Pocket Carry Question

[sardaukar12]

Hi all. Please delete or move if this is in tie wrong place. 
So I love the idea of getting an EDC (every day carry) fountain pen that I can keep on my person at all times. I’ve seen a lot of great reviews on the Kaweco pens (Sport and Lilliput series).  I want to get one but I’m worried that it’ll leak. I know these screw shut so they’re isn’t a worry about leakage in the pocket, but I’m just worried that they’ll leak and make a mess when I go to unscrew the pens. For this reason my edc pen is a zebra 301 ballpoint. But really would rather carry a fountain pen. 
Do I honestly have anything to worry about? 
Thanks.

[inkstainedruth]

You might want to look at something with a clip.  That way you can keep it in a shirt pocket (or clipped to your neckline) and know that it will stay nib up (don't keep it in a pants pocket -- too easy to lose a pen -- or sit on it....  You might also want to think about getting a pen sleeve or case, and carrying it in something like a messenger bag or laptop bag if you don't carry a purse -- but I've had problems with pens not staying upright in my purse sometimes even then.

I looked into Kaweco Sports early on, but decided that they weren't really right for me. And I don't know if it's changed, but I've read bad stuff about their converters.  You can turn the plastic Sports into eyedropper pens, but not the metal ones.  And while I keep looking longingly at the Liliput Fireblue, I keep balking at the price -- especially for something that is cartridge only.

I've carried pens in my purse on planes (and used them mid-flight).  There are several threads on the subject (people worrying about them burping mid-flight).  The answer there is to carry them nib up and either empty or completely full (to negate issues with changes in air pressure), and bring ink with you (remember to pack bottles in your luggage in ziplock bags in case of leaks, and also limit amounts in carryon luggage -- but the last time I flew to the West Coast, I had four or 5 of the little 5 ml. sample vials of various inks with me (in a clear plastic bag in my purse) -- and because it was under the 4 oz. limits TSA didn't batt an eye.

Hope this helps.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[chromantic]

That would depend on which pocket you carry it in. Shirt pocket, no. Back pants pocket, probably no as well.

Front pants pocket, maybe, though I don't recall people complaining about that, more about the pens (especially metal ones) getting scratched by other stuff in your pocket, like keys.

[silverlifter]

Been carrying an AL Sport in my front pocket for the last several months: no issues whatsoever. I know several other members here do the same.

[BrassRatt]

I have been carrying a Kaweco Lilliput stainless steel in my right front pocket (with car keys, knife, and toothpick) for a couple of years as my backup; I usually carry a pen in my shirt pocket.  No serious problems; cap unscrewed partially once or twice; minor leakage into cap a few times.  Things in my pockets lead a hard life and the tiny tough Liliput has stood up to that. 

 

[SoulSamurai]

59 minutes ago, inkstainedruth said:

 And while I keep looking longingly at the Liliput Fireblue, I keep balking at the price -- especially for something that is cartridge only.

 

 

You probably already know about this, but consider a Diplomat Traveller "flame":

 

https://www.gouletpens.com/products/diplomat-traveller-fountain-pen-flame?variant=12954228523051

 

I had one and it was a very nice pen with a very smooth nib (It was a touch thin for my hands so I gave it to my sister). It's varnished so the colour might(?) last longer, and of course it's big enough for converters.

[maclink]

You can keep one on your person without any trouble provided that the default position is nib up and at times, horizontal, but never nib down.  I've been using several fountain pens as EDC's without issue.  I keep them in my front shirt pocket with a clip.  I recently started using a pen case with a zipper that I hook on to a lanyard, as my pen carry case.  Works a treat.  

 

 

All my Kaweko's have clips, but if I didn't, I'd get a sleeve, and pierce it to take a lanyard.  None of the Kaweko cases can be zippered shut.

[Buzz_130]

Pen sleeve/case is your answer. You can toss your "quiver" into your briefcase/handbag/purse with no issues. If you must carry in your pants, then make sure you get the right pen for the job. I've successfully carried a Parker 51 in my pants pocket, but I prefer a small pen case for 1-3 pens as my choice.

 

Buzz

[SoulSamurai]

Or you could get one of those small belt packs that holds a pen and other stuff; some models will let you carry a pen and phone or notebook or something safely clipped to your belt, so the pen will stay tip-up and won't get scratched by keys and other stuff. Some of them are quite elegant too, being made of nice leather. Eg:

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/704421365/edc-card-caddy-with-clasp-card-wallet

 

https://www.amazon.com/Smartphone-Tactical-Multi-Purpose-Carrying-Essential/dp/B07MZQ7Q6S/ref=sr_1_19

 

[Estycollector]

Those plastic pocket protectors are nice.....lol.

 

 

[txomsy]

I've got two Kaweco AL Sport, two Copper Liliput and one Brass Sport. Never had any leakage with any.

 

Furthermore, I've carried two clones of the Brass Sport (not even Delike Alphas, but even cheaper 3 USD clones) for over two years in my front pocket, with keys, coins, spectacles... nib up, down, horizontal or tilted. Never any leakage either.

 

The difference? The Kawecos never fail to start, even after one or two months inked with IG ink and unused, while the el cheapo clones sometimes may hard start. Nibs are different too, I like better the Kaweco nibs (I use 1.1 stubs on the Sports and an M in the liliput). But then, on one of the two clones I have an FPR flex nib with the EMF mod.

 

Maybe I've been lucky. YMMV. And all the usual disclaimers.

[effandpee]

19 minutes ago, txomsy said:

I've got two Kaweco AL Sport, two Copper Liliput and one Brass Sport. Never had any leakage with any.

 

Furthermore, I've carried two clones of the Brass Sport (not even Delike Alphas, but even cheaper 3 USD clones) for over two years in my front pocket, with keys, coins, spectacles... nib up, down, horizontal or tilted. Never any leakage either.

 

The difference? The Kawecos never fail to start, even after one or two months inked with IG ink and unused, while the el cheapo clones sometimes may hard start. Nibs are different too, I like better the Kaweco nibs (I use 1.1 stubs on the Sports and an M in the liliput). But then, on one of the two clones I have an FPR flex nib with the EMF mod.

 

Maybe I've been lucky. YMMV. And all the usual disclaimers.

 

My experience with those clones is similar. Just possibly you'll get some hard-starting, but they won't leak out. They might, though, leak in the cap. Keeping them nib-up definitely helps but it's a bit of an occupational hazard in my view.

[ParramattaPaul]

4 hours ago, Estycollector said:

Those plastic pocket protectors are nice.....lol.

 

 

Ah, the hallmark of a true nerd!

[airstairesc]

I just got a Kaweco Sport Brass to have something to throw in my bag and not worry about scratches. It's a decent writer, but a bit dry and with hard starts; I've had a Kaweco Sport before so it wasn't a surprise. A brass shim helped it a little, but since it's rolling around in a bag it's probably better that it's dry. No leakages so far. The only reason I got this pen is to have a fountain pen that doesn't need to be babied. Every other pen I own only ever gets carried in a case, so it's nice to have the option of a pen that is meant to take a bruising and look better for it.

[sardaukar12]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone.  That gives me the info that I need.