The Pelikan Souverän M800 is one of the finest production fountain pens available, and it earns that reputation honestly. The striped resin barrel is instantly recognizable and genuinely beautiful — Pelikan's craftsmanship here is exceptional. The piston-filling mechanism holds a generous amount of ink, which is a real practical advantage over cartridge/converter pens. The 18K gold nib is wonderfully smooth out of the box, with just enough feedback to feel connected to the page. It's a substantial pen that balances well in hand, though writers with smaller hands may find it oversized. My main reservation is the price point — at roughly $500-600, you're paying a significant premium that partly reflects brand heritage rather than pure writing performance. The gold trim can also feel a touch ostentatious for everyday office use. But as a daily writer for someone who values the ritual of fountain pen use, it's genuinely hard to beat.
Exceptional piston-fill mechanism with high ink capacity Beautifully smooth 18K gold nib with excellent consistency Iconic striped resin design with superb build quality Well-balanced weight distribution for extended writing sessions Premium price point that may not be justified purely by writing performance Larger size may not suit writers with smaller hands Gold trim styling can feel overly formal for casual settings