Any Alternatives To A Twsbi?

[Bklyn]

Looking to replace my TWSBI 580 American. I love it but the pen feels like cheap plastic in my hand.

 

Any suggestions for a pen that is a demonstrator and has a TWSBI like filling system?

 

Any suggestions appreciated. I know that the 580 is only $50.00 but if I have to spend a bit more, I will. LOVE to get something that is not plastic.

[Bounce792]

Pelikan 140 if you want vintage. Pelikan 1xx or 2xx pens if you prefer more modern offerings.

[TheRealScubaSteve]

Pelikan is the cheapest "quality" pen I can think of that has a piston. The Dollar 717 has a piston mechanism for a few bucks, but I'm afraid it's also plastic. I like it, but I think the TWSBI is less plasticy than it so I doubt you will. What's your budget? That may help folks find some pens in your price range.

[Bklyn]

Pelikan 140 if you want vintage. Pelikan 1xx or 2xx pens if you prefer more modern offerings.

Thanks. this is great.

[Bklyn]

Pelikan is the cheapest "quality" pen I can think of that has a piston. The Dollar 717 has a piston mechanism for a few bucks, but I'm afraid it's also plastic. I like it, but I think the TWSBI is less plasticy than it so I doubt you will. What's your budget? That may help folks find some pens in your price range.

I am thinking that my budget is $100.00. (Write the cost of the TWSBI on Goulet Pen Co website) Be nice to get a demonstrator that is turned but I am assuming that a turned pen is going to start in the $125.00 range minimum? I wonder if I am the only one that is turned off by the feel of plastic.

[TheRealScubaSteve]

Certainly you are not the only one that dislikes plastic. Strangely enough, the 580 is my favorite pen. Mostly for comfort, but I do not get the feel of cheap plastic with it. The Preppies and many acrylic pens, on the other hand, drive me nuts. They feel too hard. I would not be surprised if there are some nice ebonite pens (Indian) that could be made or are available with piston fillers.

[Bklyn]

Certainly you are not the only one that dislikes plastic. Strangely enough, the 580 is my favorite pen. Mostly for comfort, but I do not get the feel of cheap plastic with it. The Preppies and many acrylic pens, on the other hand, drive me nuts. They feel too hard. I would not be surprised if there are some nice ebonite pens (Indian) that could be made or are available with piston fillers.

I must look into this. I LOVE the piston fill.

[dogpoet]

Could you find a Lamy 2000 for $100?

If a vintage model is acceptable, there's a Lamy Parker 51 competitor from the 50s that's a piston filler, and the Reform 1818 which was a cheap(er) copy of the low end Pelikan piston fillers.

[spaceink]

I honestly feel like the plastic in my TWSBI Eco feels less cheap than the one in my Pelikan 200. Both are great writers, but I think the TWSBIs actually have a greater substantiality and feel to them than pens many times the price.

[Notgatherox]

Even Pelikan pens are made of plastic... resin is a plastic.

 

Anyhow, I would recommend the Pelikan M205 Amethyst demonstrator... but that's over your budget.

 

Maybe a Pilot Prera? Or Platinum Cool?

 

 

 

~Epic

Edited September 29, 2015 by Lord Epic

[Runnin_Ute]

Lots of good suggestions. One thing,however - if you are determined to get a demonstrator,it will likely be some sort of plastic. Regardless of what the manufacturer calls it.

[claudewick]

The Lamy 2000 is being offered for USD 119,40 at massdrop for the next few days. I don't own the pen, but it's a piston filler that definitively doesn't look cheap.

Edited September 29, 2015 by claudewick

[Algester]

every piston filler will be plastic in some way or form... if you think homo sapiens is a true piston filler think again as far as I know its a captured converter for a reason...

Dolce Vita is also a captured converter

beyond that if anyone makes a metal piston filler pen drop me a line

the criteria must be

there must be no inner jacket or that the metal isnt a "binde" it has to be naked

the piston seal is clearly touching the bare metal barrel

and it has to last 1 year with ink and not not galling and or rusting

Edited September 29, 2015 by Algester

[Randal6393]

Just spent a few minutes feeling up my pens, uhh, I mean touching my pens to ascertain the difference in feeling between plastic, ebonite, acrylic, metal, etc.

 

Any how, think maybe one of the reasons you don't like the 580 is that the barrel is not smooth and circular, rather it is shaped into many different planes. Giving a very different feel than a circular barrel would. So perhaps the Eco demonstrater by TWSBI would be a good choice. Or an inexpensive alternative would be the Nemosine Singularity.

 

If the coolness of the plastic turns you off, maybe you would enjoy the slightly warmer feel of an ebonite barrel. Many different choices for ebonite, starting at around $40.00. Suggest Fountain Pen Revolution for a start, then try Ranga listings at Peyton Street Pens. Of course, with ebonite you are going to lose the demonstrator aspect. However, you will get a classic look that screams elegance to replace it. I have a green-black ebonite with an Eversharp nib from Peyton Street Pens that is a real pleasure to write with. And a Sheaffer Inlaid nib in a Ranga brown-black ebonite barrel that looks very impressive. A great writer with a lovely broad nib worked into an italic.

 

Best of luck,

[Keyless Works]

I don't think you are going to find a demonstrator that isn't made out of some sort of plastic anywhere near the TWSBI price range.

 

The polycarbonate TWSBI uses feels nicer and more substantial than most of the plastics used in other pens. If you want a similar pen that's feels a bit better I think the Vac 700 from TWSBI.

[Kiaxa]

To be blunt everything barring metal, wood, and ebonite is a type of plastic. (One could make the argument that ebonite is a plastic).

 

I'd say rather than concerning yourself with worrying if something is made of plastic, be concerned about the quality of plastic. Not all plastic is cheap some varieties of plastic can cost as much as metals (polycarbonate comes to mind)

Edited September 29, 2015 by Kiaxa

[fplover01]

As other have said, if it doesnt have to be a demonstrator, a lamy 2000 is a good piston filling pen, with a gold nib and definately doesnt look cheap. The best, there is also a version with a metal coating. But you have to like the design.

 

For a demonstrator, I would recommend any Pelikan M20x demonstrator. Demonstrator pens are essentially plastic, but so many Pelikan pens of this kind have passed from my hands, never had a problem with them. I have written a lot with them and I would recommend them to anyone.

 

The type of material itself, doesnt tell much about its quality. There are various types of plastic.

 

I have never owned a Twisbi so I cannot comment on its quality, I do not like speaking about things I havent used myself.

Edited September 29, 2015 by fplover01

[sirgilbert357]

If you want a non plastic demonstrator, then you want a dip pen, LOL.

[sirgilbert357]

I've got a TWSBI Mini Classic and a Pelikan M205. If I had to pick only one, it would be the Pelikan hands down. The 1.2 ml capacity is very handy and it seems more solidly built than my Mini while also being lighter. Just my 2 cents...

[Scribblesoften]

I do not believe that anyone has yet mentioned the Pilot Custom Heritage 92. Piston fill - yes, demonstrator - yes, not plastic - well two out of three. I cannot say if the plastic feels cheaper, that is a perception thing.