Kaweco Sport Brass: A Review For Artists

[@deeabel6267]

I fitted mine with an Eversharp Skyline, 22mm x 6. 3mm (XF, smooth and Fine w/ faint flex from Five Star Pens). It didn't write at all at first. There was a gap between the tip of the feed and the nib. So I dipped the feed in boiling water, bent it back (up) with my finger, then held it in cold water. Once reassembled, it did write, but it skipped a lot. I then heated up the tip of the feed with a heat gun (10-15 seconds), then pushed the tip up. It now works nicely. Kaweco feeds are much easier to replace than vintage gold nibs, so I figured I better focus my attention there!

[@mkompan]

Great! I think many people don’t know that plastic feeds can also be heat set, to a lesser extent than ebonite feeds. It might require you to heat the plastic to a point where you risk ruining the feed, but since they’re usually very cheap, the risk is totally worth it.

[@atelierthhun1165]

Hi Marc,thanks for the comprehensive review. It is so useful to have a fellow artist clearly explain the pros and cons of a pen before being seduced into another new toy. What inks did you use ? I'm asking as I've found some of my pens are horribly picky about which they run well on. Maybe you could do a review on finding a more or less universal ink for artists - or what to avoid- which would be tremendously useful.

[@mkompan]

You're welcome! In this pen I used a very nice Sepia ink made by Callifolio. It has very good flow and works well in flex pens. I'll have to think about what inks are the most useful to artists and make a video.

[@atelierthhun1165]

Thanks Marc, that would be great. To perhaps narrow a huge topic down a bit, I've found fude and standard nibs to be generally tolerant and well behaved but the ink selection problems with semi and flex nibs immense and baffling. Even within ranges some colours work well and others don't so recommendations from yourself would be invaluable.

[@thuntz29]

Ohh congrats on the affiliate link! That’s awesome! You make some of the best fp reviews on KZbin. I have an aluminium Kaweco but unfortunately I find it a bit slippery and also very cold in winter 🥶. I recently found brass plugs for refilling cartridges :) just ordered them so I’m not sure how they work yet, but excited! My favourite Kaweco right now is the Dia 2 :)

[@mkompan]

Thank you! I'm about to review the Kaweco Lilliput in the copper finish that they sent me. It's my very professional gig as a KZbin "influencer." I've seen those little brass plugs around and will have to try them. I'm also curious about the aluminum Sport and will probably end up getting it. It never gets that cold here in California. :P

[@DavidHoehn1]

Thanks for another great video Marc, I love the semi-flex nib option, it looks beautiful! I spoke with the guy at “5 Star Pens” and although he was informative, he was dismissive and quite rude. He said that he didn’t have any to sell and that vintage #2 semi-flex nibs are all different because they were made by hand, by different manufacturers and that using them in a modern pen body like the Kaweco won’t work well at all. So much for 5 Star Pens. I would give them “0” Stars.

[@mkompan]

You're welcome David! The few short interactions I've had with Five Star Pens have been nothing but positive, so I'm surprised by your negative experience. I think vintage fountain pen people are generally against putting old nibs into new pens, believing that vintage nibs need to go into vintage pen bodies they were created for. I understand their perspective, but gold nibs are far more durable than the plastic or ebonite pens that held them, so we're seeing more and more homeless nibs. I've successfully done the vintage nib to modern pen conversion quite a few times, and I'm not the only one who has done it. The most important thing is to fine the exact length and width of the nib. For the Kaweco look for a smaller #2 (the number is just a ball-park, actually size will vary) 22mm by 5mm.

[@MummyBrown]

Thank you for the specs, I’m off to search around for my own vintage semi-flex fix. Thanks for sharing the idea!

[@gabemadorma2933]

Great vid Marc! I was going to recommend a vintage nibs but you were way ahead of me! I’ve got a sheaffer feather touch nib in mine, which is pretty common in old Sheaffers beyond repair. I like your sac idea, and I don’t think it’ll leak given the insulating layer of air. I have an all metal Wahl pocket pen / sac filler, and there haven’t been any leaking issues :)

[@mkompan]

Thanks Gabe, and thanks for the tip about Sheaffer nibs. I just got a Kaweco Lilliput from Goldspot Pens to review, and will be trying it. No problems so far with the sac filler converter, but I don't want anyone angry with me if their pen burps, hence the warning.

[@gabemadorma2933]

@@mkompan no prob! Hope you like it!

[@NilsEckelt]

Hi Marc, I‘m from Germany. Any tips where to look for a vintage semi flex nib. I carry my Kaweco Sport Brass every day woth me and draw with it. I am looking for a flex nib for my fountain pen for a while and it looks like you‘ve been rather successful. 😊

[@mkompan]

Hi Nils. I’ve bought several nibs from the German Pen Board: www.penboard.de/shop/ The site usually provides precise measurements for the nibs, and if they don’t you can request them.

[@ichirofakename]

1. Excellent review, thanks. 2. Do you find any advantage to drawing with a heavy pen? I wonder if the extra inertia might be advantageous. I apologize if I already asked you this question. 3. I find the Kaweco Sport BB nib wonderfully wet and smooth, and recommend it, should you use broader nibs.

[@mkompan]

1. Thank you! 2. Drawing with a heavy pen is strangely pleasant, and gives you the feeling greater precision, as if you're working with heavy engraver's burin. I'm not sure if the advantages go beyond the psychological however. The hand quickly adjusts to the pen, be it in terms of weight or size. 3. BB nibs aren't my thing, but I'm probably going to get a plastic Sport at some point so I can eye-dropper it, and will get it in BB to try it out.

[@dimitris470]

I bought a plain plastic sport to try. And while it its surprisingly usable, I can't help but feeling like it's cheap. I love working with brass on the other hand. Especially the smell, it reminds me of playing as a kid with my grandfather's machinist's tools. But to be honest I am hesitant to throw 100 bucks for the pen. I don' t know...

[@mkompan]

I think the aluminum version strikes a decent balance between weight and price, but I do love my brass version. I don’t know where you are but here in the U.S. it can be found for around 60.

[@KirstenBroder]

It’s $50 on Amazon right now

[@phototristan]

For more capacity, just refill the cartridges with a syringe, I agree that mini converter is small.

[@mkompan]

Agree with you there. And you can get brass caps for those cartridges from Great Fountain Italy, that make refilled cartridges portable.

[@nope8535]

I keep seeing people recommending this pen in one version or another. I just dont see it but I have a feeling it will only become apparent when I use one.

[@mkompan]

I held off for a long time as well, not seeing the appeal. It does serve a specific function: a pen that can be carried in your pants pocket without fear of scratching.

[@Kelsey-te8fk]

love this review. Where did you get your vintage nib?

[@mkompan]

Thanks! Five-star pens is a good resource, as is eBay.

[@jbross9802]

Excellent video as usual Marc! I’ve had and used one of these great pens for about 6 years and find it very practical to regularly carry and fiddle/sketch with. Hadn’t heard of this nib swap before! Will try some #2 warranted to see if they fit, thank you.

[@mkompan]

Thanks. There is something addictive about this pen. I've been using it everyday since I got it.

[@ToddDolce]

@@mkompan Would be great if anyone that has success with a nib swap share the exact nib info and a link to where it may be had. This may be a great help to those wanting to make such a swap.

[@mkompan]

@@ToddDolce There a few blogs on the subject, but you're probably not going find that kind of information. Vintage nibs are scattered over hundreds of sellers, with one compatible nib available here, and one available there. Look for a nib that's 22mm x 5mm and be patient. Some brands are Parker, Waterman, Shaeffer, Wahl-Eversharp, Conway Stewart, Mabie-Todd.

[@ToddDolce]

@@mkompan Thanks Marc. Makes sense.

[@iantnotes3047]

Hi Marc, new sub here. I really like your reviews and i'm looking forward to craft your DIY squeeze, but for a liliput. I just don't understand the size... i can only find silicone sacs at a minimum 14/64, what's 8 and half referred to?

[@mkompan]

I bought them from Vintagepens.com. The size was 18.5 but it looks like they’re only selling size 18 at the moment. I’m sure it will work since the sacs are stretchy.

[@iantnotes3047]

@@mkompan Amazing, thanks!

[@sparklybits6225]

@@mkompan I can't find size 18 1.2 without paying hefty overseas shipping rates; however, I did just happily purchase from an eBay seller "HooverPen" size 18.

[@mkompan]

@@sparklybits6225 This will be useful for my oversee audience to know. Thanks for letting us know!

[@EPeltzer]

Wasn't interested in this pen at all for a long time. The points you make and the ink sack hack at the end, all well noted. Would be great to have a little pocked sketcher that actually looks better the more your keys scratch it up!

[@mkompan]

This pen will definitely be at home in a messy sculpture studio.

[@relaques666]

Wow Marc, I've been thinking about getting a pocket pen for exactly that purpose: throw it in together with a tiny sketchbook and put some minutes at a bus stop into drawing. This review couldn't come at a more perfect time for me!

[@mkompan]

Glad to hear it, Nikita! Ive used this pen everyday since I bought it. There's something addictive about it.

[@relaques666]

@@mkompan Well, I just got it today. Very very hefty! I think it's even heavier than my metal Pilot Falcon! The nib is surprisingly alright. Not scratchy at all for a n EF though a wee bit dry... Thank you for your review.

[@relaques666]

I will be forced to fill cartridges with a syringe because as far as I know there's no cartridges with permanent (waterproof ink).

[@mkompan]

@@relaques666 good news, DeAtramentis makes short cartridges with their Document Black, one of the best waterproof inks out there.

[@relaques666]

@@mkompan thank you for the heads up! Need to throw a pack into my bag just in case. So far my experience with the pen (for anyone considering): 1. Much better nib than I actually expected. I was ready to a scratchy EF but it's astonishingly smooth considering the price of these nib units. Writes a little dry, which is perfect for crosshatch shading in my opinion. Does offer some line variation! 2. Just like Marc mentioned - it's oddly addictive. I just want to draw with this pen. Sounds a little silly but it's totally true. 3. I can actually draw with it unposted. No i don't have small hands. I think it's a testament how natural the pen feels in general. 4. With pen looking this fancy I feel like a right schmuck being seen with it in public.

[@santauxia]

Great idea to expand the ink capacity!!!

[@mkompan]

It’s been working great so far. We’ll see how it is long term…

[@adamgillanders7886]

@@mkompan any updates on the long term performance? I want one of these pens so bad but I don’t want to refill it every single day. How much sketching can you get done before you’re dry? Ever thought about taking a long cartridge and just cutting a section out of the top and glueing the top cap back on?

[@mkompan]

@@adamgillanders7886 So far so good, and it's been over a year since this video was published. It gives you plenty of ink capacity for sketching, lasting several days, particularly if you're using the original Kaweco nib, which writes dry. I haven't tried making a shorter cartridge

[@jeremyeicke3682]

Is that gold nib a waterman number 2 by chance?

[@mkompan]

This one is made by Conway Stewart. I have a #2 semi-flex Waterman nib in a Noodler's Boston Safety Pen and it's fantastic.

[@pilatusk2]

Thank you. as alway very good information

[@mkompan]

You’re very welcome!

[@JellyBear-n5w]

Which clip do you have there?

[@mkompan]

That’s the retro clip in brass.

[@rantg]

do you paint also with F/M nibs ?

[@mkompan]

I do. I’ll sometimes use wider nibs when drawing landscape in pen and ink and watercolor. Very fine lines tend to get lost underneath the washes, so a thicker line works better.

[@rantg]

@@mkompan thanks, so when you use water color on top, do you use nib F or EF/M ?

[@mkompan]

@@rantg I usually use a fine and a medium.

[@rantg]

@@mkompan thanks, I tought I saw EF, anyway your channel is great btw!

[@mkompan]

@@rantg Thanks!

[@philartman3944]

Ink problem solved use plastic pen convert to eyedropper. Perfect solution.

[@mkompan]

That will of course work on the plastic versions of the Sport, but I don't know if I'm comfortable carrying an eyedroppered pen in my pocket. Sounds like a recipe for disaster.

[@philartman3944]

@@mkompan have been doing it for years never an issue. Use synthetic grease. These are German pens best quality.

[@mkompan]

@@philartman3944 very good to know! Thanks for the advice.

[@DalerousLance]

GOD DAM HUGE hands

[@mkompan]

You should see my feet.

[@DalerousLance]

@@mkompan lmfao

[@sushanart]

😇🩵🙏🙌

[@MybeautifulandamazingPrincess]

Only takes short cartridges 😡 Kaweco needs to redesign the sport line to take long cartridges, making the pen marginally longer won't hurt the pocketability. And since I never had problems with carrying pens having a compact pen isn't worth sacrificing the ink capacity imo

[@mkompan]

I love my ink capacity too, but with this pen I'll make an exception because it's not really meant to be used for extended periods. There's a Kaweco brass knockoff called the Delike Brass Pen that looks very similar but is a touch longer, allowing you to use it with a full sized cartridge or a standard converter. Supposedly it's pretty well made.