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I am really enjoying the TWSBI Micarta 2 that I bought with a fine nib. I don't usually buy fine nibs but after having medium nibs in all my other TWSBI pens, I decided to shake things up a bit. The first ink that went into this pen was Pelikan Brilliant Brown. I bought the ink to match the pen and I was really lucky to have found an ink that works perfectly with this pen. When the Brilliant Brown ran out, I filled the pen with Edelstein Amber. Now the pen writes poorly. The ink just does not suit the pen and it is no longer a pleasure to use. If I wasn't traveling and way from my ink stash I would probably empty the pen and refill it with something else. So, my question is...other than the Brilliant Brown that is absolutely fabulous in this pen...what other ink has worked for you? I really want to know!

Wow! TWSBI holds ink like a Duracell battery lasts! I am only now getting low on ink Iroshizuku Kon-Peki. Filled this pen last Thursday. I still have several more pages to go before needing to flush & fill with another color. Do you use this as your workhorse writing instrument? Or do you not fill this pen to capacity? Or is this pen the one you routinely load ink into and let it flow? Inquiring new TWSBI 580 owner's mind wants to know.

Does anyone knows about TWSBI plans for INDIA. Do they currently sell in india??

Well, I did it! I have only moments ago purchased my first TWSBI. Ordered the TWSBI 580 USA Fountain Pen version.It is the one with the American flag on the cap. It was almost an easy decision. It will be the first fountain pen I will try not to post; I am a pen poster usually. It will begin its journey to me tomorrow. Thanks to Vanness. I am so excited and can hardly wait. I am so excited! Touted as the first of my several gifts to self for my birthday next month. I am going to try to not open it or the accompanying bottles of Iroshizuku inks until then, 36 days away. Can I do it? We shall see, we shall indeed see if I am up to the challenge; XF point nib of course. Many years ago, spent time in the military, husband was a soldier, now residing near a base; it will be my wonderful sort of tribute, reminder, source of solidarity when I travel on base and write with my TWSBI 580. Showing my own version of Military Pride. What color ink will be filled in it first?

I'm waiting for my TWSBI 580, and in the meantime I thought adding a lamy 2000 or pilot VP to my collection wouldn't be such a bad idea. The local pen store I have is selling them for the following: Lamy 2000 Steel: $329.00 (canadian monies) Pilot VP Black: $175.00 (canadian monies) The TWSBI is supposed to be $67 Which of the above does FPN recommend as a reasonable addition to the TWSBI?

So I think I broke some fins, and still can't get the nib and feed out of the nib unit!!! It still functions perfectly, but wanted to know if anyone has had any success with removing the nib and feed from the unit. Thanks!!

I've been bitten by the fountain pen bug. It started when I lost my parker Jotter, and bought a Parker IM to replace it, and then continued to search for that perfect pen with the perfect feel. During my journey into the world of pens, I became convinced that if I find the right pen (Pelikan or TWSBI), the right paper (Rhodia or Ampad Gold Fiber), the right ink (J. Herbin Lierre Sauvage or Waterman Green), and right nib (still unknown), I'll become proficient in any foreign language I intend to study, maybe I'll even become a famous author....therefore I have a vested interest in finding the right answer to the following question: What nibs can I use on a TWSBI 580? I've noticed some people used nibs from Pelikan but there are no confirmed reports on the 580. I am not qualified to say whether I prefer gold nibs or not, but it'll be nice to know if TWSBI allows me to have options. The whole reason I like this pen is because it reminds me of a Honda CRX in "swappability".

I learnt about Pelikan through a blog post titled "A Lawyer and his Pen", in which a monsieur avocat understood that Mont Blanc does not offer the same quality of service as TWSBI. Someone replied to his post and recommended a Pelikan. I thus researched this company and thereupon tried a few pens at my local store. Although I didn't spend much time on the pens, I felt little difference between a M200/600 and Pilot (forgot the model) or Lamy 2000 -- all using the same ink. The store owner told me with a smile that Pelikan is a writer's pen, and he has many customers who write for a living, and actually use a Pelikan to make a living. (The only reason I didn't buy a Pelikan is due to its price in Canada. I've settled on a TWSBI and am waiting for its delivery.) So although this topic has been discussed to death, for people who have owned a few other brands, how does Pelikan compare service/durability wise to others?

I am thinking about purchasing a red TWSBI 580. I was wondering how to select the right nib. I usually write with an extra fine nib. I have Pelikans with extra fine nibs and a couple of Lamys also with extra fine nibs. I purchased a Pilot Decimo with an extra fine nib, but found it to be too thin in lterms of line. Can you tell me whether an Extra Fine nib would be equivalent to that of US Extra fine?

Hey all, has anyone ever heard of or seen a mini Lamy? Like a short version of a Safari or Al-Star? Has anyone ever wanted one? I think a pocket length Safari would be pretty sweet! Similar in size and use to a Kaweco. What do YOU think? Tim

Hello guys, Im thinking about getting a twsbi 580 and as I like medium nibs, I would like to know if this pen has an asian medium, which is almost a fine for US or if it has the standard US size. For example, the Pilot Metropolitan medium, is way to fine for me. I hope I was clear, best!

Hi there, Apologies in advance for such a silly question! I have had a TWSBI diamond 580 for a while and was giving it a good clean the other day - you know, nib/section unscrewed and shaking the water out of the piston etc. - when I had a horrible thought that there might have been an 'O' ring in there somewhere. I looked on the floor but found nothing - if it was there, it could have gone down the plughole in sink, bath or worse! Now looking at the updated diagram of the 580 as supplied clearly shows 3 'o'-rings. http://www.peggysparlour.co.uk/pubpics/twsbi580-1.jpg Mine now does not have an 'o' ring immediately behind the feed where it connects to the piston reservoir. This is most likely 'o'-ring 3 in the diagram, albeit when in working position, it is to the left of 'o'-ring 7 on the inside. (It has the other 2 'o'-rings though; on the body and under the metal nib ring). http://www.peggysparlour.co.uk/pubpics/twsbi580.jpg My question is - Is the 'o'-ring at the union of the end of the black feed to the clear plastic piston body actually necessary or actually ever present? (If I need one where can I get one?) Clearly, I do not want to be in the situation where everything starts leaking all over the place in an important meeting etc! Happy New Year all. Eclectica

Sorry about the sub-par pictures. It appears I scuffed up the lens on my iPhone and that is my only camera, so I’m doing my best. This is not meant to be a formal review, but rather an overview of a pen that I’m really enjoying. The ink shown in all of these pictures is Noodler’s Upper Ganges Blue, which I have become quite fond of and is great for a demonstrator because it doesn’t look like just black in in the barrel. Overall I think this pen is wonderful and I would gladly buy it again. But, it’s not for everyone… Appearance The Vac is a goofy looking pen, no doubt about that. The cap and filling knob have facets while the barrel does not, the clip is brushed and all other metal parts are shiny, there’s a strange bulbous bit in the middle, etc. But somehow it all winds up just working for me. While some may be annoyed that it is only available in various shades of demonstrator, I am too distracted by watching my ink slosh around to be bothered… Filling Admittedly, the vacuum filling mechanism was a major reason I got this pen. I’m still getting used to it, but it is effective and a fun little novelty. Also, if you want to fill from a small sample it is easy to fill with a blunt tipped syringe without any mess. The pen is also really easy to take apart so that you can thoroughly clean all the little parts out when you change inks. It’s so slick and makes me want to start taking apart other pens… Nib I bought this pen with a 1.1 mm stub which was buttah smooth and very wet. And a bit too broad for my daily writing so I switched to a M. Still very smooth and no flow problems at all except for Salix, which seems to just be a bad fit for this pen. I’m glad that, at least in my limited sample size of N = 2, I have not experienced the horrible flow issues that other people report with TWSBIs. General writing experience I think this is so far my favorite pen to write with. It fits my hand very well (no hint of the issues I feared with step from section to barrel), good weight, nice nibs that are easy to swap, and a big ink capacity. Not sure what else I could ask for! This pen was purchased with my own money and I am not being compensated for this review in any way. All opinions expressed above are my own and you are free to disagree with them if you want.

Forgive me if there already is a topic on this, i did a search and could not find any. I found it a little weird that there was no discussion on the recent update from TWSBI. On their Facebook page they came with some new pictures of the PP019 wood version, which they say is the same as the PP025 PMMA version. Furthermore they say it has a similar styling as the Micarta, except a little bigger and both pens would have a piston filler. I love the Micarta and i must admit i find these new pens interesting. The wooden version i think would be hard to resist if/when it is released. PP019 wooden version: https://www.facebook.com/TWSBI/photos/pcb.771403162901800/771402576235192/?type=1&theater https://www.facebook.com/TWSBI/photos/pcb.771403162901800/771402579568525/?type=1&theater PP025 PMMA version: https://www.facebook.com/TWSBI/photos/a.769572443084872.1073741844.117058861669570/769572503084866/?type=1&theater https://www.facebook.com/TWSBI/photos/a.769572443084872.1073741844.117058861669570/769572506418199/?type=1&theater

Hello everyone! I'm new to the FP network (about 5 minutes ago) and am still learning the ropes of both the network and the fountain pen itself. I am a student in high school and just started using fountain pens this semester and am loving it. I own two Noodler's Ahabs and am looking to get something that will work better with cheap paper, as I cannot shell out money for Rodia, Clairefontaine and the like due to the fact that I take about 2-3 pages of notes a school day.I have been drawn to the TWSBI mini because of the modern design and because it seems to work well with cheap paper. Is this a good choice? If not what else? At the same time, I am looking for cheap paper that will bring out the best in my inks without feathering and such. Is Staplers Bagasse any good? And finally, if I do get the TWSBI mini, would Noodler's "Bad Blue Heron" be safe to use in it?

What are opinions about the new TWSBI Classic? Has anyone seen it in real life? http://www.thewritingdesk.co.uk/showproduct.php?brand=TWSBI&range=Classic&cat=pens I'm ambivalent about its looks - what do you all think?

Hello All, This was a test I did in preparation to potentially sell the 205 on reddit. Enjoy and get back to me with any questions. Advance apologies for my general noobishness. http://imgur.com/a/oyDPi#0

Hello beautiful people, I've been looking to get a TWSBI pen for a long time, but one problem has always kept me away: which model I should buy! I have small-medium hands and my biggest pen is Lamy 2000 (which is my favorite pen model ever!); my other daily users include a couple of P"51"s and a vintage Duofold Jr., which although short, fits my hand neatly even unposted (I NEVER post my pens). The Vac 700 is clearly out of question (it's really way too bulky), but I'm wondering if the 580 is also too big for me. I've tried comparing the Lamy 2000 with the 580 (pictures on the Internet), and the 580 AL somehow looks a lot bigger (perhaps because of the 2000's cigar shape). On the other hand, the Mini seems to be of similar size with the Duofold Jr. (which I like), capped or uncapped. So there's my dilemma, it would seem that both may fit the bill, but I'm looking to buy just one (directly from Mr. Pendleton Brown, with a nice B CI nib ). Cheers!

Do TWSBI 580 and 700 have the same nib? How about the 540?

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.

So I am considering getting a TWSBI 580 and I just want to know what nib I should get for both a daily writing use and also a bit of line variation. If anyone has photo demonstrations even better.

TWSBI Mini in Rose Gold Review First Impression (10/10) So, there are two reasons why I got this pen. First is that I really wanted a piston filler, the second being that I wanted a shiny white pen. The pen is nicely packaged as any other TWSBI pen, with the cardboard box and plastic shell, completed with wrench and silicon grease. This pen looked beautiful out of the box, it is a little smaller than I expected, but I do like smaller pens so it’s a plus for me. Appearance and Design (8/10) Again, the Mini is a really beautiful pen when empty. However, it does look somewhat worse when it is filled with dark black ink, but it still looks good nevertheless. I would warn you that it does give off a feminine feel, which may turn off those who prefer manly-man, black on black stealth pens. The design is excellent; I especially enjoy the ability to take it apart for cleaning and maintenance. Weight and Dimensions (10/10) The pen is small, and since I have smaller hands it is perfect for me. The pen does post pretty well with the screw on cap, so it’ll fit those with larger hands as well. Nib and performance (6/10) As a student, I always go with the fine nib for best performance on cheap paper. The nib is beautifully coated with rose gold. The nib did not start off being the smoothest, but got much better after a little bit of adjustments with my writing angle (small sweet spot). I do have a big complaint with how dry this pen is. This pen is beyond just causing a little bit of hard start: it completely stops working when kept in an upright position, causing a lot of frustration for me needing to prime it each time. Now I keep the pen flat on my desk and keep it half full to make sure it works every time when I pick it up. This is not best choice for use as a student pen. Filling system & Maintenance (10/10) The filling system is easy to use, and holds a lot of ink. Maintenance is superior because I can take apart the pen easily to clean out the pen really quickly. Cost & Value (6/10) Ok, this pen looks nice, but you can get an identical pen with just a different color (the regular TWSBI Mini) for $15 less. So if you’re not looking for a white and gold pen, getting this pen is low in value. Reliability wise it is disappointing for the dryness mentioned above, thus obviously lower in value than other pens like Lamy Safari as a work pen. Conclusion (8/10) This pen looks really nice and writes smoothly now, which is why I’m sure to be keeping it. I do have complaints of its dryness, but it is nothing that I can’t overlook easily, just problematic for taking notes. Overall I like this pen and accept its flaws.

While tastes vary and one's overall writing experience can differ due to a number of variables, some pens are just extremely polarizing. When I started reading reviews about this particular pen, it seemed like there was no middle ground, people either loathed it or loved it, and the only thing people could agree on was that the customer service was good, because so many things had to be replaced due to cracking (everywhere, all the time, or so it seemed) or line feed issues that stopped ink dead in its tracks, like there was some sort of cloaked coagulant that was purposely bred into the materials that made up the construction of the pen. I am of course referring to the TWSBI Diamond series of pens. I thought the pen was a good value and it struck me one day that given the pen was ABLE to be dismantled (NOT required), one had to at least CONSIDER the possibility that there could be a number of variables that contributed to these cracking issues. Three things happened in one day that made me say the equivalent of damn the torpedos, I'm buying this pen. 1) The reviews started to improve 2) They came out with the AL version 3) I noticed ONE person on every forum, page, or blog, really had an ax to grind about this pen (including one person on THIS very forum). Ironically, it was obvious the gripes weren't about the pen at this point. Anyhoo.........I ordered my TWSBI Diamond 580 AL, filled it upon receiving it, and it has not cracked, showed even a hint of flow-related ink issues, and for the money, it's a damn good writer and smoother than I anticipated. Moreover, this pen motivated me to start writing more often, which I thoroughly enjoyed, in spite of the deterioration of my hand-writing. It was like waking up from a long nap and realizing my right fist was just short of a club. I would say that in the two weeks after receiving my pen, I had another pen, thanks to a PIF, and bought my first used FP. Moreover, what started out as buying one pen for one task, turned into an almost devout refusal to write with anything BUT a FP. Late last week, my Pilot Falcon arrived, tuned by JM, and was I ever floored. All this due to the little pen that could, from Taiwan. I would be remiss if I didn't mention my wife was from Taiwan and that country has been very good to me, and continues to do so, as evidenced by the consistent pleasure-inducing experience of the TWSBI 580 AL. SUCK IT, HATERS!!!!!!

First of some context to this review. I am fairly new to the whole fountain pen thing, about 6 months in and a ton of reading on this site. Apart from the Micarta i have the following pens: Lamy safari, Lamy next M88, Jinhao x750, Jinhao x189, Parker 45, Twsbi 580, FPR Dilli. This is my first review. I don’t like the standard black snoozefest pens. So, to the review! The looks: I knew as soon as i saw this pen that i had to have it. It is a stunning pen. Really, whoever designed this pen new what they were doing. From the color, to the small black TWSBI-logo, model number and TSBI logo on top of the cap it all fits with the overall design. It is, in lack of a better word, a manly pen. When it is capped i feel like taking it with me to woods to chop some wood, or live with the wolves. When you uncap it, you want to write. The rough looking pen gives a stark contrast to the delicate gold colored nib and puts it firmly at the center of your attention. I have the clip less version, this contrast is not as great with the clip i think. I really wished i had the ability to take photos to really show of this effect, and i tried, but no. Anyway it would not be the same as when you hold the pen your hand and can really admire it like it should be admired. My particular pen has an even color. That is, the barrel, section and cap is the same earthly brown tone. I have read reviews were some have, particularly the v1, slightly different coloration on the barrel compared to the cap. Not on mine. There is however some darker lines in it. There is a photo of it further down in this post. Those add to the charms of the pen and gives some…well i guess structure is the wrong word since you can’t really feel them, but maybe layered effect is more fitting? People i have shown the pen often think it is wooden. Ravantra wrote a review of the Micarta and wrote the following about it: «…After all the reviews I have read I was expecting a very rough and ragged pen. Well the pen appears slightly rustic but feels pretty smooth to the touch and warms quickly once in hand. To me it feels like a lightly urethane finished wood. Tapping on the pen with my fingernail it feels and sounds like wood…» https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/218911-another-micarta-review/ I would have to agree. It is really comfortable and fits my hand perfectly. http://bildr.no/thumb/cVIzeCts.jpeg This photo does not do the pen justice, but at least it shows the darker lines i was talking bout. Threads: For me it takes 3-4 turns to remove the cap. This is something i like. My very first FP, the safari, dropped to the ground the very first day i had it due to the loose fitting cap. This makes me secure in the knowledge that the cap is on tight. Also, it has a certain zen-feeling to me. Writing should not be rushed. I can see how some might find it annoying and would prefer it to come off easier, but to me its just another layer that fits in to the overall theme of the pen. At first uncapping it was a sort of rough feeling, like there were some fine gravel there. This is due to the «fuss» on the threads. I have owned the pen for a little over a month now and capping/uncapping is really smooth. The fussing has mostly been worn away. There will be a photo a little later to show this. The writing: Ah yes, the writing. As you probably can tell i really like this pen. So when it came to buying it i discovered there was a nibmeister who sells these. Which is really convenient for me since sending a pen to a nibmeister from were i am is not really an option. I had never tried a nib from such a person before, so i decided to just go for it. This pen then, comes from Pendleton Brown himself. It has a Butter line stub F nib and writes like nothing else i own. So what we have here is a perfect storm of a pen. The pen itself is of an astounding beauty, and with a nib from Pendleton Brown the writing is perfect. I have my perfect pen! In fact i liked it so much that i wanted another one in due time. That time came a whole lot quicker once i learned that the Micarta is discontinued. So i went ahead and ordered another one from PB. The second Micarta: I got it yesterday. This pen as slightly lighter brown color, just slightly, and some different structures in it. But still as beautiful as the first one. The nib is also different. This one is a medium nib with the flex option. First of PB made the nib crisper. It is just one the edge of not being suitable for regular writing, but writing with really light pressure works well. Line variation without pressure is on the other hand much better than on my F BLS. This makes it fun to play around with and i have done quite a bit of writing already. The semi-flex works as shown in the writing sample. Though the pressure needed to flex it makes me uncomfortable. I have a FPR Dilli with a flexible nib that works better for flexing, but on that one i really have to prime the feed to keep it from railroading. On the PB semi-flex nib i have not managed to make it railroad. http://bildr.no/thumb/N3NNUFdr.jpeg Comparison of the threads. Final thoughts: Get the Micarta while you can. It is a stunning pen and if you are at all interested in it you will regret it if you don't once it disappeares. If you can, get it from Pendleton Brown while he has it in stock. He does some incredible work and is a really nice guy. I can fully recommend his nibs! I will certainly order from him again, and when i do i going to get a smooth BLS from him which was the nib option i liked the most. Disclaimer: I am just a regular fountain pen user and does not have any connection with TWSBI or Pendleton Brown, just a happy customer. Oh yeah, here is the writing sample: http://bildr.no/thumb/NUZxM0ZB.jpeg Yes i know. My writing does not do the nibs justice. But i will not apologize for my horrible handwriting. I´m working on it, leave me alone EDIT: Fixed a small error.

I just cleaned out my Vac 20 ink bottle as I wanted to change the color ink in it. A good scrubbing had it clean, so I was pretty sure I was good to go! But after screwing on the cap, and unscrewing it again, I noticed some residual ink (of the old color) on the top edge of the bottle. Upon further investigation, it appeared that ink was getting under the white foam washer on the underside of the main cap. I can't figure out how to get that foam washer out of there and I don't want to risk damaging it as it is what keeps the bottle sealed. Has anyone else found this issue and if so, how did you get it clean? Other than this minor annoyance, I'm really loving the bottles when paired with my Vac 700s!