With the M815 Metal Striped Blue, Pelikan has launched a successor to the M815 Metal Striped Black. This fountain pen plays to the brand’s traditional strengths while demonstrating how Pelikan carefully reinterprets one of its classics.
The M815 is by no means a new name in Pelikan’s lineup. Introduced in 2025, the Pelikan M815 Metal Striped Blue directly succeeds its black predecessor from 2018, the Pelikan M815 Metal Striped Black. The very first M815 model, however, dates back to 1998 and was released as the M815 Wall Street Limited Edition. Aside from the model designation, there is no relationship between the Metal Striped versions and the Wall Street Edition.
Packaging and first impressions
The packaging of the Pelikan M815 Metal Striped Blue builds anticipation for the writing instrument. Once the outer packaging is removed, a high quality blue cardboard box appears, visually echoing the fountain pen’s metallic stripes. The inscription “Pelikan Special Edition” indicates that this is a special series. Unlike Pelikan Limited Editions, Special Editions are not numbered, but they are still produced in limited quantities.
At first contact, three aspects immediately stand out. The elegant blue tone extending from the cap to the end of the barrel, the multifaceted palladium coated stripes, and the substantial weight of the fountain pen. The latter is due to the use of brass as the base material, making the M815 around 45 percent heavier than standard M8xx models.
Design, features, and build quality
The Pelikan M815 Metal Striped Blue is a classic Pelikan Souverän fountain pen. Its design traces back to the first Pelikan fountain pen from 1929 and has only been refined very cautiously since the Pelikan 400 of the 1950s. While the traditional Stresemann stripes are made of resin, the stripes of the Metal Striped models are crafted from brass and plated with palladium. This gives them a distinctive sense of depth. Due to the additional weight of the brass construction, the M815 Metal Striped Blue is comparable in weight to its larger sibling, the Pelikan M1000.
Beyond that, the M815 remains a true Pelikan Souverän. It is a piston filler in the familiar M8xx size. The cap can be posted, and above the grip section, sits an ink window, allowing the ink level to be seen at a glance.
The overall build quality leaves nothing to be desired. Anyone who has held a Pelikan Souverän will be familiar with the consistently high standard of workmanship that defines these pens.
Pelikan M815 nib and filling system
The Pelikan M815 features a piston filling mechanism with a generous capacity of 1.35 milliliters. The nib is made of 18 carat gold and finished with rhodium plating. It is available in EF, F, M, and B.
On paper, the nib offers a generous ink flow. It leans toward the wetter side without being overly wet. This characteristic allows sheen and shading heavy inks to show their full potential. Speaking of paper, Iroful paper is smooth with a slightly ivory tone. It absorbs ink very well and produces crisp lines and vivid colors.
The nib itself feels pleasantly soft and, in typical Pelikan fashion, slightly springy. This allows for a degree of line variation. As for line width, the fine nib tested here corresponds to what one would expect from a typical Pelikan F.
Price and availability
The Pelikan M815 Metal Striped Blue has been available since June or July 2025 and is released as a Special Edition. Production is therefore limited. Anyone interested in securing a piece should act sooner rather than later, before stocks run out. A look at the discontinued M815 Metal Striped Black shows that prices on the secondary market can reach more than double the original retail price.
The retail price of the Metal Striped Blue is 850 euros.
Conclusion on the Pelikan M815 Metal Striped Blue
Classics do not always have it easy. Change them too much, and they lose their historical connection and part of their character. At the same time, a heritage brand cannot avoid introducing new products from time to time.
The Pelikan M815 Metal Striped Blue demonstrates how careful model evolution can succeed. It is an exciting Special Edition while remaining instantly recognizable as a classic Pelikan Souverän. Added to this are a harmonious and elegant colour scheme, a highly capable nib, and a noticeable yet well balanced increase in weight that enhances the special edition character from a tactile perspective. Together, these qualities make it one of the best writing instruments for 2026.
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