Kaweco Sport: Pocket Size, Cartridges & Nib Sizes

Side view of a capped navy Kaweco Classic Sport fountain pen drawn to scale: 105 mm (4.1 in) long, with gold-tone lettering on the octagonal cap and an inset of the 13 mm cap end-on — The Classic Sport in Navy, capped, to scale at Kaweco's 10.5 cm.

Product facts

Product: Kaweco Classic Sport Fountain Pen
Brand: Kaweco
Brand origin: Germany
Made in: Germany^*
Material: ABS plastic body with octagonal cap, gold-plated steel nib
Released: 1911^*
Price range: $$$$20–75 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count)

Notes on these facts

Made in Germany: Kaweco's German product page labels the Classic Sport "100% Made in Germany" and says all nibs and the pen itself are made in Germany; its series page says Classic Sport pens are produced and assembled in Germany. Cornelissen says hand assembled in Germany, and Milligram says designed and made in Germany. Source. Price: example listing. Released: Kaweco dates the first Sport pocket pen to 1911; Pen Chalet says the Classic Sport follows the original 1935 design.
Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026. Conversions to US dollars are approximate, at October 2026 rates (US$1 = ¥158 = ₩1,330 = NT$32.5 = CN¥6.7 = SEK 9.9 = DKK 6.7 = ₺49.6 = C$1.41 = A$1.43 = CZK 21.7; €1 = US$1.12; £1 = US$1.32; CHF 1 = US$1.21).

Key takeaways

Kaweco's German site describes the Classic Sport as 10.5 cm (4.1 in) closed and 13 cm (5.1 in) posted; its spec table lists 10.7 cm and 12.7 cm.
Kaweco's spec table gives a 13 mm diameter without clip and a weight of 10.7 g; Missing Pen lists 11.0 g.
Kaweco sells 5 steel nib widths, EF, F, M, B and BB; Milligram describes them as 23 kt gold-plated.
It takes short standard international cartridges or a Kaweco mini converter, sold separately.
Kaweco says its nibs are produced in Germany and its writing instruments are produced and assembled there.

What is the Kaweco Sport?

The Kaweco Classic Sport is a short German fountain pen that fits a pocket capped and becomes full length when you post the cap. Kaweco’s German site dates the first Sport pocket pen to 1911, and Pen Chalet says today’s Classic Sport follows the original 1935 design.

Kaweco traces its roots to Heidelberg in the 1880s, and Wikipedia says Gutberlet GmbH of Nuremberg took over the name in 1994. It is also a steady seller: Goulet Pens’ best-seller roundup names “a plethora of Kaweco Sports” among the top pens in its lower price tier.

Kaweco Classic Sport specs

Spec	Value
Maker	Kaweco, Germany
Type	Cartridge fountain pen with snap cap, no clip
Body	ABS plastic; octagonal cap, round barrel
Nib	Gold-plated steel: EF, F, M, B, BB
Ink	Short international cartridge, or Kaweco mini converter
Length capped	105 mm (4.1 in) in Kaweco’s text; 107 mm in its spec table
Length posted	130 mm (5.1 in) in Kaweco’s text; 127 mm in its spec table; 133 mm per Goulet
Diameter	13 mm without clip (Kaweco)
Weight	10.7 g (Kaweco); 11.0 g (Missing Pen)
Article / EAN	10000000 / 4250278600013 (black, M nib)
Made in	Germany (Kaweco: “100% Made in Germany”)

Kaweco’s German product page gives the lengths in its description and slightly different figures in its spec table, plus the diameter and weight; we use the rounder description figures. Milligram lists the ABS body.

Kaweco Classic Sport to scale: 105 mm capped and 130 mm posted, as Kaweco describes it (its spec table says 107 and 127 mm), with the cap off in between; 10.7 g per Kaweco — Posting the cap turns a pocket pen into a full-size one.

Why is the Kaweco Sport so short?

It is designed to be carried capped, where it measures 10.5 cm (4.1 in), and written with the cap posted. Uncapped, the body is shorter still and short for most hands, so the posted length of about 13 cm, which Kaweco calls “a normal size”, is the one that matters on the page.

That makes it a favorite pocket pen; it’s our fountain pen pick in best pocket pens.

Does the Kaweco Sport come with a clip?

No: Kaweco sells slide-on clips separately, in gold, silver, bronze and black finishes. Kaweco’s German shop lists the Sport clips from €4.95 (about US$5.50).

Without a clip the pen sinks to the bottom of a pocket, which is fine in a bag but less handy in a shirt pocket.

What cartridges and converter does the Kaweco Sport use?

It takes short standard international cartridges or a Kaweco mini converter; long international cartridges don’t fit.

Part	Fits Classic Sport?	Notes
Short international cartridge	Yes	One comes with the pen (Pen Chalet)
Long international cartridge	No	Too long for the barrel
Kaweco mini converter	Yes	Sold separately (Pen Chalet)

Short international cartridges are made by many brands, so you’re not tied to Kaweco ink.

Which Kaweco Sport nib should you choose?

Kaweco recommends M for beginners; pick EF or F for small writing and B or BB for a bold line on good paper. Kaweco uses German sizing, so its F writes wider than a Japanese F such as the Pilot Kakuno’s.

How does the Kaweco Sport compare to other starter pens?

It is the shortest and lightest of the popular starter pens when capped, and the only one sold without a clip.

	Kaweco Sport	LAMY safari	Pilot Metropolitan
Capped	105 mm	139.5 mm	138 mm
Posted	127–133 mm	163.9 mm	153 mm
Weight	10.7 g	17.0 g	26.0 g
Ink	Short international cartridge	LAMY T10	Pilot cartridge
Clip	Sold separately	Wire clip	Metal clip
Made in	Germany	Germany	Japan
Price band	$$$	$$$	$$$

Figures for the safari and Metropolitan come from their guides. Our best fountain pens for beginners ranks all six starter pens we cover.

Where is the Kaweco Sport made?

Kaweco’s German product page labels it “100% Made in Germany” and says all nibs and the pen itself are made there. Its series page adds that Classic Sport pens are produced and assembled in Germany; Cornelissen says hand assembled.

How much does a Kaweco Sport cost?

The Classic Sport is in our $$$ price band, $20–75 per pen, at the low end. Kaweco’s German shop lists it at €24.95 (about US$28); the clip and a converter are extra.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Kaweco Sport?

Kaweco's German site describes it as 10.5 cm (4.1 in) closed and 13 cm (5.1 in) with the cap posted, though its own spec table says 10.7 cm and 12.7 cm. Goulet Pens says 13.3 cm posted.

Do you have to post the Kaweco Sport?

Most people do. Uncapped, the body is shorter than the 10.5 cm capped pen, short for most hands; with the cap posted it reaches about 13 cm, which Kaweco calls a normal size.

What cartridges does the Kaweco Sport take?

Short standard international cartridges. Kaweco's own cartridges are this size, and Pen Chalet says one comes with the pen. Long international cartridges don't fit the short barrel.

Does the Kaweco Sport take a converter?

Yes, a Kaweco mini converter, sold separately according to Pen Chalet.

Why doesn't my Kaweco Sport have a clip?

Kaweco sells slide-on clips separately, in gold, silver, bronze or black finishes, according to its Classic Sport page.

What nib sizes does the Kaweco Sport come in?

Kaweco lists five gold-plated steel nib widths: EF, F, M, B and BB (Extrafein to Extrabreit). It recommends M for beginners. German sizing writes broader than Japanese sizing, so a Kaweco F is wider than a Pilot F.

Where is the Kaweco Sport made?

In Germany. Kaweco's German site labels it "100% Made in Germany" and says the nibs and the pen are both made there.

How much does the Kaweco Sport weigh?

Kaweco's German spec table lists 10.7 g, and Missing Pen lists 11.0 g.

Sources (11)

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