This is the LAST time I will talk about my "beef" with TWSBI pens!
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- Опубліковано 28 гру 2022
- Questions/comments/concerns about my opinion on TWSBI stuff is probably the most frequently DM'd and emailed content that I get. I hope this finally answers everything lol
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There is a reason there are so many pens out there. Something for everyone to love or hate on. If you manage to find what you like, you win. Happy New Year!
I avoided TWSBI pens for a long time because I heard their acrylic tended to crack. I did buy two Micarta TWSBI cartridge/converters because Micarta is a robust material and I like the variations in coloration. I recently bought a 580 because it comes with a spanner wrench (not a screwdriver). Some reviewers have claimed that TWSBIs also come with silicon grease, but mine came with silicone OIL; there is a DIFFERENCE between grease and oil. I ordered the pen with a F nib, which was unsat; it wrote with a dry XF line, so I ordered an M and installed it. It writes OK now, but not as well as many of my other pens.
The problem with ecco and their clones is that they don't have a good air/ink exchange. I had to cut the channel slots deeper and take material off the channel itself in between the slots. This made my lamys wet too. They really need to give options for wet, medium and dry pens! Have a great new year!
People having different opinions is the spice of life. It also helps me see the flaws in something I otherwise wouldn't see. Thank you. 🧡🧡🧡
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I have a beef with the Chinese clone fountain pens that pretend to be Lamys.
Thanks for expressing your opinion. I'm glad I'm not alone. As I progress in my fountain pen journey that started in late January 2023 I have 5 TWSBI pens, and there are only 2 I love.....my broad nib TWSBI Go and my broad TWSBI mini AL in grape (after I requested a warranty nib replacement because my broad nib wrote more like a medium nib and ran dry). There's just too many inconsistencies and quality issues for me, so I just ordered a Pilot custom 74 in broad nib and I'm hoping and praying for the best. I have a Fine Writing International pen with a broad Jowo nib that writes like a dream. I'm not sure why TWSBI has these inconsistencies while other companies using Jowo nibs dont. I really appreciate your channel.
Isn't it great that there are pens readily available to suit different tastes and preferences? Thanks for the reminder about the drawing videos. I haven't watched for a while, and now is a good time to catch up.
People seem to have too much time on their hands if they’re concerned and obsessed which pens you prefer. I value your honest opinion on pens!
BLASPHEMY !!!!!!!....lol.....love your delivery style and perspective. I only have one TWSBI, the blue 580 ALR, and I like it. To me, pens are utilitarian tools much more than collectors pieces. Whenever I buy a pen I look for how much I am going to be using them pretty much every day. So, I get what you are saying. Thank you for making such great videos and making me laugh more often than I need to.....have a great 2023.
Classic. I'm new to fountain pen and your channel. I was surprised to here but makes perfect sense. I just picked up the 580 Iris in , I love the fact that it's stiff and line consistency. So when you said it didn't have enough spring/bounce and line variation that made perfect sense.
Classic!
I really like and enjoy my TWSBI collection. I love the way they write for me. That said, I really enjoy hearing your thoughts based your experience with the pens. I look forward to hearing your likes and dislikes about pens I have as well as ones may never own. Thank you for sharing what you do.
You go girl! Your opinion is your opinion and you are allowed to give it. For me you are being respectful about it and also telling about the things you do like about them.
I’m a new subscriber and really enjoy your content. On your recommendation I just ordered my first Benu and I’m absolutely in love 🥰 I like how you lay out what you like and don’t like here with TWSBI and since that’s one brand I have multiple pens from I was curious about your thoughts. It’s interesting that everyone has different experiences. My most wet, favorite twsbi is my vac 700r with the stub nib. As long as I open the valve it flows wet and steady. My 580 ALR is my driest twsbi. I’ve tried different inks and different nib units and it is just a dry writer so I never use it. The Ecos are okay and usable but no match for the 700r. I guess it could be the stub nib, I haven’t tried one with a finer nib but for now it’s a favorite of mine.
Classic…which I do not have one of those. I love your honesty!!! Have a great day, Kerry.!
I ordered my first TWSBI Eco on Dec 23 as a Christmas/Birthday gift to myself even though my birthday was yesterday and I wont get the order for a couple weeks. I am excited to see how it writes for me. I also included a bottle of the Diamine Polar Glow ink and a Rickshaw 3 pen sleeve
Diamine Polar Glow ink always looks so pretty when I see it swatched. It reminds me of Parker Sapphire.
Thanks for the video. I have a few TWSBI pens and overall I enjoy them. I am new to the fountain pen world and I think the appeal for me are the things you mentioned. Being able to take it apart and a good price point. I also like that they are easy to fill for me. I am working on expanding my collection and being able to compare different companies to my TWSBI pens
Thank you for expressing your opinions. I think what this world needs more of is people respecting other people's opinions. I keep coming back to your videos because you are so honest in what you like and don't like. I listen to what you say try to see where you are coming from and use that information to help form my own opinions. Thanks for being you. Keep it up. :)
I have collected many pens. I have quite a few Twisbi all models. I find that the thieves in general just can’t keep up when writing long letters, for instance. I often have to change to another pen as it gets annoying constantly urging more ink to flow, but in general, they are great for basic writing and fun to collect. I tend to care for flexible softer nibs. Thank you. I’ve never had any problem with any of my twin space and you generally like them quite a lot.
I actually gave Twsbi a shot and picked up an Eco (Green Glow, currently inked with Diamine Sherwood Green.) and a Swipe (Ice Blue, currently inked with Noodlers Blue Nose Bear.) I was happily surprised with the stiffness of the nibs as well as how wet the Swipe actually writes. They are nothing like a Pilot nib that is for sure but I really love the ambient sound I get when writing with Twsbi. Definitely scratchy but also just fun to write with. I am going to keep an eye out for some of the issues you bring up and thanks for doing what you do!
Not "scratchy" at all. "Scratchy" is when the tines aren't aligned. "Rough" is when the nib isn't polish properly. Neither is true of the TWSBI. The TWSBI nibs have a tiny bit of INTENTIONAL feedback. This is a good thing, and every nib would be better this way. Ultra-smooth nibs are over-polished, are one step away from baby's bottom, and two steps away from wearing out faster. At least seventy percent of the fountain pens on the market, including extremely expensive one, are drastically over-polished because that's what everyone in this generation wants. But it is not a good thing.
Platinum is another company that is truly expert at putting a little feedback on their nibs. Sailor does the same with some of their most expensive pens. So does Montblanc. And so does TWSBI. Pens with a little feedback are made for writers. Pens with ultra-smooth nibs are not.
Classic
Thanks for your candor and love for pens. I have been entertained and educated
If you don’t count my sneaking doodle time with my uncle’s pens as a child and the Waterman I bought in the mid 1970s. I am a total newbie to fountain pens but know I love them.
Being a newbie and a bit short on cash these days as well wanting something that would last I started with Pilot metropolitan and LAMY Safari.
These two serve that purpose but I want something new to play with
Mostly Because of ink capacity but also for being a demonstrator and inexpensive. The TWSBI Eco seems a good next step. That they are used by many and like you recommended by many that use higher end pens contributed to my deciding the TWSBI eco or the 580(?) if I’m splurging aka going over $50 will be my next pen
If you know of another pen under $50 that holds more ink than a Safari and is as reliable I’d love to hear about it.
In the meantime I will continue to watch your insights on pens I will some day purchase.
Also would love to hear more about your weight loss and getting healthy journey. With the advice of taking extra good care of your knees and feet. A bunch of years ago now. I went through a period when I lost 130ish pounds and fell in love with exercise It was great until my knee gave out Likely because of too much running on pavement. put a stop to running and walking. I slid way off track after that. And then due to a clotting disease I didn’t know I had I had a massive stroke. All of the knowledge I gained working out with personal trainers really helped my rehab process and many other things
I can walk now but slowly and painfully My knee isn’t great my foot has a Bunyan and contractures (the painful part) aNd my balance sucks. I stroll with my dog sometimes.
Hearing about your journey did bring back some good memories and some inspiration, a bit of a spark that I should go that path again.
Sorry I babbled
Thanks for the videos znd bringing z bright spot into this world
Happy new year !
Could you do a video on How To Sell Your Pens? I have a gazillion. Need to downsize.
Appreciate your insights.
Classic! Have yet to pick up a Twsbi though am keen on a 580 Al in Prussian Blue.
I just bought the 580 Iris. I have yet to ink it but will be interested in seeing if the nib is dry or wet. I look for drier writers, being left handed. I will keep in mind that the feed is somewhat fragile.
Perhaps they should offer a soft nib like Pilot does.
Classic! Great discussion as always!
Thanks for the TWSBI details, I have none, and on the fences for it, for now. Can't say it won't change later🙂
My TWSBI Diamond 580 Iris cap just cracked 😥
Going through the warranty process now and hear they good for replacing them so I'm hopeful.🙂
Just curious, what makes that particular feed on your pen so hard to get out? I've always used the side grabbing trick and they've come out fine I knew the fins snapped easily, I didn't know the whole feed could bend
8:16 As someone who draws with my fountain pens, I really enjoyed my Twsbi pens. I had issues with cracking the section of my Eco last year. Twsbi honored their warranty, but since making a video about it, I have gotten a ton of feedback and comments talking about how theirs cracked, or how they checked their pens after watching the video, and found hairline cracks in the sections.
It’s hard to say, because I do like my Twsbi pens, but I try to recommend other things for beginners. Twsbi either did not fix their cracking issue, or they did, but didn’t take any steps to remove the old, flawed stock? I don’t know, but either way, Twsbi didn’t deal with the issue to my satisfaction.
Maybe I’ll start recommending Narwhal pens? According to Twsbi (the company) they are the exact same thing :D
Have you tried taking them to a pen Smith who could put a custom tip on it? Have you tried the broad nib? My 700 vac series with extra fine nib is my backup pen that I take on patrol. (I'm an armed guard working outside)
I don't have a TSWBI Classic, but I recently got a Vac700R. I would like it a little wetter but it's not problematically dry.
I know what you mean, I have been waiting for a replacement barrel for my cracked Eco for 2 years now
Classic. I like my TWSBI Classics, I have 3. I have a few other TWSBIs, including the 580 Prussian Blue (love that color).
Classic. I enjoy my TWSBIs (especially that ALR in Prussian Blue) although the nibs are definitely different from my beloved Pilot nibs. I do love having a ton of ink in the demonstrator bodies.
With Pilot, have you tried the (unfortunately only available from Japan) soft nib for Custom 74? I recently got a Soft Fine Medium C74 that is pretty fun, and definitely more variable than my regular Medium.
Love that pen (and that nib)! I thought I could "level up" a bit, by getting the Pilot 743 with the (larger) SFM nib, but that one does not flex as nicely as the SFM nib on the Custom 74. I am glad you're enjoying your pen.
There's certain brands that I've got a love/hate relationship with too. I really like how they write, or I wouldn't even use them. But the design, the materials, or the overall quality is sometimes another story.
Classic. 👑
Great video. I also love Peter Draws. Been a fan for years. A fellow nerd, doancha know.
CLASSIC !
I respect your opinion. My twsbi stub was pretty dry and out of habit (we were forced to only write with fountain pens in my first 4 grades of school) I just pushed down on the nib, that fixed it for me. But I absolutely get why you don't like how stiff the nibs are. And they can be pretty scratchy.
Personally I don't like Safari's or anything Kaweco. I actually destroyed 2 Safari feeds because even watching a freaking tutorial I managed to push the feed in the wrong way. Twice!
I Hongdian til the end because I have a Calliarts Ego and a preference for Chinese pens.
I love Hongdian pens.
@@joop912 Me too! I've just been playing with my N6.
@@archivist17 Oh wow, I didn't know they even made piston filled pens. Thanks for mentioning it. My current Hongdians are the black forest in yellow, 1861 brass, 1861 stainless steel, and 1861 Carbon Fiber. I'm sure I'll be getting more soon.
I'm going to miss your classic "beef" with TWSBI lol. I don't think people really listen to your reviews when you say the pens aren't for you. Maybe we should petition TWSBI to make a firehouse pen just for you! 😆
Classic 😉 I like my Diamond 580 in F but I'm not loving the stub 😕 I do lole my Eco in M though. I prefer fine nibs for the most part and that on feels rather juicy to me
I'm glad you're finally putting this topic to rest. And frankly, I'm surprised to hear that there are so many people who argue with you about TWSBIs or express concern about your views. Rest assured that there are plenty of us out here who know that pen preferences are a matter of personal taste and that we all like different features and characteristics in a pen. I don't care a jot about whether or not you like the same pen I do, although I'm happy to hear and consider your opinion.
Same here. Somebody's gripe might ultimately be another's feature. I'm more team Lamy than team TWSBI, but I can def see others issues with Lamy. These are all points to ponder when considering a purchase, at least it does for me. Videos like this greatly play into my decisions and that seems to have worked out well for me.
hi been enjoying your videos, I watch other fountain pen videos for their opinions as everyone's is different for one reason or another to give give me a rough guide to fountain pens I am interested in.
I recently purchased a Pelikan M200 that has disappointed me a little with one thing about it's build which probably will not bother other people.
Could You please tell me the make and model of the notepad you used in the video as I liked the look of it and where to purchase it from.
My beef with TWSBI is they are not giving any love to their Minis. I want to see the same pretty colors as their bigger brothers/sisters. Kerry, you would like my Vac Mini because it is wet and smooth. The Ecos have never called to me for some reason, but that is the beauty of the hobby-lots of choices.
Same. Don't own a TWSBI and am patiently waiting for more colorful Minis!
I 've tuned the nib of my Eco and now the inkflow is ok but still a bit scratchy.
For normal writing I prefer my Jinhaos: x159 + 100. Each of them for me worth 250 €.
I would love to get your perspective on Conid bulkfiller and it's pocket friendly brother Asvine, which are built like cannons compared to TWSBI!
If you’re having trouble removing the nib/feed from your TWSBI (or any fountain pen), try using Gorilla Tape. You wrap it around the nib/feed and just pull. This strategy has worked for me on so many occasions. If you try this, would you be willing to let us know how it has worked for you?
Their customer service is pretty unmatched. I send them an email, literally two minutes later they reply. It’s quite impressive.
Aah chritmas time i love stationery on christmas makes writing and everything so special.
Classic! You're awesome
I do love my TWSBI Ecos. I have a fine, medium and stub. But you do you. It's OK.
I like the Eco - it is good to draw with,.
I have a TWSBI Eco that is unusable because the fins broke off on my feed. Even though I have removed the feed and nib many times on my Eco's, now I am afraid to take them out. A few of the fins got bent when I tried to pull it all out to clean my pen and even though I was very gentle they all just started breaking off like dominoes. Shipwreck. I still haven't found a replacement so I guess I'll have to contact TWSBI to see if I can get one even though I don't see them on their website.
If I’m going to give someone their first FP it’s going to be a TWSBI Eco because they are a great price point, consistent writers and the piston filling system is pretty easy to fill and maintain. I would even go so far to say that probably the main reason why I stuck with fountain pens is because my first pen was a TWSBI and it was a hoot. Now that I have explored other brands and bespoke pen turners, I am inclined to spend $$ on a new nib/writing experience than buy another TWSBI because they seem to focus on colour way releases rather than innovate their builds or nib offerings.
I've given away at least a dozen ECOs to newbies, and everyone loved the pen, and had no trouble using or cleaning them after watching one video. TWSBI is THE most innovative piston pen on the market, and they do a lot more than just new colors. They're introduced several new pens, and variations on the old one.
I'm all for new writing experiences, and you should get something that gives you that, but to be honest, I really had to go up to pens costing several hundred dollars before I found a new writing experience that was worthwhile. If You like to write, and learn how use a soft gold nib properly, which does not mean flexing at all, ever, there is no better nib for a write. Get one. If money is an issue, start saving. I stopped drinking coffee, soda, bottled water, etc., when away from home, and started putting ten dollars a week into a Christmas account. Two years later I bought a Visconti Bronze Age, a Pilot Custom 823, and a Platinum 3776. It was worth the wait.
Estoy en el punto en que quisiera que Twsbi tuviera una opción de plumin soft o preferiblemente flex. Me gusta mucho mi 580, pero estoy de acuerdo con Usted en el punto en que el plumín es demasiado rígido. Estoy pasando por una época de mi escritura en el que las variaciones en grosor de tinta y las variaciones en los tonos de las tintas (shares) están siendo cada vez más deseables y entretenidas. Las puntas rígidas no permiten disfrutar las variaciones de grosor y rara vez permiten que las variaciones de color sean representativas.
Yo he pensado en ensayar un plumín extraflexible de FPR en mi 580. ¿Será que funciona?
I had a revelation when I put the stub nibs from my TWSBI into a couple of Jinhao 992s, and they were wet writers! Not just TWSBI, but the #5 nibs from Franklin-Christoph too, especially their SIG and italic nibs! I believe the nib a feed for both companies are Jowo. I wish Jowo would improve the feeds, or flexible nib factory would make ebonite feeds to fit TWSBI and Jowo #5 nibs.
Great videos.Keep on moving. 😄
I have decided that Diamine Aurora Borealis is the perfect ink match for my Prussian Blue 580 ALR.
I love Peter draws too!!! But I like my pens just like yours.
Just stumbled on your channel. Nice, honest review. I tried to connect to your Discord Channel, but the link says it is invalid or expired.
I'm reluctant to buy another TWSBI because, when capping a Go, I bent the nib because I hit the part at the top of the cap wrong. (Happened with a Kaweco Perkeo, too.) Perhaps it's because it was a broad nib.
Don't worry, Kerry! We'll be here to remind you. Hahahaha
One thing I will say is that you can remove the nib, remove the grip and then screw the nib back onto the pen to refill mess free!
Surprised you didn't find vac 700 more smoother than 580. My iris 700 r fine writes very smooth. 580 is a needle but it's practical for my daily use..
I got a vac mini and not even the first fill and it is already fractured
Bought two TWSBI Ecos, and I hate them. After writing for a sentence or two, the pens go dry! The ink stops flowing. Super aggravating. Switched over to LAMY, and I've had no problems. LAMY forever!
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My UA-cam feed showed your thumbnail with just the words "This is the LAST time I will talk about my "beef" with...". And I KNEW that the next word was going to be "TWSBI"!!!! I happen to agree with your oft-used description that these pens "write like a nail," and my few TWSBI pens never fail to disappoint me. But I am truly happy for the many people who find that TWSBI pens are a fun and affordable gateway into fountain pens, and I wish them well. That is the Way of the fountain pen community. :^)
I'm impressed with all 3 of my twsbi. They do exactly what I bought them for. That said I bought all of my pens for me. You can keep going off Karry, and I will still watch, cause honestly you are great to watch while I crochet.
I have a twsbi mini with a stub that sucked too... I don't plan to buy another twsbi... Because they have broken. I've broken one twsbi eco and one twsbi classic (as an every day work pen). My husband has broken two black ecos and a black classic.
I want more. I love the filling and the look and the limited editions give me fomo. But I have to remember I don't want more of them.
Classic!
I'm betting you won't see this comment since this video is over 6 months old now, but I only just watched it.. I liked your way of explaining your beef! I'm a TWSBI addict, personally, but I fully agree that the fine points are too damn dry. I choose what goes in the one I bought very carefully, and mostly write with my mediums or broads. I've noticed in general you seem to go for finer nibs, so it makes total sense to me that you would find TWSBI utterly horrible for that, since we agree with each other fully that their fine needs WORK. PS- love the nerd wall. Fly your nerd flag proudly!
Not sure what happened I’ve had mine for 5 years and don’t have any cracks and use it everyday
I have 2 TWSBI pens that I rate about a 6.5-7.2/10. The only TWSBI that is outside of that range for me is my heavily modded 580ALR from pendleton pens. Solid workhorses overall but not my go to.
What's a 10?
@Raluca An affordable 10 for me is the Karas Kustom Ink v2, and a luxury 10 for me is the Visconti Millennium. That being said those are my personal picks and everyone is welcome to have their own.
I was trying to decide if I should get a Diamond 580 with a gift card. Or maybe I’ll just get a classic. 😉
I have two classics, and one of them cracked completely in half at the ink window. The other one is still fine. I know twsbi has great customer service, but I haven’t contacted them about this yet.
Classic!!!!!!
TWSBI is a great brand to get into the fountain pen "hobby".
We need to talk Classic!
I also have a love/hate with TWSBI. They are made well and they write well, but the plastic looks cheap. It's not, but it looks cheaper than it is, which irks me a bit. Also, "classic." lol
Yeah we'll see about that 🙄🙄🙄🙄👀👀👀👀 lol
Classic...I have some TWSBIs but I do not have enough other fountain pens in that price range to make comments upon.
Classic
classic
Nibs seem to be hit or miss with twsbi. My first 580 nib had major skipping issues, twsbi sent me a new nib which is works perfectly
Never say LAST 😀
Oh sister, I'm with you on this one. I have two TWSBI pens and they are 'eh' me. The Eco feels cheap to me, I wished I'd gotten another Lamy Al-Star instead. I really do like my mini, especially since I have it with a stub nib. That super ink capacity is an awesome pairing. It's hilarious that your most hated is my most loved. My workhorse is the Lamy Al-Star/ Safari. I appreciate the video. Somebody's gripe might ultimately be another's feature. For example: I'm more team Lamy than team TWSBI, but I can def see others issues with Lamy. These are all points to ponder when considering a purchase, at least it does for me. Videos like this greatly play into my purchasing decisions and that seems to have worked out well for me.
My biggest beef with TWSBI pens is the upkeep. I think they are too much trouble to upkeep, mine never dry out completely, and I feel that the quality- that substantial feel- comes from the higher priced ones. Ugh, and that wrench...seriously? How about that o-ring issue? These are all design glitches, not features. That's the biggest reason I'd never give this pen to someone starting out with fountain pens. I've been using fountain pens since 2014 and the upkeep is too involved for me. At least with a Pelikan/ Noodlers/ etc you can unscrew the nib unit to really get in there to thoroughly clean and grease the piston, and then let it dry out fully before putting it away. The space between grip and the body are closed off with a small hole that isn't even big enough to fit a blunt syringe in for filling. I can't imagine the headache of thoroughly cleaning it after a good shimmer ink.
Nope. Not for me.
Personal taste. I wouldn't give a worn dome for every Lamy pen ever made, including the 2000.
You can unscrew the nib unit on the 580, too. And give people some credit. Not everyone is a dunderhead who can't handle a piton filler. I've given, I don't even know, at least a dozen ECOs to newbies, they all loved them, and not one of them had any problems using them or cleaning them. All you have to do is watch one how-to video.
How, exactly, does a pen "feel" cheap. Too many "feel" something, or "imagine" something", or "believe" something, but don't actually know whether these things are fact or fiction because they don't try them. Anyway, saying that an ECO feels really doesn't make much sense, especially with a pen that is as well build as anything out there, and that uses far, far better materials than any of the plastic Lamy pens. The ECO is very well built, and the 580 is built even better. The Lamy pens don't "feel" cheap, they are cheap, and use really lousy material, add five cents of dye to a batch, call it a special edition, and sell it for the highest profit margin in the fountain pen world, at least outside of China. The AL isn't any better. It uses very cheap, very thin aluminum, and I've seen several with broken grip sections.
As for upkeep, I'll ask you. . .seriously? I doubt there's an easier to clean, easier to maintain piston pen on the market. What O-ring problem? I think you watch too many bad videos and don't do things yourself. Never dry out completely? It takes ten minutes for mine to dry completely after cleaning. Not that it matters. If you're smart enough to use distilled water, which you should do when cleaning any good pen, drying out completely isn't necessary, or even good. I store pens filled with distilled water, and a little in the ink reservoir does not affect a fill of ink.
And that wrench...seriously? Yes, seriously, and it's one of the pen's best features. It's sad that every piston filler isn't made this way. I have seven-hundred-dollar piston pens that are infinitely harder to take apart and clean because they don't have a wrench, and really are a pain to take apart and clean. One of them, thank goodness, can be disassembled easily IF I use the TWSBI wrench to do it.
You should try things, rather than imagining them. First, putting shimmer ink into any piston filler means more cleaning than you have to do with a cartridge/converter pen, but it takes me ten minutes to clean an ECO completely, even with shimmer ink. It's fast and easy. It's one of the main pens suggested by the experts to be used with shimmer inks.
I don't think you have much experience with fountain pens, and certainly not with any type of piston filler. I know you haven't owned and compared maintenance requirements between the TWSBO and far more expensive piston fillers. The things you call "design flaws" are the envy of just about every other fountain pen company out there. They wish they had designed their piston pens to be more like the TWSBI.
Full disclosure, I love cartridge/converter pens. They are easy to clean, and easy to use when you change inks often, as I do. But I also own a lot of piston fill pens, low cost, and very expensive, and TWSBI is one of the best. If TWSBI ever puts a gold nib on one of their pens, I'll buy a double handful. Also in full disclosure, I prefer the 580 ALR over the ECO, but the ECO is an excellent pen in every way. There's a reason it's one of the most popular pens on the market, and that reason is not bercause it has design flaws, not because it has a wrench, not because it's hard to clean, and not because it requires a lot of upkeep. That reason is purely and simply because it's an excellent pen in every way, and those who actually use a lot of different piston fillers know just how good it really is.
I get the same sort of reaction when I say I don't like Lamy pens.
In my one experience of a Lamy pen, it just refused to work.
So I'll never buy another one. Irrational, I know, but that's it.
My cheap Lamy copies from China work fine.
After trying some Jinhao copies I bought a Lamy vista from Amazon, sold by Amazon. It wrote like crap. Sometime later I realized it was actually counterfeit. Tried a Lamy from Barnes and Nobles on impulse, and it writes great.
@@bhoola123 Perhaps mine was a copy, but it was much better quality than my Jinhao Safari copies, yet they worked and the better quality Safari (with the Lamy packaging) didn't.
I can't investigate further now, as I threw it away. I've stopped collecting, due to poverty, but maybe one day I'll try another Lamy. Hopefully try before I buy 😄
Maybe it is because the TWSBI Classic does not look like a TWSBI. In other words a "TWSBI" aficionado / shopper might not realise (or recognise) that they are looking at a TWSBI when they see a Classic.
Yep, im not a fan of TWSBI nibs either... not soft enough... BUT I switch the nib to an FRP Ultra Fine Flex which, in my opinion, rivals the Pilot Custom 912, especially since it is combined with all the TWSBI features..Mm!
Ooooohhhhhhh I may have to look into this!
@Pens and Tea correction.. FPR, not FRP :)
FPR = Fountain Pen Revolution
FRP = Fiber Reinforced Plastic
Haha!
Can't wait to see what you think!
Classic 😉😊
It's all personal taste. What I write is my personal taste, and my reasons for loving TWSBI pens.
It's not that I think you're wrong, but I do think you're different, and definitely aren't writing for the same reasons I do. There's nothing at all wrong with TWSBI pens, and they do NOT have rough nibs. Period. Full Stop. I have twenty-eight TWSBI pens. Every last one has a wet, smooth nib. There is a tiny bit of feedback with most of them, but it's intentional feedback, and does not mean the nib isn't smooth. It means the nib is made for those who actually write a lot, and who want the nib to last far longer than an ultra-smooth nib will.
You can hear a TWSBI nib write, if the room is quiet. Not only does it make the tipping last much longer, it makes neat writing on slick paper much easier. The only thing I dislike about the TWSBI Swipe is that I have three of them, all with medium nibs, and not one of the three has any feedback at all, and they're a little too wet for my taste. I can use them well enough, but I prefer the feedback, and a slightly dryer nib. I now have one with a fine nib, and it's perfect.
Extremely smooth nibs with zero feedback primarily exist because those who started using fountain pens when this new resurgence began simply didn't know any better, and this includes the "experts" who didn't know any more than the true beginners when this all started. The same thing happens with UA-cam and knives. Everyone wants a knife that's razor sharp. Sometimes this is good, but most of the time it's amateurish and truly silly. But just like fountain pen companies, knife companies give consumers what the large majority want, even if it is amateurish and silly. And with knives, dangerous, if you're taking the knife into the wilderness. Anyway, at LEAST seventy percent of all fountain pens have drastically over-polished nibs. They're one step away from baby's bottom, and two steps away from wearing out, if you really do make them a daily workhorse pen. They are not good pens for anyone who writes a lot, and wants a pen that will last for many years.
As for wetness, I like a reasonable amount of wetness, but while a firehose nib looks wonderful on Tomoe River paper, which is great, if all you care about is how pretty ink looks, but it makes dry time take far too long for me, and also leaves a pound of dye on the surface of the paper, which is a horrible choice for writing you want to last a long time. I simply won't use TR because almost everything I write is intended to last for decades. I already have grandchildren, and I expect to have great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren, on and on and on. I want the writing to be there for them. So no overly wet nibs, and no TR paper.
For that matter, I don't have decades of life remaining, but I do have journals I wrote several decades ago, and they're all in pristine condition because they have good binding, paper that is both acid free and lignin free, and that doesn't allow ink to pool and dry on the surface. I love getting them and reading them. They're a memory bank of my life, for me, as much as for future generations.
What it boils down to is that I love TWSBI pens. They are just about the only steel nibs pens I care much about at all. There are a few other steel nibs I like, but no brand that I would collect.
cLasSiC
Twsbis just don't appeal to me. But neither do (in the main) Montblanc, Leonardo, Visconti etc. It. Doesn't. Matter! Perhaps you don't like Hong Dian, which is currently a favourite penmaker for me. Hey ho! It's not worth bombarding a genial YT creator over.
Hey, same here!
😇🩵🙏🙌
Classic. Thank you. I am new to the fountain pens family and I love it. Your review is well accepted. Please don’t stop. Ignore others who feel your opinion should be like theirs. I have a Twsbi but have not inked it up. This was very very helpful. Here I go!!!
I used to wonder about them when I first re-entered the FP scene 3 years ago, but I found that PenBBS give me SO much more bang for the buck. cheaper, more material options, more nib options (now that you have the calligraphy nibs, the only missing option is stubs but #6 stubs are easy to get or make with 5 minutes on a dremel), No cracking issues, and many more body shape and filling mechanism options.
Plus no starting of stupid fights against fellow pen makers AND their own resellers, that fiasco totally turned me off. TWSBI don't deserve my money.
Instead of continually complaining about getting ink on the grip, just buy the 580 filling pipe. It's what it's for, after all. Twsbi is not at fault for you getting ink on the grip if you don't buy the cheap piece of equipment that they sell to stop you ever having to get ink on the grip ever again. The filling pipe is an excellent piece of equipment and along with a bulb syringe is a no brainer for every 580 owner. Seriously, just shell out a few bucks and get the filling pipe if getting ink on the grip is annoying you so much.
他們家的筆我一支都不會買
If I look at the fountain pen as a writing instrument you are objectively wrong. Writing instruments that take more than 10 seconds for ink to dry are pretty useless. One of the main development objectives in the history of fountain pens was to make pens that are not too wet.
If you look at the fountain pen as a toy, collectors item, a tool to use to play with ink than you are objectively right. With TWSBI you will not get any gushing of ink to admire the sheen and the shading and all that jazz.
I like to look at my fountain pens as writing instruments. I have no interest in shiny, glittery ink hoses of today. But the reality is that this is the market niche and one of the reasons fountain pens are still around.
I see no reason to buy modern pens. As a writing instrument they peaked in late 60s early 70s, and I find excellent pens for couple dozen dollars. In the 70s and 80s fountain pens became gift items, later on collectors items and still later on shiny toys. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this. But you have to review the product on how it performs it’s function.
Sparkly ink hose needs to sparkle and gush ink. School fountain pen (yes that’s still a thing in some European countries) needs to be sturdy and not smudge and so on.