Kaweco Brass Sport Fountain Pen Brass F

Product Information

Comparing the two metals, brass is stronger and more durable than copper. It is also more resistant to tarnishing, making it a better choice for everyday carry pens. That said, some people prefer the softer color and vintage appeal of copper. If you want a pen that you can keep mirror-polished, don't buy it. This pen must be allowed to develop a patina. I'll explain more.

Yes, this method does leave your pen smelling like ketchup. So, you might want to rinse it off after you're finished polishing the pen. But before we get all "mad scientist" on a few brass ballpoint and fountain pens, I want to share a few ways you can remove tarnish from brass. It is natural for brass to patina over time as it reacts to the oxygen in the air and the oils from your skin. Even a brand new pen can exhibit a slight darkening, also called toning, right out of the box. It isn't necessary to apply silicone grease to the colored AL Sports, as the anodized aluminum is more resistant to galling. However, should you find it becoming more difficult to separate the pen's barrel from the section, you can also apply a small amount of silicone grease to the threads. Pen Type

Made from solid lead-free 'eco' brass, which is left untreated and uncoated, it weighs in at 44g which is more than most other pens currently available. The untreated finish means this pen will - like the Al-Sport Raw that came before it - wear over time and develop a unique patina depending on use and storage conditions. The finish can either be left to develop or can be restored using brass polish and a liberal application of elbow grease. Kaweco nibs usually tend to have a balanced flow, not too wet. They are smooth writers and come in a bunch of nib sizes, ranging from extra fine to double broad and even calligraphy nibs. In this case, the Kaweco Brass Sport came with a broad nib installed, and it wrote consistently out of the box. Pen manufacturers have used copper and brass metals to manufacture ballpoint and fountain pens for hundreds of years. Thanks to their charming color, strength, and malleability, these two metals make wonderful pens that feel warm and comfortable in the hand. And, as long as you are willing to care for your pen, it will maintain its natural shine for decades to come. The AL Sport is made of aluminum, a sturdy metal that is lighter than metals like brass or steel. Most AL Sports have matte, anodized finishes that won’t chip or flake, but they can still be gouged by other objects like house keys.

If you plan on using your pen regularly, we recommend choosing a brass model. But, if you are looking for a pen to add to your collection, a copper model will age gracefully and develop a rich patina over time. Both pens will need some cleaning but the addition of zinc in brass helps it to withstand oxidation and age more slowly than copper. Unique Properties of Brass and Copper This pen oozes expertise with its smooth writing experience, solid one-piece barrel, and finely balanced weight. It comes in standard (5.6”), short (5.1”), and mini (4.4”) sizes, offering the perfect length for any writer. Additionally, there is a slim version of this pen, which may feel more comfortable in smaller hands.

My subjects for this experiment are a Retro 51 Raw Brass rollerball pen and a Fisher Space Pen Bullet Raw Brass ballpoint pen. If your pens are not brand new, out of the box, clean the brass surface with a little dish soap and water before proceeding. Make sure they are clean and dry. Then, you have the "raw" brass pens that are not lacquered or varnished. They usually arrive with a polished shine or might appear slightly dulled and tarnished. This is part of the wabi-sabi charm of owning an all-brass pen. We are specialists in fountain pens and carefully select the best models of fountain pen based on excellent writing performance and value for money. If you need help in choosing the right pen for you (or buying a fountain pen as a gift)take a look at our buyer's guide. The product filters enable you to narrow down your perfect choice from our vast ranges of fountain pens by selecting price, nib width, nib material, filling type and style. Fountain pens (sometimes called "ink pens") still represent the pinnacle of writing performance and comfort as the nib glides effortlessly across the paper requiring very little pressure from the writer's hand. To quote Leonard Koren, who wrote a book on the topic, " Wabi-sabi is exactly about the delicate balance between the pleasure we get from things and the pleasure we get from freedom of things."

Unlike the smartphone and the personal computer, brass writing instruments are built to last a lifetime, if not longer. Instead of buying a new one every 2-3 years, pens are meant to be lifelong companions that can age along with you. Now that you have an idea of what makes brass and copper pens so unique, let’s take a moment to explore five incredible pens that would work well in your collection. Whether you are looking for something for everyday use or want a showpiece, we have something for everyone. 1. Tactile Turn Bolt Action Ballpoint Pen The balance and feel in the hand are perfect. You can hold it by the grip, which is concave, or by the section, which is where I do. it's not usable unposted unless you have tiny Donald Trump hands, but you could write a few words with it that way. Posted it will fit any size hand, including my XL paws. It's quite thin at the grip, not the thinnest, but very thin, something I love for portable pens, as it makes them agile and nimble and unobtrusive.

Understanding Patina and How to Care for Your Pen

As we’ve mentioned, one of the defining characteristics of copper and brass metals is their ability to develop a patina over time. This natural aging process is caused by exposure to oxygen, moisture, and other elements, and results in a darkening of the metal’s surface.

I haven't noticed any dryout yet, but nothing egregious, and like any fountain pen, regular use is important anyways. Even the famed platinum slip-n-seal should still be used every week or two. A brass fountain pen conveys luxury status through its golden, metallic shine and hefty feel in hand. Many pens use brass as the base of the design, which is then finished in lacquer. The Y Studio Classic Revolve collection, for example, uses the same brass base with 4 different color lacquers. If you're after the mirror shine and think you can just keep it nice with a sunshine cloth, you're not going to be able to. Firstly, brass oxidizes fast, so you're gonna be polishing it every other day, and second, the cap has four metal springs that center it and make the cap/uncap feel smooth and tight and keep the whole affair from wiggling about (which makes it feel NICE to cap and uncap) which put long micro scratches down the section and on the base where it posts. These micro scratches will become invisible with time as you let it patina, likely within a week they'll be invisible (but the patina will develop and improve over decades, so brass only looks more and more beautiful with time) uncapping it takes a little getting used to, but once you have the hang of it, it's great. Either grip the pen nib up, base in your pinky finger and pull with your thumb and forefinger, or (my preferred way) nib down, holding the base with your middle, ring and pinkie and pulling the base out with your index and thumb. It starts out kind of slippery, but the patina will give it more texture within a short amount of time. I left the container outside overnight. After a couple of hours, I noticed the colors started to change. Out of curiosity, I wanted to see just how far I could take it. Taking out the pens after 18 hours - the results were dramatic and ...slightly disturbing.

To remove tarnish, I'm going to show you a couple of methods using materials you can find at home as well as a product made for this specific purpose. It depends on the pen's filling mechanism, which you can find in the Technical Specs section above. Believe it or not (you can see the video for proof), you can use ketchup to remove tarnish with surprising effectiveness. It doesn't have to be "fancy" ketchup, either. As with any cleaning method, test it on a small area of the pen first. Coat the desired area of brass with ketchup. Let it sit for a minute. Then, clean it off using a paper towel. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. For pen manufacturing, brass has a relatively low melting point and is more workable than other metals like bronze or zinc. It is corrosion resistant and has a heavier weight than other common pen materials like resin and aluminum. Depending on how much zinc is present, the color of brass can range from a reddish hue to a muted golden yellow. In this post, I share the reasons why pen enthusiasts are drawn to brass pens. In the accompanying video, you'll learn how to polish your brass using common household ingredients. If you prefer the tarnished look, you'll find a simple, at-home experiment to show you how to age your brass pen overnight. Plus, learn an interesting fact about brass that will give you some peace of mind when lending your pen to someone.