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The Ultimate Twsbi Review - Part 3!

777

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777 Antique

777

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Enjoy part 3! This review is also posted on my blog so please, do me a huge favor and check it out. :)

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Make sure you don't forget about the free give-away going on! Check it out here for a chance to win!

 

Alright, we're now into the 3rd part of my ultimate TWSBI review. This multi-part, extensive, and detailed review has (and still is) taken me along time to put together. I'm working on it as I go, posting each part as I finish it. Make sure to subscribe to get notified of when the next apart comes out.

For those who are late in veiwing this review, here's a quick recap with links to the other 2 parts. Make sure to go back and look at these if you haven't. There's a lot of essential information in them.

Recap of

Part 1:

  • How did the TWSBI come about?
  • What is the TWSBI is all about?
  • What exactly is the TWSBI Diamond 530?

 

 

Recap of Part 2:

  • Packaging
  • Presentation

 

In part 3 of this extensive review we will be discussing what is (to me at least) the second most important aspect of a pen. Aside from nib performance, design is everything. This is exactly what this entire part is going to be devoted to.

Part 3:

  • Appearance and design

To begin with, I'll just say that the TWSBI Diamond 530 didn't win a design award for no reason. This pen is extremely pleasing to the eye and to me, that makes it worth far more than other pens in its price range. Take for example these pens: Lamy Safari, Waterman Kultur, or perhaps one of Levengers offerings . While some of these pens look nice, for me at least, most of them are not at all to my tastes. The point of this is not to bash on these pens though. The point of this is to show that the TWSBI is a superbly designed pen, not only for its price range, but for any pen. From top to bottom, nib to filling-mechanism this pen was well thought out. Whoever deigned it knew what they were doing. The only way to show this is by picture illustration. Here you go:



There it is - The TWSBI Diamond 530. Take a moment to appreciate its beauty. :)

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3GoWzDzjTMs/TflwQDuLAVI/AAAAAAAABP4/3m8e7fJvRHA/s400/DSC09606.jpg

Here's one hit I'll level against it. The outer-cap (as you can see in the photo) has a smoked/translucent inner-cap. I wish this had been made of entirely clear plastic but it's not to bad. It's even less noticeable in person than it is in the photos.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LpNnftTHkTo/TflwhHidI2I/AAAAAAAABP8/Wk9E_kiZTJY/s400/DSC09607.jpg

That hit against the cap aside it's a stunning pen! The body is faceted in a way to prevent it from rolling of a desk when uncapped and set down. It also goes along with the name TWSBIDiamond 530. I actually like the shape of it, though some would have preferred it smooth.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bdmCQvgRB6Y/TflwzBWQEOI/AAAAAAAABQE/ewQ6Yppd-M8/s400/DSC09608.jpg

The nib design is also very pretty. It is engraved with the TWSBI logo and some flourishes to boot! I'll get more into the nib in part 4 of the review.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ylPaeGfayd0/TflxDEjBP2I/AAAAAAAABQM/pbjaioLJYAA/s400/DSC09609.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u0dhDy3VvL8/TflxSJ6uvgI/AAAAAAAABQQ/9r42pKL9Ejg/s400/DSC09610.jpg

This is the top logo on the cap. Some have found this logo a bit goofy. While I can see why one would think that, I personally like the look of it. It adds some color to this clear pen. It's a very well done logo. Not cheap or anything. The silver part seems to be placed beneath the surface of the outer red part. It gives it a nice depth effect.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lWGZ00WtocE/TflxjruhMUI/AAAAAAAABQU/IZDWroQ28uc/s400/DSC09611.jpg

The cap band is nicely engraved with the brand name TWSBI. For this price I expected a very cheap engraving, but I'd say this one is top notch!

I also love the thick, meaty clip on this pen. It's a nice, big, wide, and strong clip. I think the industrial look of the clip matches perfectly with the pen.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pWQO3UwXugM/Tflx0NktT3I/AAAAAAAABQc/8b3XjZgzJps/s400/DSC09612.jpg

The other side of the cap shows the model name DIAMOND 530 and the words TAIWAN.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CCeGcalba9w/TflyHTYeOEI/AAAAAAAABQg/HcCeIY9X26g/s400/DSC09613.jpg

Everything is finished well on the pen. The cap-lip is very smooth with no rough edges, the clip is very strong, the engraving well done, basically everything looks quality.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QsMp3jHZaRE/TflyZTLoepI/AAAAAAAABQk/KxdwIvsEqtg/s400/DSC09614.jpg

One can see the injection molding lines on the screw and section area. While they can polish them out of the body of the pen it's not possible to polish them out of the screw section. I wish they had polished them out of the grip section though. It doesn't bother my hand at all, don't be worried about that. It ust cheapens the pen appearance slightly...

They're still hardly noticeable and don't bother me at all. Also, as you can probably see there a very nice o-ring right below the cap threads on the body of the pen. This makes the cap seal very nicely on the pen.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VED_F9_LCY0/Tfl0hF0wC0I/AAAAAAAABRQ/JcPQMW_76Tg/s400/DSC09623.jpg

There's really not much that could be improved about this design. I love this pen. To me, it looks very much like a Pelikan m800 demonstrator.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oZhnpWosSPg/TfpLkRDdBCI/AAAAAAAABR8/I-5qd3ojvhI/s400/DSC09627.jpg



All in all the TWSBI far exceeds the standards for what a pen of this price can be. For that I give it another solid 100/100. For what it could be, I'll give it 85/100. The smoked inner cap bothers me a little. Not a lot but enough to were I wish they would change it in the next version. Also, I think removing the injection marks from the grip-section would up the appearance slightly.



That just about concludes this part of the review! I hope you've enjoyed it so far! Make sure tosubscribe so you'll be informed when the next part comes out:



Part 4:

  • The nib
  • Writing samples

Part 4 is going to be very interesting. I'm going to talk about what really makes the pen a fountain pen - The nib. I'll talk about its performance, and give some writing samples of both a B and M TWSBI nib. Dont' miss it, subscribe now!

 

Regards,

777 - Tyler Dahl

 

 

Need a pen repaired or a nib re-ground? I'd love to help you out.

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Colossians 3:17 - And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

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SilentK Mint

SilentK

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WOW! :o All of this is very excellent! I've been reading all of the parts, and I continue to look forward to part 4! I've never seen such a well thought out and in depth review of a pen before. Thank you for taking the time to do this, it's very informative! :) Also, if I may ask, what ink were you using in those shots?

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mirosc Collectors Item

mirosc

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I agree. It's really an absolutely great pen review! I'm looking soooo forwart to part 4: nib and writing - the essential part for me...

 

But I have to add that you are really cruel. Originally I wanted to wait for the 540 or vac filler. But with your review... hm... tempting... no, I will resist... or? really? hmm...

Greetings,

Michael

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KarloT Rare

KarloT

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Great review Tyler!

 

I too was thinking of the 530 but the 540 is about to be released and the TWSBI store is not restocking the 530s anyway. Pink is all they have available right now and Broad nib units are out of stock.

 

From early pics, the 540 looks to be the same pen albeit with improved ink capacity. I think Speedy did the community a favor by releasing the TWSBI FPs and placing a substantial piston filler within the reach of many folks looking for a workhorse with a rather modern look to it.

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777 Antique

777

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WOW! :o All of this is very excellent! I've been reading all of the parts, and I continue to look forward to part 4! I've never seen such a well thought out and in depth review of a pen before. Thank you for taking the time to do this, it's very informative! :) Also, if I may ask, what ink were you using in those shots?

 

 

Hello! Glad you're enjoying the review. It's been a pleasure to put together so far. I think it may go down in history as the most extensive review ever... :) I think this pen above all others deserves it.

 

The ink is Noodlers Cayenne - A personal favorite of mine. Awesome red color with lovely orange undertones! puddle.gif

 

I agree. It's really an absolutely great pen review! I'm looking soooo forwart to part 4: nib and writing - the essential part for me...

 

But I have to add that you are really cruel. Originally I wanted to wait for the 540 or vac filler. But with your review... hm... tempting... no, I will resist... or? really? hmm...

 

 

Hehe, yes, this review is giving people a very hard time waiting for the 540... I chose to go for the 530 because the 540 will cost more. To me, the 530 is good enough. :) I will get one of the aluminum ones though! drool.gif

 

Great review Tyler!

 

I too was thinking of the 530 but the 540 is about to be released and the TWSBI store is not restocking the 530s anyway. Pink is all they have available right now and Broad nib units are out of stock.

 

From early pics, the 540 looks to be the same pen albeit with improved ink capacity. I think Speedy did the community a favor by releasing the TWSBI FPs and placing a substantial piston filler within the reach of many folks looking for a workhorse with a rather modern look to it.

 

 

 

Glad you like the review!

 

Yea, I can see why most would choose to wait for the 540. It's going to be even better!

 

 

Regards,

777

Need a pen repaired or a nib re-ground? I'd love to help you out.

FPN%252520banner.jpg

Colossians 3:17 - And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

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Yuki Onitsura Collectors Item

Yuki Onitsura

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Well done, 777! I don't think I've ever seen such an in depth review of a pen before (or of anything else for that matter). Looking forward to the next part of the review =)

 

Yuki

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Follow me on twitter! @crypticjunky

 

~And the words, they're everything and nothing. I want to search for her in the offhand remarks.~

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777 Antique

777

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Well done, 777! I don't think I've ever seen such an in depth review of a pen before (or of anything else for that matter). Looking forward to the next part of the review =)

 

Yuki

 

 

Thanks! Glad you're liking it. :)

 

I must say - I surprised myself with how big I'm making this. I guess I'm quite the talker... tongue.gif

 

The next part should be really fun! I'm personally looking forward to part 5 - where I'll take the pen apart on camera and re-assemble it to show how to do it properly.

 

Regards,

777

 

 

Need a pen repaired or a nib re-ground? I'd love to help you out.

FPN%252520banner.jpg

Colossians 3:17 - And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

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Pentangeli Mint

Pentangeli

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Great review Tyler!

I can't wait to order the new TWSBI 540 in clear demo with a Broad nib as soon as it is available. Thanks for sharing.

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777 Antique

777

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Outstanding!!!

 

Thanks! :D

 

Regards,

777

Need a pen repaired or a nib re-ground? I'd love to help you out.

FPN%252520banner.jpg

Colossians 3:17 - And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

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777 Antique

777

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Great review Tyler!

I can't wait to order the new TWSBI 540 in clear demo with a Broad nib as soon as it is available. Thanks for sharing.

 

Thanks you for the kind words. :)

 

I think I'm going to skip the 540 and go straight for the 550 (aluminum... puddle.gif ). The 540 is just to close to the 530 for me to justify buying another one... blush.gif

 

I'm sure you'll like the 540 - I'd love to hear your thoughts on it!

 

You'll love the broad nib! Mines great! Lovely spring to it... Buttery smooth out of the box... cloud9.gif

 

Regards,

777

Need a pen repaired or a nib re-ground? I'd love to help you out.

FPN%252520banner.jpg

Colossians 3:17 - And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

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