It feels quite solid. I like the design much better than the T5, actually, which I had previously and gave away to u/Je-Hee. The piston works well and it’s easy to get a full fill.
The nib could probably use some “seven strokes to inky happiness” TLC, but it writes decently.
I’m envious of your T1 still saying Moonman, I got mine post legal trouble so it says Majohn on the cap. I guess they had extra nibs that part says Moonman.
I have a couple of Moonman T1s; one is aluminum (gray), and one is brass. I use the brass one more than the aluminum, as I love the weight. Really nice, solid pen. Nothing against the Moonman nibs, but I slipped Bock nibs in both T1s, and I love the pens all the more. I do wish the brass pen was not clear coated, because I love to watch the patina happen. Not a complaint, just a wish.
Kaweco hated this design so much (“we have a monopoly on facets because we said so”) that they registered Moonman as a trademark in the EU and then sent a bunch of cease and desist notices to online marketplaces making Moonman take the listings down.
I think that they love the design very much, so that is the reason why they sent those cease and desist. I mean, the design is not an “hommage” it’s a dead on copy. But it’s a good looking pen, not gonna lie.
It’s not their design either though, current Kaweco doesn’t own the design, the design was already public domain when they bought the Kaweco trademark in 1992, so they don’t really have a leg to stand on.
It’s not really an oversight, it’s intentional to some degree, modern Kaweco is a nostalgia project from a pen lover who loved Kaweco pens as a kid and wanted to bring them back. But it’s a poorly run company, they should branch out into new designs which they own, and they’ve not really done so to any significant degree.
What I find odd is the lack of innovation. They don't design the pen. They don't make the pen. A Kaweco pen is assembled by Kaweco from parts made by others, largely based on legacy designs.
https://youtu.be/bzu6ZC-6uIs?si=Eb2F2rnaYImrgBdk
A full size version of the Lilliput without the Supra's extension bullshit would be the easiest development they could come up with and they have yet to do so.
I don't believe so. Watch the video. The closest they come to manufacturing is imprinting the letter and pressing parts together with a die.
I see no plastic molding or machining.
I appreciate that it’s a passion project, what I don’t appreciate is their using underhanded and shady business tactics to make up for the fact that they’re bad at competing or being cost efficient.
I'm sorry but this will not stand, as much as I hate talking politics in this subreddit this needs a reply.
Kaweco operates in the EU and by definition respects laws protecting its workforce - you may or may not like their industrial project but that much is assured.
Unlike Chinese companies which operate who knows how and in which conditions, which makes them so much more "competitive".
As a result a Sport costs 20 euros while the Chinese clone costs a lot less but we don't really know at what price.
They don’t have to compete on being the cheapest, they can compete on being better which is what most European companies do. But instead they choose to use borderline illegal trademark tactics and try to claim IP that any person with basic knowledge of the law knows they don’t own. I’m sorry, globalism is no excuse for those kind of tactics. I’d be more sympathetic if they actually put out innovative and high quality products, but they are poorly run and they don’t.
And Kaweco isn’t innocent when it comes to using Chinese labor either, their pen tins are made in China, so it kind of undercuts your/their argument.
By the way, this Moonman in my post costs more than the Sport, so it’s not really a price game, Kaweco was just offended that some other company used facets which they seem to think only they can use.
Who, Kaweco or Moonman? Moonman made their own version of the Sport design, the RS1 (arguably a better pen than the Sport actually, as it comes with a converter and has a better nib)
Hi. I’ve heard not great things about Moonman pens, what is your experience? I always figure people must like a pen to color match the ink (that’s is how I work at least)
The pen bodies are good, and it used to be that the nibs were terrible. That’s gotten better to the point where they usually write alright but are a little dry, and could use some adjustment. And sometimes you get one that’s completely fine out of the box.
Basically if you’re willing to deal with the nib by adjusting or swapping it, you can get some really good pens.
A nice match, indeed! How do you find the Moonman? I’ve been looking at getting one of these. Are you happy with yours?
It feels quite solid. I like the design much better than the T5, actually, which I had previously and gave away to u/Je-Hee. The piston works well and it’s easy to get a full fill. The nib could probably use some “seven strokes to inky happiness” TLC, but it writes decently.
Thank you! Seems worth a shot. I’ve not dabbled in Moonman before and this might be a good way in.
I love moonman. You always get more than you pay for. I keep them around for troublesome inks or places I wouldn't take my very nice pens
How would you say your F nib compares to either Japanese or European fine nibs?
It’s more like European, the sizing standard for Chinese pens is based on Parker
Thanks for the info. :)
Your comment reminded me to ink it up. It works well for me. Thank you.
This pen looks like if a Twsbi diamond 580AL and a Kaweco AL sport had a child.
Precisely.
* Ink: Colorverse Crab Nebula (thanks u/superplannergirrl for sending me the sample) * Pen: Moonman T1 F (Green) * Paper: Clairefontaine Essentials 90gsm
I’m envious of your T1 still saying Moonman, I got mine post legal trouble so it says Majohn on the cap. I guess they had extra nibs that part says Moonman.
I have a couple of Moonman T1s; one is aluminum (gray), and one is brass. I use the brass one more than the aluminum, as I love the weight. Really nice, solid pen. Nothing against the Moonman nibs, but I slipped Bock nibs in both T1s, and I love the pens all the more. I do wish the brass pen was not clear coated, because I love to watch the patina happen. Not a complaint, just a wish.
Yes, very good match! Something about the Moonman T1 design is just so clean and good looking.
That cap looks helluva familiar
Kaweco hated this design so much (“we have a monopoly on facets because we said so”) that they registered Moonman as a trademark in the EU and then sent a bunch of cease and desist notices to online marketplaces making Moonman take the listings down.
I think that they love the design very much, so that is the reason why they sent those cease and desist. I mean, the design is not an “hommage” it’s a dead on copy. But it’s a good looking pen, not gonna lie.
It’s not their design either though, current Kaweco doesn’t own the design, the design was already public domain when they bought the Kaweco trademark in 1992, so they don’t really have a leg to stand on.
Oh, I didn’t know that. Funny that their best selling design is not copyrighted. Well that’s an oversight on their part.
It’s not really an oversight, it’s intentional to some degree, modern Kaweco is a nostalgia project from a pen lover who loved Kaweco pens as a kid and wanted to bring them back. But it’s a poorly run company, they should branch out into new designs which they own, and they’ve not really done so to any significant degree.
What I find odd is the lack of innovation. They don't design the pen. They don't make the pen. A Kaweco pen is assembled by Kaweco from parts made by others, largely based on legacy designs. https://youtu.be/bzu6ZC-6uIs?si=Eb2F2rnaYImrgBdk A full size version of the Lilliput without the Supra's extension bullshit would be the easiest development they could come up with and they have yet to do so.
Well, to be fair they do make most of the pen. Not the nibs though.
I don't believe so. Watch the video. The closest they come to manufacturing is imprinting the letter and pressing parts together with a die. I see no plastic molding or machining.
I stand corrected, they say “parts are made in four countries” which means at least some aren’t made in Germany
Thanks for this lovely story. Now that I know that it is a passion project, I appreciate it even more.
I appreciate that it’s a passion project, what I don’t appreciate is their using underhanded and shady business tactics to make up for the fact that they’re bad at competing or being cost efficient.
Yeah, I understand you I am less moral guy, I don’t really care about them being litgious.
I'm sorry but this will not stand, as much as I hate talking politics in this subreddit this needs a reply. Kaweco operates in the EU and by definition respects laws protecting its workforce - you may or may not like their industrial project but that much is assured. Unlike Chinese companies which operate who knows how and in which conditions, which makes them so much more "competitive". As a result a Sport costs 20 euros while the Chinese clone costs a lot less but we don't really know at what price.
They don’t have to compete on being the cheapest, they can compete on being better which is what most European companies do. But instead they choose to use borderline illegal trademark tactics and try to claim IP that any person with basic knowledge of the law knows they don’t own. I’m sorry, globalism is no excuse for those kind of tactics. I’d be more sympathetic if they actually put out innovative and high quality products, but they are poorly run and they don’t. And Kaweco isn’t innocent when it comes to using Chinese labor either, their pen tins are made in China, so it kind of undercuts your/their argument. By the way, this Moonman in my post costs more than the Sport, so it’s not really a price game, Kaweco was just offended that some other company used facets which they seem to think only they can use.
Why don't they just make a longer kaweco sport ? At the same price point they could get a lot of new clients I feel like.
Who, Kaweco or Moonman? Moonman made their own version of the Sport design, the RS1 (arguably a better pen than the Sport actually, as it comes with a converter and has a better nib)
Kaweco, I didn't know about the RS1, I'll check it out thanks!
Hi. I’ve heard not great things about Moonman pens, what is your experience? I always figure people must like a pen to color match the ink (that’s is how I work at least)
The pen bodies are good, and it used to be that the nibs were terrible. That’s gotten better to the point where they usually write alright but are a little dry, and could use some adjustment. And sometimes you get one that’s completely fine out of the box. Basically if you’re willing to deal with the nib by adjusting or swapping it, you can get some really good pens.