(Jeff Abbott is a regular contributor at The Pen Addict. You can find more from Jeff online at Draft Evolution and Twitter.)
There are so many pens to choose from in Kaweco's lineup, that it can difficult to tell them apart. The most common of these is the Sport model, which is a pocket pen that magically becomes a full-size pen when you post the cap on the back of the pen body. Kaweco also has several other pen models, but the Sport is the classic and what they're known for.
The Sport is also a great entry point for many who are trying out their first or second fountain pen due to the lower price point for the base model. While there are different price points and materials used in the Sport models, the writing experience is largely the same. The Sport is a fun, dependable pocket pen that is known as a classic for a reason. Whether it's the base ABS plastic Sport or the aluminum AL Sport, you get a fantastic pen. But, different materials open up a fun avenue of trying a form factor you love with small changes. For example, the AL Sport is almost twice the weight of the plastic Sport, and they feel a little different when writing or handling them.
A less common variant of the Sport line is the ART Sport. Using the same design and form factor as other Sports, this one features a marbled acrylic material that brings new life to the old classic. The Pebble Blue model I have is a mixture of dark blue, turquoise, and black shards of acrylic that have been turned into the shape of a Sport. Pens that are turned from acrylic have an aesthetic and beauty that you can't copy or fake with other materials. They're all unique, and I think Kaweco is saying that they're also a form of art in the way of sculpture. They're beautiful pens, and since the Sport platform is a known quantity, you know you're also getting a great pen. And, if you happen to know you don't like the Sport pens, then you know to steer clear!
Aside from the material, there's one other big difference between the ART Sport and the regular Sport and AL Sport: the integrated clip. I really like the integrated clip on this model because it just fits right. I like the freedom to choose whether or not to use a clip on the other models, but this blue acrylic material looks fantastic with the silver clip setting it off, so it would have a clip regardless of if it was integrated or not (for me, anyway).
When handling this pen and writing with it, it feels unique compared with the regular Sport and AL Sport. I expected this because different materials just feel different in your hand. They retain warmth at different rates, they provide different levels of grip, or the weight slightly changes the center of gravity. I was actually surprised to find that the ART Sport weighs the same as a regular Sport (with a clip installed). At just 12.6 grams, it's a really lightweight pen that is easy to use and feels nimble in the hand.
Compare that weight to the aluminum AL Sport, which weighs 20.6 grams without a clip and 23.2 grams with a clip, and you can definitely feel how the pens handle differently — both when writing and when handling or storing in a clothes pocket.
The Kaweco ART Sport uses the same interchangeable nib unit (nib and feed combined) as the AL Sport and newer Sports, so changing out the nib is as easy as unscrewing it and screwing in another. You have your choice of standard nib sizes (EF - BB) as well as several specialty sizes (several italic sizes and a double nib), and even different nib materials (silver steel, gold tone steel, black steel, or a premium gold nib). The EF nib in this unit has written beautifully from the beginning, but it's nice knowing that I can easily swap it out for a different nib if inspiration strikes.
The Pebble Blue material is a striking blue that loves catching the light, but there are a few other material options as well: Hickory Brown, Mineral White, or Terrazzo.
Finally, there's the question of price. At $125 base price (the price goes up if you choose a specialty nib), it's certainly a bit more than the AL Sport model, and $100 more than the regular Sport. But, the ART Sport line is made of acrylic rods that are created and then turned into the pen. The finished product is very nice — there isn't a single flaw on this pen, so the fit and finish is top notch. It's a fantastic pen, and I think it's worth the price. If you love the Kaweco Sport and also love acrylic pens, then this is a great match.
I've really enjoyed using the Kaweco ART Sport for the past few weeks. The small difference in how this pen feels and behaves is delightful, and I love how the acrylic material catches the light and provides small transparent glimpses into the threads beneath the surface. Definitely check these out if you can.
(Vanness Pens provided this product at a discount to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)
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