(Jeff Abbott is a regular contributor at The Pen Addict. You can find more from Jeff online at Draft Evolution and Twitter.)
A while back, I purchased my first Kaweco Liliput. It was the Brass Wave model with an EF nib, and I immediately fell in love with the form factor. A little later, I also picked up a stainless steel version, which strengthened my affection for the little Liliputs even more.
Fast forward a bit to 2016, and we have the Kaweco Supra. The name caught my attention when the pen was first announced because the only Supra I'm familiar with was one that Toyota made back in the day. Let's just they don't have much in common at all.
The Kaweco Supra take the idea of the Liliput and adds a bit of size and flexibility. An all copper body? Check. Threaded rear for posting the cap securely? Check. Slim size and cigar-like shape? Yep. So what does the Supra have that you can't find in the Liliput? Several things.
Size
The Supra is quite a bit larger than the Liliput. When you compare the Supra with a brass Liliput, there's an entire ounce of difference. That's significant when comparing pens. The Supra is 5.1 inches when capped, and the Liliput is 3.8 inches. Both are pocketable, but the Supra has a more normal diameter compared to the Liliput. I've always felt that the Liliput isn't ideal for long writing sessions, but the Supra take care of that concern with no problems. This is a full size pen that still breaks down to a small, pocketable superstar of a pen.
Flexibility
The Supra has another trick up its sleeve, though. Unlike the Liliput, it has an additional section piece that can be removed to reduce the overall size and weight of the pen. The extra section is 3 cm long, which is about a quarter of the overall length. When you remove this extra section, the Supra really is a big brother to the Liliput. But, I love the flexibility that this additional piece offers. For one, you can store an extra short cartridge in the pen, or you can use a full-size converter with the extra space. It also changes the weight and feel of the pen depending on the configuration you're using. For me, I prefer to use the pen unposted when the extra section is installed, but I prefer to use it posted when the extra section is removed. You can certainly post the cap with the section installed, but that makes for a pretty long pen. For me, it threw the balance off too much.
I love the Supra for its flexibility and quirk. It can be a bit hefty since it's solid brass, but it's still a good weight for writing. Of course, the brass will take on a new personality fairly quickly after you start using it. In just three weeks of use, I have some patina starting to show on the more heavily used areas of the pen. Over time, it will develop into a duller, warmer finish.
Personally, I would love a stainless steel version of the Supra as well. It would be a tad lighter, but wouldn't develop a patina. I have a love-hate relationship with brass pens. On one hand, I love the unique and aged look they take on over time. On the other hand, I sometimes feel annoyed by the texture that the oxidation creates. It makes the pen feel dirty in some cases.
But, don't let that bother you. Cleaning off the patina is a simple matter of letting it soak in white vinegar for 15 minutes followed by some mild scrubbing. After that, it's shiny and new again.
Writing
By now, you know I'm a fan of the exterior of the Supra, but let's talk a bit about the important part — the nib.
The nib on the Supra is also a step up over the Liliput (and many other common Kaweco models). It uses a large #6 nib that fits perfectly on this pen. It makes a statement and plays well with the overall aesthetic of the pen. I love the large nib, and I'm also very happy to report that it's an excellent writer. I've had trouble with Kawecos needing minor (and not-so-minor adjustments) in the past, so it was a relief to find this one worked well straight away.
The nib is smooth and delivers ink with constant flow. It's a stainless steel nib, so there's not any flex to report. What I can say is that it's a sturdy, reliable, and enjoyable nib.
Again, depending on how you configure the Supra, it will feel different when writing because of the changes in weight and balance. I look at that as a benefit, but I'm sure others would disagree.
I've used this pen for a solid three weeks and have been very happy with it so far. It does very well for extended writing sessions, but also is the perfect size for going along for off-site adventures in your pocket or bag. The brass material also means you'll pick up dings and scratches that add more character to it over time.
Conclusion
Overall, I'm really happy with this pen. It's a great product from Kaweco that is a "larger than life" take on one of my other favorite Kaweco products, the Liliput. Of course, the Supra is a bit more expensive than the Liliput, but that's easy to explain with the larger size and larger nib. I look forward to other variants of the Supra from Kaweco in the future!
Goldspot have the Supra in EF, F, M, B, and BB nib sizes.
(Goldspot provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)
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