M200 Alternative?

[Bornin1992]

Hey everyone,

 

After overcoming the disappointment of receiving a M200 without the presentation box, I inked it up with Pilot Namiki Blue. Not surprisingly the pen wrote effortlessly. Unfortunately, however, the grip section is slightly too thin and is uncomfortable to use after a while.

I have decided to return the M200 and purchase a different pen.

 

Having used both a Metropolitan medium and M200, I thought it would be wise to share my likes and dislikes of these two pens:

 

Metropolitan likes and dislikes: I like the Metropolitan’s solid feel and posted length, but I find that the grip section is awkward and slightly too thin, though better than the M200’s grip section. I also find that sometimes the line is too wide. I also dislike being unable to see the ink level.

M200 likes and dislikes: I like the consistent line the M200 produces. I love the M200’s filling mechanism, though I cannot tell the ink levels. I also love its weight and posted length. I find the grip section is too narrow, though.

 

I have been looking at the TWSBI Mini, but want feedback from users. How does the Mini’s posted length compare to the posted length of these other two pens? Is its grip section slightly wider than the other two? Is there a pen you would recommend other than this? Preferably new!

 

Cheers!

Edited December 11, 2014 by Bornin1992

[ac12]

Isn't is irritating how the fit of the pen in the hand can make or break a pen?

For me the M200 is just a tiny bit large, the smaller M100/150 is a better fit.

 

You can get good pen dimensions on the Goulet Pen web site. It appears that Brian measures and weighs the pens.

The TWSBIs appear to be slightly larger in diameter than the M200.

[Oldane]

I wish pens didn't come in those pretentious boxes. When you have bought a number of pens, they take up so much space and if you want to sell the pen later, the buyer wants the box too, so you got to keep it - along with all the other boxes. When I bought a Conway-Steward "Churchill" some years ago, it came in a rediculously huge wooden box holding the pen plus by a book with absolutely nothing of interest, a bottle of ink and a big cigar in an aluminium tube - and a lot of empty space. But come on, it's a pen, and a nice pen at that, but it's not the holy grail. And I don't smoke, and I don't want to use that particular ink. The cost of the box alone must have added signioficantly to the price I payed. Some decades ago, pens came in a simple small cardboard box just about sufficient to protect it during transport. I long back to those times.

 

As for returning the pen: If it is a new pen, now that you have inked it, I think you may have a hard time having the seller take it back just because it's no to your personal taste. If you hadn't inked it, it would be another matter. In the EU you can return items bought from European web shops within two weeks and have a full refund less shipping costs - PROVIDED they are in new, unused and unmarked condition and all tags, boxes and other packing are intact and undamaged. An inked pen is no longer "new" and unused. I don't know the legislation about these things in Canada though.

Edited December 11, 2014 by Oldane

[sandy101]

The Diplomat Excellence A comes with a wider grip, and a nice nib.

 

The Italix Parson's Essential or Captain's Commission from Mr Pen also has a broader grip.

[Bornin1992]

I wish pens didn't come in those pretentious boxes. When you have bought a number of pens, they take up so much space and if you want to sell the pen later, the buyer wants the box too, so you got to keep it - along with all the other boxes. When I bought a Conway-Steward "Churchill" some years ago, it came in a rediculously huge wooden box holding the pen plus by a book with absolutely nothing of interest, a bottle of ink and a big cigar in an aluminium tube - and a lot of empty space. But come on, it's a pen, and a nice pen at that, but it's not the holy grail. And I don't smoke, and I don't want to use that particular ink. The cost of the box alone must have added signioficantly to the price I payed. Some decades ago, pens came in a simple small cardboard box just about sufficient to protect it during transport. I long back to those times.

 

As for returning the pen: If it is a new pen, now that you have inked it, I think you may have a hard time having the seller take it back just because it's no to your personal taste. If you hadn't inked it, it would be another matter. In the EU you can return items bought from European web shops within two weeks and have a full refund less shipping costs - PROVIDED they are in new, unused and unmarked condition and all tags, boxes and other packing are intact and undamaged. An inked pen is no longer "new" and unused. I don't know the legislation about these things in Canada though.

Amazon returns are flawless.

[Bornin1992]

Does anyone own both a Metropolitan and TWSBI Mini?

[savingbirds]

I haven't owned a Mini, but I'd say the larger TWSBI 530/540/580 is about the same size as a Pelikan M800. The weight is a bit lighter (the M800 would be closer to the 580AL).

 

I personally find the M600 to be the perfect size for my hand, but the grip is only slightly wider in girth (1-2mm?) than the M400/M200.

[Bornin1992]

I haven't owned a Mini, but I'd say the larger TWSBI 530/540/580 is about the same size as a Pelikan M800. The weight is a bit lighter (the M800 would be closer to the 580AL).

 

I personally find the M600 to be the perfect size for my hand, but the grip is only slightly wider in girth (1-2mm?) than the M400/M200.

Do you think a 580 would be better suited for me?

[Bornin1992]

It's frustrating knowing what to do because there are no stores nearby where I can try any out!

[Runnin_Ute]

It's frustrating knowing what to do because there are no stores nearby

 

It's frustrating knowing what to do because there are no stores nearby where I can try any out!

 

It's frustrating knowing what to do because there are no stores nearby where I can try any out!

 

here I can try any out

Check this - a TWSBI loaner program that is run by amberleadavis.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/274092-t-w-s-b-i-loaner-program/

[Brian C]

The Platinum 3776 Century is much much more pen than the Pelikan 200 or TWSBI and can be had for about the same price as the Pelikan.

[Bornin1992]

The Platinum 3776 Century is much much more pen than the Pelikan 200 or TWSBI and can be had for about the same price as the Pelikan.

Pretty, but I'm not sure I want to spend as much on the pen as the M200.

 

Would I be disappointed with the TWSBI after using the M200?

[SockAddict]

It's frustrating knowing what to do because there are no stores nearby where I can try any out!

 

I'm with you. I can't try anything beforehand.

 

What I've been doing is searching out all the "vital statistics" I can on any pen I'm considering. My real issue is with pens being too heavy for me. So, I have a pen that I think is about as heavy as I'm comfortable with, and according to Goulet Pens, it's 30 grams (posted). Any pen I consider buying, I search online for the weight. Sometimes that's tricky. The width of a pen is a lot easier to find. Since you know both the M200 and the Metropolitan are too small for you, find that width measurement, and then check the stats for any new pen. Since you know the difference in feel between those two pens, you can guess what might be a good size for you. Same with posted length, unposted, and just about any other measurable detail.

[ac12]

 

 

Would I be disappointed with the TWSBI after using the M200?

 

Maybe, it all depends on the TWSBI nib you get, and how it compares to the Pelikan nib.

But realize that nibs can be adjusted and tweaked by a nib meister so they write well.

 

If you want to LOOK at the ink, then except for a clear M200, you have to go upscale ($$$) to the M600 for a larger barrel.

 

If the larger TWSBI fits your hand better, than for fit, you won't be disappointed.

 

I would do as Ute recommends, contact Amber to borrow a 580 and see for yourself how it feels in your hand. Your only cost is the return postage.

[Water Ouzel]

Does anyone own both a Metropolitan and TWSBI Mini?

I do. What would you like to know?

[Water Ouzel]

Would I be disappointed with the TWSBI after using the M200?

I wouldn't think so. They're both nice pens, in their own ways.

 

Assuming the Twsbi Mini, I've got one in EF, and an M205 with an EF nib and a Binder .9mm Italifine/XF nib, which latter stays on the pen most of the time. The 205 is noticeably wetter than the the Mini, which I manage by using the driest ink I've got, Pelikan 4001 Royal Blue, in the 205. The Mini is just right with Noodler's Black.

[maverick777]

Here's a picture of my pen sections. I'll do an updated picture when my M600 red/black arrives, but this should give you an idea of the TWSBI mini and 580 sections. The Pilot CH92's are my 2nd favorite pens behind the M600's. The section has the perfect amount of girth for long writing sessions and the nibs are great.

 

http://i.imgur.com/hJ9dEHR.jpg

[Bornin1992]

I do. What would you like to know?

Is the grip section wider on the TWSBI mini? And are both pens posted the same length?

[SujiCorp12345]

It's frustrating knowing what to do because there are no stores nearby where I can try any out!

What province are you located in?

[Bornin1992]

What province are you located in?

British Columbia.