Kaweco Calligraphy Nibs Review

[NickiStew]

 

For my third Kaweco review, United Inkdom had the 4 Kaweco Calligraphy (S) nibs sent to me - sizes 1.1, 1.5, 1.9 and 2.3. This wasn't the Calligraphy (S) set (as shown above), just the raw nib units - no housing. With some experience of calligraphy and lettering, I can honestly say that you won't achieve the sharp finished calligraphy that you'll achieve using the more traditional dip pen and nib. The traditional nib is sharp, straight and hard. These are designed for a fountain pen and are more rounded and softer. With the 1.9 and 2.3 nibs, you can achieve some traditional lettering (see below), but you won't get those fine wispy lines that are the essence of the fat and thin dynamic associated with the traditional calligraphic letter shape. Of note - the coloured inks used are all Kaweco and you can see my reviews of them on my blog - www.quinkandbleach.wordpress.com

 

The great thing I liked is that the Kaweco nib units easily screw into the Kaweco Steel Sport body and because the pen is so strong I can really let rip with hand pressure that maybe I couldn't achieve with a flimsier plastic housing. As you'll see from the pics, I had great fun. These are good for fast abstract lettering with great fast ink flow! I would suggest using a mini converter as opposed to a cartridge. I actually created all my examples by dipping the pen, the Kaweco feed is very effective for drawing up ink.

 

So, what do I think? Well anything that encourages creative lettering has got to be good, so yes, I like. The abstract fun stuff works really well. Take a look at the addressed envelope. The contrast between thick and thin and abstract lettering with non abstract makes for a lively relationship. With a little more time, I could have some good fun with these. BUT, and I must stress, the reason I really found these such good fun is because I could use them in a very good housing unit i.e. the Kaweco Steel Sport.

If you want to create a piece of calligraphy for your wall... then no. If you like writing journals, place cards, invitations, envelopes, letters and want to have fun in terms of design and colour, these nibs are ideal. I'll keep these and definitely use again.

 

 

 

 

 

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AND, just for the record – I do this for myself, I receive no remuneration what-so-ever and I tell it exactly how I see it.

Edited January 19, 2018 by NickiStew

[amk]

In view of the somewhat equivocal reputation of Kaweco nibs, I was wondering what I would find in this review - wow! I shall have to think about getting those nibs for my Kaweco sports. I really enjoyed the review; your calligraphy is not just beautiful but full of character. Lovely pics.

 

I'm particularly amazed by the evenness you get just by dipping. The feeds must be pretty good.

 

By the way, I find it amusing that the tin appears to be decorated with the one kind of calligraphy you can't do using these nibs - flex nib required for those copper-plate style swirls!

[NickiStew]

amk thanks for your comment. Now you mention it, the tin lid is somewhat misleading.

[Bluey]

Beautiful and creative handwriting. I'd previously thought about doing something similar using the many fountain pen colours that I have, but I don't have half the talent. The shading available in fountain pen inks allows a great deal of creativity.

I'd certainly never want to use anything by Kaweco again though, for calligraphy or anything else, especially for tasks where good flow is important.

Edited January 19, 2018 by Bluey