Twsbi Diamond 530

[Spector]

TWSBI Diamond 530 by Spector

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

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KchbMEbY5cU/TMeR4B5eupI/AAAAAAAAA74/lQSoz2HEeps/s1600/twsbi.jpg

This is my first piston pen and certainly my first demonstrator. When the TWSBI first came out, I was skeptical but later I was won over by all of the rave reviews on this pen. When this pen arrived Thursday, I was surprised with how good it looked and how smoothly it wrote.

Unboxing:

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

 

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

 

http://i.imgur.com/2q3ILl.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/yU9tAl.jpg

 

Appearance & Design (A-)

I was not used to a demonstrator design but the transparent design has really began to grow on me after a while and doing a bit of research on this pen. It is as good aesthetics as you will find on budget pen and is very simple yet modern. Its grooves on the side keep it from rolling around on the table even when the cap is off of the pen. It is a big pen as many others have noted and its made of a very hard and sturdy feeling plastic. The only main con is that it is a huge fingerprint magnet at least for me.

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

 

http://i.imgur.com/GJ5Lel.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/82cNll.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/Ue5Gcl.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/N57hZl.jpg

 

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

 

Comparisons to Lamy Safari EF

http://i.imgur.com/cI5PJl.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/Vp7qhl.jpg

 

Construction & Quality (A-)

The construction of the body definitely feels sturdy and top notch. It feels solid and probably would not break if it was dropped.

The nib feels a bit stiff like some of my other Japanese Pilot 78g's but I have only used it for a day and it could use a bit of breaking in.

 

Weight & Dimensions (A-)

The TWSBI feels very well balanced and hefty. I really like the extra heft over my Lamy Safari which feels cheap in comparison.

 

Like many others noted, writing with the pen posted is nearly impossible as it becomes too long, too top heavy and simply too unwieldy.

 

Nib & Performance (B+)

The nib like I noted before is kind of stiff and at times has a less than smooth ink flow but that is probably attributed to the fact that I have not completely broken the nib in yet. This could very well change with some break in but for the mean time it is still stiff but still has a very good ink flow.

 

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

 

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

 

Filling System & Maintenance (A-)

The piston system is very nice and TWSBI was kind enough to make the pen easy to disassemble (even I do not think I intend to do so) and include a tool to do so, a detailed manual, and a small tub of silicon grease. With the 1.5 version piston, this pen has not leaked a drop so far and I am fairly certain the pen wont leak in the future. I don’t think I will be seeing any problems in the future with this pen in terms of maintenance.

 

Cost & Value (A+)

$40 for a piston filler!?!? Need anything else be said?

One of the best buys for the money out there next to the Lamy Safari in terms of value. Period.

 

http://i.imgur.com/82cNll.jpg

 

Conclusion (A)

 

Image Gallery

http://imgur.com/a/fiFFE#Y7V6C

Edited February 12, 2011 by Spector

[WendyNC]

Those close-up size comparison pictures are really helpful to me and I appreciate them. I'm still trying to hold out for the V700 (being in pen acquisition austerity land at the moment) but it's not getting any easier!

[Spector]

My new and updated FP family

 

http://i.imgur.com/s47kll.jpg

Edited February 12, 2011 by Spector

[mholve]

Great review!

[watch_art]

SPECTOR! Now you have to keep the avatar you've picked, you know this right?? The creepy guy from that comic? What's his name??? Uhh.... Rorschach! Yeah!

[IWantThat]

Nice review I also finally took the plunge and bought a TWSBI; it arrived earlier this week. I've been using it ever since. I'm also quite impressed with how sturdy and well-made the pen seems. I feared it would feel like a cheap, plastic pen, but it seems a lot of thought really did go into making it a good product. I love that it's piston fill - so rare in a lower-cost pen. It seems to hold a generous amount of ink also, putting my c/c pens to shame a bit. The nib is, maybe, the weakest link, but it is quite serviceable and really a very smooth writer. All in all, I agree with others who've said it's a great product for the price...and much better than some more expensive pens!

 

 

(Ha! Should have re-read this before posting.)

Edited February 12, 2011 by IWantThat

[pausted]

A lot has been said about the nib being the weak link in the TWSBI. The medium nib on my orange TWSBI writes perfectly and has since I took it out of the box. I have been regularly using the pen for about three weeks and it has not skipped one time. It lays down a wet line very smoothly. Before I bought the pen I assumed that I would be swapping the nib for something better. Now that I have used the factory nib I see no reason to change it. This is a very nice carry pen at a great price.

BH

[Spector]

SPECTOR! Now you have to keep the avatar you've picked, you know this right?? The creepy guy from that comic? What's his name??? Uhh.... Rorschach! Yeah!

 

Heh, I was never quite a Watchmen fan but something about Rorschach and the ideas about standing up for one's principles has always fascinated me.

[RedSox04]

Thanks for the review.

 

I am thinking of doing a swap, sell my safari- get a TWSBI?

[Malcy]

I have to say that the medium nib on TWSBI Diamond 530 No2 is much better than the first one. I have my eyes on a Pelikan M200 broad nib though, like the one I fitted to my first 530 before it was nicked.

[reckon]

Thanks for the review--I just ordered one. At that quality and price, I just have to try it.

[canucklehaed]

Great review. Im waiting on my second TWSBI as we speak. Nice Omega!!

[brewsky]

awesome review, i was planning on doing the very same (i have that exact lamy too) this weekend! good job

[ImolaS3]

Thanks for the review

 

I love these pens and have two.

The nib, however is very poor in my opinion and lets the pen down somewhat. I have swapped them out for something much better and now have a pen that is the best value i have come across.

[dtreert]

Thanks for the review

 

I love these pens and have two.

The nib, however is very poor in my opinion and lets the pen down somewhat. I have swapped them out for something much better and now have a pen that is the best value i have come across.

 

swapped with what?

[PeppWaves03]

Spector how does the pen compare to the Safari in terms of nib/writing experience?

[Spector]

Spector how does the pen compare to the Safari in terms of nib/writing experience?

 

The nib on the TWSBI is a bit stiffer but the ink flow is just as good. I have yet to break in the nib completely though.

[kaputt]

I appreciate you doing this review, and also to everyone who commented. I can't spend even this amount on a pen without getting the right info. Is there some place besides eBay that I should order from?

 

Thanks

Edited February 16, 2011 by kaputt

[Spector]

I appreciate you doing this review, and also to everyone who commented. I can't spend even this amount on a pen without getting the right info. Is there some place besides eBay that I should order from?

 

Thanks

 

 

The TWSBI Ebay store is the official outlet. If you want cheaper, you could try second hand sales in the classfied sales section of the forum.

[ville900]

Spector,

What is your opinion after using it for 1.5 months? Does the nib feel any better?