Catching up with Kaweco: Art Sport, AL Sport, and Skyline Sport

I believe someone wrote into the Pen Addict Podcast a couple of months ago asking whether there was one brand you couldn’t quit, even though you may have had some issues over the years. For me, that brand is Kaweco, and the Sport models in particular. While Kaweco has frustrated me in the past with their inconsistent quality control on nibs, I love the form factor of the Sport lineup, making it one of the pocket pens I reach for most often. Nib quality has improved recently, though I still have the most luck with mediums and fines. This post will take a look at a few new additions to the Kaweco lineup over the past year that have managed to make their way into my collection.

From left, the Kaweco Art Sport in Dark Blue, the Kaweco Skyline Sport in “Fox,” and the Kaweco AL Sport in Red.

Skyline/Classic Sport: Two New Colors for Late 2018

In late 2018, Kaweco announced two new colors for their basic lineup, the Classic/Skyline Sport: Navy Blue and “Fox”. Since I had recently purchased a Dark Blue Art Sport (see below), I passed on the Navy Blue, plus it had gold trim and I preferred the Art Sport’s chrome. The Fox, however, spoke to me immediately, with its muted, almost terra-cotta tone coupled with the Skyline series’ chrome trim. Other than the new color, there’s not much new to say about this pen. The medium nib is a good enough writer, and the standard Kaweco Sport continues to be one of those pens that is easy to recommend at the lower end of the pricing spectrum, especially for beginners.

AL Sport: Finally, a Red One!

This pen caught me completely by surprise at the 2018 Atlanta Pen Show, where Lisa Vanness had quite a stock at her table. I believe this ruby red color was a North American exclusive for a limited period of time, and for a while Vanness was the only retailer who stocked this particular version. I initially reviewed the AL Sport back in the early days of this blog, and everything I said about that pen still holds true: it’s a pocket-sized workhorse that’s quite durable, and will look even better over time as the anodized finish wears off and takes on that “stonewashed” look.

I first had a chance to take a look at the current Art Sport lineup when I was working the Vanness Pens table at the 2018 D.C. Pen Show.

Art Sport: The Best Version of What The Sport Can Be?

A word of warning: the higher-end Art Sport can spoil you forever on Kaweco pens, and make you never want to touch a Classic/Skyline again. Though Kaweco’s “premier” non-metal Sport model is expensive, the pen kicks the quality up a notch - it’s made from turned acrylic, not injected molded plastic, which gives the pen a warm feel in the hand. Once you’ve written with an Art Sport for an extended period of time, you start to REALLY notice the sharp facets and injection-molding lines of the standard version. Whether this justifies paying the upcharge is a personal decision. (More on that below). Along with the better QC and tighter manufacturing tolerances, the key selling point of the “Art Sport” line is definitely these unique acrylics. While this particular dark blue color, of course, isn’t especially unique, it does have a vintage vibe that I enjoy. The current series also has a lighter blue, as well as “Perlmutt Orange,” and “Metallic Green”. If you’re willing to shop around, you can also find the gorgeous “Tiger Eye.”

When it comes to Kaweco, I accept that I’m going to have to trade reliability for a general lack of nib variety. For the best writing experience, the simple medium works best for me, and it’s what I purchase in all of my Kaweco pens.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Kaweco Sports are the one pen that I allow myself to pick up on a whim, if I like the color. Because they’re so handy to “grab ‘n go,” I keep a handful inked up at any given time on my desk at home and at work. I don’t anticipate giving up this habit anytime soon. Now if only Kaweco would resurrect the piston-filling Sport that’s sitting in their vintage archives…

As I mentioned, I purchased the red AL Sport from Vanness Pens, who still has it in stock for $90. I acquired the Skyline Sport in Fox and the Art Sport in Dark Blue from Pen Chalet, where they’re currently priced at $25 and $130, respectively (before any applicable coupon code). When this series was first released, Kaweco priced the Art Sport models at $175, which I consider way too steep. The turned acrylic and limited edition colors are nice, but this is still a small pen with a steel nib, and a standard $125-135 price point seems appropriate given the “small batch” nature of the production. If Kaweco kept the current pricing standard, they’d gain a lot more traction with the Art Sport, in my opinion.

[Note: to see the best Pen Chalet prices, always check the “Specials” section, and sometimes you may have to create an account and login for certain promotions.]

Disclaimer: This post contains links to paid sponsors and affiliates. I purchased the AL Sport pictured in this review with my own funds from Vanness Pens, and acquired the Fox Skyline Sport and the Art Sport from Pen Chalet using store credit generated through their affiliate program. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

A comparison shot with another pocket pen that I recently reviewed: the Sailor Sapporo Mini.

Five Things I'm Excited About (or, Favorite Things from Atlanta)

As I've fallen deeper into this hobby/obsession, and after five years of writing this blog, pen shows have become more about visiting with friends and hearing about the newest releases/industry developments rather than accumulating more pens. Though the latter still happens, these days I usually come home with one or two. I have to get pretty excited about something before I make a purchase. So what new product releases am I most excited about, that will likely end up on a shopping list sometime this year?

New Releases from Aurora and Montegrappa

From left, the Blue Sigaro, the 88 Urano, and the 88 Satin Black. 

The Kenro table was full of all sorts of exciting new things, but three of them caught my eye. The first (of course) is something that's going to be essentially impossible to get: the Aurora 88 Urano in a turquoise celluloid derivative. Apparently only a small number pens have been allocated for the entire United States. The others hopefully will be more widely available: a blue lacquer version of the Aurora Sigaro, the Aurora Talentum Full Black, and Montegrappa's new Monte Grappa vintage-inspired piston filler. The Blue Sigaro is simply gorgeous to look at, and the Monte Grappa features new JoWo steel nibs, which I understand have far fewer issues than the Bock nibs the company previously used. The blacked out Talentum has been repeatedly delayed but I understand it's on the way.   

Montegrappa Monte-Grappa (three pens in the center)

Red Kaweco AL Sport U.S. Exclusive

Next up is my sole Saturday purchase: the red Kaweco AL Sport, which apparently is a U.S. exclusive for this year. Vanness Pens currently has them in stock, so if you're looking for one, I'm not sure how long they will last. Curiously, I didn't see these pens on any other tables at the show. The color looks great and really pops. As you all know, I don't pass up red pens. 

Faggionato Pens

My Faggionato PKS, next to the AL Sport for scale

I've had the pleasure of visiting with Papier Plume twice this year, once at their New Orleans store and once at the Atlanta Pen Show. Both times, I've walked away with a Faggionato pen. Handmade in France by Fred Faggionato, the pens combine a streamlined, highly functional design with some unique materials, including acrylics and cellulose acetates in some nice color combinations. My two pens (pictured here) are a Petrarque in translucent blue tortoise cellulose acetate, and a larger PKS in Conway Stewart's vintage "Dartmoor" material. The Petrarque is a smaller pen that posts, while the larger PKS feels similar to an unfaceted Newton Shinobi (with a clip), and is meant to be used unposted. 

Krishna Inks 

Krishna Inks are the latest in a series of international brands that have arrived in the United States, courtesy of retailers such as Vanness Pens. While I didn't purchase any Krishna Inks this show (or even manage to get any decent pictures), I did spend a fair bit of time looking at swabs of all the various colors. These inks have crazy sheen - just look at Jungle Volcano and Myrtle. The greens are also exceptionally vibrant.  

The Milano from Osprey Pens

Osprey Milanos in ebonite and acrylic

Osprey Pens launched with several models priced well under $100 (and some sub-$20), though availability has been sporadic at best. Their largest and most expensive pen, the Milano, was originally available only in ebonite, though Osprey recently announced acrylic versions priced at $70. These materials look very nice, and the pens themselves are a good size. I especially like the "Mud Pie" and "Chiaroscuro" pens. Osprey makes a variety of nib units, ranging from standard stainless steel or gold to a Zebra G "flex" nib unit, which allows you to use Zebra G calligraphy nibs in the fountain pen. 

I hope this little Atlanta follow-up has been helpful in providing an idea of what kind of stuff you get to see by attending pen shows. Of all the things I saw, the new Auroras were probably my favorite. I'm hoping to make the Chicago show in a few weeks, but as of right now it seems unlikely and my next pen show trip won't be until DC in August. Until then! 

Disclaimer: This post contains links to paid sponsors and affiliates. 

Giveaway: Kaweco AC Sport Courtesy of Appelboom

Many thanks to Appelboom for providing this Kaweco AC Sport in the new Racing Green for a giveaway! I've previously reviewed this pen here, in red, and the Kaweco Sport pens in general have made my list of top recommended pocket pens.  No Wednesday post this week because I'm on the road to the 2017 D.C. Pen Show, but I thought a giveaway would make a nice substitute!

Some Notes on the Kaweco AC Sport 

The Kaweco AC Sport is notable because it features carbon fiber trim in addition to the aluminum body of the AL Sport. This particular pen also sports a black-plated stainless steel nib. Of all the Kaweco Sport models, the AC Sport is the most expensive, so this is a great opportunity to grab one to add to your collection.     

Giveaway Rules and Conditions are as follows: 

1. In order to enter the giveaway, leave a comment on this blog post. While you don't need to provide your full name, be sure to leave at least some identifying information. (A first or last name plus an initial is generally sufficient.) I've included links to Appelboom's website in order to provide details on the pen, including pictures and retail value.
2. The giveaway will end at 11:59pm Central Time on Sunday, August 7, 2017. 
3. At the close of the giveaway, I will assign each entry a number and pick two winners using a random number generator. I will announce the winners on the blog the following Monday or Tuesday and give each winner exactly one week to contact me to provide a shipping address. Information submitted by entrants and/or winners will be used by me solely to ship your item and will not be sold or otherwise provided to Appelboom or any other sponsor. In the event more than one person indicates a preference for the same pen, the person who reaches out to me first to claim their prize will have first refusal. 
4. Limit one entry per person. Your odds of winning are directly proportionate to how many people enter. This giveaway is open to everyone, non-U.S. residents included, though I will have to use the cheapest shipping option available, which may not include tracking. 

Disclaimer: I was sent the pen featured in this post free of charge by Appelboom for giveaway purposes.  

Kaweco Classic Sport Refresh: New Colors!

I can't believe that I've being writing this blog for going on three years without ever having properly reviewed the Kaweco Classic Sport. It's not as bad as it sounds - I've reviewed many variations on Kaweco's popular pocket pen, including the aluminum AL Sport, the aluminum/carbon fiber AC Sport, and the Brass Sport, not to mention countless other Kaweco pens. The classic Sport, however, is considered Kaweco's flagship, and probably the pen that first comes to mind when I'm asked for a recommendation on a pocket fountain pen. 

All Kaweco Sports - and all Kaweco pens in general - feature the Kaweco cap jewel with the company's logo.

The Kaweco Classic Sport isn't fancy - it's a plastic, cartridge-only fountain pen with a steel nib that retails for around $25. The low price point and general ease of use makes the Sport a great fountain pen for beginners, and even experienced fountain pen enthusiasts like myself regularly rely on the sport as an everyday carry-type pocket pen. The wide range of colors also makes the pens fun to collect, and Kaweco typically updates the line annually and collaborates with retailers around the world on special editions.

The Kaweco Classic Sports in Macchiato and Red (which has a bit of an orange tint to it, though perhaps not quite as pronounced as in these pictures). 

The two pens pictured here are colors that were introduced in 2016: red (always a personal favorite) and a mocha-color "macchiato" version. The macchiato pen is from the "Skyline" series, which features more muted colors with silver trim.   

Kaweco Macchiato Sport with both broad and medium nib writing samples. Inks are Kaweco Ruby Red (a personal favorite) and Kaweco Smokey Grey (a new color this year). 

Side Note: Kaweco does make converters for the Sport, but you're probably better off refilling your cartridges with a syringe if you want to use bottled ink. Cartridges hold more ink than a Kaweco Sport converter, and they're much less temperamental. 

Takeaways/Where to Buy

I've been using Kaweco pens for years, and I always have some version of the Sport in my collection. They see regular use as pocket pens, and the Kaweco steel medium nib remains a favorite for everyday writing. The Kaweco Classic Sport is widely available from most pen retailers, but availability may vary depending on which color you're looking for. The red version pictured here is relatively easy to find, but the "Macchiato" Skyline version is in high demand and somewhat difficult to locate right now. Vanness Pens currently has both in stock, but no guarantees on how long supplies will last.

Disclaimer: Kaweco sent me these two pens free of charge for review purposes.

A New Perspective: Kaweco Allrounder Ballpoint

A while back I reviewed the Kaweco Allrounder fountain pen, and wasn't overly enthusiastic. While I loved the looks of Kaweco's full-size fountain pen offerings, the fact that Kaweco used the same nib as the smaller Sport and Lilliput pens made the design look awkward.  The Allrounder in particular was a disappointment because other than the nib, I loved the design of the pen.  The shape made the pen extremely comfortable to hold.  Since it was aluminum, it was lightweight, and above-all, it was red!

The Allrounder is a fairly large ballpoint pen.  It's a comfortable size to use for extended periods of time, which I can't say for most ballpoints. 

Enter the Kaweco Allrounder ballpoint.  I've taken to carrying at least one ballpoint pen in my bag at all times.  For work, it serves various purposes:  signing receipts, filling out forms with carbon slips (yes, that still happens), and just having a general quick-deployment writing solution that works for whatever paper might be in front of me.  Depending on where I am, my EDC ballpoint option typically is either my Tactile Turn Mover with a .38mm Uniball Jetstream refill, a Pilot Acroball, my "Wood with a Story" olivewood ballpoint, or more recently, the Kaweco Allrounder.

The Allrounder ballpoint has the same trim as the fountain pen, including the Kaweco "medallion" on the cap. 

My Allrounder is made from red aluminum with chrome trim, the same as the fountain pen that I tested over a year ago.  Instead of a cap, however, the ballpoint has a convenient twist mechanism to deploy the refill, which is a medium Parker-style refill branded as the Kaweco "Soul."  I don't know whether this is a proprietary refill Kaweco, or a rebranded Quink or Schmidt refill.  It doesn't really matter: I suspect it's the latter, but whatever it is, it's nice.  The medium point isn't too wide, and the ink dries fairly quickly and doesn't smear.  

Thanks to Kaweco for sending this pen to me as a promotional gift this Christmas.  The Allrounder ballpoint is somewhat difficult to find, and those sellers that stock it have the pen listed at a high price point.  Fahrney's Pens has this pen listed at a whopping $90, which is too much.  Cultpens sells it for £54 (excluding VAT), which is roughly $76 (still too high). The price point is probably one reason why this otherwise very nice pen doesn't get much attention.  In the $30-50 range, this pen would probably sell quite well.  While I can't recommend that someone purchase this pen as currently priced, I can recommend the Kaweco Soul refill for any Parker-style ballpoints you may have.  It leaves a smooth line and doesn't skip.  I don't know the official line width, but it writes like a .7mm (though it could be a well-behaved 1.0mm).  

The Kaweco Allrounder ballpoint (bottom) compared to the Baron Fig Squire (middle) and the Tactile Turn Mover (top). 

DISCLAIMER:  Kaweco provided me with the pen featured in this review free of charge.  This post contains affiliate links, through which I may be compensated a small amount if you purchase something from any of the sites linked to in this article.  While I'd greatly appreciate it if you use these links to purchase an item you are interested in, you are, of course, under no obligation to do so.  Many thanks!