New Twsbi Nib Or New Pen?

[imleftyoureright]

I know that there are quite a few of these topics about issues with TWSBI/fixing issues with TWSBI pens but all the info is a bit staggering. To sum up my issues I got a 580 about a month ago in EF and from the beginning the writing experience has been less than stellar. It is not an issue of the nib being scratchy, but the lack of flow that I am experiencing makes me feel like I am constantly fighting with the pen.

 

Now I have contacted TWSBI and they were prompt in their response and offered to "smooth the nib out" for me, but that didn't seem like the answer to my question and I didn't feel like paying extra to ship out a pen that should have come to me in working order.

 

So finally my question. I am considering getting myself a M replacement nib and just hoping for the best but I would rather not throw more money at the pen if it still isn't going to be pleasing to use. So should I go from the M nib and just assume the my EF was more of an exception than a rule? Or should I just save up for something more like a Pelikan M200(ish) or something similar that will in the end be more worth the money?

[Lyander0012]

If it's flow issues you're having, might not the problem lie with the feed, or collar? A good and thorough flushing just might solve your problems for you. Then again, I'm not one to deny TWSBI any new business (I'm quite fond of my 580 myself), so you could get another one with a different nib if the mood suits you.

 

 

Cheers, and best wishes.

 

Kevin

 

P.S.

This could just be my thinking, but Pelikan nibs don't write as well OOTB as they used to. You may want to buy one from someone who does aftermarket nib work, if you're seriously considering an M200, which is another excellent pen.

Edited April 15, 2014 by Lyander0012

[imleftyoureright]

I have tried flushing it, putting some downward pressure on the tines, and squeezing the wings of the nib. I have twiddled to the edge of my patience with this nib.

 

Now I am a lefty and have somewhat of a pushing writing style and the gentleman from TWSBI said they haven't really tested the nibs for lefties. Would the wider nib make for a larger sweet spot and alleviate my issues possibly?

 

I want to love the pen and I do love the design and almost everything but the way the pen writes.

Edited April 15, 2014 by imleftyoureright

[Blue_Moon]

Personally, I'd bite the bullet and pay for the shipping. More than likely, TWSBI will make sure the nib flows smoothly before it goes out again, and you'll have the nib you wanted in the first place. I know the frustration of having to pay additional in order to make something work that should have worked in the first place.

[Koyote]

After owning a couple TWSBIs, I suggest cutting your losses -- throw the pen in the trash and never buy another.

 

But that's just my opinion. I like to write with my pens and don't enjoy fussing with them.

[imleftyoureright]

If I send it off to TWSBI do they at least pay return shipping? Also I still don't have a true M nib as the widest nib I own is on my metropolitan, so if I could get the TWSBI M and it actually worked that would be killing two birds.

 

On the other hand I don't want to send my current nib back have issues with the M and go through the whole process again.

[Nonsensical]

When I first got my TWSBI(s) they wrote a little more dryly than I prefer. A bit of fiddling and some wetter inks solved that problem for me. As for the nib issue - TWSBI doesn't produce their nibs in-house, so while problems with the pen body can be attributed entirely to lack of QC etc., I feel like they've copped a bit of unfair criticism with regards to nib issues.

 

If you blame TWSBI, then Jowo should also take some of the blame - QC should occur at multiple stages of production. Naturally, because we purchase directly from TWSBI, they are the focus of our frustration. Another issue to consider is personal preference with regards to flow. Unless the pen is skipping, missing on certain strokes and so on, I don't think you can call it "bad QC" .

 

What ink have you tried in the pen so far? I've found that disassembling the nib/ feed section, using a toothbrush to clean it or using a knife to widen the channels in the feed can also help.

 

When your pen is empty and you hold it up to a light source, can you see a gap between the tines? If not, you'll probably need to increase the gap between the two tines. A brass shim is the best way to do that.

[Water Ouzel]

I have tried flushing it, putting some downward pressure on the tines, and squeezing the wings of the nib. I have twiddled to the edge of my patience with this nib.

 

Now I am a lefty and have somewhat of a pushing writing style and the gentleman from TWSBI said they haven't really tested the nibs for lefties. Would the wider nib make for a larger sweet spot and alleviate my issues possibly?

I'm a lefty, too, an underwriter, if that makes any difference, and it might. I

 

've got three Twsbis currently, and the best of them is a Vac 700 with a Bock EF nib. It's smoother than the Jowo EF that came with the pen to replace the Bock (lots of customer annoyance with the Bocks at the time), and after flossing, opening up the slit by slightly pulling up on the nib wings, and a bit of fiddling with the feed, flow is good. I've also tried Jowo F, M and 1.1 nibs from Twsbi in the pen, but the Bock turned out to be the best fit in that specific pen.

 

This one, at least, stays the way it is now, in the way of "if it ain't broke..."

[imleftyoureright]

As far as inks I've tried bulletproof black and black swan by noodlers and blue from Monteverde. With the Noodlers it does quite skip but it will provide an inconsistent line from uneven ink flow. The monteverde ink works fairly well but I'm just not a huge fan of the ink itself.

 

Upon closer examination I probably would benefit from using the brass shim but probably won't be making any orders any time soon so what should I look for at home depot or Lowes that would fit my needs?

 

Also what is the technique for using a knife on the feed? I believe I've seen it somewhere but didn't want to try it void some kind of warranty.

[Nonsensical]

I would start with the brass shims first - that's the easiest way to increase ink flow.

http://www.restorersart.com/shoppe/shoppe-tools/ (no affiliation, but happy customer) offers several brass shims shipped to your door for $6. I personally think that it's worth the investment, you can reuse these shims multiple times, and it is unlikely to scratch your nibs.

 

As for the widening of the feed channels using a knife, if you take the nib apart, you can see two channels cut into the feed on the top. You want to be using a very thin knife - like an exacto knife and take things very slowly. Just slide the tip of the knife into the feed and slowly pull along the channel down to the end. Don't apply too much pressure either. However, if this is the first time you're doing this, perhaps leave this particular measure as a last resort. Hopefully the brass shims will give you the amount of ink flow that you are looking for - and in most cases, they will.