context

Despite my handwriting being rather illegible, I am a sucker for a good pen. I introduced to fountain pens by my fourth grade teacher, but I didn’t think much of them at the time. Years later, on a late night on Reddit during my junior year of high school, I stumbled upon the r/fountainpens subreddit. Now I have four.

a review

The Kaweco BRASS SPORT is a beautiful fountain pen with a full brass body and cap. The brass is actually meant to patina over time, giving the pen an aged look. I first stumbled upon this pen on Reddit, and I was immediately drawn to the idea of a pen that would visibly age and adapt with me and my writing habits. When I went to Europe (for the first time!) in the summer of 2025, I got a chance to try this pen at a stationery store in Germany. Now, I finally have my own.

The pen is quite compact. It’s 10.5 centimeters with the cap closed. Personally, I like the smaller form factor, but I can see why some people might find it a bit too small. The pen is also quite heavy. This makes long writing sessions a little tiring, but it’s still a nice weight and feel in the hand. I’ve used it for about a month now, and the patina has matured quite well. The nib is smooth and consistent, and the ink flows well. I’ve been using it with a variety of inks, and it has performed well with all of them.

Unfortunately the feed is friction fit, so the cartridges don’t sit very well. I’ve never had a case of leakage, but it still feels kind of wrong. The converters are apparently awful, so I’ve been refilling the cartridges with a blunt-tip syringe I picked up from a crafts store. It’s a bit of a hassle, but I honestly enjoy the process.

The pen also smells very strongly of brass in the first few weeks of using it. I don’t mind the smell, but my girlfriend has told me it’s quite overwhelming. The smell has faded a lot now, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re sensitive to smells.

The pen itself is a little pricey, sitting at around 100 CAD. I think it’s worth it though. Overall, I like the pen. 8/10.