Choosing Keeping holds the largest range of Kaweco pens in the UK - indeed we have built a long-lasting friendship with the beloved Gutberlet family who run the company with so much brains and gusto. Kaweco is often mistaken for a Japanese brand - not so! - it is 100% German. Originally established in 1899 in Heidelberg (also home of Lamy), the company was eventually renamed Kaweco as its owners namesake, Henrich Koch and Rudolph Weber - KOch, WEber and COmpany. Here pictured, an advertisement from 1911 which declares, ‘stocked in every best stationery store’ - still the case!

Originally Classic Sport pens were made from ebonite (a very hard rubber), in black and then burgundy, featuring a fine engraved pattern known as a guilloche. Today, the design remains largely unchanged - measuring 10cm when capped, for optimal writing comfort and using a modern cartridge system for practicality - now in a wide range of exciting colours and finishes. Hard wearing ABS moulded plastics, clear plastics, hand turned acrylics, stainless steel, brass, copper, aluminium, and patinated finishes are all à la carte for you to choose from.

Since 1953, the range has included a fountain pen, a rollerball and a chunky 3.2mm clutch pencil. They can be mixed and matched as a duo of writing implements and held together in an attractive leather pouch, just as they were traditionally advertised back in the day.

For best comfort we recommend posting the cap on the back of the pen as intended by the manufacturer.

Length: Closed 10.5cm, Posted 13.3cm
Diameter: 1.2cm
Weight: 11g
Body material: High quality lightweight ABS plastic
Nib Size: Medium
Nib Material: Steel, gold finish, manufactured by Boch of Heidelberg
Cap Type: Threaded screw-on cap
Cartridge type: International standard short ink cartridges; sold with one blue washable cartridge in the barrel.
Included: One blue ink cartridge, supplied in barrel

Made in Germany

Cleaning: Fountain pens should be cleaned regularly, at a minimum once a month, even if writing well. Dry ink, dust and paper fibre can accumulate internally causing disruption to the ink flow, scratchiness or skipping. When changing ink colours, especially when moving from a dark to light colour, it is important to flush out a pen for best colour clarity and stability. To clean a pen, first remove the lid, unscrew the nib/grip section from the barrel/pen body and if using, dispose of the cartridge, or remove converter. Hold the nib section downwards under a cold stream of water or tap, allowing for water to flow through the feed until the water runs clear.

For thorough or deeper clean, soak the feed section in a glass of clean water for a few hours, then dry with a towel or tissue paper. Once dry (may need drying overnight), install a fresh new cartridge, and re-assemble the pen.

Don’t forget that dry ink can also cause damage to the cap threading. The pen body, inside the cap and all pen parts should be clean and tidy. A well kept pen should only show inkflow in the nib tines/slit.

Storage: 
When not in use for over a week, pens should be stored clean and empty. Especially in hot climate (over the summer) and if used only sporadically, fountain pens will need extra cleaning. The nib is the most delicate part of the pen, it should not be dropped or shocked. When the tines come apart from each other, this is a called a sprung nib and will need repairing or changing. Ink: Only use ink labelled as fountain pen safe. Drawing inks such as China Ink or Indian ink should never be used in fountain pens. Ink choice can affect flow as some inks are more lubricating and others more pigmented. Pigment is a physical particle relative to dye which does not harden and stays liquid. As a rule of thumb black ink is more pigmented and 'dryer' than blue which is lubricating and the optimal colour for ink flow. While shimmering inks and iron gall based inks which are fountain pen friendly can be used with fountain pens, they may dry up faster and may require more regular pen cleaning.

Sharing: Pens are best used by a single unique person. Not unlike leather shoes, the nib will gradually mould to your hand and handwriting style. If used by another person it may be that the pen feels different after or worse, that the tines are sprung (when the tines become splayed).