Kaweco AL Sport Stonewashed Roller Ball Pen Review

Finding the perfect pocket pen is a challenge. Most of us only carry one. Should it be a ballpoint that will write in almost any situation? A fountain pen that will give you the writing experience you crave? Or a rollerball that is a bit of a mix between the two?

I’ve carried a fountain pen for the most part for the past couple of years, either the Kaweco AL Sport or, more recently, the Kaweco Liliput Brass Wave with a custom nib grind. Now that the AL Sport Roller Ball comes in the awesome Stonewashed finish I wanted to see if it could break into what has been a fountain pen only rotation. Short version: It can, and it has.

If it wasn’t already obvious, Kaweco not only makes great pens, but many of their models are perfect for every day carry. The AL Sport Stonewashed Roller has the same great build quality as its counterparts. The aluminum barrel has a solid feel, threads nicely, and can take a beating on the go and not skip a beat when it is time to write or draw. Just what I want in a pocket pen.

What makes the AL Sport Roller a real contender is the use of a Parker compatible refill. It ships with a Kaweco-branded Schmidt roller in medium, which on its own provides a smooth, dark line. It’s too wide for me, so I swapped it immediately with a Moleskine 0.5 mm gel refill in black and went to town. If you prefer the pressurized ballpoint of the Space Pen Refill that is an option too. Any Parker-style refill fits, making this a customizable EDC workhorse.

Kaweco pens are built for this. They are durable, long lasting, and flat-out beautiful. The AL Sport line is made for the pocket as much as they are made for writing when it is time to get down to business.

(JetPens is a sponsor of The Pen Addict and I received this product at no charge.)

Kaweco Eco Leather Pouch Review

I was a bit surprised when I saw the Kaweco Eco Leather Pouches pop up at JetPens. Kaweco has made larger, sturdier pen cases in the past, making these seem like a bit of an outlier. I was even unimpressed when I first opened the package for the Liliput 1 Pen Pouch. It seemed thin and flimsy and I was concerned it wasn't such a good deal at $18.50. I was wrong.

I chose the single Liliput pouch because 1. The Liliput needs a pouch more than the AL Sport and 2. My pens would touch in the two pen pouch. The Liliput is so small it tends to get lost in my pocket, but sliding it into this pouch has made it perfect for pocket carry. The leather is thin and soft, allowing it to form to the pen very well. It is also breaking in nicely, getting some nice wear, which all leather goods need.

I can see the use for the single sleeve Sport pouch, but that size of pen just goes straight into the pocket without issue for me. The two-pen pouches seem too large for the pocket but will be fine in a backpack or purse.

Bottom line: The Kaweco Eco Leather Pouch comes in more handy than I thought. My Brass Wave Liliput has found a new home.

(JetPens is an advertiser on The Pen Addict and I received this product at no charge.)

Kaweco Skyline Sport Fountain Pen Review

I’ve long been a fan of the Kaweco Classic Sport fountain pen but it never made my daily rotation. I’m not the biggest fan of the gold colored nib and trim of the pen, after all. With the release of the new Kaweco Skyline Sport I can happily carry one of the best pocket pens on the market with fresh, new silver furniture.

Kaweco didn’t just just swap gold for silver and keep the barrel colors intact, they added Mint and Gray to the lineup, and also made Black available in the Skyline lineup. The blogosphere is in love with the Mint barrel - rightfully so - but I went with the more subdued Gray with an EF nib and couldn’t be happier.

If you are a fan of the Kaweco Classic you will be glad to know the nuts and bolts of the pen haven’t changed a bit. The same great design and functionality are found in the Skyline. It is a lightweight, compact pen when closed and full-sized for writing with the cap posted. It is easily comfortable enough to use all day.

What I like about the Skyline the most is that it is a no-frills pocket carry. The smooth plastic barrel just slides into your pocket, with no clip to snag on anything and no metal barrel to scratch up other items. It’s also cheaper than most pocket fountain pens so there is no fear in losing it.

The Kaweco Classic is a great all-around fountain pen and the Skyline fits right in to an already excellent lineup.

(JetPens is an advertiser on The Pen Addict and I received this product at no charge.)