Kaweco Dia2

[Readymade]

Classic styling with lots of thoughtful little details.

Kaweco was no more by 1976, but the brand was revived in the mid-1990s by the Gutberlet family, who runs a firm specialising in industrial equipment for pen manufacture.

In terms of design, Kaweco’s lineup is heavily influenced by Kaweco pens of the 30′s. The Dia2 is an excellent example.

Design and Materials

I like the combination of pre-war German styling with modern elements. The Dia2 is ultimately inspired by a Kaweco Dia c.1940. Modern elements include: the barrel design (more on that below); logo inserts on crown and barrel end and the engraved script on the back of the cap. The knurling and gold trim at the barrel end evoke a piston-filler’s turning knob.

As the name implies, the Dia2 is the latest version of Kaweco’s earlier re-issue of the Dia. That pen followed the vintage Dia design much more closely. You can see pics here – http://thefountainpens.com/kaweco-dia/

The Dia2 has a less monolithic profile and a more slender barrel, designed such that it bulges a little in the middle before tapering towards the end (c.f. Pelikan’s Wonders of Nature models). The section is also simpler, and slightly concave.

Cap and barrel are plastic, but the pen has a bit of heft due to the metal parts. The inner cap is a metal piece, the clip brass. The inner barrel threads look like brass as well, though that piece doesn’t extend the length of the barrel. Pens like these don’t feel as cold as, say, Waterman’s usual lacquered/painted all-metal barrels.

Nib

The Dia2 comes equipped with a steel nib plated to match the trim. The nib is sized for the Kaweco Sport, a much smaller pen, and the units are interchangeable. I suppose this helps keeps costs down but the nib is visually too small relative to the rest of the pen.

Performance-wise, no problems. Smooth out of the box (which, btw, was a very attractive vintage-inspired tin.)

Filling System

Cartridge/converter, and Kaweco converters come printed with their logo — a nice touch. If you use international short cartridges, you’d probably appreciate the loose spring inside the barrel which allows you to keep a spare international short cartridge inside without having it slide up and down.

Length (capped): 13.3cm
Length (uncapped): 12.2cm

Edited January 8, 2014 by Readymade

[andymcc]

Thanks for the review, I was thinking about getting a Dia2 late last year but went for a Sapporo Mini instead. I really like the classic styling of this pen but wish they'd gone the piston fill route instead of the converter, for me the price also seems a little high for a pen that uses standard Kaweco nib units. For the styling alone I'm keeping my eyes open for a bargain though

[The Good Captain]

I've the Fine nib on mine and it has minor flow issues which one day, I'll fix. Great pens though.

[da vinci]

Great review, thanks

[ethernautrix]

That is a nice-looking pen.

 

I've been eying the Kaweco Liliput (I have the ballpen). Only recently have I started to learn that Kaweco makes other models besides the pocket models.

[Bigeddie]

I quite like the look of these pens, but for me the CC is a killer. I have a Al Sport which I am very happy with, the nib units write well

 

It always seems a shame that what would be the blind cap could not integrate with the groves on a converter, so you could at least operate the converter without removing the barrel.

[HandLikeAFist]

Handsome pen. But I agree that the Sport nib is just too small, aesthetically, for the pen. Would any other nibs fit? That being said, I am still in awe of just how good my Sport Classic is, absolutely perfect for my heavy writing demands.

[Anabasis]

It is quite a handsome pen - the shape adds enough dynamic for it to stand out among the many black pens with gold accents. I am also a little bummed out by the filling mechanism and nib at the price range, but I have had nothing but good experiences with the Kaweco nib. I love that textured ring on the cap.

Edited January 10, 2014 by Anabasis

[Moynihan]

Thank you for the review. I have gotten a few of these and i have one inked up at all times. The "small nib" for me fits the pen aesthetically, as it is a homage to the 1930-1950 vintage models, and reflect the period before the rise of nib giganticism amongst the workhorse pens.

I also have a couple Conway Stewarts and Watermans Parker Vacumatics from that period, and i think that some find their nibs to be smallish also.

Edited November 9, 2014 by Moynihan

[foamy]

I bought one with chrome trim and it is a great looking retro-styled pen. As for the nib, it doesn't faze me. Kind'a makes other nibs look big—to me.

 

It's my most used pen as of late. I've been using Kaweco's cartridges. Simple and easy. The Palm Green looks great and I don't generally care for inks other than blue and black. My tastes must be expanding. I sure hope so.

 

It came with a fine nib which I didn't like much at all (I'll try doctoring it later) as it very scratchy and dry. A medium nib brought it to life. Lovely, smooth writer, good feel and heft, posted or not. It also gives me the impression of durability. Did I mention that I really like it's looks? It just says "fountain pen."

Edited November 10, 2014 by foamy