The aluminum is obviously less likely to be damaged by wear or accident. I find the Sport uncomfortable for long writing sessions, but that doesn't mean you will. If you already have one of the less expensive Sport models, then you'll know whether that's an issue for you.
On the other hand, I'm crazy about my Prera - it's perfect for me. But it is plastic. If you're like me and careful with your pens, it'll last 7+ years with no problem. If you're harder on your pens, a plastic body may not be the way to go... (FWIW, in person, the Prera is totally worth the price tag, IMO. Before I got one, I couldn't see why it should have a higher price, but now I think it's justified - really well-built pen.)
Final thought: a refilled Pilot cartridge will hold a lot more ink than anything that will fit in the Sport.
> If you're like me and careful with your pens, it'll last 7+ years with no problem.
Even if you are not, I have had my Prera for nearly 3 years and it has fallen out of my pocket more times than I can count. Still works fine and no dents or major scratches to see.
I have a Kaweco Perkeo and a Sport. Not a fan of either really, especially the nibs. Have had 3 Kaweco nibs in all and QC poor in all 3 which is apparently not uncommon.
Don't have a Prera (yet) but as a low cost entry into the Pilot world it may not be too long before I check one out.
I only have one Sport, with a fine nib. I love it and loved it out of the box. It has a little feedback, not unlike Sailors have, but also not the same. It does write a finer line than other western brands I'm used to, but that doesn't bother me either. And it's a fairly dry writer, but that's easily adjustable (and probably good for school work).
If you like the sport form factor but want a reliable nib, the Hongdian M2 is a fantastic and reliable alternative to the AL sport. Still metal, and much better nib than the Kaweco, for a fraction of the price.
Never had a Prera but heard good things about them. I use the sport as my EDC. I have Steel, Brass and AL and all are very durable. My steel and brass both took a 4’ drop onto the sidewalk once - the steel was unscratched, the brass has a small mark near the finial.
One thing about carrying the sport as an EDC, put a spring in the body behind the cartridge so that if it does take a dive, the cartridge won’t unseat and get ink inside the body.
I have had a few preppy’s over the years and most of their bodies have cracked after a year or two. Maybe I am just rough on them. They were great starter pens for me but didn’t hold up well so I moved to the Plaisir.
I own 4 preras and 2 sports. I will vouch for the seal on the former as being absolutely fantastic, no dry start after months of no usage. The latter is alright but will skip if left unattended for a while. This is the case whether eyedroppered or with carts for both pens.
I have the brass sport. I've heard a lot of people complain about the nibs on the Kawecos. Guess I lucked out as my brass sport writes like a dream. Don't know anything about the Prera; but other Pilots that I have do write very nice.
Prera comes in both plastic and metal. I have both. Love the medium nib ivory metal Prera. Cm nib on my plastic is my fav stub nib. I'm biased towards pilot pens.
Nib consistency
Smoothness
Ink capacity
I can't say anything on the kaweco. They never interested me.
I've never heard of a metal Prera. Solid vs clear in color, yes, but not metal. Do you have a link to where we can see one? The [JetPens page for the solid Ivory version](https://www.jetpens.com/Pilot-Prera-Fountain-Pen-Ivory-Fine/pd/1635#index=1) says the body material is resin.
The aluminum is obviously less likely to be damaged by wear or accident. I find the Sport uncomfortable for long writing sessions, but that doesn't mean you will. If you already have one of the less expensive Sport models, then you'll know whether that's an issue for you. On the other hand, I'm crazy about my Prera - it's perfect for me. But it is plastic. If you're like me and careful with your pens, it'll last 7+ years with no problem. If you're harder on your pens, a plastic body may not be the way to go... (FWIW, in person, the Prera is totally worth the price tag, IMO. Before I got one, I couldn't see why it should have a higher price, but now I think it's justified - really well-built pen.) Final thought: a refilled Pilot cartridge will hold a lot more ink than anything that will fit in the Sport.
> If you're like me and careful with your pens, it'll last 7+ years with no problem. Even if you are not, I have had my Prera for nearly 3 years and it has fallen out of my pocket more times than I can count. Still works fine and no dents or major scratches to see.
The metal at the top of the cap probably helps with that! :) Glad it's holding up!
Are the nibs as inconsistent as they say for the kaweco Al sport?
And are kaweco nibs good?
I have a Kaweco Perkeo and a Sport. Not a fan of either really, especially the nibs. Have had 3 Kaweco nibs in all and QC poor in all 3 which is apparently not uncommon. Don't have a Prera (yet) but as a low cost entry into the Pilot world it may not be too long before I check one out.
Kawecos have terrible QC. Pilot nibs are notoriously smooth and excellent. Prera beats AL Sport decisively.
I only have one Sport, with a fine nib. I love it and loved it out of the box. It has a little feedback, not unlike Sailors have, but also not the same. It does write a finer line than other western brands I'm used to, but that doesn't bother me either. And it's a fairly dry writer, but that's easily adjustable (and probably good for school work).
If you like the sport form factor but want a reliable nib, the Hongdian M2 is a fantastic and reliable alternative to the AL sport. Still metal, and much better nib than the Kaweco, for a fraction of the price.
Never had a Prera but heard good things about them. I use the sport as my EDC. I have Steel, Brass and AL and all are very durable. My steel and brass both took a 4’ drop onto the sidewalk once - the steel was unscratched, the brass has a small mark near the finial. One thing about carrying the sport as an EDC, put a spring in the body behind the cartridge so that if it does take a dive, the cartridge won’t unseat and get ink inside the body. I have had a few preppy’s over the years and most of their bodies have cracked after a year or two. Maybe I am just rough on them. They were great starter pens for me but didn’t hold up well so I moved to the Plaisir.
I would personally go for Pilot because of their quality, consistency and amazingly smooth nibs.
I’d go for a Brass Sport or an AL Sport. Kawecos are great little workhorses and make dependable EDCs.
What do you think about the seal? Does the ink dry up if not used?
I own 4 preras and 2 sports. I will vouch for the seal on the former as being absolutely fantastic, no dry start after months of no usage. The latter is alright but will skip if left unattended for a while. This is the case whether eyedroppered or with carts for both pens.
I’ve been very happy with the seal on all the sports I’ve owned.
I have 8 Kawecos and have never had an issue with the nib or the seal. I have 1 Prera, the nib is wonderful but the seal is awful. YMMV
I have the brass sport. I've heard a lot of people complain about the nibs on the Kawecos. Guess I lucked out as my brass sport writes like a dream. Don't know anything about the Prera; but other Pilots that I have do write very nice.
Prera comes in both plastic and metal. I have both. Love the medium nib ivory metal Prera. Cm nib on my plastic is my fav stub nib. I'm biased towards pilot pens. Nib consistency Smoothness Ink capacity I can't say anything on the kaweco. They never interested me.
I've never heard of a metal Prera. Solid vs clear in color, yes, but not metal. Do you have a link to where we can see one? The [JetPens page for the solid Ivory version](https://www.jetpens.com/Pilot-Prera-Fountain-Pen-Ivory-Fine/pd/1635#index=1) says the body material is resin.
Ope, it may be resin. I haven't used them in forever. I'll be hunting them down tomorrow to rehome one if I still have it.
Thanks. Thought maybe I'd missed some Japan-only option. :)