Waldmann Tuscany Fountain Pen Unboxing

Waldmann Tuscany Fountain Pen Review

Think of a really fancy pen - one that you would pair with formal attire and sign important papers. It's made of sterling silver so decadent, it practically melts in your hand.

No, it's not the pen with the white snowflake on top.
It's the Waldmann Tuscany, and, in this post, I'll show you just how fancy this pen is. In the end, you'll be surprised at how much more affordable this pen is compared with that other German pen brand.

Watch the video below and enter for a chance to win a Waldmann fine writing instrument by entering in our massive giveaway (ending 4/30/2021) using the Gleam form on this page.

History of Waldmann Tuscany Fountain Pen

Now, most likely you've heard of the company that makes pens with the snowflakes on top. But, chances are, you've never heard of a Waldmann pen, and I don't blame you. You may be surprised to know that Waldmann is also a German company founded over 100 years ago in Pforzheim. Their skilled artisans labor over every meticulous detail and it certainly shows in the finished product.

Unboxing the Waldmann Tuscany Pen

The Tuscany arrives in a heavy, black clamshell box with a textured grain exterior and a highly-polished, blank plate on the front of the box. The pen rests on a black platform with a sash.

Remove the platform to reveal the compartment contents - a 10-year worldwide warranty card with company contact information, a pack of six, international-size ink cartridges and a sterling silver 925 and "Made in Germany" tassel tag.

Design of the Waldmann Tuscany

The Tuscany, like all Waldmann pens, is made from 925 sterling silver. The solid metal construction gives the pen impressive weight and feel, despite being a slender pen. The Chocolate has a PVD brown body complemented with warm rose gold appointments and lined cap.

The Tuscany's slender profile takes its inspiration from the Mediterranean Cyprus trees that are common to the scenic Tuscan landscape. The pen tapers gently at the ends, terminating at a flat bottom and angular cut cap. The clip is rectangular like a tie bar and is spring-loaded with ample tension.

Comparing the Waldmann Tuscany Fountain Pen with Other Fountain Pens

*Measurement* Cross Century II Waldmann Tuscany Waterman Hemisphere

Length Closed/Capped

5.xx in. / 135mm

5.55 in. / 141mm

5.375 in. / 136.5mm

Length Uncapped

4.8 in. / 123.5mm

4.88 in. / 124mm

4.72 in. / 120mm

Length Cap Posted

6.00 in. / 152.5mm

6.30 in. / 160mm

5.90 in. / 150mm

Barrel Max Diameter

0.36 in. / 9.2mm

0.46 in. / 11.7mm

0.39 in. / 10mm

Section Grip Diameter

0.33 in. / 8.5mm

0.35 in. / 9mm

0.31 in. / 8mm

Pen Weight

0.7 oz. / 19.8g

1.34 oz. / 38g

0.6 oz. / 17g

Writing Experience with the Waldmann Tuscany Pen

Twisting off the cap reveals the rose gold-plated, sterling silver grip section. The grip diameter tapers from 9mm to the narrowest point of 8mm toward the front end. It flares just before terminating at the nib, allowing for a secure hold despite the polished metal surface.

The Tuscany fountain pen is offered in two different nib material options - stainless steel or 18kt gold. The upgrade to 18kt gold is only a $100 retail premium over the stainless steel version. The Tuscany fits the #5 Jowo nib unit with a custom stamped Waldmann graphic, the founding year 1918, and scrollwork that follows the shape of the nib.

Filling the Waldmann Tuscany Fountain Pen

Filling the Waldmann is straightforward - it uses an international cartridge/converter system and includes both options to start. For the purposes of this review, we filled the Tuscany using the converter and Jacques Herbin Bleu de Minuit ink.

If you'd like help with filling a cartridge/converter pen, check out our quick tip video here.

Writing Quality and Comfort of the Waldmann Tuscany

The broad nib on this pen writes smooth as butter with a rich flow of ink that can keep up with brisk-paced writing. If I did a blind writing sample, I would have sworn this nib was made of gold, not stainless steel.

The sterling grip is a thin, fingerprint magnet. The concave shape makes it easier for slippery fingers to grip.

The ample weight of this pen compensates for its slim profile. It feels significant in hand, even when writing without the cap posted, which is how I prefer it. Since the cap is sterling silver, it adds a lot of weight to the back end if you post it. Also, the cap lip has a thin edge that could irritate the crook of your thumb.

Now, here's the scary part of the where I tell you how much this pen costs and your wallet runs off screaming, right? Most sterling silver writing instruments can cost upward of $1,000, especially if they have a white snowflake on top. Comparatively, the Waldmann Tuscany Chocolate comes in at a reasonable $300 retail for the steel nib and $400 for the 18kt gold nib. At Goldspot, our everyday sale prices are $240 and $320 respectively. For a sterling silver pen made in Germany, it's a great value for a brand looking to make a name in the marketplace.

You can find the other styles of the Waldmann Tuscany, as well as the matching twist-action ballpoint, and rollerball at Goldspot.com.

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