Kaweco is known for some more experimental pen designs: the Sport pens are a fine example of that their not-so-mainstream design philosophy. And that unique design works, the Kaweco Sport pens are perhaps the most widely known pocket pens around! But it doesn't stop there: a couple months ago they came up with what could be their most daring design so far, and it's a clear winner, that much I can already say!
Talking about popular Kaweco products, the Lilliput is definitely another one that comes to mind. The wide variety of available materials/finishes, and the ultimate pocketability makes it a favourite of many. But that same small size that some people love, is what puts others off. Kaweco apparently noticed this, and came up with the Supra, basically a Lilliput on steroids (I know, I'm only the billionth blogger who says this. It's just exactly what you'll think when you see them!).
The Supra has a fairly minimal design, similar to the design of the Lilliput, on which is it obviously based. the bullet shape with rounded edges is simple but striking, especially in this larger size. The unique part of the Supra is obviously the removable extension piece. If you want a pocket pen, you can just take the extension out, and it transforms into a very pocketable pen, barely any bigger than the Lilliput, but a bit wider. If you prefer a more comfortable full-sized pen without having to post the cap, the extension piece comes into play, and adds about 3cm to the overal length of the pen.
The removable section does affect the design of the pen just a little bit. It's definitely form follows function, because the added pair of threads on the extension makes for an inevitable step along the middle of the barrel (think about it, if the diameter of the extension would be the same as the rest of the pen, it would be impossible to connect all the pieces!). In terms of comfort, you'll also notice the added diameter of the extension piece because it does create slightly higher step from section to barrel. All parts on this pen are machined extremely precise, and the corners and threads can be a little sharp. This is definitely something to keep in mind in terms of comfort, although it hasn't been a dealbreaker for me so far, and I've used it quite a bit already.
The Supra is obviously a bit larger than the Lilliput. It weighs in at just over 50 grams total with the extension piece, which is almost double that of the brass Lilliput (the aluminium Lilliput is even lighter). Yet because it's a full-sized pen it doesn't feel overly heavy in the hand.
Lengthwise, the Supra measures 10 cm closed, and 13.4 cm posted without the extension, which is comparable to the Lilliput. But with the extension, the Supra grows to a length of 13 cm closed, and 12.5 cm open, which is about average for a fountain pen, and definitely enough to provide a comfortable fit for most hands. The most obvious change is the added diameter, at 9.9 mm around the section, it’s a couple mm thicker than the Lilliput. While that might not sound like much, it’s certainly noticeable in the hand. So for those that thought the Lilliput was a bit too thin, too unsubstantial, the Supra improves in this area as well.
A benefit of using the extension is that it's long enough to hold a standard international converter. That means you won't have to deal with those finnicky mini converters Kaweco provides (that never seem to perform as they should). The downside is that you'll have to switch back to cartridges when you decide to remove the section. I currently stick to syringe-filling empty cartridges, that way I can use the Supra in both configurations and still use whatever ink I want.
The nib on the Supra was probably the biggest surprise for me when I first saw product shots of it. Kaweco finally decided to use their #6 nibs again, which I had previously only seen on the full-sized Kaweco Elite. I really like these larger nibs Kaweco offers, which is why I'd love to see them on more of their pens in the future (obviously not on their pocket pens, that would look ridiculous!). The nibs have essentially the exact same design, which is simple but classy. They are available in the same wide variety of nib sizes, from EF to BB (of course I went with BB), and seem to perform rather comparable to their smaller counterparts.
I swapped out the double broad with the fine nib of my Kaweco Elite a couple of times (as you can see in the pictures), and both performed really well. The BB hard starts every now and then, but it usually picks up after the first stroke and writes consistently after that. It felt like the flow seems to be just the slightest bit wetter with these larger nibs, but overall the difference is negligible and your mileage may vary (it could also depend on the rather wet ink I used).
The Supra is without a doubt one of the most refreshing, and interesting new pens of the moment. People often complain that there isn't enough innovation and new products on the pen market, but I think Kaweco does a decent job with their new products. Even though I'd usually find myself using the Supra with the extension piece, I know a lot of people will switch regularly between the two setups, especially if you're into EDC and pocket carry, the Supra should be on your wishlist.
The Supra retails for 90 EUR/ 125 USD. That's not at all cheap, but I find it more than worth the money. It's fun to use, has an innovative design, and it's a rock-solid pen, I can't think of any reasons not to like it.
Note: this pen was sent to me by The Pen Company, free of charge, so I could write this review. I was in no way influenced in the making of this review, the opinions shared in this review are completely my own! This post does not contain affilate links.
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