge converter fountain pen with a stainless steel nib, priced at $132. Here is how it writes and who it suits.

Published: 10/1/2026 Updated: 10/1/2026

Dark blue aluminum Pelikan Pura fountain pen on a concrete surface

Introduction

The Pelikan Pura occupies an interesting spot in the Pelikan lineup. Most of the brand’s well-known pens, from the M200 up through the M1000, share a familiar silhouette, just scaled bigger or smaller. The Pura breaks with that tradition. It is a more modern design, built from double-anodized aluminum with chrome-plated trim, and it carries a price of $132. That is not cheap, but within Pelikan’s range it is one of the more accessible metal-body options. After extended use, here is what works, what does not, and who this pen is really for.

Design and Build Quality

Pelikan describes the Pura as made of solid materials, and the double-anodized aluminum body backs that up. The chrome-plated clip is spring-loaded and genuinely sturdy, styled as a subtle nod to the brand’s pelican-bill motif, complete with a small eye detail. The dark blue finish paired with chrome accents is a combination that works well together, and the branding is kept tasteful: the Pelikan name on one side, Germany on the other, and the logo on both the cap and the nib.

The cap snaps closed securely and the end cap has a small lip that allows the pen to post firmly. Tolerances throughout are excellent, with no sharp edges anywhere on the pen. In the box you get the standard presentation, a warranty booklet, guidance on the different nib options, and a large ink cartridge.

Dark blue aluminum fountain pen cap with spring-loaded chrome clip on wooden desk

One design choice worth flagging: the section is chrome metal. Some writers dislike metal sections because they can become slippery when hands get warm or sweaty. That is a legitimate, fairly objective concern, though it did not cause problems in extended writing sessions.

Nib Options and Filling

The Pura is a cartridge converter filler and comes with stainless steel nibs in extra fine, fine, medium, and broad. The nib shape has a slightly angular, modern look that gives off a hint of a Lamy Safari vibe without being identical. The filling system is straightforward: it ships with a large cartridge, and a converter works as expected.

Writing Performance

Writing with the Pura is pleasant. The medium nib is on the finer side for a medium, without a huge ball of tipping, and it delivers a line with a touch of feedback. It is not scratchy, but it is certainly not glass-smooth either.

Hand writing with a fountain pen on cream paper

Where the nib shines is consistency. It keeps up very nicely with high-speed writing, which matters more day to day than exotic nib character. It is not a wet writer, and the nib is fairly stiff, so expect essentially no line variation. That is fair, since nothing is advertised as flex.

As a fun test, reverse writing is possible, though noticeably scratchier, and it turns the medium into something closer to an extra fine.

Comfort and Handling

The aluminum body keeps the pen light, and that makes it very comfortable to use posted, even though the pen is fairly long. The balance posted is excellent. Unposted, the pen is still nicely sized, relatively thin but by no means tiny. Preference will vary, but the posted configuration was the standout.

Fountain pen posted with cap on the barrel beside a notebook

What We Like

The modern design is genuinely refreshing within Pelikan’s range and shows a brand willing to reinvent itself.
At $132 it is relatively affordable by Pelikan standards, even though a steel-nib cartridge converter pen at this price is not rock bottom.
It writes consistently and keeps writing, which is what matters most.
The secure snap cap and secure posting add real everyday usability.
Overall comfort is excellent, posted or unposted, and build quality is solid throughout.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The modern look will not appeal to everyone. If the styling does not grab you, there is no reason to force it.
The metal section can feel slippery for some writers, especially with sweaty hands.
You are paying a Pelikan price for a steel nib and cartridge converter filling.

Who Should Buy It

The Pura is a great candidate for students. It can rummage around in a bag, survive the knocks, and keep writing. It is robust, well made, and reliable without being fragile. It also suits anyone who wants a genuine Pelikan writing experience in a modern, metal-bodied design at the lower end of the brand’s price ladder.

Fountain pen stored inside a student backpack pocket

Conclusion

The Pelikan Pura is a refined, solidly made pen that successfully steps outside the brand’s traditional mold. The aluminum construction, spring-loaded clip, and consistent steel nib make it a dependable daily writer, and its weaknesses are mostly matters of taste rather than flaws. For students and modernists alike, it is an easy recommendation at $132.

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