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Post by kansaskyle on Mar 30, 2016 18:22:18 GMT
I'm thinking about getting a different every day carry (EDC) fountain pen with a Fine nib. I'm okay with using a cartridge pen, in fact, I kind of like the idea so that I can easily pop-in a new cartridge if I run out of ink while I'm out and about.
I am not looking to use the pen for extended writing/correspondence, but more for quick use -- jotting something in a notebook, signing a form, etc.
I like the slimness of the Liliput and was thinking of getting one of those little leather cases so I could carry in a pants pocket. For those that have used a Liliput, do you think the Brass, Copper, Stainless Steel, and/or Fireblue Steel are better because of the heavier weight compared to the aluminum models that are lighter?
Also, for those that have used a Liliput, how does it compare to a Sport, Sport AL, or Brass Sport model? It looks like those are a little bulkier, but they seem like a good option for an EDC pen.
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Post by distractedmom on Mar 31, 2016 1:49:57 GMT
I bought a Sport about a month and a half ago from Century Pens, the last fountain pen store in Chicago. I really wanted to support Ed, the owner, but I hadn't planned on dropping a lot of cash. He talked me into the Sport and I'll tell you, that little pen has really grown on me. There was a lady who dropped in and told me that she carries two with her every day. It is reliable and when capped, fits perfectly in my pocket.
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Post by ritak on Mar 31, 2016 12:59:50 GMT
I can't compare it to the Liliput but I can tell you that I love my little Kaweco Sport. It is the one pen that has never been out of rotation since I bought it 4 years ago. It does look bulkier than the Liliput but it's a light-weight pen and very comfortable to write with. A reliable little workhorse .
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Post by DJW1066 on Apr 1, 2016 3:17:42 GMT
I too enjoy my Sport: but only after I corrected a flow problem. The breather hole was out of alignment with the feed and was only visible through a hand lens. And it wasn't me who corrected it, I had to recruit a couple of willing lads at work with good eyesight and steady hands who took it on as a challenge to set it right. A link at FPN explained the problem and remedy, else the pen would be languishing in the bin of pens that I'll get around to fixing one day, or not. I bought a clip for it, so it sometimes rides in my shirt pocket, and sometimes in my trousers' pocket, but is usually close to hand.
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Post by stormymorning on Apr 3, 2016 10:46:30 GMT
I have two Sports and the Liliput in brass (remember when I came here, how I had just one Lamy!). All ink flows and nibs were perfect on mine. I mostly write with fines, but I do think they run a little wide so I got a EF on my Liliput and love it. The Liliput IS extremely small to carry, so I'm happy with a bit of weight from the brass. It sits in my Midori Traveler's Notebook Passport and fits easily it one of these plastic sleeves. A downside could be that it takes a little while to screw on the cap to the back of the pen, to make it possible to write. The Sport is just pop on, so that's much quicker. I love the elegance of the Liliput (and my EF nib) and it's great to put somewhere using just a tiny bit of space. However, for quick writing and carrying in your pocket, I'd go for the Sport. One of mine is always in my pants pocket at school (I'm a teacher), so I can grab it and write almost instantly with it. The Liliput would frustrate me in this kind of use. Have fun looking for your perfect EDC! PS the kids love it how my grey Sport writes with vivid orange ink
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Post by sharmon202 on Apr 4, 2016 2:15:16 GMT
I love the Kaweco but if you want convenience you might investigate a Pilot Vanishing Point (retractable).
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Post by kansaskyle on Apr 5, 2016 23:29:45 GMT
Thanks for the feedback!
I've bought and sold a Pilot Decimo, and it was okay.
I am leaning toward an AL Sport since it seems a bit more practical, and I wouldn't have to screw on the cap to post it when jotting a quick note.
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Post by kansaskyle on Apr 6, 2016 17:13:29 GMT
Thanks to a friend, I was able to try out a Kaweco AL Sport with a fine nib, and I really like the look and feel. He wants his back eventually, so I decided to pick one up for myself.
I decided the Liliput would work, but I was worried about the smallness and the hassle of having to screw on the cap each time I wanted to write something.
Any feedback on good ink cartridges for use with the AL Sport? I know I can refill empty cartridges with a syringe, but I am looking to just use some pre-filled ones and keep some spares with me in my fauxdori notebook. I'm not looking for an iron gall ink, but a good water-resistant blue would be nice.
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Post by radellaf on Apr 6, 2016 18:03:22 GMT
Diamine has a limited selection of colors in cartridges (~$0.50 ea), and some of the blues are at least semi-water-resistant. The Prussian Blue isn't very bright, but it holds up the best. Diamine "Washable", surprisingly, is less washable than R&K's "Permanent". Sapphire is on the purple side, but holds up pretty well. www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/232722-washday-blues/www.diamineinks.co.uk/listings.aspx?catid=13Levenger also offers some nice saturated colors in cartridges for about a buck each, and the cobalt blue is at least readable, if turned turquoise, after a soak. As long as you're just using them for spares, the cost might not be so bad. FWIW, though, I just tested the bog standard Schneider blue cartridge ink and, it hardly washes away at all. It can be had in the 10 for a buck price range. I have had the blue from ebay's majus7777 ($13 for 80, $20 for 200) have that brand name stamped on them, and also have a Schneider labeled jar of 100 I ordered from the UK where the individual cartridges aren't branded.
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Post by kansaskyle on Apr 6, 2016 20:28:23 GMT
Thanks radellaf, that washable post is pretty cool comparing all the different blues!
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Post by sails on Oct 29, 2016 17:22:58 GMT
I have a Sport and consider it a great travel pen. It posts well, the medium nib writes well. It seems to like any and all standard international carts.
Just don't ever buy one of their Completely NonWorking Mini Converters.
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Post by penguy on Apr 24, 2018 22:49:54 GMT
I just purchased a Kaweco Sport, thought it would make a good sketch pen. I haven't had much chance to use it yet but it is a nice pen so far. I like the fact that it is small but capped feels comfortable in the hand. You don't have to rely on the colors that come in the cartridges, once the cartridge is empty flush it out with a syringe then use any bottle ink you have on hand and refill the cartridge with the syringe. I have an F and can use the back side if I really want fine lines for shading.
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Post by penguy on Apr 25, 2018 21:17:47 GMT
I got the Kaweco converter, a pretty puny thing. I got to thinking it seems that there is more depth in the barrel than the converter will fill. I'm going to try using and empty cartridge, cut off the top and use some shellac and the appropriate sized ink sac and treat the cartridge as a sac nipple. I think I should be able to take in about twice as much ink in a filling than I can with the converter.
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Post by although on May 5, 2018 3:47:03 GMT
I picked up a classic sport recently. I was looking for a knockabout pen that I can carry in a trouser pocket. Ive used it for about a week now and it seems fine. I did have an accident where I was fishing my keys out of my pocket, and the pen fell out and hit the concrete. The pen was no worse for wear, but the little cartridge was jarred off its mount and was flopping around inside the barrel. It cleaned up easily enough.
After that I went ahead and sawed off the cartridge and glued on a #20 sac. This home brew aerometric converter pretty much fills the entire barrel. I've never used cartridges. That was my plan from the beginning. So far so good. It has only been a couple of days, but it works as well as ever.
I suppose I could just eye dropper it. But this way I don't have to hunt down a syringe when I need a fill up...
Cheers!
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Post by radellaf on May 6, 2018 7:28:50 GMT
After that I went ahead and sawed off the cartridge and glued on a #20 sac. This home brew aerometric converter pretty much fills the entire barrel. I've arranged a spring in one of mine to hold the cartridge. Not that it needs it, barring a drop, but the empty space in the back of the barrel bothers me. In one opaque one there's a weight in that space. Wish I could buy those (or find an appropriate size thing) to put in the ice models. International cartridge openings are pretty delicate. For long-term use I'd recommend using the business end of a too-long-to-fit converter that seats well otherwise and cutting off the piston. That should be much more durable. The Raleigh pen show is the end of May, maybe I'll look for a silicone sac the right size. IDK if shellac is best when I'd have the freedom to use more permanent glues, but they have that there, too, if I need it.
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