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Should I Hold On To A Twsbi Micarta 803 Or Sell Them All


studiohead

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Before I start, I need to declare that I am a TWSBI dealer in Singapore.

 

 

I want to check what is the demand for the TWSBI Micarta Version 2 without Clip 803 like else where? (Outside of Singapore) I have the final last 10 pieces now on-route from TWSBI in Taipei to Singapore. Should I be holding at least one as a keepsake or releasing all so that people can get their hands on them. Are there stocks with other dealers? (For those interested in the 805 with Clip models, the TWSBI factory still has stock) 27 new SKUs already this year and only 8 SKUs being discontinued. And no, it doesn't include the Eco.

 

 

Postscript : I will not be raising the prices even though I know that these are the last 10 clipless Micarta leaving the factory.

From The Sunny Island of Singapore

 

Straits Pen Distributors and Dealers of Craft Rinkul, JB Perfect Pen Flush, Ohto Japan, Parker, Pelikan, Pilot Pen, Private Reserve Inks, Schrade Tactical Pens, Smith & Wesson Pens, Noodler's Ink LLC Pens, TWSBI Inc and Waterman in Singapore

Disclosure: I do nib work for others and am affiliated with those which do. I also sell and represent certain brands of pens.

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I missed out on the Micarta from TWSBI. I was undecided for a very long time, still am really, but of course that decision has is now academic.

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Surprising it is not. I believe there are still stocks floating around. Especially with some UK retailers. But I know how much stock I have, Hence I am undecided on if I want to hold 1 or not.

From The Sunny Island of Singapore

 

Straits Pen Distributors and Dealers of Craft Rinkul, JB Perfect Pen Flush, Ohto Japan, Parker, Pelikan, Pilot Pen, Private Reserve Inks, Schrade Tactical Pens, Smith & Wesson Pens, Noodler's Ink LLC Pens, TWSBI Inc and Waterman in Singapore

Disclosure: I do nib work for others and am affiliated with those which do. I also sell and represent certain brands of pens.

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My reasoning goes like this, if you keep one and you decide later that it isn't your thing, you can still get rid of it.

 

However, if you don't and you regret your decision later... it'll be difficult (and probably not worth it financially) to get hold of one.

 

So... I'll go with keeping one (or two or three even!)

 

 

 

~Epic

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And I want before I die
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All those moments will be lost in time.
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Hang on to one for your own collection.

Beyond that, to be honest I do not like the texture of the rough edges of fabric reinforced phenolic, and would never use or buy a similar pen myself. I did rescue a phenolic panel from the skip at work to make one myself, and then thought 'What on earth am I doing?!?! I don't like it, so why waste time making one?'. The panel is at home, but is not going to be used for that.

 

Regards,

 

Richard.

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Some people still express an interest in the Micarta, but as an end-user and not a fountain pen retailer, I have no way of judging what sort of a market there is for it - obviously there wasn't enough of a market for TWSBI to find it worth their while to keep producing the pen. I never really heard why TWSBI decided to discontinue the production and sale of the Micarta. I have read some speculation that the material was just too difficult to work with, or that there were not enough sales of it to keep the model viable. I kind of think that if they had made it a piston filler, like the rest of their pens, instead of a C/C pen, it might have had more of a following, but who knows!

 

Obviously, it is totally up to you as to whether or not you keep a Micarta for your personal use, studiohead. I like my Micarta V2 (with a clip) which I purchased earlier this year, (prior to the model being discontinued,) so I am very happy to have one in my 'collection.' These pens will never be made again, so if you like the way it looks and feels, I would definitely keep one of them. On the other hand, if the pen doesn't appeal to you, it makes little sense to keep one, unless you hope to make a profit by selling a "rare" out-of-production TWSBI pen a few years from now for lots more (maybe) than its original purchase price. :)

 

Holly

 

 

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Some people still express an interest in the Micarta, but as an end-user and not a fountain pen retailer, I have no way of judging what sort of a market there is for it - obviously there wasn't enough of a market for TWSBI to find it worth their while to keep producing the pen. I never really heard why TWSBI decided to discontinue the production and sale of the Micarta. I have read some speculation that the material was just too difficult to work with, or that there were not enough sales of it to keep the model viable. I kind of think that if they had made it a piston filler, like the rest of their pens, instead of a C/C pen, it might have had more of a following, but who knows!

 

Obviously, it is totally up to you as to whether or not you keep a Micarta for your personal use, studiohead. I like my Micarta V2 (with a clip) which I purchased earlier this year, (prior to the model being discontinued,) so I am very happy to have one in my 'collection.' These pens will never be made again, so if you like the way it looks and feels, I would definitely keep one of them. On the other hand, if the pen doesn't appeal to you, it makes little sense to keep one, unless you hope to make a profit by selling a "rare" out-of-production TWSBI pen a few years from now for lots more (maybe) than its original purchase price. :)

 

Holly

 

To me I think the Micarta is good as it is if you still add a piston unit the price would be similar to buying a M200 at the very least plus do take note that it would still involve a lot of reinforcement plus a plastic liner for the piston to move on as the micarta material may drink up the ink since there is a chance the resin may not permiate into the interior of the material which may end up as a bulky oversized pen that may not be good to look at so considering what engineering the pen has to go through with a piston unit I dont think it would be a viable option for it's price point
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  • 4 weeks later...

I bought a Micarta 2 from TWSBI when I heard it was discontinued and have been very happy with it and am glad I did because I no longer see it available from any US retailers and the ones from overseas sellers would be prohibitive when the shipping cost is added. I figure others must love it also because I have not seen any show up on the secondary market on eBay or anywhere else. Must be everyone who has one likes it as much as I do.

 

I love the looks of this pen and I love the way it feels. Whether I use it with the medium nib that came with it or a Goulet 1.1mm stub it writes beautifully. I loaded it with Iroshizuku Yama-guri when I got it and it swiftly became one of my favorite pens. I spent more for it than I really could aford at the time but I do not regret it a bit.

 

YMMV

 

Regards,

 

Bran

Edited by Brian K

Grace and Peace are already yours because God is the Creator of all of life and Jesus Christ the Redeemer of each and every life.

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For me it's just another in a very long and growing list of pens that I'm never even going to see, let alone be in a position to buy. If I'd had the money when they were available I may well have got one. Alas they are no more!

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For me it's just another in a very long and growing list of pens that I'm never even going to see, let alone be in a position to buy. If I'd had the money when they were available I may well have got one. Alas they are no more!

Hey David I got one from The Writing Desk yesterday, also in NZ penclassics has clipped ones on their website (I worked out post facto it would have been $5 cheaper to get it locally). I haven't bought a modern pen for a long, long time, but I love it.

I got the fine nib and it is more like a medium, brilliant pen!

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