Knight's Writing Company

Fine Pens, Paper and Inks

Fountain Pens

The Kaweco Brass Wave

Kaweco Brass Wave Fountain Pen

Kaweco's AL Sport and DIA 2 premium fountain pens hit the spot as far as I'm concerned! But there is one of their pens I have been wanting to take a look at for a long time. The Brass Wave Liliput. Kaweco's Liliput fountain pens are touted as being some of the smallest fountain pens to accept international cartridges. But are these odd little fountain pens actually usable? Are they just an expensive novelty?

Measuring 97 mm when closed this pen is certainly one you could lose. I decided to test it with Kaweco's cognac Eco leather pouch. I carried the fountain pen around with me for just over a week and am happy to report that this pen delivers exactly what you'd expect from Kaweco. With a caveat or two.

Kaweco Brass Wave Capped

Although we only stock the brass wave and stainless steel Liliputs at this time, you will eventually see us carry the other pens that complete the lineup: copper, fire blue, black and silver. The brass wave was our first foray into premium Kaweco Liliputs. This pen is tiny!

Writers with larger hands might want to keep the size of the pen in mind before purchasing it. The pen measures 124 mm when posted and can then be considered a full-sized pen. Writing without the cap posted can be a problem, but to post the cap you have to screw it onto the barrel. Sport pens are great in this respect. You simply place the cap on the end of the barrel and voila. Having to keep screwing the cap into place could be a problem for people who are taking quick notes rather than writing paragraphs.

Kaweco Brass Wave Fountain Pen Posted

The pen is slender and measures between 8.3 mm and 9 mm, the grip being smaller than the barrel. This thinness doesn't seem to present a problem. I loved to write with this pen because it is very unique and it is extremely well manufactured.

The Liliput also accepts the Kaweco replacements nibs. Simply unscrew the nib and feed section and replace with another. This system is one of the highlights of the Kaweco premium fountain pens - the ability to simply replace a nib without any fuss! My nib of choice is medium and it works beautifully. 

Although not necessary I do love the Cognac leather carrying pouch. The Brass Wave is a hardy pen that you could just throw into your pocket, but for me the pouch finishes the package off perfectly. Both are eye turners.

The Brass Wave accepts short international cartridges but doesn't have the space to store a spare. Make sure your ink is fully loaded before you head out the door! You also have the option of using the Kaweco squeeze converter and (hopefully we will have some soon) the Sport piston converter.

All in all a lovely pen that writes as expected! Do you have a favourite Liliput?

A Waterman Preview

Waterman Paris Nibs

The Waterman Pen Company was founded in 1884 in New York City by Lewis Edson Waterman. Waterman was the inventor of the capillary feed fountain pen that we love so much and use to this day. The patent for his fountain pen design was given in 1884 and he worked on the design for ten years before placing it on the market.

And the reason for his new design? Frustration at missing a big insurance deal because his (pre-capillary) fountain pen went wrong and leaked ink onto the papers. While fetching new documents he lost the deal to a competing broker.

Waterman fountain pens continue to be a sought after brand of fountain pen for Knight's Writing Company. So far we have stocked the Hemisphere in eight different models, including the limited edition Ombres et Lumieres. All models have proven to be extremely popular.

Waterman’s pens are considered luxury but they are worth every penny. The nibs are a joy to write with and the pens rarely let you down. If there was ever a fountain pen brand to put your hard earned cash into, then it’s Waterman. For reliability, they are second to none.

We have a few more Waterman fountain pens in stock that we will bring to the store shortly. The Expert 3 in black with gold trim, matte black with chrome trim, and stainless steel with gold trim. We also have the Perspective in blue and black, both with chrome trim. And all are beautiful pens.

Waterman Paris Expert III

The Expert II has been one of the most popular fountain pens for Waterman. They have a business-like design that exudes high quality. They have been popular in executive circles because of their gorgeous shape and finish. The Expert III is a an updated design with only moderate changes to trim, nib and barrel.

I’m never quite sure why Waterman don’t supply converters with their higher priced pens (there is a long international cartridge supplied with the pen) but these are available separately. The Expert III is a beautiful pen to write with and the nib is sublime.

Waterman Paris, Perspective

The second Waterman pen we are bringing to the store is the Perspective. This is certainly one of the most beautiful fountain pens that I have seen in a long while. The rather large nib is engraved with lines that match the engravings on the nib section. This is an interesting pen with a uniform diameter for the entire length of the barrel. It has an almost retro-feel to it and oozes a classy, clean design.

Both pens lack breather holes in the nib but write extremely well. I would always recommend a higher class ink to use with such a pen, for example Waterman’s amazing Serenity Blue. I wouldn’t recommend a quirky boutique ink such as Noodler’s. For the more business-savvy a dark black or blue ink is spectacular in these pens.

Whether it’s a gift for yourself, a friend or business associate, these new Waterman pens are sure to please.

Seven Problems With Ink Flow And How To Solve Them!

Fountain Pen Ink Flow

Having a leaky pen is one of the most frustrating problems that a fountain pen enthusiast can have! But equally as annoying is bad ink flow. It’s happened to me, a few customers and it’s bound to happen to you at one time or another. Your perfect pen ceases to write the way it used to and it becomes relegated to the bottom drawer.

All they need is a little tender love and care.

You could purchase metal shims to widen the gap between the tines or invest in a loupe and be paranoid about tine or feed alignment. There are any number of ways to bend and fix your nib to get the ink flow you previously had but there are a few things to look for before you man-handle your nib.

1) Dirt: Admit it! You’re a little bit lazy and don’t keep a regular cleaning schedule? I know I am! Have you ever looked at your nib and seen dried ink on the top or refilled the converter without flushing it first? Many common ink flow problems can be cured with a quick clean of your fountain pen. We recommend you read our quick guide on cleaning your fountain pen as the first stop to getting better ink flow.

2) Disconnected ink supply: As funny as it sounds I’ve dropped my pen on a number of occasions and dislodged the cartridge without realizing it. Everything works just fine when the ink supply is firmly connected but when disconnected and the ink in the nib runs out, you will get ink flow issues! Take a moment to open up your pen to make sure your cartridge or converter haven’t been knocked away from the feed.

Kaweco DIA2 Fountain Pen Nib

3) An upward pointing nib: Another common reasons why ink can stop flowing is that the pen is carried with the nib pointing upwards. This is actually the recommended way to carry your fountain pen to stop little messes happening, but if done so for extended periods you might find that ink drains out of the feed and cuts off flow. Store your pen with the nib facing down for a little while to see if the flow returns.

4) Paper: Believe it or not, paper really makes a difference! Make sure you use a good paper that is fountain pen friendly. You will likely find poor ink flow on paper that is less than ideal. This is especially true if your nib is a fine point. Be mindful when you have used a paper that isn’t fountain pen friendly. It’s possible that microscopic paper flakes can get caught in the tines and block flow. Flushing your pen will often cure this problem.

5) Ink: Did you know that some ink runs dry and some runs wet? Not all ink is made equal. For example we find most Noodler’s ink to run a little thicker and drier compared to Waterman or Diamine. Where broader nibs are more forgiving, fine nibs can cause a problem. Remember also that ink colours contain different quantities of dyes and chemicals. Ink can also vary even when they are from the same manufacturer. A quick solution to altering ink consistency is to add just a touch of water to your cartridge or converter. The easiest way to do this is via a blunt syringe but if you are agile you can also suck a little water into the system in the same way as you do when you are filling your pen.

6) Capillary action: Dipping the nib in a little water can often start the unique capillary action of a fountain pen that draws ink from your converter or cartridge to the paper. But remember if you have to trigger the capillary action then the chances are you need to flush your pen!

7) Tines: If you are still not seeing ink flow then draw the nib toward you with a slight amount of pressure on a good fountain pen paper. Widen the tines just a bit using this pressure to see if the ink flows.

Go to a pro! If you still have unsatisfactory ink flow then hire a pro! It’s one thing to use a shim in a lower cost pen such as a Noodler’s Ink flex pen to widen tines – you are encouraged to tinker with your pen – we don’t recommend you try to fix a branded pen yourself unless you really know what you are doing. Many manufacturers offer maintenance services and may be the best way to fix your flow.

Four Fountain Pens Under $50 For Beginners

Four Top Fountain PEns

Much as I want to preach the amazing qualities of a Staedtler fountain pen with its intensely smooth nib, heavy barrel and well above average writing experience to first time buyers, I have to remember that most of our new customers are not as enthusiastic as I might be on spending $260 for their first purchase.

It's true that a Pilot Splash or a Prera will give you a far superior writing experience than a Platinum Preppy, but who wants to spend that much money on a first foray into the world of pen and ink?

So what are my recommended four fountain pens that are below a $50 budget and give exceptional quality along with affordability? Below are my suggestions, whether you are simply after a low cost pen or you are a first time buyer who doesn't want to spend too much money.

Four Fountain Pen Nibs

Kaweco Sport

What can I say about Kaweco's amazing pen? It's a classic fit in your pocket safety pen that has very few leaks and hardly ever causes problems. The pen is short so writing with the cap posted is the way to go unless you have really tiny hands!

Although this is a low cost pen, the nib promises to perform well above average. The Kaweco Sport comes in two flavours, the classic and the Skyline. The only difference being the colour of the trim and nib.

The classic comes in gold trim with a gold plated nib and the skyline comes in a silver trim and nib. The body of the pen comes in a variety of finishes and colours. The Kaweco Sport takes international cartridges but being short doesn't let you store a spare in the barrel.

If you prefer bottled ink then you can purchase a squeeze converter and Knight's Writing Company will soon stock the new and improved piston converter. The plastic sport pens are light weight and low cost compared to their aluminium counterparts. But don't let this distract you from the excellent quality of their writing.

Platinum Plaisir and Preppy

We don't have many pens from Platinum but what we do have are superb. The preppy is a very low cost pen and you will likely pay more in shipping than for the pen itself. If you would like to try an excellent engineered Japanese nib then you can't go wrong for the price. The preppy is a very low cost plastic barrelled pen that comes in pink or green with a fine nib. For the price you get an excellent writing experience and a low cost pen that you can experiment with.

The wonderful Plaisir PGB-1000 comes in red, gold or gunmetal and also give you a fine writing experience but at a slightly higher cost. With a cool aluminium barrel compared to the preppy's plastic barrel, you'll get a nicer pen that will last for years.

We've not had any complaints about either pen and the fine nib is really very fine. The writing is smooth without skips or scratches. Platinum pens only take proprietary cartridges and don't accept the international standard. You can purchase a converter that fits both the preppy and plaisir so you have the choice of using bottled ink if you wish. The converter is also a proprietary fit, so you won't be able to reuse one from another brand of pen.

Take a serious look at these two pens as a low cost entry into the fountain pen world and you will find you get very good value for money.

Four Fountain Pens

Noodler’s Ink Nib Creaper, Konrad Or Ahab

Noodler's Ink fountain pens are a highly sought after pen, and we sell a good number of them. Consider Noodler's Ink as a first fountain pen if you must – but I'm going to give you a little word or warning.

Noodler's Ink fountain pens are an odd product! If you're buying a Noodler's pen then make sure you are happy tinkering with it from time to time to stop leaking, aid in making a scratchy nib less scratchy, or replacing the piston grommets for some that you have purchased in your local hardware store. And they smell. These pens are super fun but more for tinkerers than serious writers.

Noodler's Ink fountain pens are on the other end of the spectrum compared to the super reliable Kaweco Sport. An interesting earthy fountain pen with quirky nibs and feeds that are sometimes less than reliable. There are fans who purchase these pens on a regular basis for the interesting flexible nibs that give a varying width to your writing.

Which Fountain Pen To Buy?

My recommended manufacturers for first time buyers who are on a budget are – in order - Kaweco, Platinum and Noodler's Ink.

If you want to have some fun with a fountain pen and aren't going to be put off by tweaking the feed, nib, and getting frequent leaks, then consider a Noodler's Ink Nib Creaper, Konrad or Ahab. Ok. I'm not selling it well, but these pens are fun, pure and simple.

I highly recommend Kaweco and Platinum for serious writers who want a reliable pen that is sure to last for years.

Kaweco fountain pens.
Platinum fountain pens.
Noodler's Ink fountain pens.

The Parker Premium IM In Matte Black

Parker Premium Matte Black M FP

The name Parker has been synonymous with fountain pens for 125 years. The Parker Pen Company was founded in 1888 after George Parker became unhappy with the reliability of the products he sold. His unhappiness led to the redesign of the humble fountain pen and paved the way for years of design and innovation.

And the name Parker keeps coming back to haunt me. It hides behind corners and then leaps out at me when I least suspect it. I can't tell you the number of phone calls that I receive regarding Parker pens, whether antique or modern. I redirect those looking for information on fixing a bent nib or refurbishing a classic to a number of friends who are in that line of work.

I take care of the inquiries regarding Parker's modern pens. And to cater for the Parker addicts, we have recently purchased number of new Parker pen styles that will be on the website within a few weeks.

I've always thought that Parker had a distinctive classic look. Certainly compared to other pens such as Kaweco or Pilot, they look like a throwback to a day long gone. And I think this is part of their attraction.

This month I decided to test drive a Parker IM in Matte Black. I wanted to see what all the fuss was about! The Parker IM is the entry level fountain pen and currently retails at $75. For a relatively low cost, you will receive a very nice fountain pen!

Parker Premium Matte Black M FP Nib

The line of Parker IM metallic fountain pens were released in 2014 and they pay homage to the Parker Vacumatic that was released in 1933. The Vacummatic became a Parker best seller and the new incarnation does a very good job of bringing back a bit of history. The original Vacumatic filling system isn't part of the modern IM launch but a trusty Parker piston converter does well in its place.

One thing to note with Parker pens is that they take a proprietary cartridge or converter. You won't be able to use your favourite J. Herbin international cartridges in this pen (or any other international cartridge for that matter) and you won't be able to reuse your converter if it's not a Parker.

This my only real gripe with the IM as Parker's ink selection (at least the ones we sell) is limited to blue or black. Kind of boring although they are nice inks. If you want different colour then you'll need to use a Parker converter to fill from a bottle.

The Parker IM delivers great quality. The barrel has a solid feel about it as does the metal nib section, which is a joy to hold. The chrome trim of the matte black IM looks nice and the cap is fitted with the classic Parker arrow clip.

In terms of nibs, I think the Parker IM delivers one of the best for the price. The stainless steel nib is robust and solid and has very little flex, if any. The feed covers the entire area beneath the nib and delivers good ink flow. It should be noted that the nib only comes in medium. By far our most popular nib size for the pens that we sell is fine, but don't write this pen off based on that. The nib is extremely smooth to write with and delivers a finer line than a Kaweco medium, for example.

The cap is a snap-on and I love the feeling you get when putting it on or taking it off. It fits extremely well and provides a wonderful airtight seal. I do like the feel of the lacquer barrel on the matte black IM and together with the cap, the wonderful nib section and the nib, the whole package feels like a solid product for the price.

Parker Premium Matte Black M FP Clip

The first ink I tried in the IM was Noodler's Ink Bad Green Gator. I have to admit I thought that something might be wrong with the pen because I the ink dried out in the nib and didn't flow well after a couple of days without use. But perhaps the less forgiving, non-flexing nib is a factor here.

After refilling with J. Herbin Orange Indien I didn't have any problems. The same can be said about Diamine Red Dragon. I find some pen and ink combinations are a less than ideal, particularly with pens that are a little less forgiving. I have a feeling that if you stay away from boutique inks and use a higher grade ink then you may have quite a different writing experience.

If you're looking for a lower cost fountain pen as a gift or perhaps an every day writer that you won't mind losing, then consider the Parker IM. All in all it's a solid fountain pen that shouldn't give you any problems and could become the mainstay of your writing for years to come.

Specification:

Material: Lacquer.
Closed: 140 mm (5.5 inches).
Posted: 158 mm (6.2 inches).
Cartridge included: Black.
Cartridge type: Parker.
Cap type: Snap.
Nib: Medium.
Nib colour: Chrome.
Nib material: Steel.
Weight: 32g (1.12 oz).
Presentation box included.

Find the Parker Premium IM and matte black at Knight's Writing Company.

The Pilot Capless Splash Fountain Pen

Pilot Capless Splash

I reviewed the Pilot Prera a month ago and was impressed by the build quality as well as the writing experience. The Prera delivered a great writing experience no matter what ink I put in it.

The Japanese fine nib was a lesson in masterful engineering, and as we have come to expect delivers a finer line than the European equivalent. I also purchased two styles of capless pens to see how customers liked them. The two pens were the capless Rhodium and Splash.

I decided to buy an extra Splash for myself. I wanted to test drive a premium Pilot pen and I was interested in the odd design that other fountain pen users have raved about. What odd design? Well, if you have never seen a Pilot capless pen before then I guarantee you'll take one look and tell me you won't be able to use it!

Firstly, there is no cap! But there is a clicker on the end! The clicker is much the same as you would find on a ballpoint pen. And if there is no cap then where is the clip? Well, the clip is attached to the the nib section where you hold the pen to write. Insane right? How the heck could you write with a clip where your fingers should be?

Pilot Capless Splash Nib

The pen is a little ugly even when filled with beautiful Namiki black ink. It's certainly not the most attractive pen I've seen... or is it? The unique look actually grows on you. It can also be a talking point when taken to a networking event or party. The Splash is a solidly built pen and I feel as if a car could roll over it and the car would come off worse. The word workhorse comes to mind.

The innards are also a sight to behold. The pen comes fitted with a nib unit that can take the supplied converter or cartridge. A metal cartridge cap can be fitted over the cartridge to allow the clicker to do its job rather than pressing directly on the cartridge.

Although the Splash comes with full instructions, just a word of warning. Filling this pen is a little different to filling a regular pen. The nib unit should be taken out of the pen barrel and filled directly rather than submerging the front of the pen into the ink bottle. This allows you to fully submerge the filler hole which is toward the top of the feed but also stops you getting ink into the capping mechanism.

I did I said there was no cap but the innovators at Pilot created a front section that contains an internal cap that closes when the nib is retracted. This creates an air-tight seal and prevents the nib from drying out. It certainly works! I didn't use the Spash for a couple of weeks and to my surprise it was ready to write as soon as I picked it up.

Pilot Capless Splash Dismantled

The Splash comes fitted with an 18k gold nib. We only hold fine nibs in stock at this time, but the nib is a joy to use! No skips, no scratches, just a perfect line of ink. I feel like I'm writing with the edge of a razor blade!

We've gotten over the strange look of this fountain pen. We have a clicker. We have an interesting nib unit that holds a converter or cartridge. And we have a clip that is apparently going to be in the way of my fingers. So is it?

Well... no. It isn't. How odd. In fact you hardly notice the clip at all. With true yoga-fingers I tried to hold the pen in several positions and I didn't find that the clip got in the way at all. The nib unit is only allowed to fit into the pen in one orientation thanks to a cutout and a notch. This mechanism means that the nib can only be oriented in one direction, which in turn means the clip can only be oriented in one direction when held in your hand. It works and well.

The pen does deliver a beautiful writing experience and is very enjoyable to use. The nib is exceptionally good to write with and delivers a great line. It's a difficult pen to describe in a blog post and almost requires a sit down over a coffee – or a video – to show how cool it is. The size and weight of the pen might prevent it from being my every day writer, but I can see plenty of people will get a huge amount of enjoyment from it.

The capless Splash is a premium pen and is on the upper end of the price range, but the engineering is excellent and quality is stunning. I would definitely recommend this pen to aficionados who wanted to buy a treat for themselves.

Have you experience with any Pilot capless pen? What do you think of them?

Find the Capless Splash at Knight's Writing Company.