Kaweco Fountain Pen Special Matte Black (F)

The Kaweco Special is a full-size fountain pen made of anodized aluminum with a characteristic 8-sided profile – a silhouette that dates back to office pencils from the 1930s. The matte black of the barrel seamlessly transitions into the black-plated brass turning parts, creating the pen as a consistently dark, matter-of-fact object. The steel nib with iridium tip comes from Bock Heidelberg and is available in the sizes F, M, and B.

Special Features

• 8-sided aluminum profile: The anodized aluminum feels cool and smooth, but the eight edges allow it to rest stably between your fingers without thinking – no twisting, no slipping. The 10 mm diameter makes the pen practical for everyday use, even during longer writing sessions.
• Matte black surface: The matte anodizing absorbs light reflections and gives the pen a calm, technical look. Fingerprints are barely noticeable on the matte black.
• Black-plated brass turning parts: The cap and decorative elements are made of brass with black plating – noticeably heavier, richer haptics compared to pure aluminum, and the color tone remains the same deep black as the barrel.
• Screw cap: The cap is screwed on, not plugged in – this reliably protects the nib and allows the pen to be carried openly in your pocket. The cap can also be screwed onto the rear end of the barrel to achieve the full writing length of approximately 170 mm.
• Steel nib by Bock Heidelberg: The polished steel nib with iridium tip comes from Heidelberg and writes remarkably smoothly for a steel nib. The iridium ball ensures even ink flow and pleasant gliding on smooth paper.
• Cartridge and converter system: The international short and long cartridge system is supported; with a matching converter, you can draw ink from a bottle. This opens up the entire spectrum of fountain pen inks – from water-based document inks to shimmering inks to iron gall inks.

Application & Tips

• Nib size M (Medium): The medium-width nib is a well-balanced all-rounder – it writes richly and smoothly without feathering too much on fine papers. Ideal for diaries, journaling, correspondence, and quick notes.
• Nib size F (Fine): The fine nib is suitable for small handwriting and dense notes. On calendered, ink-resistant paper, fine lines come out particularly clearly.
• Nib size B (Broad): The broad nib applies ink generously, shows the shading of water-based inks particularly beautifully, and makes cursive writing expressive.
• Ink recommendation: On smooth, satin-finish paper, the iridium tip reacts particularly sensitively and writes without resistance. Chromatic or shimmering inks work well with the M and B nib due to the broader line. For document permanence: use pigmented fountain pen inks or certified document inks.
• Retrofit with converter: A Kaweco converter can be inserted directly – this gives access to the entire range of bottled inks. The pen's full length of 140 mm provides enough space for a standard converter.
• Care of the matte black surface: The anodized surface is robust; a soft, slightly damp cloth is sufficient for cleaning. Abrasive cleaners should be avoided as they can damage the matte anodizing.

For Pen Enthusiasts

The 060 Bock nib is a widely distributed and well-documented system in the fountain pen community: The nib unit can be unscrewed and replaced with other 060 Bock nibs – including broad nibs, calligraphy units, or nibs with different grind geometries. This makes the Kaweco Special a versatile platform pen whose writing character can be changed without tools. The mechanics are from Japan and work precisely; hand-assembled final inspection is performed in Nuremberg.

Technical Specifications