Kaweco Liliput New Metal Finishes

[cultpens]

Kaweco is famous for its pocket pens, and the pocketest^* of them all is the Liliput. Where the Sport goes from pocketable to full-size by posting the cap on the barrel, the Liliput doesn't compromise on its pocketability. That does mean it's a small pen when writing, but most people still find it quite comfortable enough to use, especially for making notes - the sort of things you'd expect to use a pocket pen for. The cap screws onto the back of the barrel when in use, keeping it firmly in place so it doesn't get dropped or lost.

It’s a real fountain pen, with a good choice of nibs, that will vanish into the smallest of pockets, and can take day-to-day life quite easily. And it looks great.

The other compromise for the tiny size is filling - it can only use short International cartridges. There are quite a few choices in standard cartridges, though, and they are convenient for a pen that’s going everywhere with you.

Some of the finishes have matching ballpoints available, which may not be the most popular choice around here, but can be useful in the sorts of situations where the Liliput excels. They use standard D1 multipen refills, too, so you have plenty of choices.

A popular pocketable pen like the Liliput is perfect for special finishes - it's a very personal thing, so it's good to be able to choose a look that suits you. Most manufacturers would just dip the pens in a few different colours of paint, but Kaweco likes to be different. A pocketable pen should also be tough, and stand up to some real life use - and we know it will get worn, and start to look used, and that's ok. As long as it withstands the wear and tear of everyday living with dignity. And what looks better when heavily used than untreated metal?

 

http://www.cultpens.com/files/cp/imagelibrary/social/FPN/FPN-Liliput-article-image.jpg

(From left to right: Blue, Eco Brass, Satin Brass, Stainless Steel, Copper, Aluminium)

 

The brass version has been around for a while now, in two styles - a plain straight-sided finish, and the unusual 'Wave' version with its ribbed barrel and cap. The original brass version is changing a little, and being joined by some new metals:

• Satin Brass (and Satin Brass Wave) - the same original brass pens, but with a matt sandblasted finish that will gradually scuff out with time and use.
• Eco Brass (and Eco Brass Wave) - unleaded brass. Brass that’s going to be machined (like making it into a pen barrel) usually has a little lead in it. Only tiny amounts, but where lead regulations are concerned, none is better than a little. This 'Eco Brass' is unleaded, which gives it a different look - a colder, more silvery shade, but still with a bit of that golden 'brassy' colour.
• Copper - raw uncoated copper isn't often used in pens, partly because it tarnishes quickly. But with these pens, that's the point. If used regularly, it won't turn green to match the Statue of Liberty, but it will darken and dull down like an old penny.
• Stainless Steel - for some people, you just can't beat the feel of real cold steel.
• Blue - OK, blue isn't a metal. This is coloured anodised aluminium, and it's worth a special mention because there aren't many left. It was an experiment on Kaweco's part, making a small batch to see how they looked. They may never make more, in which case you'd have a very rare edition; or they may return as a standard model, in which case you'd have a very nice blue Liliput. Win-win.

For an example of how they can age, we have a Brass Wave Liliput fountain pen and ballpoint here that have been used for some time, and have develped their own aged style:

 

http://www.cultpens.com/files/cp/imagelibrary/social/FPN/FPN-Liliput-article-image-close-up.jpg

However you like your metal, as long as you like it pocketable, there’s probably a Liliput to suit you.

* 'Pocketest' isn't a word, but you know what it would mean if it was. The real question is: why isn't there a word for words that don't exist, but whose meaning is perfectly clear anyway? Our language could be embiggened if we accepted these words as cromulent.