Kaweco Sport Vs. Lamy Safari

[chocolatebelt]

I am a minimalist, so will not get both!

 

So, how do these two compare in writing and for every day carry in pocket (breaking, leaking, etc.)?

 

Is there an option I am not considering that I should look into?

 

(If the Kaweco comes out on top I might consider the aluminium version... but then there is a whole other price bracket to consider as well!)

[Black Rose]

I don't have a Kaweco yet (very soon) to compare the writing ability, but for pocketability the Kaweco wins hands down, simply due to it's compact size.

[xwingrox]

Hi there,

Both Kaweco and Lamy are very robust pens. With proper treatment, both should not leak or break on you - I have pocket carried and used them both as my workhorses. For reference, I have two Kaweco's in Medium and a Lamy Safari with Fine and Bold nibs.

 

One thing to consider that many people seem to gloss over is that the Lamy series has a funky grip. Instead of a smooth barrel, the Lamy fountain pen (Safari and Al-Star) both have two grooves that essentially force your fingers to pinch the pen. This style of grip is really not my cup of tea - even after I spent a day practicing the "Lamy grip." Another sore spot with the Lamy is that it tends to do poorly with cheap paper. I've had numerous experiences when I went to write something down on a legal pad and discovered to my disgust that my writing was extremely feathered.The weight is also something to consider- I find it too light for my tastes. IMO, a FP should be substantial so as to guide your writing without minimal wrist pressure.

 

I really like my Kaweco's. Excellent ~$20 workhorse fountain pens. I might actually get the Al version based on the rave reviews all over FPN. I don't know if I'm the only one but I find Kaweco's ink cartridges to be a little watery compared to J. Herbin and Waterman inks.

 

All in all, you can't really go wrong with either.

 

Cheers

-xwingrox

[ysgrifbin]

Hi

Both are robust, but the Kaweco Sport is my clear winner for:

• 
   
  
• Stylishness - it's a style icon, and such fun to use
  
• Portability - fits easily into a small pocket and never seems to leak
  
• Refills - Kaweco uses standard international cartridges (short)so you can use Diamine, Herbin etc - or any readily available short cartridges in an ink crisis; Lamy only uses its own brand (although they are large size - maybe worth bearing in mind depending on your needs)
  
• Affordable luxury - gold plated nibs and optional pocket clip
  

Enjoy!

Edited August 6, 2011 by ysgrifbin

[Amandaa]

I like and use both a lot. If you want smaller, the kaweco wins by a landslide. Although personally, I'd go with the Safari just because I like those better all around.

[WinBagel]

I haven't broken either yet and I tend to break things, so fairly solid pens. The Kaweco is more compact for carrying but the Safari is hardly gigantic. Both should write fairly well although I agree the Kaweco seems to do a bit better for me on cheap paper but it probably really depends on the ink and nib width and not the pen. I'd say the real deciding factor is the Lamy grip, either you like it or you don't. Also you can turn the Kaweco into an eyedropper so it holds a boatload of ink but Lamys do hold their fair share. Oh Lamy Safaris come in an EF and Kaweco Sports decidedly do not...if that helps you decide.

 

You can't go too wrong with either (IMO) if you like the Lamy grip it is a great pen but the Kaweco is fabulously portable and also writes pretty darn well.

 

If your favorite color happens to be orange or green then the decision would be much easier as you can get Kaweco Sport Ices in those colors but Safaris in those colors are harder to come by....

[Tiffanyhenschel]

I do not own a Safari but have handled one in a B/M store. I do own a Kaweko. My vote is for the Kaweko unless you wanted an italic nib. Then you would have to go with the Safari. The Kaweko is a more pleasant writing experience, and if used as an eyefropper holds more ink.

[Aysedasi]

Had a Sport, but disliked the nail of a nib. The Safari gives you far more options....

Edited August 6, 2011 by Aysedasi

[Indigo]

I have both, but only use the Kaweko. As an eyedropper, it holds tons of ink. The Lamy does have the advantage of interchangeable nibs, but I think that the grip of the Kaweko is very comfortable. And, the Kaweko is small enough to go in a pants pocket pocket.

[KrazyIvan]

I have both and I would probably have to pick the safari but only because I have larger hands. I like the Kaweco and I feel the nib is smoother than the Lamy. It does show scratches a lot easier than the Lamy. I was thinking of maybe sanding it down to a matte finish to help with that.

[da vinci]

I do not own a Safari but have handled one in a B/M store. I do own a Kaweko. My vote is for the Kaweko unless you wanted an italic nib. Then you would have to go with the Safari. The Kaweko is a more pleasant writing experience, and if used as an eyefropper holds more ink.

 

There is no italic nib for the Kaweko? - shame.

[RMN]

I don't have a Lamy Safari myself, but gave one to my wife. It s a good pen.

You have to like the triangular preshaped grip-section.

A good thing is the nibs can be changed easily and a new one bought for 5 euros.

They have a proprietary cartridge, end the converter is "cheap".

 

 

I do have the aluminium Kaweco Sport and was pleasantly surprised by the M nib. It is fairly rigid but I like that.

As already mentioned it takes standard carts. There is a short Monteverde converter that fits.

Closed it is very short and will fit any pocket or purse. With the cap posted you get a normal size pen (the size of a normal pen unposted)

 

I would go for the Kaweco Aluminium

 

 

D.ick

[WinBagel]

I do not own a Safari but have handled one in a B/M store. I do own a Kaweko. My vote is for the Kaweko unless you wanted an italic nib. Then you would have to go with the Safari. The Kaweko is a more pleasant writing experience, and if used as an eyefropper holds more ink.

 

There is no italic nib for the Kaweko? - shame.

 

 

There is a Kaweco Calligraphy set. A sport body and variously sized nibs. You can see it at Jetpens (no affiliation) and the Goulet's website says they'll have it in late August.

[ExcaliburZ]

Kawecos are cartridge only, Lamy you can use a converter.

[Bluefinntuna]

I don't think Kaweco Sport and Lamy Safari can be compared. The material, fit and finish on the Lamy Safari is better than Kaweco Sport. The Lamy converter is one of the best out there. Kaweco Sport is built for portability and can be converted into an eyedropper which is pretty neat for ink capacity increase and for the cool factor. I have both and like both. It really depends on what you are looking. The Lamy is what got me hooked on fountain pens.

[yoitzo]

if you get the aluminum version of the Kaweco, I'm pretty sure you can't make it into an eyedropper which means it'll hold a LOT less ink than the Lamy.

[Joe in Seattle]

I've owned and sold both. The Kaweco was the smoothest writer.

[Leftytoo]

I never owned a Lamy but have owned 3 Kaweco Sports. Returned the aluminum one because it writes no better than the plastic version, is heavy, and has (to me) a cold slippery grip. Like leather seats on cars, a way to get less comfort and durability for more money. If you want something more fancy, the checkered version (sold by jetpens) is quite handsome. The pricy graphite version is really aluminum with some decorative panels glued to the facets; therefore, unlike graphite composite, it is heavy.

 

I like the nibs, especially after a little bit of fine tuning. The fine and the medium nibs write almost identical width: a slightly "fat" fine. I think you will find that the resonably thick section results in a comfortable pen to write with, even if it is short.

 

Bob

[RMN]

Kawecos are cartridge only, Lamy you can use a converter.

Partly true

 

A standard international converter does not fit, but Monteverde make a short converter that does fit. Don't expect this converter to hold a ton of ink though..)

 

D.ick

[myyrkezaan]

I have the Kaweco Classic Sport and Lamy's Safari, Al-Star and Nexx M. The Lamy carts are bigger, haven't checked the difference between the converter and Kaweco cart size. I prefer the grip and feel of the Nexx M of the 4 pens, just more comfortable. The Kaweco's skipped quite a bit when I first received them, the Lamy's did not, no skipping now. I do have a crack in one of the Kaweco caps I noticed the other day, not sure when or how it happened, might have been over tightened.

 

I know you didn't mention the Nexx M's, but its in the same price range and I like that grip and others were complaining about the grip on the Safary and Al-Star.