Kaweco Sport Classic

[GST]

I picked up 2 of these classic black with retro markings from Manufactum in Munich yesterday.

I tried all 3 nibs and found the Fine nib a little scratchy. But the Medium and Broad were surprisingly smooth. So I got one each of the M and B. These are really good writers. Did I say they are smooth? The nib glides on the paper and writes really wet. I love to see the ink drying on the paper as it soaks in.

 

I was a little disappointed that the pens feels really cheap and light. If you tap the pen with your fingernail, it gives a tinny sound like the plastic is really thin and has a large hollow space within. I know it is inexpensive, but I would have paid more for it to have a better finish and some heft (ie. more metal parts). For all the marketing, Makrolon is really just polycarbonate. It scratches really easily and mine already has many scratches when new.

 

I bought the leather pouch for the pens and although it looks like faux leather, verified that it is indeed made from the genuine item. The pouch, with 2 pens inserted, forms a surprisingly small package. It is approximately the same height as the iPhone and two thirds the width. I have seen some pictures on the net where ugly creases were created on the pouch by bending the flap backwards. This is totally unnecessary. One simply has to squeeze the edges of the pouch together to gain access to the pens.

 

For the heck of it, I also bought the mechanical pencil and ball point pen with matching aesthetics. I simply love the retro design. Nothing special. They simply work as intended and look good. (although the aforementioned on the plastic still holds true)

 

So far, I have only been using the original cartridges and the fountain pens have been performing flawlessly. Wet lines, no skipping and writes on the first stroke every time. These pens are a joy to use and because they are relatively inexpensive, will not be pampered by me. The gold(brass) bits with the black body and guilloche engraving(moulded?) makes a classy looking pen. So long as you keep it in your hands, nobody will know it feels as light as it is.

 

 

 

 

[LisaG]

I have two, one medium, one fine. Fantastic pen hiding in a budget body. Very smooth writers.

 

- Lisa G.

 

<b><!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro-->4.0<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></b>

<b><!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro-->First Impressions<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></b> - The Kaweco intrigued me from the first I saw it. The practicality of it's design was obvious. And why not try one? They're only about $15 if you can find them. It's a simple plastic pen with a very compact design that truly fits into a pocket or purse. Yet, posted it's a full-sized pen in your hand. I opted for a pair of clear ones with the idea of creating eyedroppers pens. However, I don't fully trust it not to leak as an ED and frankly, I barely get through a converter full before I'm ready to switch inks. So no need to fill the thing full of ink.

 

 

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<b><!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro-->Appearance & Finish<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></b> - Overall, for a cheap pen, the fit and finish is fine. However, don't assume it will hold up to sporty treatment. While not quite as fragile feeling as the Itoya Blade or Platinum Preppy, it's still not something I would trust completely. It is still a molded plastic pen with mold marks and somewhat of a cheap feel. Don't expect it to feel or act like a Taccia Staccato! Why the 3.0? It's very homely. So the finish is fine, but it's certainly an ugly duckling.

 

 

<b><!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro-->4.0<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></b>

<!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro--><b>Design/ Size/Weight</b><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> - Somewhere, I read that it's made of makrolon. Whatever the composition, it's not the cheap, brittle styrene of the Platinum Preppy. Instead, it resembles Lucite or Lexan. As you can see, mine is clear. I had thought to make it an eyedroppper pen, but I'm not real comfortable with carrying that in my pocket. So I will wait for the Monteverde converter to arrive. In the mean time, I'm syringe filling the cartridges that came with the pens. Also, notice the clip. That's $1.50 extra. I'm not sure I'll use the clips, but I got them any way. If I get a blue or black one, it won't have clips.

 

Notice that it has a threaded cap - not typical of pens in this price range. But that's part of the appeal - very practical features in a cheap pen. Also, the number of threads is just right - about a 3/4 turn to remove the cap. When you screw that cap on, it's very secure and any leaks of the nib are caught. Sorry for not posting a picture of it posted, but you can imagine that it's pretty substantial when you do. Closed, it's a mere 4" long. Posted, it's 5 1/4" long. Barrel diameter is 7/16" but the cap is 9/16" in diameter. And the cap is hexagonal - designed to not roll around on your table. Everything about this pen says "practicality"!

 

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<!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro--><b>Nib Design & Performance</b><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> - I got the fine nibs and I really like the way these write. Very smooth writers with little to no tooth. Instead, there is a slight amount of feedback typical of even the best fines. I think these are steel nibs with gold plating. I'm not even sure if the tip is rhodium or what. I don't really care, they are very smooth and have a slight bit of flex. Originally, they both wrote smooth and semi-wet. Now, one of them is skipping a bit, so I will clean and re-fill. One is loaded with Noodler's Red-Black while the other has Noodler's Zhivago. Zhivago is skipping.

 

Just look at that wonderful pool of Zhivago clinging to that nib!

 

 

 

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<b><!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro-->The Filling System<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></b> - Being compact, this pen doesn't have much room for ink. I hesitate to give it a bad mark because it doesn't try to be more than that. It takes international short cartridges and I'm syringe filling mine as I wait for Monteverde converters from Swisher.

 

 

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<b><!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro-->Cost/Value<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> </b>- Let's face it. Any time you can find a truly compact pen that writes well, takes a converter, has a threaded cap and costs $15, you've found a pen that belongs in your collection. This is a backpacking pen - with Noodler's ink and Write-In-The-Rain notepads, it's hardley noticed until you need it. It's a ball game pen - cahiers and Kaweco and you can keep score while not feeling any burden in your pocket. It's a shopping pen - take that cahiers and Kaweco to the chain saw store and write down all the prices and specs. Wherever you need to go, it's easy to take with you. It writes well but doesn't feel like a purse pen. It's substantial enough to write for extended periods. Get the idea?

 

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<!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro--><b>Overall Opinion/Conclusion</b><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> - Great little pen for $15. I take one often when I'm going to the store or whatever. A Field Notes and a Kaweco in the pocket and I'm ready to go! There is a similar pen out there called the Kaweco Art Sport that is made of turned resin and even comes in 14kt gold nib if you want to pay for it. However, it's cost kind of ruins the utilitarian spirit that sprang up in me when I saw this pen. (I've seen them in the $100+ range with 14kt nibs.) I also plan to get a non-transparent one as I think it looks better aesthetically.

 

So why such high marks on such a cheap pen? It's really hard to find a fault with this homely little fellow. It's cheap but substantial enough to carry anywhere and writes well.

[Juan in Andalucia]

I have 4 of these: one plain black, a black guilloché, a purple swirl ArtSport and a Black and White swirl ArtSport.

 

The ArtSport used to come with 14k gold nibs, but now they're gold plated steel. BTW, according to the Kaweco site, the nibs are made by Bock.

 

In short, great pens at a nice price.

 

Juan

[joelchan]

Hi,

 

I got this from Andy's pen. filled it with Sheaffer violet. This is fantastic daily pen to use.

 

http://www.andys-pens.co.uk/sport.shtml

 

Joel

[tmenyc]

Well, pulling them outa the shadows is right...me too. I always carry 2 in my bag, in the little leather Kaweco case. I converted them to eyedroppers and haven't had a leak yet. Actually, I'm on my 3rd one, because Steve now has my metallic blue after he got me the transparent red one at the NYC show recently. As eyedroppers, it's definitely fun to see the ink sloshing around, and I've used them 'til dry without a leak, which is unusual for an ED when it loses internal air pressure. Thanks for doing the review!

 

Tim

[Phormula]

Makrolon is the trade name of Polycarbonate from Bayer, in German speaking countries the term is used as generic term for Polycarbonate.

[crowquill]

I really love the look of these pens! I just ordered the Liliput, but will probably be adding one of these in the future. I am very drawn to the Guilloche, the black & the green.

 

I am new to FPs, so if I did the eyedropper conversion for the Kaweco Sport, I would keep it for home use. The Liliput is going to live in my pocket, so I think I will stick with cartridges there (I don't even think such a conversion is possible with that tiny pen?) I ordered the Black and Aubergine inks. I am so excited to try this pen!

[Phormula]

Monteverde manufactures a small converter that seems to fit the Kaweko Sport.

To be honest, I have the converter, but I have never tried, I prefer to use cartridges because I do a lot of writing on the move.

[clickiechick]

Monteverde manufactures a small converter that seems to fit the Kaweko Sport.

To be honest, I have the converter, but I have never tried, I prefer to use cartridges because I do a lot of writing on the move.

 

The monteverde converter doesn't work so well in the Kaweco Sports because the plunger sticks out too far when full of ink. I just tried it the other day.

[Calabria]

I carry a Kaweco Sport in my pocket wherever I go. There is something in the way the cap is designed that keeps the pen from leaking, even on planes. I find that a really important selling point. Plus, my local bookstore sells them at the counter, which I love.

[Virobono]

I carry one of these little pens around with me at work. I have the EF nib and it writes well - I'm using Kaweco's own black cartridges. I originally bought it because I wanted to see what Kaweco's quality was like, as I like the look of the Dia 2.

[Christopher Godfrey]

I wonder how this delightful little pen stacks up against the similar, small Monteverde? Does anyone know?

 

Someone wrote, on first page of this particular thread:

 

<The Kawecos are one of those brands in general that get surprisingly little coverage in this forum, and that are far superior to others. They are great pens at certainly good prices>

 

I could not agree more! They are awesome pens and have been around since at least the 1930s. I have a.Dia model (bought online as NOS: unused and mint!) from about 1939 and it writes like any self-respecting Pelikan or Montblanc of the same period -- I believe these latter manufacturers always paid attention to what Kaweco was doing before bringing out their new models. Viva Kaweco!

[Ted A]

I think they stack up very well. But there are differences:

1. The Kaweco posts very securely. There are some short pens where the cap will just barely stay on.

2. The Monteverde Sonata is a posts by friction and it also is secure.

3. The Monteverde Mini Jewelria screws on and is therefore secure.

4. I don't like the Monteverde lever clip on the Jewelria. It catches in my pants pocket.

5. The plastic the inexpensive Kaweco Sports are made of is fairly soft. It's going to get fine scratches. There's nothing you can do about it. But at the same time, it has never felt to me as if there is any real risk of it breaking. Perhaps if you put it in a back pocket and then sit on it.

[Christopher Godfrey]

Apologies, Ted! I had you going off on a tangent, there: I <meant> to refer to the little <Stipula> that resembles the Kaweco in concept (but costs twice as much) -- do you know the one I mean?

 

BTW: I am so impressed with my new Sport -- so reliable and so smooth...

[wastelanded]

The little Kaweco Sport is a delight, especially the B and BB nibs. Wonderful smoothness and wetness.

[terminal]

Someone actually makes a squeeze converter for the SPORT... I use it on my AL Sport and it's seamless. I bought mine on fontoplumo.nl

 

http://fontoplumo.nl/shop/en/kaweco-ink-accessories/244-kaweco-sqeezable-converter-for-sport.html

 

 

 

[rachelcarpenter]

great topic!!!

 

 

just tried my first kaweco in the last month and now have the kaweco ice sport in three nib sizes (BB, B, and M)... they are fabulous pens! i'm considering trying a lilliput (you can change the nibs!!) or the sport or another not-crazy-expensive kaweco.

 

the nib is, as others have said, very smooth and the line is nice and wet. i usually write without the cap on, but i find that with this one posted is perfect. plus i'm experimenting with matching the color of the cap to the ink (or rather the other way around): my M has red ink in it now, and i'm going to put green ink in my green-capped B; the blue-capped BB (WHAT a nib!) is staying blue.

 

any thoughts on other kawecos (e.g., if the sport feels the same in the hand as the sport ice, or how the lilliput feels)?

 

thanks!

[seapin]

He's a another alternative to the eyedropper idea:

I simply wrapped plumbers tape around the inner threads on mine twice and have experienced no leaks.

[restlesscourage]

I just got a Sport Ice in the mail yesterday. I popped a cartridge in and it started up with almost no coaxing. The F nib is smooth and lovely to write with. It's by far my lightest pen, which is the only drawback I can see to it: I usually prefer pens with a little heft to them. But I got it as a travel pen, and it'll fill that niche nicely until I decide I can splurge on an Al Sport!

[Ted A]

Apologies, Ted! I had you going off on a tangent, there: I <meant> to refer to the little <Stipula> that resembles the Kaweco in concept (but costs twice as much) -- do you know the one I mean?

 

BTW: I am so impressed with my new Sport -- so reliable and so smooth...

Stipula. I don't like my Passaporto so much. it is a friction posting pen that doesn't post very well. I'm constantly bumping the cap loose. Some of the Passaportos I've seen, like the FPN LE and now an upgraded pen have threads to screw the cap on for posting which should solve that. The second issue I have is that the Stipulas I have are really dry and take, for me at least, a lot of work to get flowing properly. I'm hoping I can solve that.

 

The Kaweco Sports I have post very firmly and comfortably. I've never had a problem with the cap slipping while posted. And they write well right out of the box.