A friend of mine told me about Waldmann pens a long time ago, and today, I have to start by saying—he was absolutely right. He said that if I was looking for a high-quality pen at a great price, I should check out Waldmann. Sterling silver, gold nibs, and all at a surprisingly affordable price.

Now that I’m actually holding this pen in my hand, I can completely agree with him. This is a beautifully crafted sterling silver pen, and for what it costs, the quality is undeniable.

The combination of silver and lacquered finishes gives it an elegant, refined look—perfect even for those with a more conservative taste. I wouldn’t hesitate to pull this out in any setting, whether professional or casual. The weight is also something I really appreciate. Since it’s a silver pen, you can feel the heft, and for me, that adds to the luxurious experience. I’ve never been a fan of ultra-light pens—there’s just something about a well-balanced, weighty pen that feels more premium in hand.

But today, I don’t want to focus just on Waldmann pens as a brand or their specific models. Instead, I want to talk about what I was most curious about—their gold nibs.

By the way, if Waldmann pens have caught your interest and you’re thinking about getting one, you can find them at waldmannpenusa.com with a 20% discount automatically applied at checkout. On top of that, you can use my exclusive discount code FMP10 at checkout for an additional 10% off.

When it comes to nibs, Waldmann sources them from Bock, just like many other major brands. Of course, they feature a unique custom design and are available in stainless steel or 14K and 18K gold. Their standard nib sizes include EF, F, M, and B, which is the classic selection.

The Waldmann pens in my collection have 18K gold nibs in EF and F sizes, as I prefer writing with finer lines—especially when using smaller-ruled paper.

I started by filling the pen with a cartridge to see how quickly I could get the ink flowing—and I couldn’t wait to lay down that first line.

The break-in process was surprisingly quick. Considering I was using an EF nib, I expected it to take longer, but it started writing almost immediately. That was a good sign—it meant the ink would flow smoothly and consistently. And it did. From the very first stroke, as the blue ink started to appear, the nib never skipped once. I even tested it with the lightest touches, barely grazing the paper, and it still laid down ink beautifully. That really surprised me, especially for an EF nib—I wasn’t expecting that at all.

One thing that really stood out to me was the firmness of the nib. Maybe I’m just used to softer nibs, but these felt noticeably stiff—which, to be clear, isn’t a bad thing at all. Quite the opposite. Writing with it, I had the feeling that no matter how much pressure I applied, the nib could handle it. It almost felt like writing with a steel nib, but much smoother. Honestly, it was fascinating.

So, since I wasn’t afraid to test the limits of this firm nib, I decided to apply some real pressure. And what happened next?

Nib Flexibility

The nib is beautifully flexible. I honestly didn’t expect it to open up as much as it does or to lay down such a wide line—especially considering it’s not even marketed as a flex nib. This completely changes the game, giving the pen much more versatility. Whether you’re looking to add some flourish to your handwriting or emphasize certain words, the added line variation makes a real difference.

I’ve been using EF and F nibs, and I can’t help but wonder how the broader nibs handle in terms of flexibility. But so far, I’m seriously impressed.

Nib Swapping

If you enjoy swapping nibs, you’re in luck. Since these are Bock nibs, you can easily unscrew them and switch to a different size—no special skills or tools required. It’s a simple and convenient way to customize your writing experience.

Final Thoughts

Waldmann pens genuinely surprised me—in a great way. I went in with high expectations for quality, but they still managed to impress me. When you consider what you’re getting—a solid sterling silver pen with a gold nib—for the price, it’s an incredible value, especially compared to the competition.

Waldmann might not be the most talked-about brand in the pen world, but it absolutely deserves more attention. Its combination of craftsmanship, materials, and accessibility makes it a hidden gem in the market.

I’d highly recommend Waldmann to new collectors as a first step into premium pens, to professionals looking for an elegant daily writer, or as a thoughtful gift for a business partner or family member. I honestly think this pen would make a far more memorable gift than the brand people most often resort to (no need to name names here :-).