Twsbi Diamond 530 With Gold Nib

[riff raff]

Speaking for myself (obviously), I'm much more likely to go for multiple copies of the original with various steel nibs (broad, stub, etc.) long before springing for a single gold nibbed pen.

 

I guess my ego isn't in the nib material. :embarrassed_smile:

 

:roflmho:

[duende]

I can't justify a gold nib at the moment, perhaps a year from now. A titanium flex on the other hand could incite me to commit bank robbery...

[jakelogan]

Too expensive for a gold nib. it should only be at MOST $60 more THAN THE REGULAR MODEL. in scrap gold terms the nib is worth less than $20. manufacturing costs should be the same as steel nib.

 

if you look at the lamy 2000, you can get a platinum plated gold nib makorolon bodied fiberglass reinforced metal section pen for $105 shipped.

$40+

1. pen with 14k gold nib (single color or two tone?): 60

2. pen with HIGH VOLUME ink capacity, about 40% more ink: 15

3. pen with aluminium piston mechanism: 10

4. pen with solid brass clip (not the existing stamping parts): 5

5. pen with improved cap thread for smooth thread in and out: 5

6. pen with metal parts plated with 14K gold or rose gold: 20

 

i'm estimating the cost to be at maximum $155 for the "luxury" pen instead of $280. I may be wrong because assembly and labor fees might make up the remaining $125 but I assume that it isn't THAT much.

[pkoko]

I think TWSBI needs to offer more nib sizes on steel nibs and more colors on the 530 before a different nib material. You have to price your pen cheaper than comparable competition by at least 20%-30%. So the you main competition is the Lamy 2K which is available at under $150 with gold nib. TWSBI can't be more than $100 IMHO.

[wpb]

I'm still new to the hobby, as my next question will tell...

 

But $110 or $130 for a nib only? That doesn't seem right for a pen like the TWSBI.

 

By the way, I have 2 TWSBI's a Fine and Medium. Personally I would prefer a better nib, especially the Medium. Mine skips despite my rookie attempts at adjusting it. And steel is fine with me.

 

Bill

Edited November 12, 2010 by wpb

[Goombomb]

As someone who just bought a TWSBI, I must say the aesthetics of the pen played a role in selecting it. It looks like something you can take apart and play with, not some unfamiliar piece of machinery. This image was added to by the lack of gold plating on the few metal parts there were; the steel just fits with its "do-it-yourself-er" image better than gold. I suppose my main point is the TWSBI is a sort of everyman's pen, and adding gold would (in my opinion) detract from that.

The pen clip is fine by me. Again, this is my first pen, but the "extreme amount of side-to-side play" is greatly exaggerated, and it only comes into play if you are wiggling it back and forth for the sole purpose of seeing how much it wiggles, which you wouldn't ever do in a noticeable fashion during actual use.

As a college student who takes notes only with this pen, I can say comfortably a single fill of this pen lasts me more than a week. That being said, a larger ink capacity is never a bad thing. If there is a way you could make the larger ink chamber (and possibly the separate aluminum piston mechanism?) for sale on its own and have it fit into a stock TWSBI, I would definitely be interested in them. Although clearly this would only be possible through more efficient use of the barrel; if you need to increase the length of the barrel to accommodate the larger ink capacity, there's obviously no way it will fit into the old pens

Edited November 12, 2010 by Goombomb

[Ernst Bitterman]

I'd urge calling it a different model. I know that many FPN folks don't think twice about a $400 or $800 pen, but I'm in the camp that starts to get very nervous if the price goes above $50, and essentially give up any hope of owning a pen if it costs more than $150. If there continues to be a magnificently cost-effective Diamond 530 as an entry model, I don't have anything to say against a Diamond XXX at three or four times the cost. If the new high-end model drives the current incarnation of the 530 out, it would be a lamentable situation for the entry-level pen market. It's sort of like the difference between the old VW Beetle and the current one; the new one is obviously a much nicer item, but rather fewer people can afford to have one.

 

I'm also going to echo a lot of previous feedback on the 530-- it's magnificently good as it is, any improvements are merely another layer of icing on an already satisfying cake. Apart from the 1.3 Seal issue, most of the complaints against the pen are mere nit-picking and hardly noticable in regular use. I've even come to terms with the posting.

Edited November 12, 2010 by Ernst Bitterman

[Silas]

I've been watching this thread for awhile. I decided to wait for a colored version. At $40 the Twsbi is a great buy. It is almost in a class by itself....a "niche."

 

I think you would be moving beyond the niche and into the mainstream of pens, and then there are just too many great choices.

 

You are one of a few great pens at the $40 price....then would only be lost in the pack if you were to push the envelope.

 

Personally, I'm waiting for the colored version....will that be out soon?

[Bo Bo Olson]

6. pen with metal parts plated with 14K gold or rose gold..

 

 

If you are going to go up class and sooner or later you are.

 

Check the price for rolled gold trim. Gold plated always rings the cheap bell, and you don't know when it's going to wear off. Some put it on properly thick, and others put just a whisper on it.

 

Rolled gold has that touch of real class, and is not going to wear through with in 20-25 years.

 

 

I do like the rose gold option...in it is seldom seen. Both colors would be needed depending on what colors of pen you are offering and you should have an 'factory' option of letting the customer pick.

Yes, it would cost more.

 

I was just reading that the Conklin pen company went broke because they did not put enough or have enough money to properly advertise; even though they had a very good pen in 1932, broke by 1941 or so; or broke enough they were bought up by some one that made them dirt cheap...in a market with great cheap pens.

 

I can't help you with magazine advertising, in I do not live in the States and have no idea which survived. They use to have one for Mechanics for your basic model; the Scientific American would be good either way too....and the up scale one in Golf magazines.

 

I was thinking of the $40 version, not a higher out of my range version.

Many have higher ranges.

 

 

300 nibs is a small run... needing special TWSBI stamping, there for expensive...unless a Bock stamped nib was used.

 

That would explain why the cost of the gold nib is high, dies would have to be made.

Edited November 12, 2010 by Bo Bo Olson

[jniforat]

hmmmm :hmm1: the idea sounds cool, but at almost $300, there has to be something that distinguishes it from a MB 146 and a handmade Edison Pen.

 

Right now, if i'm going to drop almost $300, it's going to be on an Edison Glenmont.

[davidw]

I think at $ 110 will be absolute the limit for me.

 

I think currently with the pen with the titanium nib will be a seller.

 

You can see the feedback already.

[Brian C]

Doesn't "Brand Name" recognition generally fuel sales at the $200+ level? I believe the foremost thought in peoples minds when discussing recent TWSBI history is leaking pens and how great you were at correcting it. Put out a classy black and get the 530 perfect, then slowly add upgrades. Right now you can't compete with Pelikan and Montblanc. Play to your strengths-outstanding customer service and your "pen of the people" image. Make us CRAVE a higher grade pen!

Edited November 12, 2010 by heraclitus682

[jniforat]

hmmmm :hmm1: the idea sounds cool, but at almost $300, there has to be something that distinguishes it from a MB 146 and a handmade Edison Pen.

 

Right now, if i'm going to drop almost $300, it's going to be on an Edison Glenmont.

 

and you can get extra Jowo steel nibs for $12 from brian gray's http://meisternibs.com/steel.html

 

Speedy, why not just make the Twsbi able to fit Jowo nibs, so that customers have the choice of whether to buy extra 18k, 14k, or steel nibs in any size later on????

[millerb7]

Doesn't "Brand Name" recognition generally fuel sales at the $200+ level? I believe the foremost thought in peoples minds when discussing recent TWSBI history is leaking pens and how great you were at correcting it. Put out a classy black and get the 530 perfect, then slowly add upgrades. Right now you can't compete with Pelikan and Montblanc. Play to your strengths-outstanding customer service and your "pen of the people" image. Make us CRAVE a higher grade pen!

Couldn't say it better myself.

 

Put out some more 530's in diff. colors, some spare parts/nibs for them, the vacuum pen, and a ti flex nib.

 

Stick with that for now, go upscale later when we are all begging you for one

[Terea]

Well I'm going to have to un-cloak for a bit :roflmho:

 

I just received my TWSBI on Monday and I absolutely love it. Part of the admiration is rooted in the price point along with the design. In my opinion this was a perfect marriage. I have seen lots of pens that I would love to have; the designs are wonderful but the price points are not. The reverse is also true. So as it stands for me today the TWSBI fits perfectly into my pen collecting wants and needs.

 

I have a suggestion. Why not make accessory kits for these pens? You can have a 'nib kit' that consists of some cheaper nibs, flexible nibs as well as gold nibs. I think part of the coolness about this pen is that it can easily be taken apart and put back together again. That being said, why not create accessories for the pen? That way individuals who can afford more, get more. Those that can't get something nice as well. I guess my angst would be if I were out priced and not be able to get something that I think is good. If I may 'wax' on, Nathan Tardiff has created a very cheap demonstrator with a 'flexible' nib. No it's not as flexible as some of the more antique writing instruments, but it's there nonetheless. If he can manufacture these types of nibs for a cheap pen (talking about the price and not quality) why couldn't that be done for these TWSBI's pens?? I mean how cool is it to buy a pen that has accessory kits???

 

So that's my humble opinion. Back into hiding! :ph34r:

[mongrelnomad]

Speedy, I think the question is a very simple one, but is one only you can answer: what is a TWSBI pen?

 

I have one of your fantastic Diamond 530s, and i absolutely adore it, but I think this gold nib idea is running in the wrong direction. For me, the strength of the pen, and of the TWSBI brand if I can judge from your more recent renderings, is a fantastic, modern quality pen, to exacting standards, filling unusual niches.

 

Both the Diamond as an affordable piston filler, and the new vacuum-filler pens fit the bill. HOWEVER, they do this with the steel nib, opening these (arguably) superior filling systems up to mere mortals usually forced to be content with c/c fillers.

 

Sorry, but gold nibs, especially at those prices, don't fit with my vision of your company (please correct me if I'm wrong). Flexible titanium nibs, yes - another unusual, unfilled niche. Maybe even a set of unusual italic/stub gold nibs. But the sad truth is, if you want to create a pen as a $100+ gold-nibbed piston filler, you're rolling with the big boys and will find yourself suddenly with ALOT of competition.

 

By all means, order 100 Bock nibs and sell them separately to those who want them (one of the benefits of your screw-in system), but don't shoot yourself in the foot by stepping outside your (really-well-defined) market.

 

Just my $.10.

[millerb7]

+1000 on an accessory kit.

 

I would LOVE that.

[Malcy]

I would love a gold nib. I can see where you are coming from by differentiating between the models and I appreciate that you are a business, not a charity so need to make a reasonable profit.

 

However, $280 is way above my budget for a pen.

[davidw]

I think " mongrelnomad " hit the nail right on the head.

 

I think most people like me bought it at $ 40 for what it is an d

flex will eb the same nich market.

[speedy]

Wow, only one say go, the rest say no, hahaha!

 

Oh, let me say something first, I am working on TWSBI Vacuum (are we calling it Vacuum officially? or another name). I am working on ink bottle, and also the other colors of the Diamond 530. I will update them in one or two days.

 

TWSBI will always maintain its promise to be the "best value pen" and "pen for people"

 

Back to the track,

Let me anwser one question first: nib size, exactly the same as current Diamond 530 now.

Ti nib is not availalbe for this nib shape, unless we pay extra for new tooling...

 

This is a my nib cost different in Stainless Steel, Titanium, and Gold for your information: 1 (SS, 3K/order), 35 (Ti, 3K/order), 94 (Gold, 350pcs/order)

1:35:94 (just to show you cost different, not the real $ amount I pay)

 

Distribution cost: product go from factory to end user need to pass many hand as distribution channel. Every hand need to make some money for living so the price keep adding up. Factory price times X equal retail price. X may vary from 4 to 10 or even more. $1 may become $4 to $10 to your hand.

Gold nib, buy then sell (one hand) US$ 60-70 is ok, but if you need more hand then not ok.

 

Why gold nib? two reason:

first, some people just like the gold nib (for the color, or color and flex).

second, for the flex feeling in writing.

For some reason now a day, nib maker only supply flex nib in gold material, and some in Ti. If you definitely like flex feeling then you need to pay for gold nib price. (if you are willing to pay for 1:35:94 then times X)

 

Personally, as a everyday pen, I feel SS nib is fine for me.

 

In less then 5 hours we got result, that's why I love FPN, prevent making wrong decision.

 

Ok, no $280 Twsbi Diamond, no gold nib in complete pen, no everyday TWSBI pen over $100 at the moment

 

How about gold nib for $70 but you can only buy direct from TWSBI, not even on line. If yes, still I need to collect enough pre-order to do so.

(write me email for this, thanks)

 

I guess Ti nib will cost you about $45 (only the nib), I don't think this is a good option, itn't it?

 

So, let't get other colors done first; it will be soon, after I confirm perfecting one of the manufacturing process.

 

Cheers

speedy

Edited November 12, 2010 by speedy