Pocket Pens

[faustulus]

I am looking for a good pocket pen. I have narrowed the search to three likely candidates and would appreciate any input. I need one that doesn't use cartridges, since I don't buy them and don't want to refill them, that leaves eyedropper from what I can tell.

First up is the Kaweco classic sport. I have heard good reviews on this sight and it looks like an nice pen. With a price around $25 it is the cheapest of this list leaving more room for ink and such.

Next there is the Bexley Jitterbug (I refuse to add the exclamation point.) At roughly three times the price, this one falls into the middle of the budget (~$100). It has a clip, which is I understand something I can buy for the Kaweco, but since it is a pocket pen first and foremost it isn't really a consideration. It seems about the same length as the Sport. Bexley has a good reputation and I would probably order it from Binder so I know the nib will work good out of the box.

Finally there is the most expensive option, The Stipula Passaporto (which sounds likea bad Marx Brothers accent). It is the shortest of the three and the largest in diameter.

If I sent all three into the Thunderdome, which one would/should exit?

[goldiesdad]

I just got a Ohto and it writes great ... I also have a Keweco Sport ...

 

The Kaweco holds more ink but the Ohto is a lot smaller ...

 

Good Luck

[faustulus]

I just got a Ohto and it writes great ... I also have a Keweco Sport ...

 

The Kaweco holds more ink but the Ohto is a lot smaller ...

 

Good Luck

Do you mean the Ohto Tasche? I thought it was made of aluminium.

[TJ_OHTOAmericas]

I just got a Ohto and it writes great ... I also have a Keweco Sport ...

 

The Kaweco holds more ink but the Ohto is a lot smaller ...

 

Good Luck

Do you mean the Ohto Tasche? I thought it was made of aluminium.

 

Hi. The Tasche is Aluminum (Fountain, Ceramic, Needle-Point, & Pencil) however I am not sure that it applies to this thread as it will require a cartridge (standard international short). If you get one, we will certainly appreciate it though!

 

TJ@OHTOAmericas

[pienaar]

There is one more. The guy that makes them is on this forum. They are like a The Stipula Passaporto. But he has made the tail of the barrel threaded so you post your cap by screwing it on. I wish I could find a link as they are some of the prettiest things I have ever seen. Maybe some else will know who I am talking about.

[OcalaFlGuy]

Since you included the Thunderdome qualifier, the Clear winner is the Kaweco.

 

IMO, The Bexeley and the Stipula are both a bit to prissy to emerge still standing from Thunderdome (or your pants pocket in the long run for that matter).

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

[Bo Bo Olson]

Kaweco Sport has been sitting in pants pockets looking close to what they still look like since 1930. (Of course that was pre cartridge.)

 

Seems to have passed the test of time.

[paolino_paperino]

I've acquired a vintage, piston-filled Kaweco Sport. 80 years old and still going strong.

 

It holds less ink than a modern one, provided this last one is used as an eye-dropper, but you may find it more convenient. It's easy to find one on German eBay.

Edited July 28, 2012 by paolino_paperino

[kaissa]

Kaweco Sport. I use cartridges but the design of the pen is just perfect for the use.

 

The only problems I had with it were that the gold color began to fade away from the clip and the body got scratched over time where the cap ends. But I did not expect a super pen at that price range and the writing is worth well over its price. Quite happy with it.

[brandon8602]

My Parker Urban and Sheaffer Prelude are both nice looking, nice writing fountain pens.

[pienaar]

Ok I found the ones I was thinking of. Not my photo.

 

http://www.jebspens.com/fp_custom/pfp/cats-eye/pfp_cats-eye_uncap_lg.jpg

 

http://www.jebspens.com/fp_custom/pfp.htm

[jimhughes]

There is one more. The guy that makes them is on this forum. They are like a The Stipula Passaporto. But he has made the tail of the barrel threaded so you post your cap by screwing it on. I wish I could find a link as they are some of the prettiest things I have ever seen. Maybe some else will know who I am talking about.

 

JEB's Pens, John E Brady, Personal Fountain Pen. jebspens.com Check it out. I have 3 pieces of his work, but not a PFP. I'm very pleased with the pens I got from him and am a repeat purchaser. Excellent design, artisan , hand made quality, beautiful material/colour choices. No affiliation, usual disclaimers apply, Jim

 

As always a day late and a dollar short.

Edited July 28, 2012 by jimhughes

[nitnop]

Franklin Christoph also makes a pocket pen, but I think it sells for over 100 USD, so may be out of the running. I have both a Kaweco Sport and a Bexley J-bug. I love the Bexley. It has a big beautiful two toned steel nib and writes like a dream. The pen's finish is also quite beautiful. I have the Blues.in the Night model. It works very well as an ED fill. The only thing I don't like is that it does'nt post that well. If I really press down hard it stays put, but I worry about cracking the cap. I paid 75$ for it and would buy one again.

The Kaweco Sport is agreat little pen. Not as elegant as the Bexley, but for the difference in cost an outstanding value. It works well ED'd and writes very nicely. You might also consider the treansluscent Ice Sport as that would look very jazzy inked up. My wife has an orange one and loves it. I bought a Passaporto and returned it because it was defective, but that was a pleasing little pen to hold. Unfortunately I didn't get beyond that experience and bought another pen instead. For the money, you can't go wrong with the Kaweco.

[faustulus]

Looks like the Kaweco is ahead. And as much as I love those Jeb pens, I suspect they are out of my budget for this pen (there are no prices on the website and I have learned that if you have to ask you can't afford it).

[Postscript]

Ok I found the ones I was thinking of. Not my photo.

 

http://www.jebspens.com/fp_custom/pfp/cats-eye/pfp_cats-eye_uncap_lg.jpg

 

http://www.jebspens.com/fp_custom/pfp.htm

Beautiful pen. I currently use a Jitterbug (I have two) and love it as a pocket pen. But if I hadn't just bought the classic black version from Richard that Jeb's Pen would be on its way now (it may still find its way to me I suspect).

 

Post Script

[Joe in Seattle]

I've used all 3. The Kaweco is my ck

Hoice, both as a writer and for pocket durability

[OcalaFlGuy]

And as much as I love those Jeb pens, I suspect they are out of my budget for this pen (there are no prices on the website and I have learned that if you have to ask you can't afford it).

 

 

+ Pi

 

Those little guys are completely cool.

 

It's probably for the best I just don't check on the prices. :embarrassed_smile: Ignorance is bliss. Laa Laa LaaLaaLaa...

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

Edited July 28, 2012 by OcalaFlGuy

[langere]

I have a Passoporto in my pocket right now. They are great and very reliable. But I also very much like the Kaweco Sport. I think in terms of functionality, they are equivalent. However, the Kaweco is much less expensive. But then the Passoporto, IMO is prettier - pay more for a pretty Italian than for a functional German?

 

Erick

Edited July 28, 2012 by langere

[Tberry010]

I have both a Kaweco (actually I have about four of them) and a Passaporto which is from the FPN LE run and I like them both.I use carts but others report no problems with ED use.I like the Kaweco because I can see the ink level, it is relatively inexpensive so no worry about loss, and the nib selection is pretty good.

I recommend starting with the Kaweco and if you really like a pocket pen, move on up to one of the others.

[faustulus]

I have a Passoporto in my pocket right now. They are great and very reliable. But I also very much like the Kaweco Sport. I think in terms of functionality, they are equivalent. However, the Kaweco is much less expensive. But then the Passoporto, IMO is prettier - pay more for a pretty Italian than for a functional German?

 

Erick

The old Porsche/Ferrari debate