Jump to content

Twsbi Diamond 530 Review


jonro

Recommended Posts

 

 

I was looking at the images of the plunger filler version, now in the design stage, I believe, and I notice that Speedy has maintained the diamond facets on that model, but moved them to the barrel end and cap, with most of the barrel then being smooth. Again, hurrah! These are pens to really use in the daily grind.

 

Dan

 

where'd you see that?

 

thanks

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 60
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • Jimmy James

    7

  • jonro

    4

  • Dan Carmell

    3

  • watch_art

    3

Top Posters In This Topic

Posted Images

 

 

I was looking at the images of the plunger filler version, now in the design stage, I believe, and I notice that Speedy has maintained the diamond facets on that model, but moved them to the barrel end and cap, with most of the barrel then being smooth. Again, hurrah! These are pens to really use in the daily grind.

 

Dan

 

where'd you see that?

 

thanks

 

Took me a while to find it, but here's the link:

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/142173-twsbi-vacuum-filling-system-fountain-pen-project/page__p__1409691__hl__twsbi__fromsearch__1#entry1409691

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Very nice review! A couple of quibbles: the nib is a JoWo nib, not Schmidt, isn't it?

Dan

 

IMHO , Jo Wo nibs are MUCH better nibs than Schmidts.

 

Do be aware that JOWO is historically a long standing German Nib producer and their quality is excellent.

Sensitive Pen Restoration doesn't cost extra.

 

Find me on Facebook at MONOMOY VINTAGE PEN

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Very nice review! A couple of quibbles: the nib is a JoWo nib, not Schmidt, isn't it?

Dan

 

IMHO , Jo Wo nibs are MUCH better nibs than Schmidts.

 

Do be aware that JOWO is historically a long standing German Nib producer and their quality is excellent.

 

I was under the impressions that JoWo supplied Schmidt with most if not all their nibs--that why I called my clarification a quibble.

 

I really did like the way this nib wrote, though. Just a straight forward, consistent flow of ink. And sometimes that's all one wants. I should mention that my nib is an EF and it gives about what I consider a true fine line, even on lesser quality paper.

 

Dan

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Very nice review! A couple of quibbles: the nib is a JoWo nib, not Schmidt, isn't it? And while the trim may be stainless steel (I don't know), it's chrome plated, wouldn't you say?

 

I'd also suggest that the o-ring at the section is less to make the cap air tight than it is to seal the section, but I could be wrong about that (and everything else, of course!).

 

I was also super impressed with the pen. I like the fit and feel of it quite a lot and when I brought it into work and used it all day, it performed like a champ. The size is great and since I don't generally post pens, that's not an issue for me.

 

I remember during the design process several people indicated they'd prefer a round barrel, but I was urgent in my plea to keep the faceted barrel. I think it adds visual and tactile interest to the pen.

 

I was looking at the images of the plunger filler version, now in the design stage, I believe, and I notice that Speedy has maintained the diamond facets on that model, but moved them to the barrel end and cap, with most of the barrel then being smooth. Again, hurrah! These are pens to really use in the daily grind.

 

Dan

 

the nib/feeder is a complete set from Schmidt. The nib is stainless stell and polished, no chrome plating.

 

the PP007 Diamond Vacuum still maintain facet design on cap end blind cap, barrel become round.

For latest update pls join our facebook <img src="https://img.skitch.com/20110916-nw8undh6ac3kh6q1ta7n62ii75.preview.png" alt="facebook badge" />

 

If any product related issue, pls send email to twsbiinc@gmail.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree with the review in that the Diamond 530 is in a higher class than pens in the price range that it is sold for.

 

The only let down for me is the nib. It is smooth enough but is a bit drab looks wise and is a bit too stiff. As these are screw in nib units, perhaps a nice 14K Gold nib (possibly bicolour) with some spring in it could be an option. The rest of the pen is easily high enough quality to support it.

 

I realise that these are early days and I'm not complaining, in fact the opposite as I am enjoying using the pen. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I went for a bottle of Waterman Florida Blue and put the pen to work. The EF nib writes like my Pelikan M215 or Lamy Al-Satr F nibs. Better flow than the M215.

 

What I really like of this pen is the size. A bit longer than Lamy when caped but noticeably longer when posted.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree with the review in that the Diamond 530 is in a higher class than pens in the price range that it is sold for.

 

The only let down for me is the nib. It is smooth enough but is a bit drab looks wise and is a bit too stiff. As these are screw in nib units, perhaps a nice 14K Gold nib (possibly bicolour) with some spring in it could be an option. The rest of the pen is easily high enough quality to support it.

 

I realise that these are early days and I'm not complaining, in fact the opposite as I am enjoying using the pen. :)

You could probably swap in a number of nibs, but I think that while using a 14K nib with a TWSBI might be interesting it is not in keeping with the "philosophy" of the pen. It is what it is, a high quality pen at a reasonable price. It's the kind of pens we need in order to bring new users into the hobby. Fountain pens are marginalized in most countries and people, especially students, aren't going to start off with $200 pens. The only thing that might get people interested in using fountain pens instead of disposable gel pens (which have improved substantially) is a pen that offers a better writing experience at a reasonable price.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You could probably swap in a number of nibs, but I think that while using a 14K nib with a TWSBI might be interesting it is not in keeping with the "philosophy" of the pen. It is what it is, a high quality pen at a reasonable price. It's the kind of pens we need in order to bring new users into the hobby. Fountain pens are marginalized in most countries and people, especially students, aren't going to start off with $200 pens. The only thing that might get people interested in using fountain pens instead of disposable gel pens (which have improved substantially) is a pen that offers a better writing experience at a reasonable price.

 

I am fully agree with you. we need to use inexpensive high quality pen to bring more people into fountain pen writing.

For latest update pls join our facebook <img src="https://img.skitch.com/20110916-nw8undh6ac3kh6q1ta7n62ii75.preview.png" alt="facebook badge" />

 

If any product related issue, pls send email to twsbiinc@gmail.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I got mine yesterday, a week after I ordered it from the website.

 

I have to say that I am very impressed with this pen. It seems to be every bit a half price Pelikan 200

the Danitrio Fellowship

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have to say that I am very impressed with this pen. It seems to be every bit a half price Pelikan 200

 

But bigger!

http://twitter.com/pawcelot

Vancouver Pen Club

 

Currently inked:

 

Montegrappa NeroUno Linea - J. Herbin Poussière de Lune //. Aurora Optima Demonstrator - Aurora Black // Varuna Rajan - Kaweco Green // TWSBI Vac 700R - Visconti Purple

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I got my eBay-sourced Diamond 530 today. I think the glaring issues for me are going to be the posting (I love to post a pen) and the nib. These nibs aren't terrible nibs, but they're just not what I expect from a pen otherwise put together as well as this one is. It's presented wonderfully. It feels great. The design is top notch. The posting issue is very much a personal choice and something that is probably a bit more controversial when you get into the big pen range. The nib just isn't up to par.

 

That's not to say I have a problem nib, by the way. It just reminds me of every True Writer I have ever bought from Levenger. I have my doubts that an extra fine would be all that different from my medium. It may be that these nibs do get a lot better from extended use. My True Writers get used, but they aren't good enough to contend for the type of writing time my Vanishing Point and my Pelikan M200s get. This pen may get that much use because of the overall package. Those are my initial thoughts, and they're a lot more critical than I have seen around here for the most part. I think it needs to be heard. I'll probably be back here because I'm a sucker for a good pen and this one is probably good to very good as it stands now. I think I'm mostly just a little sad that greatness eludes it at least for me right now.

<a href="Http://inkynibbles.com">Inky NIBbles, the ravings of a pen and ink addict.</a>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I got my eBay-sourced Diamond 530 today. I think the glaring issues for me are going to be the posting (I love to post a pen) and the nib. These nibs aren't terrible nibs, but they're just not what I expect from a pen otherwise put together as well as this one is. It's presented wonderfully. It feels great. The design is top notch. The posting issue is very much a personal choice and something that is probably a bit more controversial when you get into the big pen range. The nib just isn't up to par.

 

That's not to say I have a problem nib, by the way. It just reminds me of every True Writer I have ever bought from Levenger. I have my doubts that an extra fine would be all that different from my medium. It may be that these nibs do get a lot better from extended use. My True Writers get used, but they aren't good enough to contend for the type of writing time my Vanishing Point and my Pelikan M200s get. This pen may get that much use because of the overall package. Those are my initial thoughts, and they're a lot more critical than I have seen around here for the most part. I think it needs to be heard. I'll probably be back here because I'm a sucker for a good pen and this one is probably good to very good as it stands now. I think I'm mostly just a little sad that greatness eludes it at least for me right now.

 

 

I've actually found almost every VP nib very scratchy and dry out of the box, so ended up getting a couple custom from Richard Binder which are a lot nicer to use...how is the TWSIB nib in terms of flow/writing compared to your VP?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My VP nib is broad and very good (except when I accidentally twist the pen -- when it's oriented correctly, it's a gem). It didn't come from Binder, either. The combination of good nib and extreme utility tends to make it the pen I reach for most.

 

I find the flow to be a touch light and the writing to be adequate but unimpressive with the TWSBI so far.

Edited by Jimmy James

<a href="Http://inkynibbles.com">Inky NIBbles, the ravings of a pen and ink addict.</a>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That could explain it then since my nibs are all F, and the customized ones are EF. Which size did you end up getting for the TWSBI and is it more an Asian F,EF,M or a Western in terms of line width?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I got my TWSBI in the mail on Monday and I've had 24 hours to play with it. Here are my thoughts.

 

Negative

(1) the nib is really stiff. I can see the tines flex, but it feels very stiff when I write.

(2) I was hoping for a Western fine, but mine writes more like a Japanese fine.

(3) Writing with the cap posted is really awkward.

 

Positive

(1) I like the diamond barrel design and the overall look

(2) Smooth, consistent writer

(3) High quality pen for price

(4) Complete with tools to fully disassemble

 

I'm including a writing sample for line width comparison. As I noted, mine writes more like a Japanese fine than a Western fine. I don't know if this is representative. I have another TWSBI still in the box that I was going to gift, but I think I will ink it to be sure that the barrel doesn't leak (the one I inked had 2 drops escape the first seal).

 

post-2226-003475800 1280262428.jpg

You can see I got the name of the pen wrong. Oops. I also labeled one of the inks wrong. Double oops.

Note that the Waterman Harmonie writes a lot narrower than most Western F's. The Cross is more representative of a Western F.

EDIT - the writing is on a 3x5" index card

Edited by churl
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I made it a point to use this pen a lot today and to alternate it with a Pelikan M150, also in medium, I just got. I feel a little better about the nib, but it still just isn't up to the quality I have seen and I expect from a Pelikan nib, to use that as the standard I'm comparing against. It's a high standard, and the fact that I have warmed a little to the nib after one day may mean I'll continue to warm to it. This pen is going to be used. That's not a question. The question is more about whether I think this is a very good deal or an outstanding one. For now, it's very good. That's subject to change.

<a href="Http://inkynibbles.com">Inky NIBbles, the ravings of a pen and ink addict.</a>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Most Contributions

    1. amberleadavis
      amberleadavis
      43844
    2. PAKMAN
      PAKMAN
      33494
    3. Ghost Plane
      Ghost Plane
      28220
    4. inkstainedruth
      inkstainedruth
      26624
    5. jar
      jar
      26101
  • Upcoming Events

  • Blog Comments

    • Shanghai Knife Dude
      I have the Sailor Naginata and some fancy blade nibs coming after 2022 by a number of new workshop from China.  With all my respect, IMHO, they are all (bleep) in doing chinese characters.  Go use a bush, or at least a bush pen. 
    • A Smug Dill
      It is the reason why I'm so keen on the idea of a personal library — of pens, nibs, inks, paper products, etc. — and spent so much money, as well as time and effort, to “build” it for myself (because I can't simply remember everything, especially as I'm getting older fast) and my wife, so that we can “know”; and, instead of just disposing of what displeased us, or even just not good enough to be “given the time of day” against competition from >500 other pens and >500 other inks for our at
    • adamselene
      Agreed.  And I think it’s good to be aware of this early on and think about at the point of buying rather than rationalizing a purchase..
    • A Smug Dill
      Alas, one cannot know “good” without some idea of “bad” against which to contrast; and, as one of my former bosses (back when I was in my twenties) used to say, “on the scale of good to bad…”, it's a spectrum, not a dichotomy. Whereas subjectively acceptable (or tolerable) and unacceptable may well be a dichotomy to someone, and finding whether the threshold or cusp between them lies takes experiencing many degrees of less-than-ideal, especially if the decision is somehow influenced by factors o
    • adamselene
      I got my first real fountain pen on my 60th birthday and many hundreds of pens later I’ve often thought of what I should’ve known in the beginning. I have many pens, the majority of which have some objectionable feature. If they are too delicate, or can’t be posted, or they are too precious to face losing , still they are users, but only in very limited environments..  I have a big disliking for pens that have the cap jump into the air and fly off. I object to Pens that dry out, or leave blobs o
  • Chatbox

    You don't have permission to chat.
    Load More
  • Files






×
×
  • Create New...