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KAWECO V11


vans4444

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KAWECO V11

 

An eBay purchase that came from Bulgaria, currently the Review Index is down so I don’t know if there is already a review of the V11. I have checked the internet and cannot find much direct information about the pen, so any extra information would be gratefully received.

 

I understand the pen was made in West Germany during the 1960’s and joins my small but growing German piston filling collection.

 

http://i700.photobucket.com/albums/ww3/vans4444/Pens/kawecov111.jpg

 

 

First Impressions

 

I like black and gold pens, and this one does not disappoint. It is in better condition than suggested by the seller, it seems only to have had light use. So my first impression was very positive

 

• Appearance & Design

 

I assume it is made of plastic with gold coloured fittings. It is a simple, workmanlike design; a pen designed or writing and not for show. The barrel is marked Kaweco V11 OM. The top of the cap has the Kaweco logo. The cap has a well made screw thread that takes 1 ¼ turns to remove. It does not seem to work loose.

 

The V11 is a little thinner and a little shorter than many of my medium sized pens.

 

It is well made and solid. After 40 years nothing is loose or damaged. I guess that speaks volumes for the standard of construction

 

http://i700.photobucket.com/albums/ww3/vans4444/Pens/kawecov112.jpg

 

http://i700.photobucket.com/albums/ww3/vans4444/Pens/kawecov113.jpg

 

 

• Dimensions

 

Measuring it with an old school ruler shows the V11 to be 128 mm capped, 152 mm posted with a barrel diameter of 10 mm.

 

It is a light pen. Capped it feels well balanced and comfortable for extended use.

 

 

• Nib & Performance

 

The nib is stamped both with 14CT and 585. I am not sure of the correct term for the nib style – imbedded?

 

This V11 has an OM nib. I am not the best person to get the most from an oblique nib, but when I find the sweet spot it is a wonderful nib to use. Buttery smooth, almost silent on the page and semi flexible. In the right hand this would produce excellent script.

 

My Pelikan 400NN also has an OM nib but the oblique angle at the tip of the nib is not quite so sharp and the nib is slightly wider. I assume this is why I find it easier to find the sweet spot on the Pelikan. The nib is on the fine side of medium.

 

http://i700.photobucket.com/albums/ww3/vans4444/Pens/kawecov114.jpg

 

• Filling System

 

Piston filler, just twist the end of the barrel. For a smallish pen it seems to hold a reasonable quantity of ink. It works faultlessly with a smooth action.

 

• Cost & Value

 

It cost less than £20.00 including shipping. Bearing in mind the standard of construction, the quality of the nib and general condition I feel this is excellent value for money

 

 

Conclusion

 

In summary, this is a good quality, reliable and cheap pen. The nib is excellent; I just wish I had the skill to use it to its full potential. If you don’t mind the smaller size the Kaweco V11 is a great pen for daily use. I will certainly keep and eye open for other Kaweco pens.

 

 

Compared to three other piston filers, Geha Student Pen a Pelikan 400MM and an Aurora 88P.

 

http://i700.photobucket.com/albums/ww3/vans4444/Pens/kawecov116.jpg

 

http://i700.photobucket.com/albums/ww3/vans4444/Pens/kawecov117.jpg

 

EDIT

 

I have just found this on the martiniauctions site

 

"Kaweco V11 fountain pen from the 1960ties. KAWECO is one of the oldest fountain pen companies in Germany and started the pen production around 1892. This model was started to be produced in the twenties as a safety filler and was produced until 1974. In the mid seventies this factory was closed."

Edited by vans4444
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Nice pen and what a bargain! Enjoy it

I'm a user, baby.

 

We love what we do not possess. Plato, probably about pens.

 

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looks a a very nice pen, Vans! thanx for sharing!

 

that's a nice german collection, but the one on the left (bottom pic) looks more like an aurora!

 

regards,

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looks a a very nice pen, Vans! thanx for sharing!

 

that's a nice german collection, but the one on the left (bottom pic) looks more like an aurora!

 

regards,

 

Yes, you are right, three Germans and an Italian pen, all piston fillers. I was just trying to add a picture of other pens so the relative sizes could be compared.

 

I'm developing a soft spot for German piston fillers so others are sure to follow.

 

I have no idea how much older Kaweco pen are worth, I really know very little about them but I was expecting to pay more. As sometimes happen, nobody really bid against me.

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I'm waiting for a KaWeCo SPORT V12 (OBB nib :puddle: ) to arrive, got it for only 16 €

 

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/1469/zwischenablage02c.png

 

I only have the eBay picture, but I could also do a review when I get it...

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I'm waiting for a KaWeCo SPORT V12 (OBB nib :puddle: ) to arrive, got it for only 16 €

 

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/1469/zwischenablage02c.png

 

I only have the eBay picture, but I could also do a review when I get it...

 

Hey, so it was you who won the auction!? Congrats! I was about to bid - but there was this unexpected PayPal action coming in my way... :-(

Enjoy the pen and the nib - it will sure be fun!

I recently got two Kaweco piston fillers from the 50ies: A Kaweco 171 and a Kaweco Dia 805N - both are wonderful pens!

 

And do not miss this link if you are inetersted in Kaweco piston fillers and their history: http://www.gutberlet.com/shop/Veroeffentlichungen_06/index.php?lang=en

 

Linceo, Frankfurt Germany

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Nice review of a modern 1960s/70s pen. This pen is very similar to the MB 220 and other MBs of its kind. I like the very simple and no nonsense approach to the design. I think if it were to appear again as a new pen there would be many takers. Thanks.

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looks a a very nice pen, Vans! thanx for sharing!

 

that's a nice german collection, but the one on the left (bottom pic) looks more like an aurora!

 

regards,

 

Yes, you are right, three Germans and an Italian pen, all piston fillers. I was just trying to add a picture of other pens so the relative sizes could be compared.

 

I'm developing a soft spot for German piston fillers so others are sure to follow.

 

I have no idea how much older Kaweco pen are worth, I really know very little about them but I was expecting to pay more. As sometimes happen, nobody really bid against me.

i don't know how much a vintage piston fill Kaweco go for either, but yours looks very nice. i'm a fan of semi-hooded nibs, so i like yours... the aurora is nice too! :puddle:

 

enjoy your pen!

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I'm waiting for a KaWeCo SPORT V12 (OBB nib :puddle: ) to arrive, got it for only 16 €

 

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/1469/zwischenablage02c.png

 

I only have the eBay picture, but I could also do a review when I get it...

 

hmmm hmmm hmmm! awesome!

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I'm waiting for a KaWeCo SPORT V12 (OBB nib :puddle: ) to arrive, got it for only 16 €

 

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/1469/zwischenablage02c.png

 

I only have the eBay picture, but I could also do a review when I get it...

 

hmmm hmmm hmmm! awesome!

 

Here it is: KAVECO Sport V12 REVIEW

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  • 2 months later...

A distinct German design, ain't it!

This Kaweco's concealed nib and window

follows the same 2000 type of design.

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A distinct German design, ain't it!

This Kaweco's concealed nib and window

follows the same 2000 type of design.

 

 

Or perhaps the 2000 follows the Kaweco design? :)

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nice pen, and what a bargain for a pen with a 14C nib and in good shape

to have an idea of the prices, there are 39 Kaweco pens listed in http://www.penboard.de/shop/

I'm a user, baby.

 

We love what we do not possess. Plato, probably about pens.

 

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Although one of the posts suggest the factory has been closed, their web site and distribution channel seems to be very much alive and kicking

http://www.kaweco-pen.com/

 

Great pens, somehow they remind me of a mix of Pelikan and Parker.

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Although one of the posts suggest the factory has been closed, their web site and distribution channel seems to be very much alive and kicking

http://www.kaweco-pen.com/

 

Great pens, somehow they remind me of a mix of Pelikan and Parker.

 

 

I read somwhere that the original company closed in the mid 1990's but then a differnt German company bought the rights to use the name. So perhaps you are both correct?

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  • 3 months later...

I am also a big fan of 1960'S German piston fillers. I have a Kaweco V11 in burgundy, a Geha Schullfuller (amazing semi-flex nib), a Pelikan 100 and 2 MB's: No 12 and No 32. They are all fantastic trouble free writers. And can still be had for a song if you hunt around.

 

T

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