Review: Taccia Savanna Special Edition Fountain Pen - Broad @PenChalet

This beautiful fountain pen was sent by Ron from Pen Chalet. I picked it based on its obvious beauty. It looks so smooth, glossy, and pretty. I couldn't resist!

ABOUT

Body Material: Buffalo horn
Trim: Metal & Buffalo horn
Length (capped): 6.02"
Length (uncapped nib-end): 5.41"
Length (posted): N/A
Barrel Diameter: 0.50" - 0.63"
Section Diameter: 0.36" - 0.40"
Nib material: Steel
Weight: 44 g
Fill type: Cartridge/converter
Price: $223.20USD
Where to buy: Pen Chalet

PACKAGING

Most often, I don't care about the packaging of fountain pens, because I actually hate having to store packaging (or get rid of it). First, there is just a plain black cardboard box. But inside, in this case, I am really pleased. The Savanna Special Edition comes in a really nice, soft leather zippered pouch in a warm deep caramel brown. FINALLY. A really useful case! This pen is large so it's great that it came with a pouch that it actually fits in, but also, it's useful for other pens as well.

APPEARANCE

The Savanna Special Edition is a very unusual pen in that it's made from (sustainably gathered) buffalo horn. As such, each piece is unique, being made of natural materials - just like with wood. The finial is the Taccia logo.

The only trim is the clip, which is a dark metal, with a small polished horn on the end; a very cool touch that I really like. This pen looks really cool clipped into a pocket because of this little bit of horn on the clip. The body is irregularly shaped. It's not quite round but is a more rounded square, and it does flare into a little lip at the center where the cap screws on, as well as at the ends. The section is black, and the threads are chrome.

The horn is a gorgeous striated ivory, caramel, and brown to deep brown. The pen has been polished to a beautiful shine.

NIB & PERFORMANCE

My first impressions of this pen were very positive, so I was a little surprised by the nib when I uncapped it. The nib is a two-tone steel nib. The only flourishing on it is in yellow gold; a small criss cross pattern around the nib. Inside the pattern is "Taccia Japan". If the nib were a little larger, it would be stunning. And while the nib is small, it actually suits the pen because the shape tapers towards the nib.

I inked the pen with Montblanc Toffee Brown, obviously. It took awhile for the feed to become saturated with enough ink for the ink to flow to my tastes. What is unique about this nib is Taccia actually claims it is a flexible steel nib, and I do find it offers a pretty significant amount of line variation and the ink flow keeps up pretty well. Not bad for not being a "real" flex pen.

IN HAND

This is a lovely pen to write with. It doesn't post, but unposted, it has a lovely weight and balance to it. It's a lot lighter than I expected it to be, but then it is buffalo horn! Based on its size though, you'd think it would be much heavier. It's a pleasure to hold and write with though because it's so smooth and polished that it's lovely in your hand. The section is pretty small but the pen isn't completely round so it doesn't just slide out of your grip. My fingers sit right on the section and the rest of the pen sits on my hand. The threads aren't in the way at all. If you hold your pen higher up, that could be an issue, but for me, it's perfect. The irregular shape of the barrel lends itself well to my comfort. It's really a great design. My hand doesn't tire using it either, which I appreciate.


PROS & CONS

OVERALL

This is a beautiful pen, and while I have many pens at this point, I was drawn to this pen based on its appearance alone. I was most pleased to find the pen is not only beautiful, but that it's comfortable and easy to write with as well. The nib is also really nice; good line variation, good ink flow, just a touch of feedback. To top it off, it comes with a fantastic leather zippered case. Sold.

I received this pen free of charge for the purposes of this review. I was not compensated monetarily for my review. Everything you've read here is my own opinion. There are no affiliate links in this review.

And don't forget you can get 10% off at Pen Chalet until the end of the year on your purchases! (Not an affiliate link!)