Kaweco Al Sport Stonewashed - Preview

[Fluegelfeder]

Hi folks,

 

since I've got a parcel this weekend from Kaweco with the new 'Kaweco Sport AL stonewashed' and some info on this series, I did a small preview

 

 

General Information

 

I really do like the Kaweco Sport pens. The one or the other has been in the regular rotation for years and it definitely is my favorite pen to present friends with.

The new stonewashed series will be available in March (at least in Germany). Colors: black and blue. As roller ball, ballpoint pen (small D1 refill in F/M/B) and fountain pen (steel nibs: EF/F/M/B and BB).

Prices in Germany will be between 50,- and 60,- €. Also there will be a cognac leather pouch for one or two pens (13,- to 16,- €).

 

First Impressions

 

Top-notch with regard to the price... Threads and fittings are perfectly well done. No rattling whatsoever, neither closed nor with posted cap. The pen fits both sides absolutely centered into the cap – which btw doesn't apply to many of my really expensive pens... The cap top logo and cap lettering are obviously placed after the washing process, so they come crisp and legible. I love Kaweco's love for detail: the cap top logo sits on line with the facet bearing the imprint.

 

Appearance and Design

 

When it comes to the finish I think it' might be a love it or hate it thing... I love it. It definitely looks quite battle worn and having once washed a fountain pen unintentionally – which turned out to be the most demanding quarter of an hour of my life – I really can't imagine how someone can think of doing something like this intentionally and professionally... On the other hand: It works perfectly well

The Sport stonewashed is made of massive aluminum which is anodized and then washed quite similar to the process stone washed jeans are made. It took more than a year until the washing process finally did the trick.

I like the uneven color gradient and the rounded edges. Besides it's possibly a perfect remedy for one of my biggest troubles with regard to fountain pens... I fear scratches until they appear and am upset if they do so... With a pen already battered like this, believe me, scratches don't matter Especially for a pocket pen like the Sport this Design seems perfectly appropriate.

The only thing that should me mentioned: the stonewashed finish is not evenly uneven as you can see in the pictures below. The anodization at the end of the pen is much more worn off and one side is much more faded than the other. Every single pen will have a very unique finish.

 

Weight and Dimensions

 

Dimensions are pretty much the same like the other Kaweco Sport pens. 21 grams (nothing to do with the movie) including a standard cartridge. The section is rather narrow and the distance between section and tip of the nip is short, which you pretty much have to like. For me it works well as traveling pen for short notes. I like the concave section and due to the stonewashed finish the thread between section and corpus is really smooth, so no problem for those who tend to grip there.

 

Nib and Performance

 

Rigid steel nib, glass smooth, not too dry not too wet, no skipping whatsoever, everything works as it should

It takes exactly one turn to open the cap: enough to hold the pen secure, on the other hand it opens fast enough for spontaneous notes.

The inner cap seals reliable so the nib doesn't dry out. And it posts nicely tight.

 

Filling System

 

Small standard cartridge only. Nothing more to say here... The plastic Kaweco Sports can be easily used as eyedroppers, though the aluminum version has the same dimensions, I wouldn't trust the metal threads to seal as secure. But there are some small converters out there... Kaweco does offer a small converter, which admittedly doesn't work well. But I heard from Mr. Gutberlet, that a new converter design will be launched this year. Maybe this one will work better.

 

Leather Pouch

 

There will be a fitting cognac leather pouch for one or two pens. I like the untreated leather, which will easily get a nice used look. It's well made and fits perfectly. Not sure if a pouch is necessary with regard to the used look of the pen anyway, but it surely matches equally well as a pair of good work boots match a faded blue jeans

 

Cost and Value

 

For a little bit more than the ordinary Sport AL it's a fair price imho, though not really cheap.

What I like about the stonewashed look might be the biggest argument against it: you buy a factory battered pen for the same money as a perfectly fine anodized one... but well... I do the same with my jeans

How the unanodized edges will develop I don't know. But I'm sure curious about it

 

Conclusion

 

It takes guts to come up with such a design and although the Kaweco is not really comparable to the Nakaya Negoro Shiro-tamenuri, whose cracked finish I absolutely adore, sometimes this battered look simply works.

 

 

 

I thank Mr Gutberlet (no affiliation) for this sample of the new Kaweco Sport AL and the possibility of writing a preview.

 

 

 

Hope you liked it,

 

Armin

[Fluegelfeder]

and some more pics

[visvamitra]

Nice pics and really nice pen. Can I ask you what camera and lense do you use?

[Fluegelfeder]

Happy, you like it - camera: small and simple sony cyber-shot (dsc-wx1)

[Aysedasi]

Nice photos indeed. So this is a 'distressed' Kaweco then?

[mrchan]

Surprisingly nice. May consider getting one. Was never a fan of Kaweco before.

[cellmatrix]

Wow, looks just like an old fountain pen that's been used for years. Even the Kaweco Brand Logo looks a little chewed up. I like it!

Edited January 27, 2014 by cellmatrix

[LordBeldingford]

Both, pen and leather pouch, looks very durable:) Nice review!

[HandLikeAFist]

Love it. I've wanted an AL for a time now. If I ever get one, I will want it to age and mellow like this example.

 

Are Kaweco nibs interchangeable?

[Inkwellpens]

Thanks for sharing, I've wanted one since seeing an instagram post from fpgeeks a couple of weeks ago. I love it.

[Inkling13]

Yeah... I don't understand the concept of "preworn" jeans... and I don't quite understand the concept of a "pre-abused" pen. I have the Al Sport, and if I got it anywhere near this condition from just daily wear, I would be ashamed. Worn jeans are supposed to be a representation of your activity, your journey, your trials, and triumphs, Buying preworn jeans seems to just scream "poser" to me. Same with other "pre-worn" items. I buy a Saddleback new, because I want it to tell my tale, not somebody's artificial one.

[Shuggy]

Looks great. This is very tempting for my next pocket pen.

[whych]

Yeah... I don't understand the concept of "preworn" jeans... and I don't quite understand the concept of a "pre-abused" pen. I have the Al Sport, and if I got it anywhere near this condition from just daily wear, I would be ashamed. Worn jeans are supposed to be a representation of your activity, your journey, your trials, and triumphs, Buying preworn jeans seems to just scream "poser" to me. Same with other "pre-worn" items. I buy a Saddleback new, because I want it to tell my tale, not somebody's artificial one.

Perhaps we are missing something - there must be a market for our old torn jeans somewhere.

 

The pen is nice enough, but the worn affect doesn't appeal to me either. I wonder if the 'wear' will be the same on all the pens or will be unique and random to each pen?

[Inkling13]

Perhaps we are missing something - there must be a market for our old torn jeans somewhere.

 

The pen is nice enough, but the worn affect doesn't appeal to me either. I wonder if the 'wear' will be the same on all the pens or will be unique and random to each pen?

Each pen will be different in the fact that none will be exactly the same, but statistically speaking, if the medium wasn't changed, the stone wash should produce a similar pattern, taking off the high points more than the flat low points.

 

I don't know... if I bought a pair of jeans made from White Oak Mill cotton, and worn it till there were massive holes in it, would there be a market for them? maybe... but even salvation army would turn me away. If I took a new pen, and did this to it, and sold it used, would it fetch the same price as if i had labeled it as "stone washed"? Is it somehow worth more when someone destroys your pen instead of yourself?

Edited January 28, 2014 by Inkling13

[mrchan]

BTW where did you buy it from? I haven't seen any retailers selling it online?

[Fluegelfeder]

@ mrchan: It has been a sample from Mr Gutberlet for review (well... preview) purpose. The AL Sport stonewashed won't be available until march.

[wastelanded]

I like the look of it. But I'd rather wear the finish myself than pay Kaweco extra to do it. All I have to do is get over my pen-OCD.

[Mafia Geek]

Thanks for the preview, ever since I saw it mentioned on fpgeeks I've been waiting to see more.

 

How does it post? I find my Al doesn't seem to want to post securely, it just kind of rests on the pen. Other than that I love the pen.

[Mafia Geek]

Thanks for the preview, ever since I saw it mentioned on fpgeeks I've been waiting to see more.

 

How does it post? I find my Al doesn't seem to want to post securely, it just kind of rests on the pen. Other than that I love the pen.

[Fluegelfeder]

... It posts perfectly secure. I know what you mean, have the same trouble with my Lamy 2000 - but none of this with the Kaweco.