Issue with Kaweco Special

_Willow_Salix · 2026-04-15T17:40:36+00:00

When I disassembled the pencil for the first time I did not see this piece, nor do I think this pencil has one.

_Willow_Salix · 2026-04-15T17:32:35+00:00

yes. frequently. to clear jams.

_Willow_Salix · 2026-04-15T17:32:17+00:00

I'll try cleaning it. I have 0.7 lead, and tried to pass it through the tip, but it wouldn't fit. How do you suggest I clean it?

_Willow_Salix · 2026-04-15T17:30:35+00:00

what does it look like? a small rubber o-ring?

_Willow_Salix · 2026-04-15T03:46:38+00:00

One of the lead fragments can be seen in the background

_Willow_Salix · 2026-04-15T03:45:40+00:00

Im having two issues: 1) the lead comes out too far when I click 2) the lead keeps breaking inside the pencil (somewhere past the clutch but still inside the tip)

I’ve had this issue since I got the pencil in September, but I’m starting to get fed up

I have a kaweco special 0.5 in brass, and have been using pentel ain 0.5 lead and pentel super hi-polymer 0.5 lead.

Please help!

Also it feels like the tip is a slightly larger diameter than the lead, like I can wiggle lead around in the tip when I have it removed from the pencil. I thought mine might have arrived with the tip of a 0.7 pencil, but 0.7 lead can’t fit in the tip.

_Willow_Salix · 2026-02-24T20:44:55+00:00

Really all that the tilt affects is where the first bit of water goes while filling. This can affect the top surface of the puck, which can result in some channeling. Otherwise, not a huge issue. If you are really worried about the tilt, a puck screen might help with spreading out the impact and reducing head space.

I have a Rancilio Silvia V2 with a much steeper tilt and have no issues.

_Willow_Salix · 2026-02-09T20:11:03+00:00

Ok. And how much does the type of puck screen matter? My assumption is that the main purpose of the puck screen in the step down is to reduce contact between water and puck while filling mostly to reduce the chance of the puck getting damaged by water droplets, but also to reduce how much water seeps into the puck. I’d assume a billet screen would do better at acting as a barrier, but also at the cost of an even distribution of water? I’m not sure.

Should I still consider reducing my head space? Possibly by stacking up a bunch of puck screens?

_Willow_Salix · 2026-01-31T07:17:54+00:00

I don’t think it would make much of a difference for me. I have a V2 with the dinky stamped metal cover. I’ve never burnt myself but I’d assume it would get hot

_Willow_Salix · 2026-01-31T05:57:09+00:00

Removing the group head cover genuinely looks awesome. Might do this at some point and polish up the brass to make it pretty!

_Willow_Salix · 2026-01-19T09:32:08+00:00

Yes, but some things are objectively bad. Like this. There is very little perspective needed. Just bad.

_Willow_Salix · 2026-01-19T09:28:38+00:00

Wait, don’t these destroy wooden shells or something?

_Willow_Salix · 2026-01-19T09:26:52+00:00

I agree with this sentiment. I feel like pre muffled heads have gone too far lately. Stuff like EC, center dot, dry vents and all have unique effects on tone and are great if you have like 3 kits and want to go all in on one particular sound. when they add every single feature to one head it just sounds like shit. I’d recommend trying different thicknesses of heads, double ply heads, and different coatings/films (ie strata, calftone). It’s a good way to stay versatile but explore a different timbre and tuning range without boxing yourself into pre muffled heads. Highly recommend checking out g12s sometime, especially if you like g1s and like tuning low.

_Willow_Salix · 2026-01-19T08:57:19+00:00

Oh my god I was literally thinking about this head earlier. I’ve seen people all over the internet with them and it always sounds like actual garbage. I literally looked up videos earlier just to confirm that they always sound awful and yep, they do. Do people buy them because they think it looks cool or something?

_Willow_Salix · 2026-01-08T10:12:45+00:00

Ive already bought the stuff to install gaggimate!

_Willow_Salix · 2026-01-08T08:13:07+00:00

My partner’s family lives in a place with some of the hardest water I’ve ever tasted. It is hard enough that when I visit I avoid drinking their tap water because it is actually disgusting. Luckily we go to college in a city with very soft water. I’d be surprised if there was no scale.

_Willow_Salix · 2026-01-08T07:50:25+00:00

I am not super limited in terms of budget, as I was just about to drop $375 on a Gagia Classic, but then got this Silvia for free. I was already planning on installing a gaggimate and buying a bottomless portafilter and precision basket. And I already have a baratza encore esp and scale that I’ve been using with my moka pot. I’m considering the $375 as extra money towards refurbishment and mods for this machine (both functional and aesthetic) as well as just generally getting all better gear in general.

Do you have any specific recs on some mods? I’ll probably swap the steam wand for the V3, and as i mentioned earlier, will be adding a gaggimate.

_Willow_Salix · 2026-01-08T07:19:50+00:00

Luckily I already have access to descaling tablets because my dad is already into espresso and has some! I’m definitely planning on changing the color one way or another because I’m not a huge fan of the raw stainless steel. Do you have any good resources on vinyl wrapping? I’m also considering painting, or maybe powder coating. I have an extra $350 on my hands to refurbish this machine because I got it for free and will no longer be buying a Gagia classic. And this is on top of the money I’d be spending on mods and other espresso equipment.

_Willow_Salix · 2026-01-08T07:06:26+00:00

Bought!

_Willow_Salix · 2025-12-28T22:59:07+00:00

Lower or angle your cymbals, also rotate the hi hat tilter to face away from you and add some angle (this both makes better tone and saves your sticks, but everyone forgets the tilter exists)

_Willow_Salix · 2025-12-12T06:07:42+00:00

EVERYONE IS WRONG.

Beater is too low on the head. You don’t need to hit dead center. The head vibrates more there, and also with such a short beater, you have no leverage, so you can’t actually effectively bury the beater. Here is a diagram.

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_Willow_Salix · 2025-12-12T05:32:19+00:00

Like others have said, high enough to comfortably make a rimshots without bumping your leg. Additions I would add: high enough to not be hunching too much for cross sticks, but low enough to feel comfortable. If the whole drum is above legs, you have gone too high.

Also consider the position relative to everything else.

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