Review Paper: Clairefontaine Clairefontaine



Specs:

Description: A Liliput on steroids with a nice #6 nib and a removable section.

A Liliput on steroids with a nice #6 nib and a removable section. Refills: International short cartridges / converter (only with extension piece attached)

International short cartridges / converter (only with extension piece attached) Body: Raw Brass

Raw Brass Measurements: 5.0″ long, 6.5″ posted with extension

5.0″ long, 6.5″ posted with extension Weight: 50g

50g Color Options: Raw Brass

Intro/About:

The Supra is essentially a Liliput on steroids. It’s larger, more comfortable to write with, has a nice big nib on it, and yet it still manages to be very pocket-friendly. This unique pen from Kaweco has an extension tube that makes the pen longer when in place. It also allows the pen to use an international converter too. It’s definitely an interesting concept, but how does it hold up when in use? Read on to find out.

Thank you to Penworld for sending over the Supra for review. You can pick one up for yourself over there, and don’t forget to use the code “EDJELLEY” for an additional 10% off your order!

Appearance and Packaging:

Like most reviews here, I don’t focus too much on the packaging. The Supra comes in a tin box, which is standard for Kaweco’s pricier pens. It would make a nice gift, I just throw mine on a shelf just in case I ever decide to sell the pen. The pen itself resembles the much smaller Liliput, except…well…bigger. It’s a rounded cylinder with threading on the back end to securely post the cap and some subtle engraving. There’s the name of the pen, Kaweco’s text logo, and on the top of the pen an engraving of their circular logo. It’s lightly engraved and doesn’t stand out too much. The cap has a slight step down to the body when capped or posted, but it’s barely noticeable. What stands out on this pen is the large, #6 size nib. It’s quite big, but not out of scale. I wish more pens that were this compact utilized these larger nibs. They just look cool. I always thought that the Kaweco nibs seen on the Sport series were just a hair too small for the pen, that’s definitely not the case here! The raw brass body is shiny, but does pick up some patina as you use and carry the pen. The construction is really impressive, keeping up with the rest of Kaweco’s metal pens. Their machining is precise, the threads are great, and their metal pens just feel nice to hold and use.

Filling System / Extension Tube / Nib Performance:

I’m going to talk about the most unique feature about this pen here, because it relates to the filling system. The extension tube allows you to use either a cartridge or full-sized converter. The Supra is pretty small overall, but it includes a ~1″ section that screws in between the body and grip. This extension tube makes the pen long enough to accommodate an international standard converter when in use. At this length, the pen is well-balanced without the cap posted, but gets a bit unwieldy should you decide to attach it on the back. This is great for those wanting a full-sized pen sometimes, and a smaller, more pocketable one at others. My favorite configuration is without the extension tube and the cap posted. It makes the Supra both very pocketable and very comfortable to write with. I like Kaweco’s ink cartridges as well, and it’s nice to have a low maintenance pen in rotation.

The large #6 nib on the pen may seem out-of-place at first, but I really like it. It’s proportional to the rest of the pen when writing, but does look a little silly without the cap posted or extension tube in place. It writes smoothly, laying down a medium-wet line as it writes. I didn’t have to adjust anything out of the box, just popped a cartridge in and I was on my way. I’ve been using the pen a lot at work, and the medium nib I opted for is decent enough on regular copy paper. I’m happy with the writing performance for sure. Note: I’ve found that the broad nibs and larger from Kaweco haven’t been the best. EF, F, and M have all been great, and the larger ones I’ve tried were definitely not as reliable.

Feel:

In hand, the pen feels solid and hefty without being overkill. It’s nicely balanced and the brass picks up some nice patina the more you use it. The threads are all smooth, the section is comfortable, and everything fits together just right. I’ve always been impressed by Kaweco’s attention to detail and precision, especially in their metal pens. The Supra is no exception. The pen is comfortable to write with, even for extended periods of time due to the great balance and slightly tapered grip section. The threads above the grip are smooth and unobtrusive, I don’t think those with a higher grip will mind them at all. I really can’t pick out anything about the feel/construction of the pen that I don’t like, it’s damn near perfect.

Pros:

Solid construction

Unique extension tube makes the Supra very versatile

Huge #6 nib

Subtle branding

Raw brass looks and feels great

Cons:

Nothing to report, this one’s a winner

Conclusion:

I’m constantly impressed by Kaweco pens. They’re reliable, thoughtfully designed, and feel great in hand. They’re portable without compromising writing experience and they’ll definitely hold up to being tossed in a pocket or bag. The Supra checks off all the boxes for me, and makes a great addition to my collection. The extension tube is a great idea, and works well in both theory and practice. I’m a fan of this upscaled Liliput, and would definitely recommend it should you like what you see.

Do you have a Kaweco Supra? Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Grab yours from Penworld, and don’t forget to use the coupon code “EDJELLEY” for 10% off your order. They ship worldwide!

Gallery:



Disclaimer: This pen was provided to me as a review unit, free of charge, by Penworld. I was not compensated for this review, and this did not have any effect on my thoughts and opinions about the pen. Thank you for reading!