The Kaweco Sport Fountain Pen

in Bordeaux

– Handwritten Review –

• Review Ink: Noodler’s Bad Belted Kingfisher
  
• Review Paper: Rhodia Graph Pad, No. 16 – 80g Bright White

Specs:

• Description: Perhaps the perfect EDC fountain pen, this pocket-friendly fountain pen “extends” when posted.
• Nib: 23kt Gold Plated Steel
• Filling Mechanism: Cartridge
• Weight: 15 grams
• Measurements: 4.1″ closed, 5.3″ posted
• Ink Capactiy: Intl Short Cartridge, ~.75ml

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Handwritten Review Scans:

Intro/About:

I’ve wanted a Kaweco Sport for quite a while. For my first fountain pen, I was in between this and the Lamy Safari. Ultimately, I went for the Safari but this was not far behind. I really liked the pocketability and design of the pen. This pen is by no means new to me (hence it looking pretty thrashed in the pictures). I’ve had the pen for just over two years and we’ve had a tumultuous relationship to say the least (don’t worry, we’re friends now). I recently started carrying the Kaweco Sport again, and after some nib tweaking, the pen is writing how I like it. It’s right at home in my back pocket and is unnoticeable until I need it. Enjoy the review!

Appearance & Packaging:

The packaging for the Kaweco Sport is pretty much what you’d expect from a ~$25.00 pen. It was in a small, nicely designed black and gold cardboard box. I would provide you with pictures, but I discarded it years ago. Check out Google Image Search if you’re curious. Packaging isn’t very important to me, as long as what’s on the inside works well. The only thing worth noting was how small the box is (and the pen for that matter). When I took it out of the shipping box, I was shocked at the size.

The Appearance of the pen is what sets it apart from the rest of the pack. The Kaweco Sport is a true pocket pen. The cap is uniquely designed, in that it’s much longer than what you would think the cap for a pen it’s size would be. The pen, when unposted, is too short for me to comfortably write with. When capped, the pen is approximately 105mm, but when posted, the pen extends to a comfortable 135mm. Kaweco’s slogan “small in the pocket, great in the hand” really holds true. More on this in the feel category. I particularly like the gold cap jewel that matches the nib and the branding on the pen. I opted for the pen in Bordeaux with a fine nib, and the deep maroon compliments the gold quite nicely. The nib has some simple engraving on it, but it’s not corny or cheap looking. It fits the overall look of the pen nicely. I really like the appearance of the pen, I just wish it was a bit more hefty in hand (Kaweco AL-Sport, are you going to be in my collection soon?).

Nib Performance & Filling System:

Initially, this fine-nibbed Kaweco wrote pretty dry. I wasn’t thrilled with the writing performance. It was decently smooth, it just needed more flow. If you like drier writers, then this would be a non-issue. This pen sat around in my pen cup, unused, for quite a while. I recently picked it up again, and I’m glad I did. I spread the tines a bit, increasing the ink flow, and now it’s a nice medium-wet writer. The nib is quite smooth and performs well for it’s price point. I’ve read other reports of the Sport and AL-Sport being hit or miss in terms of nib performance, so be aware. I’ve also read that customer service is on-point, an most issues were resolved quickly and painlessly.

The Kaweco Sport utilizes a cartride filling system. There’s currently no OEM converter available, but there are a few work arounds out there. I just stick to the cartridges, and when they’re empty, I clean them out and refill them by syringe. The Sport takes International Standard Short Cartridges, so finding an ink you like is relatively easy with all the choices out there.

Feel:

The feel of the Kaweco Sport leaves something to be desired for me. The pen is very very light. I would really like to try out the all aluminum Al-Sport. I think I would be happier with one of those because of the added weight. Back to Kaweco’s slogan, “small in the pocket, great in the hand’. It definitely holds true. The Sport practically disappears in my back pocket, comfortably nested in next to my wallet. It’s quite comfortable to write with when posted, but for extended writing sessions I am much more likely to grab something a bit more comfortable. For an every-day carry pen, this thing fits the bill. For essay writing and note taking, maybe not so much. The plastic they use also feels a little bit on the cheap side. It’s not as rugged as the Lamy Safari’s ABS and can definitely get pretty thrashed from  hanging out in a pocket or bag with keys and change.

Pros:

• Great Pocketability
• Appropriately Priced
• Great Cap Design
• Very Portable
• No Proprietary Cartridge

Cons:

• Very Light Weight
• Cheap feel to the plastic
• Inconsistent Nib Performance
• Very Basic Packaging

Conclusion:

For a sub-$30 pen, the Kaweco Sport certainly isn’t bad. As a pocket pen, it’s actually great. It falls a bit short as a daily use pen due to the writing fatigue that can kick in. The light weight makes it great for the pocket, but can be an issue during longer writing sessions. While the plastic Sport is nice, I think I would be happier with the aluminum version due to the added weight and durability. If you are looking for a fountain pen to throw in your pocket or bag with a tiny footprint, then I suggest checking this one out!