Kaweco Liliput Fireblue

[Fluegelfeder]

Since this model has been around for some time on the American market, but not in other countries – including Germany – I was lucky and happy to get one for review purposes directly from the Gutberlets (no affiliation).

 

Weight and dimensions:

 

It is a small pen... indeed a very small pen... one of the smallest usable pens around. As a sturdy travel companion for short notes the Liliput is a perfect pen. For extensive writing it definitely is too small and way too slim – at least for my personal preference. But since the Liliput as well as the Sport models explicitly are intended as travel pens... well played Kaweco

Due to the small size, the Liliput is rather light weight, but the stainless steel body gives it a solid feeling – much more than the aluminum versions of this pen.

 

Appearance and design:

 

This is the interesting part of the story... blue coloring by annealing is well known to all the watch aficionados out there. Parts of the movement or the hands of the watch are blued by heating. Different temperatures resulting in different colors of the workpiece. And exactly this is how it works with the Liliput: In the process of annealing heat is applied for each Fireblue piece individually by manual labor. In color matching caps, bodies and sections are put together afterwards so every single Liliput Fireblue is one of a kind.

The question is how durable these annealing colors are as a finish for a fountain pen that is meant to be carried in a pocket... on the other hand it is like the opposite idea for the Kaweco Sport AL raw or the brass and copper Liliputs: These pens are perfectly shiny and smooth when they arrive and develop a wonderful patina over time... maybe the Liliput Fireblue arrives with it's patina, which then fades over time

I am curious, so any owner's experiences are welcome!

 

Nib and performance:

 

It is the standard nib unit which works perfectly fine: reliable, ink supply rather on the dry side, but then again this means being able to write longer, which suits a travel pen very well. I never had any trouble with a Kaweco nib, no skipping, baby bottom, whatsoever. They are smooth nails with proper feedback, but no line variation and due to the rather dry ink supply no possibility for shading.

 

Filling system:

 

Due to it's size the Liliput uses cartridge only. Standard international cartridges. Again: As a travel pen a consequent solution.

 

Cost and value:

 

Weeeeeell... The Fireblue costs 120, - € in Germany and this means 50,- € more than the stainless steel Liliput... maybe 50,- € for a finish that fades over time. So that's the crux of it... I'm not sure f the pen is worth this amount of money, but then again: I have payed much more for much worse manufactured pens that on top performed not quite as well as the Kaweco Fireblue for sure does. And built entirely of stainless steel, perfectly engineered this pen certainly will give you decades of pleasure and reliability... as long as the dimensions fit your intended use.

 

Conclusion:

 

I like it! I like the idea behind it. I like that Kaweco realizes uncommon and creative ideas. I like the coherent implementation of a travel pen in their designs. And I think the company deserves credit for their quest for new interpretations of old ideas and designs.

[Fluegelfeder]

would have liked to post some more pics, but somehow this doesn't work...

[WaskiSquirrel]

I love the looks of this pen. But, every time it is available I seem to talk myself out of it thanks to the price and need to use a cartridge. You're not making it easy for me to keep talking myself out of it.

[whichwatch]

Though I doubt I would like the small size, the appearance and process really appeal to the metallurgist in me. Very creative for a fountain pen! I'm quite tempted to try one.

Edited March 28, 2015 by whichwatch

[Fluegelfeder]

you find some more pics here: http://www.penexchange.de/forum_neu/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=11997

 

(Hope the link is okay. It is my review so there shouldn't be any troubles.)

 

[pyramidValley]

Honestly, this thing will probably last for generations with it being made of steel, so... can you really put a price on that ?

 

Also i'm kind of surprised at how well the pattern is flush when posted.

[Fluegelfeder]

And thanks to watch-art here the last few pics.

 

 

 

 

 

[Sblakers]

Nice review. Really like the look of this pen. My fountain pen journey has come full circle and I find myself using more than collecting. I bought the stainless steel version of this pen just for the purpose of an easy traveling work pen. I turned it into an eye dropper and it has been flawless. Unfortunately I will have to sell off the bulk of the pens I own but this is one that will stick with me (more so because I can't get enough for it to dent what needs to be paid) but also for its size and workability-- or usability for a traveling job

[tinkerteacher]

I don't know why so many people keep getting hung up on the cost of this LIlliput Fireblue.

 

It's a virtually indestructable daily carry pen made of stainless steel in Germany to a proven design by a very reputable company. It has an entirely handmade finish that is unique to each individual pen and a smooth as silk nib. Is less than USD 150 really too much money for that?

 

I guess it comes down to the fact that people associate the Kaweco brand as a "budget pen company" and bulk at paying anything buy budget prices for their products no matter how good they may be. Whereas, people have no problem paying top dollar for a mass production injection folded plastic pen that has a Pelikan logo, because they associate that brand with premium products. Thus they will pay premium prices no matter what.

 

It will take Kaweco awhile to shake off this image it has aquired as budget pen company unfortunately.

Edited March 30, 2015 by tinkerteacher

[Fluegelfeder]

Absolutely right! Question is: If such a high level pen, why not being consequent and putting a gold nib on it? Each finish is handmade and one of a kind, price is high, quantity is limited... a gold nib would be very fitting for this very special pen.

[tinkerteacher]

Absolutely right! Question is: If such a high level pen, why not being consequent and putting a gold nib on it? Each finish is handmade and one of a kind, price is high, quantity is limited... a gold nib would be very fitting for this very special pen.

Kaweco recently started offering a 14kt gold nib as an accessory. A real sweet heart of a gold nib I might add from personal experience.

 

The problem, however, is that if Kaweco did put their 14kt on the Fireblue, than that would push the price north of USD 250 and dangerously close 300. People would pay that price no questions asked if the pen had a White Star or Pelican logo on it; but for the Kaweco logo? I doubt they would get many sales. It's the same economic reality why Kaweco is sticking to C/C, and not pistons now.

[Fluegelfeder]

Hm... yes... you've got a point there... I just think in the direction of: if the Fireblue won't be sold in high quantities anyway, why not making it really precious then?! But of course... yes... then it will be sold even less