The Kaweco Sport fountain pen has broken free. It has escaped the confines of the stationery enthusiast and the shops they (we) frequent. They pop up everywhere – from trendy bookshops looking to diversify to chic ‘lifestyle’ boutiques and even museum giftshops. Finding one is simple.

That ubiquity is why it was one of my first fountain pens. It ticks all the boxers to make it a good, entry pen. It is affordable, comes a broad pallet of colour to match any style and can be found in all those shops above.

A review must cover some basic facts. The classic Kaweco Sport costs around $30/£22, is plastic (though metal versions are available) and comes with a gold or silver finish. It is light, at under 10 grams, and compact, around 10cm when capped. It slips easily into your pocket at the beginning of the day. It is a pen that wants to be with you everyday. But that means it can vanish without much effort – I have had to say goodbye to a mint Skyline version and still have no idea where it could have got to.

Easy to carry, easy to lose and easy to use – that’s the Kaweco Sport. It’s popularity means you can grab one in a range of nib sizes – from extra fine to double broad. Writing with it feels effortless; ink flows smoothly but doesn’t swamp the page. It glides. I can hardly remember it catching apart from on the worst paper.

Those nibs don’t take long to break in either – if they need any in the first place. The pen also takes the common short international standard cartridge, so you won’t have a problem finding ink you like. There is a converter available – though it isn’t the best quality. Mine leaked – staining the cap threads on my mint Skyline barrel which took a bit of work to get out. I’ve avoided the converter since and don’t feel the need to buy another.

So the Kaweco Sport is an easy-writing, accessible pen. Its otherwise basic design comes with one big flourish – its cap. Its distinctive octagonal shape is a smart feature – not only for its striking design but also since it means the pen won’t roll around your desk. The gold detailing works particularly well with the dark green version – part of the reason I got it.

But there is more to fountain pen than its design or how well it writes. Fountain pens can feel like ‘event’ pens when you first start using them. I had a feeling that I had to be writing something deep, meaningful and profound – something more elevated than jotting down a to do list before my memory leaked into the air rather than onto the page. The Kaweco Sport is a good pen and it is good in helping you get away from that thought.

It’s understated design also has another boon. While cheap, it still has a sense of sophistication about it – a quality all fountain pen enthusiasts are looking for. It won’t provoke a comment but it will be noticed. Your understated, sophisticated and discerning personality will glow through it – or to the extent that a £25 pen can allow.

If you enjoy the Kaweco Sport but are looking for a more sturdy version, there are aluminium and carbon fibre versions. Special and limited-time versions supplement the standard stable too – with added design elements and colours which may only be around for a short time.

The Kaweco Sport is a pen I would recommend. It can be an everyday pen while still having enough about it to make writing with it feel special. It’s a versatile, reliable writer that won’t weigh you down, empty your wallet or play hide-and-seek too often. That one drawback – being easy to lose – and the Sport is a good pen for someone only getting into fountain pens. For the more serious enthusiast, they can make good gifts too.

It’s a classic for a reason

Other reviews:

• Sheaffer 300 review