The Pelikan M215 “Rings” is perhaps the most refined and striking member of Pelikan’s Classic series, a line that has long provided writers with accessible yet beautifully engineered instruments. Unlike the resin-bodied M200 or M205, the M215 distinguishes itself through the use of a brass barrel, overlaid in glossy black lacquer and adorned with engraved palladium-plated rings. These understated yet gleaming silver bands encircle the barrel with mathematical precision, creating a rhythm of light and shadow that contrasts exquisitely with the deep black surface. The inlays are perfectly flush with the lacquer, so the pen feels smooth to the touch, whilst the eye is continually drawn to the play of metal and resin.
The decision to employ a metal barrel lends the M215 a substance absent in the lighter M200 series. At approximately twenty to twenty-one grams in weight, it is considerably heavier in the hand than its resin siblings, offering a pleasing solidity and a sense of permanence. For those who find the M200 or M205 almost too airy, the M215 provides a reassuring balance: compact in form, yet possessed of a tactile gravitas that anchors the pen during extended writing. In this regard, the “Rings” model is not simply a variation of design but a deliberate rethinking of proportion, weight, and presence.
The pen is fitted with Pelikan’s renowned piston-filling mechanism, an enduring hallmark of the brand. The ink reservoir, though modest in capacity compared with some oversized pens, is more than sufficient for everyday use and benefits from the smooth reliability that Pelikan pistons are celebrated for. The nib is stainless steel, polished and responsive, available in a range of sizes from extra-fine through broad. Although it lacks the gold of the higher-tier models, it nevertheless provides an excellent writing experience—springy enough for expression, yet firm enough for precision.
The visual appeal of the “Rings” model lies in its restrained elegance. The silver beak-shaped clip, the silver cap band, and the incised rings all work in concert to create a design that is contemporary yet timeless. It is a pen that sits comfortably in both professional and personal settings, its decoration never tipping into ostentation but always suggesting refinement.
Yet the “Rings” is not the sole expression of the M215’s design philosophy. Pelikan produced several alternatives that broadened the appeal of this distinctive line. Among them is the “Lozenges” variant, in which the barrel is engraved with a repeating diamond pattern, each shape filled with palladium inlay. This gives the pen a slightly more playful, almost Art Deco sensibility, whilst retaining the weight and balance of the series. The “Squares” or chequered design similarly introduces a geometric rhythm, favoured by those who appreciate order and structure in their writing instruments. Finally, the “Blue Stripes” variant marries the weight of the M215 with the familiar Souverän-style striped barrel in deep blue—a nod to Pelikan’s higher models, but at a more accessible price point. Each of these alternatives offers a different aesthetic personality, though all share the same fundamental strengths: the metal core, the piston filler, and the balance of weight and proportion.
