An Overlooked Pen? - Kaweco Student Fountain Review 

Thanks for the perspective 👍

Yeah the naming for the pen is a but different but nonetheless its a great performer!

Yeah, in German, the word „student“ only refers to university students. So, as a German, the name makes a lot of sense in my opinion.

Nothing to see here 👀

They are working on a piston filler Sport. It'll probably come next year.

@@murkser4149 for real?

Needs more love indeed!

Thanks for the information.

Hmmmm, I don't think anything really interesting happened around that time. Sorta a "nothing to see here" decade 🙈

They could have put out a ‘40s with a black or golden cap - and maybe called it Classical.

@@sajjadhusain4146 It's interesting, they used brown as the color of the 20's ;)

@@sajjadhusain4146 A German company calling their 40s pen "Classic". Naming anything Classic from the 1940s......What could be wrong about that? ?A MILLION Things.!!!

@@Chibabe2207 ..You’d notice I said ‘Classical’… I really was thinking of the music genre, like the rest of these Kaweco Student pens are named after. Besides, every decade since the 40s has been pretty horrid in its own ways.

It's a real class act 👌

Yup can buy extra nibs & swap around with several pens 👍

My XF nib on my sport was very tight and dry but my BB was perfect LOL. This XF was spot on so who knows. Fortunately I have a few videos to show how to tune them up 😉😁

@@Doodlebud ..I never buy EF, and Kaweco’s F seems too dry and thin to me. The M is quite spot-on. Though, my ‘70s Student, Steel Sport and two Dia2s all have B or BB nibs. 🙂

They make a GREAT stub nib. I have F, M, and a stub nib that I regularly switch about and I love them all. They do tend to write dryer than I typically like, but I tune them myself and now they all write swell. I think the Kaweco nib inconsistencies are a dumb oversight that is easily fixable with proper QC before they leave the factory. If Lamy can do it, so can Kaweco. However, they are easily fixable if you're comfortable tuning them yourself. Otherwise, that brand might be a bust for you, I'm going to call it. For what it's worth, I've seen that be a rampant problem in higher end pens too, I don't get it. I do love the brass/ AL line and I have this very pen on the way in the mail.

Take a look at the Dia2 ($100-$125, I think). Black with either gold or chrome trim. Same clip and all round appearance. But the Dia2 is even better.

Definitely lots of pens in a lower price points in the FP world. I think this a great option when people are willing to spend over $50 but not break the $100 barrier yet.

@@Doodlebud : For a first timer to spend $70+ and then discover they don't like dealing with ink cartridges or bottled ink, can leave a sour taste. If you've got money to burn, go for the gusto. I deal with a lot of younger adults, college students and seniors who want to return to FP writing, and their budgets just fit the Safari/Al-Star/Jinhao/Kaigelu/Pilot Metro. range. Once they discover they enjoy the whole FP thing, then they are willing to invest in something a bit more. At that point I might suggest this Kaweco pen. I have one friend who has a costly MB 149--got it based on a collector's recommendation and found out he does not enjoy dealing with ink stains or ink bottles. Beautiful, costly pen, but now he does not want me to talk about pens "ever." He's left with a sour taste on the subject. When I do FP "evangelism" I try to make these following discoveries: 1. Have you had the opportunity to write with a pen? Always keep one extra, inked pen in my purse for this purpose. 2. Is your handwriting small or large? Will determine nib suggestions. 3. What is your color preference? 4. Are you familiar with bottled ink, or prefer to use ink cartridges? This information helps me to know if they have a stationery store in their area or to tell them they can buy ink on Amazon and Ebay to get started. 5. Have any of your older family members written with a FP? Interesting the testimonies I have heard about a grandfather or other family members who once wrote with a FP. Sometimes this can stir so many good memories that they will buy a pen for that reason. 6. What would be your favorite color of ink? Discuss brands available. I love Iroshizuku, but a $22-$25 bottle of ink will cause some to gasp (LOL) 7. Can we talk about your budget limit? This informs my recommendations. 8. I also discuss pen brands they can buy from China if their budget is really limited. I will pull out a Jinhao X750, 159 or something that might catch their eye. 9. I like to find out if they are traditional (black/blue pens), or a bit more adventuresome. 10. Discuss paper appropriate for FPs (Black n' Red; Rhodia; Minimalism Art; Scribbles; LeStallion, etc.; and 90 lb weight copy paper). 11. Also inform them of Fountain Pen Network, where they can learn all they want to learn about pens, calligraphy, paper, etc, etc). Also instruct them to come to RU-vid and watch vids on pens and inking pens. My most recent FP converts - a young lady who works for the Electric Company in my community, who ordered an orange Pilot Metropolitan; and a young lady who works at the hospital--who ordered the turquoise Pilot Metropolitan. One ordered a F nib, and the other ordered a M nib--based on their writing style. At the time they paid $18.99 for their pens. Let them both know that once they became comfortable writing with a FP, the wealth of pen beauties could be found on Amazon, Goulet, Jet Pens and Ebay.

I'm in this boat. I kept an eye out for a good deal and bought one second hand. This is one of those brands, for me, that are solid and seem like they'll live a good long life. With the exception of the plastic sport pens, anyway; I had a bad experience with the plastic Kaweco pencil and it ruined my trust in that particular line.

I can see why the shop owner recommends it. Classic styling and works really well

Yeah this pen is nice but that PFM!!!😍 Hence the massive price difference!

Hope it helped answer your questions 👍

They could just put the cartridge in the box or put it upside down so it doesn't puncture.

Hey good to hear how the pen has been holding up long term, helps others who read the comments and are wondering about the pen. This pen really seems to fly "under the radar." I think its mostly to do with the naming

I’ve had both of mine for exactly two years. They somehow look and feel as good as new. It’s also true that I’ve always taken good care of all my pens (without baby-ing them).

@@Doodlebud I do, too. Plus, it is not striking in appearance but competes in price with much "flashier" pens. I should also have mentioned that its build quality is first rate and the "plain" red model I have is the most attractive red pen--in terms of color and depth--I've seen at this price.

@@sajjadhusain4146 Same here. Has to be the high quality of the resin and dye Kaweco uses, don't you think?

@@wlbrockman ..I have no doubt. I remember being both surprised and pleased when I had the pen in hand. The plastic/resin of the barrel seems so solid and of higher quality than all other plastic Kaweco pens. The fit & finish and just overall build quality of the Student makes it worthy of consideration, especially for those accustomed to only buying various plastic Kaweco Sport pens. Again, I’d recommend the Dia2 as the next level Kaweco pen. Lacquered brass, to be sure, but such an excellently made pen and pleasing in every way.

Worth the add on if you dont have any extra converters hanging around

@@Doodlebud do you know if the standard international converter fits?

He carries all sorts of pens in the his shop from mild to wild

Glad this helps you navigate your pen choices

Yeah the student name is odd because of the price and the overall fit & finish. Its not a budget pen, its quite nice. But converter would be cool too.

I’d add that Kaweco’s converters aren’t always perfect. I have six of them. Two were very annoying with constant ink flow issues. I know because switching to the short cartridge made the problem go away.

@@sajjadhusain4146 I’ve 5 Kawecos (Sport, Liliput) and 6 Kaweco clones (of Al Sport, Art Sport, Supra etc..) from Delike. Only one Kaweco Sport has a mini converter while all the clones have converters. I’ve not been using the original Kawecos as much as the clones (since I love these clones), so my experience with Kaweco converters isn’t much, but clones’ converters haven’t given me any issues so far..

@@sathishrao7926 Interesting. I guess my point is that although I always prefer converters to cartridges, I’ve also found that converters (not just Kaweco’s, which are SI, btw) can also be sometimes problematic. Even my expensive ($20-$26) Aurora converters are not immune to issues. Funnily enough, the common dislike of old squeeze converters now seems to me to be rather overdone. Because all the squeeze converters I’ve used seem to work perfectly well, without issues. Small ink capacity, yes. But simple to use, unfussy and efficient. Only needs the sac replaced when it eventually fails. A few of my pens from the ‘70s (Pilot, Parker, Sheaffer etc…) are fitted with these converters. I also prefer threaded converters which fit snugly by screwing them tightly to the section.

@@sajjadhusain4146 I’ve bought about 15 or so inexpensive/moderately expensive pens in the last few months. These pens have screw type and plunge type converters with no issues so far. I’ve had bad experiences with a Platinum screw type converter (which stopped working) and Pilot’s Con-40 which I’ve not been able to fill completely even once ! Almost all of my old Parkers and Sheaffers have sack type converters/fillers and I don’t like these - I always think I’ve not been able to fill the converter fully irrespective of many squeezes 😃

Good to hear you're enjoying your Students. I not a big pen/ink matchy guy. I think I've only once done a good job of matching a pen to an ink colour LOL.

Its a really great pen with seems like a bit of a miss when it comes to an appropriate name.

I was doing some very precise measuring ;) ☯

Looking forward to getting some time to sit down and finish the pen and get it together and working.

Thx buddy 👍

I have a pocket pen comparison style video on the To-Do list 👍

I've seen them, never owned one, and from what I saw I wasn't really impressed. There are really nice wood and acrylic pens that people make and they do a fantastic job. But then there are "kit" pens. I hate to generalize, but from what I've seen they seem pretty low quality with cheap parts. From reading on forums or pen groups, I've yet to see anyone praise one

Yes exactly...they are kit pens!! I feel that a lot of people get introduced to fountain pens this way..and turned away from them because of the price..then bad quality.

It's a slick little pen

Was it an in store purchase or online? If it was in store I would go back for sure. Yes there can be a bit of a "break-in" period but I don't 100% buy that. I get many pens that are absolutely flawless out of the box, the way they should be. If I get ones that are off, I tune and adjust because in my view they should be ready to go. For me its more black & white. The pen writes properly or it doesn't. I dont think I should have to wait and see if it will be a good writing pen or not. Its very obvious to when a pen is tuned properly or not.

Thank you so much. Yea I agree as per the break in stage as Ive never heard about it before. All my pens that ive bought have been nice out the gate. Again thanks for your reply!

Ha, most students all over the world have all their desires paid for by their sucker (often rich) parents.

The name is odd, don't really see this as a student pen

@@Doodlebud Agree :)... was trying to make a funny :/ Maybe they should of called it "Middle Class Student" :D. LOL... OK I will see myself out now :D.

I have a few pens like that too!

I'd say that's a good way to go about your purchases, I do that as well. It gives you time to research it and see if it's truly what you want. I see many folks pull the trigger out of FOMO and then be full of complaints that could've easily been discovered with simple research beforehand.

🎁😆

Such a beauty!

For me, I find Faber Castell has excellent nibs out of the box. Also, Gravitas Pens checks, tunes, and smooths nibs when needed. My pocket pen came with an XF and its really good. This one is quite nice as well. Most of my pens are either F or XF, so for me I'm used to the feel. Mediums and up of course are more wet and smooth, so going from that to even a really nice XF will feel different so keep that in mind.

@@Doodlebud will do. I will check out some of those pens when I’m able to purchase another one. I totally understand and expect that the feeling when using a F or EF is going to be different than one would get with a M, I like a little feedback, that pencil like feeling, but I’ve just had a bad draw with the 3 or so Fines I tried to get. I mean so bad you can feel the nib skipping over the paper, non existent upstrokes and that feeling of scraping the paper. If I could find one that writes like the one you showed I would be estatic! Have you done any tuning to that nib in this video? I know sometimes you do your own grinding, that’s something I’d like to get into as well, I’m just too nervous atm, I don’t have any spare or disposable nibs should I mess up but I do basic tuning to my wife and my pens all the time, I don’t mind a little tuning.

This pen wrote like they outta the box. Not adjustment or tuning required

@@Doodlebud oh wow! Good to know for the future. I figured if you had to tweak it you would mention that in the video. You’re one of the more honest pen guys that I thoroughly enjoy watching. It’s funny, I’m American but both of my favorite channels, that I interact a lot on, are both pen channels run by spectacular amazing Canadians! Can you guess the other?

Lol, Doug!

Is it worth 3 Sports? If you just prefer a larger pen with a nicer resin body, and all round aesthetics (albeit with the same nibs), I’d say it is. I gave away all of my Classic/Skyline Sport pens (but not the AL, AC and Steel Sport) after I bought my two Kaweco Student pens. They really are very nice pens.

@@sajjadhusain4146 OK, the answer is Yes. I only mentioned the Sport because I know how many people love it. Similar to you, I was disappointed in my cheesy plastic Sport, but I like my Steel Sport a lot.

Not a fan on my sport and only keep it to use for my videos as size comparisons and talking points. For me, if a pen works well, built well, and I feel is reasonably priced (which is different from person to person) I don't think about if I'd rather get several less expensive pens vs one I really enjoy. Is a $40 bottle of wine worth it when I can get 8 X $5 gas stations bottles form the discount bin....😏

@@Doodlebud Right on the money, bud!

@@Doodlebud Wine is a good comparison, with a wide range of prices for you to find what's right for you. Thinking some more, maybe as soon as I make that silly comparison, I've already made up my mind in favor of the cheaper alternative.

Kind of a "nothing to see here" decade 😬

Not 100% sure, but being a German company, might have decided to leave out the 40s 🤔

@@Doodlebud oh yikes! I didn’t think of that. Talk about awkward 😬

wow

Was ist Ihrer Meinung nach an diesem Stift schlecht? (über Google Übersetzer)

@@ichirofakename leider vorn zu schwer, hinten schwänelt er. tintenfluss unterdurchschnittlich. mit aufgesteckter kappe sieht er unschön aus. war mein erster füller nach langer zeit, bin schnell davon weggekommen, da kann man auch beim kuli bleiben

A little dramatic.

Maybe a little unfair to just un-subscribe from someone just because one of their reviews is of a pen you don't like... but I respect your decision.