I was scrolling through Pelikan’s website the other day when I came across a new drop in their Souverän series. At first, it looked like they were rolling out something fresh—maybe a new design, I thought. But as I kept reading and took a closer look at the images, something rang a bell. It reminded me of a release from a few years back, so I looked it up—and sure enough, I was right. This new edition turns out to be pretty much a reissue of the M815 Metal Striped Black 2018 model, just dressed up in blue.
Don’t get me wrong, I like it when brands add new colors to classic models. It keeps things interesting and helps old favorites stay in the spotlight. Still, I can’t help but feel Pelikan could’ve pushed it a bit further this time.I was hoping they’d step things up or bring something unexpected to the table—not just swap black for blue and call it a day.
Now, let’s dive into it.
The new Metal Striped Blue is built on the M815 chassis and features a high-quality resin body accented with palladium-plated brass stripes. I’ve got to say, it gives off a noticeably more contemporary character than its black predecessor. The silver and blue combo feels fresher, and to be honest, I find it more appealing than the original.
Unlike the M800, which is noticeably lighter, this edition brings more heft to the writing experience, weighing around 37 grams (capped), due to the brass components in the barrel. For some, that added weight is a bonus; for others, it might be a drawback. If you enjoy a pen with a bit of presence, this one’s definitely for you. Personally, I have no issue with heavier pens, quite the opposite, actually. I tend to prefer something that feels substantial in hand.
To maintain a consistent design language, the rings and clip are also palladium-plated, perfectly complementing the brass stripes on the barrel. The 18-carat gold nib stays in line with the design, fully rhodium-coated to match the cool silver tones throughout the pen. Pelikan offers it in EF, F, M, and B sizes, covering a wide range of handwriting styles.
One detail I find particularly interesting—and something I don’t recall noticing on the black M815—is the ink window, which appears more visible on this edition (though I could be wrong). From the images, it looks like Pelikan opted for a noticeably lighter blue—brighter than the barrel itself—for the translucent window, making it much easier to monitor ink levels. It’s a subtle detail, but one that adds both practicality and a bit of contrast to the pen’s look.
As for the filling system, nothing has changed, the new M815 Metal Striped Blue still features Pelikan’s reliable piston mechanism, holding around 1.35 ml of ink. It’s a solid, no-fuss capacity that should easily keep up with a regular writing rhythm.
Would I get it when it becomes available? Probably, especially for the color scheme. I’ve always been drawn to blue and silver, and this one hits that sweet spot. Plus, it brings a bit of the M1000’s heft without the oversized dimensions, which works perfectly for me. I’m curious, though, what’s your take on this new special edition? Do you feel Pelikan could’ve pushed the design further, or do you think this subtle refresh is exactly what the series needed?
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