Twsbi Ef Or F - Help Please

[Chettiar]

Hello Everyone,

 

I did research a bit by going to Goulet's nib nook (excellent service as always!) but am not able to identify the line thickness of TWSBI 540 EF (the ew Bock nibs) ..

 

To provide the context - I had a fairly recent re-introduction to fountain pens (after 25 years!.. ) and found the exact thing that ticked me.. I was used to Fine and Extra Fines from Pilot and Hero pens of those years. I have Lamy EF which is a bit wide (I do understand the eastern / western nib size differences) and I like it. I wanted a TWSBI so dearly as I was after piston fillers from the old days and never had one yet. But I was not sure which nib size to go to. Hearing that the new 540 is having Bock nibs for EF / F sizes, I bought a Kaweco Classic EF which also has the Bock nibs to see if I like the size . I do like it and it is similar to my Lamy EF (nib size, line size, wet and smooth).

 

Now, I am ready to buy the TWSBI (I saw the clear 540 advertised in ebay today and my paypal account is struggling to release the money!) but can't decide between EF or F!

 

Read all the reviews and the EF nib comment is a bit unsure on the smoothness.. many say 'it is a bit scratchy but not too bad.. '. If that is the case I would like to go to F but dont want a too wide line width!

 

So, here are two questions.

 

1. How would you compare the Lamy EF nib to TWSBI EF nib in terms of line width, smoothness, wetness ?

2. How would you compare the Kaweco Classic EF nib to TWSBI EF nib in terms of line width, smoothness, wetness ?

 

I have both Lamy EF and Kaweco EF and between them the Lamy EF is just that extra bit smooth and wet and almost half a hair thinner. Would a TWSBI EF come in between ? To the more fine side or wider side? smoother than kaweco or Lamy or less smoother? And finally wetness too!

 

Before anyone asks what I want out of TWSBI -- I want a a very wet, very smooth and Lamy EF thin atleast or thinner line.. Would I get that out of box?

 

Thanks for everyone who reads this and believe me I have been thinking too deep and hard about this that I feel really silly.. ..

 

Bought other more expensive pens without much thinking but I had been thinking about TWSBI so much that buying one and not liking it breaks my heart.. It is almost like Charlie Brown and the red haired girl! The unrequited love! This would be my first piston filler and that could be the reason.. (ok, ok, I will shut up now and let the more experienced to help me calm down)...

 

thanks guys...

Edited February 18, 2012 by Chettiar

[XiaoMG]

My experience doesn't seem to match what I've often read, so please take it with a grain of salt. However, I've had pretty bad luck with TWSBI EFs and in fact any "Western" extra fine, and think those German companies have much better and more consistent results with broader nibs. From what I've come across in Jowo and Bock nibs, it seems that Fs and EFs aren't really that different, and Fs are likely to be more properly shaped. For some stupid reason, I hesitate to order the "second finest" option when I really do want a thin line, but I think the risk of defects is quite a lot higher with the EFs than with the Fs, and I am not a big gambler, so I will probably go with Fs in the future if I can't get a Japanese nib.

[haziz]

This is really a personal choice. Sounds to me like F may be a better choice for you. For me it would be M or B. BB in Pelikan nibs has proved to be too broad for my tastes. Interestingly I started off with F in Western nibs and have been drifting to the broader end over the last 2 years.

 

Go with what you personally want.

[Pen2009]

I would go with a F for TWSBI. I had a bad luck with TWSBI's EF nib as I needed to have it adjusted at a pen clinic. I believe EF nibs require more precise engineering and production as they are more finer than F. I find my Lamy Safari/Al Star's EF nibs are better than TWSBI's EF in terms of nib smoothness. The EF's line widths for Lamy and TWSBI are almost the same, as far as I can tell from my own pens.

[sheehmi]

I very much enjoy my Twsbi F and EF--they're both great Bock nibs and write very smoothly. If you want an EF get it without hesitation. Or better yet at the price get both and switch them out to your heart's content

[axolotl66]

I agree, get one of each with your 540 and try them both! I have both and like the EFs because the F seems like a M to me.

 

This is all with a 530 though. I just got a 540 with a M nib thinking it would be similar to the M in the 530, but it's MUCH wetter and wider line. Not a major issue but I am thrown by it - do I like it?

Graham

[lightfeather]

I will choose the F, my EFnever worked properly, now i have a m

[ExcaliburZ]

My F was toothy but my EF was smooth. If you want thin lines you want an EF nib.

[Chettiar]

well, I am going to get both F and EF of the clear ones... May be later on can buy spare nibs when the bock nibs start to become available as spares... Though if anyone who has the kaweco and twsbi EFs please give some idea please..

[foxtail1]

I see you've decided, but my vote would be the F. I generally like EF nibs, but in TWSBI I like the F much better.

[Chettiar]

Thanks Foxtail1. I am resigning not yet deciding! .. Deciding would make me happier but I am yet to be ..

 

I am looking to buy two clear TWSBIs now. I would like, given a choice, to buy the smoothest, thinnest and wettest nibs. If EF is not going to deliver, would be happy to settle for F. But if EF is delivering then I would get both of them in EFs. I was really expecting someone who owns all three (Lamy EF, Kaweco EF and TWSBI EF - Bock and not the Schmidt) to come forward and give clarity. Since I have the Kaweco and Lamy, I would be able to make an informed choice, If someone can give that opinion, I am still waiting.

 

But it looks like the Bock EF is hit or miss which is sad. So, the best bet for me is to buy a F definitely so that there will be no disappointment and one EF to give it a go, If the EF did not turn out to be good, will have to get the razor blade out and also the brown paper bag.. (Nobody sells the brown paper bag any more but I found some brown wrapping paper which should suit the purpose well, I suppose). And if it all turns out to be a bad dream, get the F nibs from the writing desk or ebay (would like to cut the shipping charges and total spend which adds another dimension to the dilemma).

 

I think I have been spoilt by Lamy! I blame the Lamy EF which is so smooth and wet for this whole hesitation and trembling which I never experienced before..

Edited February 19, 2012 by Chettiar

[FearNot]

Get the EF, give it a try and if it doesn't suit, buy a F nib for it. Or vice-versa - get the F nib first.

Edited February 19, 2012 by FearNot

[Chettiar]

Thank you FearNot. I am going towards one EF and one F both clear barrels .. The issue with a spare EF nib is that I would get the Schmidt EF as the old stock is still circulating and not the big Bock nibs. I like my nibs to be big and long rather than small (well, not much different in performance I hear... but the feeling with a longer / bigger nib is better than a smaller one). I can see it from the Sailor 21k and 14K nibs which are quite different. I like the Bock nibs' size.

 

On the other hand, buying two pens one at a time makes the shipping go real high. (Mind I am in UK and am planning to get from TWSBI themselves from ebay and they have a fixed international shipping charge and I am planning to combine the charges). Why this has to be this complicated? I am going to sit in a dark room and talk myself down...

 

 

[KrazyIvan]

I bought them both and prefer the F.

[Chettiar]

Thanks KrazyIvan. I have ordered two Fs now. Will see if they are ok. If they are, I am happy. If not, write it off for experience and wait for more EF reviews...

 

Thanks everyone who shared their experience and advised...