Twsbi Micarta

[Cynergy]

Somehow I thought it was smaller....but now I think is just fine...I like the nib very much !!!

 

 

[ballboy]

So far, I'm liking everything about this pen, from the look of it to the stiff nib to the sparse packaging. It's just... that darn Nakaya Shield. As long as I'm using my Nakayas, I'm wondering why would I want to buy another pen? I've got my eye on this one, though. Just keep lookin'.... *Sigh*

And I was just logging on here to find out about this pen, having just seen it on The Writing Desk today. I immediately thought: "ooh, new TWSBI, ooh, looks like Nakaya! Uh Oh, Ether...!"

[ethernautrix]

So far, I'm liking everything about this pen, from the look of it to the stiff nib to the sparse packaging. It's just... that darn Nakaya Shield. As long as I'm using my Nakayas, I'm wondering why would I want to buy another pen? I've got my eye on this one, though. Just keep lookin'.... *Sigh*

And I was just logging on here to find out about this pen, having just seen it on The Writing Desk today. I immediately thought: "ooh, new TWSBI, ooh, looks like Nakaya! Uh Oh, Ether...!"

 

 

Ha ha ha! I know! From the first time I saw the photos several months ago, I have been hankering after the Micarta. Now that it's available... I'm hesitating. Why? I like everything about this pen. Weird, innit?

[ballboy]

Now that it's available... I'm hesitating. Why? I like everything about this pen. Weird, innit?

So you can save the $100 or so for your next inevitable Nakky

[Alohamora]

Thanks so much for a early review!

 

The Fine Bock nib is big. Titanic. And golden. And makes the 540 nib look cute beside it. The nib is also as tough as a concrete nail. I tried the nail (pun intended) test and there is absolutely no visible amount of flex. Nada.

 

 

 

The nib on the Micarta is stiffer than the 540 nib? I was really hoping for the same nib as the 540, in size and flex. Not that there's a lot of flex with the 540, but with pressure there's some.

 

I'm a bit surprised at the size of the nib and pen, I though it was going to be closer to the 540 in size. Any hope they do a Micarta slim someday?

[Chi Town]

Productred......very nice review. My micarta is due any day, although I must say I'm not sure what I am going to do with this pen as I just recieved my first Danitrio Mikido and I am dumbfounded with how smooth it writes. But it won't leave my desk. So maybe that's where my micarta will fit in, as a road pen.

[Lince]

Although they are not equivalent pens, at least they are of the same family.

 

The only thing I would change to my 530 is the nib size. I would make it bigger to better harminize with the body size.

 

To read now that the nib in the Micarta is bigger makes me very happy.

 

 

Mine is on its way, cant wait to beging to use it.

[Ernest]

My Micarta numbered 805 came yesterday.

I had a good look at the Bock Nib.

It is the same same as the ones on the Danitrio and the Conway Stewart.

 

I will try to swab nibs later.

[ggggggh]

The length is shorter but the nib is bigger? Interesting move...

[rockydoggy]

My Micarta arrived yesterday and I have a few early observations. First, the weight, balance, and size of the pen are just right for me. I can imagine using this rascal for long writing sessions with ease. I especially like the feel and texture of the pen--I find the uneven grain, as it were, striking and it’s smoother to the touch than I'd anticipated. I have one of the pens where the cap is slighter lighter in color than the body and where the section and the body match perfectly in color—which is ok with me. Speaking of the cap, mine is imprinted with "803" but I don’t think that they’re individually numbered (this same number looks like it’s on the cap of the pen in the original review here). If I had to compare the Micarta in terms of feel to other pens I have, it's in the general family of the Lamy 2000 (Makrolon) or the raw ebonite no-name pen I came across somewhere.

 

As soon as I received it, I filled the convertor with JH Cacao du Bresil; and after priming the feed a bit, it’s been writing fine. Given the construction of the cap, I was wary of its drying out; however, it started up right away this morning after sitting overnight—too small of a sample-size I know, but it was reassuring nonetheless. At this point, I have one minor complaint and one reservation. The complaint is that the convertor that’s included doesn’t seem as robust as the pen itself--even thought it works fine, I'll likely swap it out for better one down the road. My sole reservation has to do with the threads. The body/section and cap/body connections are tight and precise. However, the look of the threads joining the cap and the body make it seem as if they might wear out at some point. I’ve had no trouble at all with them after just a day or so, but I plan to watch closely to see how they do. Based on personal experience, I’m confident that Speedy will address any problem that might arise. In sum, I’m really glad I took the plunge and bought one of these. It’s among the more unique pens in my all-of-the-map collection and I’m looking forward both to having it in my regular rotation and also to watching the finish of the pen mature with use (on the TWSBI Facebook site--you don't need to be a member to get access--there's a photo of how the material changes and evens out in appearance over time, almost like wood).

[ethernautrix]

Hmm... the more I read about the Micarta, the more I'm liking it, and I was liking it pretty good from the start.

 

Interesting observation about the threads.

 

Thanks for reporting back, Micarta owners!

[Uncle Red]

Certainly a fascinating pen. Has anyone tried theirs as an Eyedropper?

[fabrimedeiros]

Love the pen! I really like these rustic different materials like Micarta or Lava resin from Homo Sapiens which are scratch-proof and very tough. This huge nib looks pretty nice!

 

 

 

[JML]

It looks like canvas Micarta. Micarta is an old but incredibly strong laminate of fabric or paper and phenolic resin; there are other versions of the original US-made material (one is called Rucarta, and was used on knives made in Japan). The most common use most of us will see for Micarta these days is in knives, where it makes superb handles, but it's used industrially as an insulator (I believe that was the original purpose - it was invented by George Westinghouse and the guy who came up with the first 20th Century plastic, Bakelite). Canvas or linen micarta is often used for working knife handles, because of the strength of the material and one unique property: the grip gets better when the handle is wet, because of the exposed microscopic fabric ends/edges. That makes me wonder what's going to happen when the Micarta on this pen comes into contact with ink. On knives, canvas and linen Micarta is usually smoothed, but not polished, so it has a wood grain appearance. Paper Micarta looks much finer and can look like ivory. Google [micarta knife handle] and you'll see many examples.

Edited April 7, 2012 by JML

[Cynergy]

How can you clean this material from an ink stain ?

 

 

[fabrimedeiros]

How can you clean this material from an ink stain ?

 

 

 

 

Good question! This is my concern too, even more using bulletproof inks.

[adallak]

JML, thanks for the clarification concerning the material the pen is made from.

Edited April 8, 2012 by adallak

[Drone]

Micarta is an old but incredibly strong laminate of fabric or paper and phenolic resin; there are other versions of the original US-made material...

 

This is the question I raised earlier in this post. The laminate in Micarta today can consist of many types of material. Some of these materials include non porous fabrics such as glass and carbon fiber - both of which pose handling and inhalation hazards if exposed. But I believe these non-porous fabrics would not stain from ink. If the laminate is a paper or cloth type material, then it would not pose a health hazard. But without some sort of finish or coating, I believe a porous fabric would be stained by ink.

 

Micarta brand-name composites have quite a history, but I would not call them old by any means. The product line has evolved steadily over the years and is still in use today.

 

Finally, I doubt the material used in this pen is true Micarta brand. Many knock-offs are manufactured in China and South Asia. This also raises the specter of relatively poor control with regard to material type and quality.

 

If I come across a piece of hardware made of unknown composite-fiber material (and as an EE I do). I treat it with respect knowing it may pose a serious health hazard if handled or disposed-of improperly. That's why the first time I saw a picture of this pen alarm bells went off in my head...

 

Is the material safe? If it is safe, how is it protected from ink stains?

[floydee1]

....

 

So far I'm not disappointed by my purchase (I agree the admission ticket is a bit expensive, but I think there's value).

 

I think I will soon try it as a ED filler.

...

 

I prefer a larger ink capacity than the converter supplied.

 

I'm like a few previous posters - I'd like to see how it performs as an eyedropper.

 

Enricof, let us know how it goes...

[Shashinjitsu]

Thanks for the review. I should have mine in a day or two, depending on if the FedEx sightseeing tour is over yet. It is my understanding that the "threads" on the threads will wear off with use and this is supposed to happen. I love the organic look of it and I look forward to it picking up a patina with use.