Kaweco Sport Piston Filler • How Much Is A Piston Worth To You?

A review of Kaweco's new piston filling Kaweco Sport. It's a terrific little pen with a much-improved ink capacity and great build quality. Btw, if you're looking at the length of the video, don't worry, the review isn't really that long! There is an extended pros & cons segment at the end. Timestamps are below so you can skip to what interests you. I did take some extra time since this is the first significant change to the Sport in quite a while.
I bought the pen at Cultpens. You can use this referral link for a discount: tiny.cc/kd7zxz
Ink was Kaweco Royal Blue included with the pen.
Paper today is a Rhodia Dot Pad: amzn.to/4aA0ftF
Other pens mentioned in the review:
Kaweco Sport (classic): goldspot.com/collections/kawe...
Lamy 2000 (not yet reviewed)
Pilot Elite 95s: ebay.us/XNTUCX
Visconti Mythos: • Visconti Mirage Mythos...
Timestamps
Intro: 0:11
Overview: 1:02
Nib & Specs: 5:56
Material & Finish: 7:13
Size Comparisons: 10:05
Filling w/Ink: 13:05
Writing Test: 14:26
Extended Pros & Cons: 18:31
Quote of the Week: 28:31
Vielen Dank fürs Zuschauen!
THANK YOU FOR WATCHING!
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JG3 Reviews
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[@michelgolabaigne595]

This new Kaweco fountain pen with piston mechanism is a charming and coherent continuation of the Sport series. The design is an absolute success, but it has one flaw that surprises me. The dimensions of the new Kaweco are identical to those of the regular Sport model, with one exception: the section goes deeper into the cap. On the regular Sport model, it measures 3.7 cm, while on the Sport Piston, it measures 4.3 cm. For this reason, the fountain pen is 6 mm shorter. This inexplicable fact reduces writing comfort, giving the strange impression that something is wrong. That's very unfortunate...

[@zeus52452]

An interesting take on the pen. I think you should think of the cap as a means of keeping the blind cap from getting lost, and yes I think it's a feature. All too many piston fill pens can't be posted because they can turn the piston knob, but not this pen. I have an Ebonite Sport and the piston is close to half the cost. I myself was holding off but I changed my mind and found the kit online less than what many retailers were/are selling the pen for. As for the nib, the regular replacement nibs for the other Kawecos will not fit in this pen. It takes a 190 insert, and I've already ordered a BB nib from a shop in the UK to fit the one that is on its way.

[@IratherservetheLord]

Ha ha the German intro was classic I was not sure what was going on at first lol 😂

[@JG3Reviews]

🤣

[@mmayo2518]

Thanks for bringing up that feature that isn’t a feature😊. I’ve watched many reviews and you’re the only one who’s mentioned it! Unfortunately I had already discovered it and panicked for a bit. Great review.

[@danielklopp7007]

I agree with James - I love the concept of this pen (I own a couple of Kaweco Sports - including the Ice Blue model), however I think it's overpriced (compared to other pocket pens I might consider). My EDC pocket pen is the Gravitas Pocket in stainless steel (love the feel and durability of the Gravitas).

[@irvintepper5]

JG thans for intelligent review. I have watched reviewers sing the praises o fhis pen, it probably a nice pen, however the price is absurd. Thanks for making comparisons.

[@evanbasnaw]

For me, I'd be paying for the durability of the aluminum. I was almost sold on the raw aluminum sport, but I think it's worth the upgrade to have a piston over a cartridge on something like that for a pocket pen.

[@JG3Reviews]

I can see that. I definitely like the aluminum and finish. They've done a great job.

[@teresaharris-travelbybooks5564]

You had me worried, there for a minute. I thought I was going to have to read subtitles for the entire review. 😅 It's a cute pen, but no way; not for the price..But; of course; we're all still curious.

[@JG3Reviews]

😆

[@baladino]

Hello James. Enjoyed your review and commentary. That German intro shocked me ! Ha ha ha. This is my first and only Kaweco so far and i am very happy with it. It has never failed to write after being kept aside for a While. And the aesthetics are point on with that black and gold thing. Thank you and take care

[@ichirofakename]

It's a nice pen. It wouldn't be the first pen I'd paid a premium for. It reminds me of the Sailor Realo, with its ludicrous mark-up for the precious piston, on top of the base Sailor premium. I have one. But no more pistons for me, I am on team Refill Cartridge.

[@nambi1227]

A very honest opinion James, unlike many other viewers fanboy moments. I wish you could have included a few more piston filler/ aluminium fountain pens in that list. I love Pistone filler type pens, as I saw this pen, I could stop thinking about Dolar 717i pen for its similar looks. 😂😂

[@jimmybritt8405]

Thanks for the review James. I'm money conscience, but not cheap. I can't see myself paying for a Kaweco piston for the price.

[@JG3Reviews]

Even just bringing it down to the price of the Pelikan M200 would soften the blow for many, I'd think. It's a 17% difference. Not huge, but something. And I'm starting to think that the M200 just might be where they are aiming this pen price-wise. It's priced right between the standard and special edition M200/205 models.

[@paulmchugh1430]

Thank you for your honest appraisal, James. I recently bought a base version of the Sport and haven't inked it yet. Part of the reason is that the section / barrel is thin for my hand. I have Medium size hands and usually can write with thinner pens but this pen is the width of a standard pencil, I believe. As for the price, I think I am with you on this, that perhaps other pens in this price point are more favorable to me that this Sport. Love the packaging, though. I think I will pass on it. There are so many other pens that I want to get first.

[@UrbanHafner]

Well done in the intro! 🇩🇪

[@JG3Reviews]

Danke!

[@jamesbarrett1590]

Your assessment of the price of this pen is spot on! It is either way overpriced or some other pens are way underpriced! Like you I have a number of pens at that price point or less that I am far more impressed with. The Majohn T1 comes to mind as a comparable pen

[@donhall-aquitania1025]

I bought my Lamy 2000 and Diplomat Excellence A2 both for less than $150 after finding great deals at Endless Pens and Pen Savings.

[@amyr.862]

I've looked at vintage piston sports and like everyone else, the price of this give me pause. It would be nice but its not a need right now 😔 Three of my old Japanese pocket pens from Platinum (like the Pilot Elites) cost less than this pen and theyre all gold nibs 😂 Love those little fellas! One of them has a metal body with swirls painted on it so I that's as close as I get to an aluminum pen for now. Maybe the right sale will cross my path when I have the cash. It's a nice size and looks sharp.

[@santauxia]

Who knew you speak German! Thats great. I like the Kaweco sport, and I think every pen aficionado owns one at least. But the asking price for this unit is extreme in my opinion.

[@ferrypen4952]

Many thanks for a great review. I do like the form factor of these pens but I've always felt the Sports were on the expensive side and I really can't see me splashing all the money on the piston filler. I have a couple of Delike Alpha's in the same form factor which both write just as well if not better then both of my Kaweco Sport pens.

[@mstudentpapers416]

Pretty good German, James (and this is coming from a real German). Btw. in the word "Füllfederhalter" this first syllable is stressed. And in the word Kaweco, the second syllable is stressed - so it's pronounced like "Waco" rather than "wacko." ;-)

[@JG3Reviews]

Oops! Thanks for the tip, I’m very rusty these days. 👍🏼

[@samyg123]

I think Kaweco is likely trying to recoup some of the tooling and R&D work with this price, not being sure how well it will actually sell. I think in terms of market price, somewhere around $70 seems more reasonable IMO.

[@johnnyragadoo2414]

This pen fits a specific use, so I gutted up the price. It's a pen for shallow shirt pockets, made of durable material, and has plenty of capacity. In truth, the tiny Sport converter will last longer than you would think, at least for a pocket walking-around pen. Piston filling is just nicer. If the blind cap gets unthreaded in the main cap, I've found the main cap can just go back on the pen and re-thread the blind cap with a few clockwise turns. I'll never buy this expensive a pen again. Ever. And I probably mean it this time, darn it! Edited to add: Forgot my manners (again) - nice video!

[@JG3Reviews]

Thanks. I will say this, it's expensive, but it hasn't been a bit disappointing, and I'll probably be using it enought to amortize it out to seeming reasonable. lol

[@tylermarcum1307]

You forgot to change the calendar over. Pink Cadillac now…Aretha Franklin vibes

[@JG3Reviews]

Ha! My daughter flipped it while I was editing. I was still enjoying the April car. 🤣

[@ilikepens]

I’m with you…did I get one…yes…did I find it for cheaper…yes….would I have paid the full retail price for it…absolutely not. They priced this pen way too high for what it is. Especially with some of the great designs and engineering coming out of china these days. I would put any of the as one piston fillers up against this pen and they would win every time at $30 or less. But I did find it intriguing to have a piston sport since I had been looking at getting one of the vintage sports. It’s a good pen and made well, but its value point should have been closer to $100-$120 in my opinion.

[@JG3Reviews]

I think that window sounds about right. An AL Sport goes for about $70, so 100 is still $30 for a piston upgrade.

[@stevekail4543]

I once saw a Volkswagen Beetle with a vanity license plate that said "feature"! I wonder how many people got the joke. 😆

[@HomerIncognito]

Material-wise this pen isn't that simple - in order to have a piston filler in an aluminum barrel there has to be a plastic lining inside. But still I also think it's a bit too expensive, especially as you've mentioned, compared to the E95S.

[@wanyman]

I definitely pay for quality. The pen just looks too thin for my particular hands. I've got arthritis and tremors, so a thicker pen is easier for me to use.

[@davidbyers7246]

I suppose others might have already said this, but anyway I think Kaweco Sports pens come with a #4 nib.

[@JG3Reviews]

Oops. Just went back and checked. It’s a No. 2 nib, a No. 5 nib unit.

[@davidbyers7246]

@@JG3Reviews Yes, it is a tiny nib!

[@archivist17]

The Ebonit Sport was more expensive!

[@schmoock100]

For me the most annoying part of any of the higher priced Kawecos is the nib. I just can’t figure out why they are not putting their premium nibs on those models. Paying 160€ to have the same writing experience as a 25€ pen is just not ok.

[@JG3Reviews]

I will say that while it is still their steel nib, it is the best writing Kaweco nib I have.

[@user-gl5ld9vm7i]

I do like the Kaweco, but, I agree with you. It is overpriced. Assuming that the R&D cost of creating the piston mechanism. Kaweco is trying to gather back $ to counter the costs involved in this new design.

[@JG3Reviews]

I agree, but I wonder how much R&D really goes into a mechanism they've basically done before?

[@davidwiseman-uf3vv]

I agree with you. I can get a Twsbi 580 smoke rose gold + plastic sport + 18 diamine cartridges for less, and a bottle of ink.

[@vext01]

Maybe I'm a cheapskate, but the pricing of this pen has put me off kaweco a bit.

[@paulll47]

Not this much, especially when there are brands like Twsbi, Narwhal, Asvine and whatnot that make great quality pistons for half the price.

[@josealmeidafaria1773]

James, great video. My question is: will it scratch easily?

[@JG3Reviews]

I wouldn't think so. It's not impossible to scratch, but it should be quite durable. I don't know the exact coating they used, but a lot of the makers are using the same/similar coatings to what some firearms companies are using for pistol slides, so they take a lot of wear. Keys in the pocket will scratch it, but in normal use it should wear very well. It should be the same as other anodized aluminum Sports in the past.

[@jamesfahey7188]

Yeah the price is outrageous. I don’t get it. Lamy 2000 can often be found for the same price or cheaper. I prefer cartridge converters anyway. They’re easier to clean and maintain.

[@HistoricGentleman]

Absolutely ridiculous price for what it is. An original KaWeCo piston filling sport can be had for 1/3 to 1/2 of the price and it will come with a 14k nib made by pen professionals when it was a real company.