The Kaweco Liliput Fountain Pen
in Black
– Handwritten Review –

• Review Ink: Kaweco Blue-Black
  
• Review Paper: Kyokuto F.O.B COOP B5 Lined
  

Specs:

• Description: The smallest fountain pen offering from Kaweco
• Nib: Interchangeable Steel nib (EF-BB)
• Filling Mechanism: Cartridge
• Measurements: 3.8″ closed, 3.4″ open, 4.9″ posted, 5/16″ diameter
• Ink Capactiy: Intl Short Cartridge, ~.75ml
• Price: $55 USD
• Color Options: Several colors of aluminum, check them out here!

Handwritten Review Scans:

 

Intro/About:

 

Oh man, this is a TINY little fountain pen. Yes, tiny and little. If you thought the Kaweco Sport was compact, you’re going to be blown away by how small the Liliput is. Made of aluminum and super thin, the Liliput is just barely long enough for me to comfortably write with and it easily goes unnoticed if left in a pocket or bag. If you want to see some more Kaweco goodness, check out my reviews of the Classic Sport and the AL Sport.

I would also like to thank Sebastian at Kaweco for sending over a huge box of goodies, this pen included. I’m really enjoying the Liliput and I’m happy to call it a part of my collection.

Appearance & Packaging:

 

Holy small everything…The Liliput is so, so small, light and thin. The aluminum pen is only 3.8″ capped, 4.9″ posted, and under .5″ in diameter. It’s just barely big enough to house the international short cartridges that provide the ink. The black finish is smooth and without flaws. Instead of the standard metal Kaweco cap jewel, there’s a silk-screened (or etched?) logo on the rounded top of the pen. The side of the cap also bears the Kaweco name, along with the model name “Liliput” and “Germany”. The pen comes in a metal gift tin which has an awesome vintage-inspired design. The pen looks great, and is presented quite nicely. Win and win.

Nib Performance & Filling System:

I felt it was appropriate to put the EF nib I have into the smallest Kaweco I have. The Liliput sports a #5 nib, one that you may recognize from the Sport, Allrounder, Dia2, and more. It’s easily interchangeable with all of these pens, as the feed and sleeve unscrew from the pen easily. It’s great having the nibs easily swappable, but aesthetically, a #5 nib doesn’t fit with the larger Kaweco pens.

The EF nib is quite smooth, considering how fine it writes. It’s closer to a Japanese EF than a standard Western EF. It’s a bit dry, but I don’t mind it. I’ll probably do some tweaking to increase the flow a bit and have the nib put down a bit more ink. The Liliput takes International short cartridges, the Kaweco mini converter will not fit because the pen is too small – thanks for pointing this out Michael! Stick with the cartridges, or refill them with a syringe. It works much, much better. The Kaweco ink is surprisingly good, and comes in a nice range of colors. The ease of use of the cartridges are handy for a pocket pen, as it keeps the fuss down.

Feel:

Small, slippery, and narrow. That’s the Liliput in a nutshell. I like to think of the pen as my “emergency” fountain pen. It’s so small that it’s easy to keep in a back pocket, tucked next to a Field Notes without knowing it’s there. The durability of the aluminum and threaded cap ensure that there is no leakage, or cracking. It’s too thin for me to comfortably write with for a long period of time, but for quick notes it’s nice to have a fountain pen handy.

All of Kaweco’s aluminum pens that I have tried are machined very very well. there are no flaws on the pen and the finish is nice and smooth. The cap threads on perfectly on both the nib end, and the back for the pen to post. There’s not discernible wiggle when the cap is posted, giving the pen a rigid feel in hand. The grip has a slight taper, and is comfortable, but it’s very thin. The Liliput is constructed well, but at the end of the day it’s too small for long writing sessions. In a pinch,  it’s the perfect pocket fountain pen.

 

Pros:

• Virtually disappears in pocket
• Novelty is fun
• EF nib is very smooth

Cons:

• Pricey for a pocket pen
• Too small for long writing sessions

Conclusion:

At $55, the Liliput is a bit expensive for a pen that you cannot comfortably use for long periods of time. It’s definitely not an every day pen for me because of its size. It is however well constructed, a smooth writer, and a great backup pen. If you have smaller hands or prefer a thin writing instrument, then the Liliput may be right up your alley. It’s great to leave in a bag or in my pocket until I need it, but I think I prefer the bulked up Al-Sport. That pen is much more comfortable, and only a tiny bit larger. Had it not been sent to me, I don’t think I would have purchased the Liliput, but having spent some time with it, my mind may have been changed.

 

Thanks again to Kaweco for sending me this pen, make sure to check out the rest of the Kaweco line, my review of the Kaweco Sport, and a list of online retailers where you can pick up this pen.

Gallery:

Disclaimer: This pen was provided to me as a review unit, free of charge, by Kaweco, Germany. I was not compensated for this review, and this did not have any effect on my thoughts and opinions about the pen. Thank you for reading!