Kaweco Steel Sport Fountain Pen Review

Kaweco makes my favorite pocket fountain pens, bar none. I think I’ve tried just about all of them at this point, and even so, I’m always ready to get the latest model in my hands. The Kaweco Steel Sport is the latest model, and my current favorite. At least until the next one.

What I like so much about the Kaweco Sport lineup overall is they are rock solid in my pocket. It doesn’t matter if it is the plastic barrel Classic or something as strong as this stainless steel model. My pocket is where I carry the Sport most of the time, and despite all of the jostling around the cap stays secure and the ink never leaks from the nib.

Prior to the Steel model, the stock gray AL Sport was my favorite to use, and the Brass Sport was the best looking. The Steel sport is the best of both world for me.

For all of the Kaweco Sports I have used, I am experiencing something different with this one that I have with any other. When unscrewing the cap, I find the grip section gets loose - about 1/16th of a turn - on occasion. When the pen was brand new, I noticed at a higher rate than I do now. I think it’s just one of those metal on metal things that now I’ve started to break it in is getting better. It’s a minor thing, but I thought I’d point it out because I’ve used a lot of these pens and have never seen this.

This doesn’t affect the performance of the pen or my thoughts of this pen, but one thing with Kaweco sometimes can: The nib. The brand is known for sketchy quality control on their steel nibs, especially with what is referred to as a Baby’s Bottom. This causes skipping and poor line performance, and has plagued Kaweco for years. I almost never have a problem with my Kaweco nibs because I generally order them with extra fine nibs. You hear more reports of this issue with medium or broad nibs.

I’m happy to report the extra fine nib on my Steel Sport is perfect, but again, your mileage may vary.

To fill the Steel Sport, I used the Diamine 1864 Blue Black ink cartridges. I find Kaweco’s inks to be a little washed out, and there are a ton of short international cartridges on the market that I prefer.

Picking a Kaweco Sport comes down to personal preference. I find the experience of using one plus the portability of it keeps it at the top of my most used pens list. Plus, there are so many choices you are certain to find one in your price range that suits your style.

So, what’s next in the Sport lineup Kaweco? I’ll be anxiously waiting.

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Kaweco Special Fountain Pen in Brass: A Review

(Susan M. Pigott is a fountain pen collector, pen and paperholic, photographer, and professor. You can find more from Susan on her blog Scribalishess.)

The Kaweco Special Fountain Pen in brass is indeed special—a definite step up from the usual plastic and aluminum offerings by the company. This pen is made of solid machined brass in the octagonal shape favored by the brand. The words “Kaweco Special FP Germany” are etched on one side.

The pen comes in a Kaweco tin and includes one blue cartridge.

The screw-on cap has a silver finial embedded in the dome-like top. There’s a grooved ring beneath this. These details give the pen a steampunk look that keeps it from being boring.

The bottom of the barrel has threads for posting the cap. However, I found that posting the cap made the pen too unwieldy. It is a nice detail for those who like to post their pens, and threaded posting means the cap will remain secure.

This pen came with a steel EF nib. It writes smoothly with no scratchiness at all, and the ink flows well.

I’ve bought several Kawecos, and all but two had absolutely horrible nibs. So, I was pleased to get one with a great nib.

The grip unscrews to allow access to the cartridge or converter.

There’s also a rubber ring at the base of the threads to insure that the cap seals well so the nib won’t dry out.

Although this pen is brass, it isn’t too heavy (the body weighs 20 grams). That’s because it is so thin. The grip is only 8.2mm wide and 15mm long, so there’s not much room for your fingers. The threads hit right where I normally position my fingers, and that is uncomfortable. I’ve been holding the pen by the barrel rather than the grip, but writing this way feels a bit awkward.

When you first open up the Kaweco Special, it is gloriously shiny, and the facets gleam in the light. But it doesn’t take much handling for the brass to show fingerprints. And, it only took a few days of use for a patina to form. That’s to be expected with a brass pen, and many people like the way brass looks with a patina. If you don’t, plan to polish your pen frequently.

Although I like the octagonal shape and the brass finish on the Kaweco Special, this is not the pen for me. It is much too thin. My hand starts cramping almost immediately, and long writing sessions are painful. Now that I’m in my 50s, I’ve found that I do better with larger pens. But that’s just me. I know many people prefer thinner pens and this is certainly a nice one.

You can purchase the Kaweco Special Fountain Pen from JetPens for $89.50.

Pros

• The Kaweco Special is a gorgeous brass fountain pen with Kaweco’s unique octagonal shape.
• The pen is balanced (unless you post it) and is not too heavy even though it is made of metal.
• The nib on this pen works well, but I’ve found Kaweco nib quality to vary from pen to pen.
• The rubber ring creates an airtight seal between the cap and the barrel when the pen is closed.

Cons

• The Kaweco Special comes with only one blue cartridge, so plan on buying more cartridges or a converter if you buy this pen.
• The pen is way too thin for my comfort, but as I said in the review, many people prefer slender pens.
• The brass doesn’t stay shiny for long, so you’ll either need to love patina or be willing to do a lot of polishing.

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Caran d'Ache 849 Fountain Pen Review

(Jeff Abbott is a regular contributor at The Pen Addict. You can find more from Jeff online at Draft Evolution and Twitter.)

If you've been to a pen show, you've no doubt seen the iconic Caran d'Ache ballpoint pens floating around. They have a unique and striking design with a range of subdued to loud colors available. The Caran d'Ache 849 ballpoint pens are a classic, so it's no surprise that there's also a fountain pen version of this beautiful pen.

The Caran d'Ache 849 collection is a minimal fountain pen from Switzerland. The hexagonal body is captivating and simple, and when paired with the beautiful colors, you find yourself taking a second look without realizing it. They're unique, and they're hard to put down because the writing experience is equal to their good looks.

The fountain pen versions are available in EF, F, and M nib sizes, and the EF model that I have is a fantastic example of the lineup. Even though it's a small nib, it's smooth and produces a very crisp line. I wasn't sure what to expect given the price range, but I was definitely impressed upon first using the pen. The ~$50 range of pens can sometimes be challenging when it comes to big brands, but the Caran d'Ache does an excellent job with this model. The nib is plain and simple, but it does its job well. It would appear that all the design and aesthetics went into the body on this one. The grip section is undeniably cheap, slim plastic, but it feels great in the hand when writing. In this way, it's very similar to the Retro 51 fountain pens, but I prefer the feel of this plastic grip section over the Retro 51 models.

The pen accepts international short cartridges, but will also accept a converter. I chose to use a blood orange ink in this pen, and I think the red on white combination is stellar. The ink flow is fantastic, even though it's a small nib. I haven't had issues with skipping, spitting, or hard starts with this pen, and it can last about two weeks in storage without having any issues starting again. Despite being small and plain, this steel nib is a great performer.

The body, which is a simple hexagonal shape, is simultaneously angular and soft. Given the light weight, it gives the pen a more airy feel than I imagine a heavier steel version of this pen would have. The cap connects crisply to the pen and stays put securely. You can post the cap, but it makes the pen a bit long and it's also a tiny bit wobbly. I don't post this pen when I'm using it, but I rarely post anyway.

The clip isn't super strong, but it gets the job done. It's also easy to remove if you prefer the clean look, but I prefer the look of the clip against the body. Apart from the Caran d'Ache name, a small "849" stamp, and an equally small "SWISS MADE" stamp on the cap, there is not branding on the pen. The top finial has a Caran d'Ache logo, but no words. The same logo is found on the nib along with the nib size indicator. Despite the minimal branding, this pen is instantly recognizable.

The length of the 849 is very similar to a Lamy Safari, but the diameter of the pen is similar to the body of a Kaweco Sport (not the cap). It's slim, but still comfortable to use due to the length.

When it comes to picking and using a pen, it all comes down to how well it writes and how it makes you feel. For me, I'm delighted by the aesthetic of the pen and then equally pleased by the writing experience. It's a great match that can sometimes be difficult to find. If you like the look of this pen, I'm sure you'll also love how it writes.

There are several colors available, along with EF, F, and M nib options. They retail for about $65, but you can usually find them for $10 cheaper.

(Goldspot provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Enjoy reading The Pen Addict? Then consider becoming a member to receive additional weekly content, giveaways, and discounts in The Pen Addict shop. Plus, you support me and the site directly, for which I am very grateful.

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