Twsbi Micarta

[dcpritch]

I just got mine today and love the rugged look of it. I inked mine with OMAS Sepia, which matches quite well the color of the cap/barrel. I'd say the one I got is close to the color of a rolled cigar. I took a quick photo of my Micarta next to some other pens and an enormous (!) cigar my brother sent to me (why I do not know, as I don't smoke cigars, but whatever; maybe he wanted me to have some cigars on hand for when he visits?).

 

As you can see from the caps-off photo, the nib size is very much in line with other pens of its size, and I think it looks very proportional. The only problem with the nib is that, so far, it has not been stubbed by a nibmeister, as I do with many of my pens, though I hear TWSBI has a stub nib in the works so maybe that won't be necessary.

 

From L to R you see: huge cigar, TWSBI Micarta MB 149, Nakaya Portable Writer, Stipula Etruria, Lamy 2000, and 1937 Parker Vac Standard

 

[rockydoggy]

On the TWSBI facebook page (you don't have to have a facebook account to get access to it), they indicate that the first production run of the Micarta pens ended up with two different color combinations: "color code 1"--light cap, dark section, light barrel; and "color code 2"--light cap, dark section, dark barrel. Here's a link to a photo of the two types: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=345100712198716&set=a.345100685532052.73509.117058861669570&type=1&theater

When I ordered my Micarta, I requested color code 2 and that's what I got.

[dcpritch]

When I ordered my Micarta, I requested color code 2 and that's what I got.

 

Thanks for the link. I didn't know about the choice, and I ended up with code 1, which is just fine with me.

[robofkent]

I finally received my Micarta today! I like it very much. I would have preferred a slightly wetter nib but that is being a bit picky. I have the clipped broad nib version.

Edited April 11, 2012 by robofkent

[JOBPM]

I also just got my Micarta today. I'm quite pleased with it so far! Needed a flush out of the box, but the nib is very smooth, especially for being relatively dry. It's not a skater by any means, but it certainly doesn't have that writing-on-rubber feel that some nibs do. I also noticed the scent. It's a bit chemically but I find it quite pleasant. It definitely reminds me of something, not quite sure what though.

 

As to the staining: I think it certainly will. I filled it with Kiowa Pecan, section barely submerged, and wiped it "dry." There was a very slight color difference where the ink had been so I gave it another wipe with a wet cloth. The wet cloth pulled the rest of the ink out of the section. Personally, I'm not worried the aesthetics of a stained section, I'm worried about ink leaching from a stained section back onto my fingers during a long session.

 

Has anyone done an ED conversion yet? The inside of the barrel looks really unfinished, I'd be worried about little fibers getting down into the feed. I'd also be worried about ink possibly seeping out of the barrel through the fibers, especially the head-on grain of the rear end.

[ravantra]

On the TWSBI facebook page (you don't have to have a facebook account to get access to it), they indicate that the first production run of the Micarta pens ended up with two different color combinations: "color code 1"--light cap, dark section, light barrel; and "color code 2"--light cap, dark section, dark barrel. Here's a link to a photo of the two types: http://www.facebook....&type=1

When I ordered my Micarta, I requested color code 2 and that's what I got.

 

I was unaware I had a choice. Mine is closer to 2, though my cap and barrel are both fairly dark, chocolate I would say … I like it.

 

[The Anachronist]

Can anyone give an idea of nib width comparison? How do these compare to Eastern nibs, or German nibs, etc?

[watch_art]

They're Bock nibs, so German, so compare to any other German nibs you own.

[The Anachronist]

Hmm...that helps a bit I suppose. Based on my Lamy Studio's medium, I probably will have to go either F or EF. Anyone know how the shading is with those?

[watch_art]

That will depend on the ink and how the nib writes. If it's really wet or dry, depending on the ink, depending on the paper, then this or this...

[dcpritch]

Actually, my B nib was on the narrow side, closer to a Japanese B than to a Western B like, say, a Pelikan. And it also was on the dry side. I tweaked the nib a little with a razor blade (between the tines, very carefully) and now it writes wetter and also more like the B I was hoping for.

[The Anachronist]

I was hoping for a good medium (as opposed to my Studio's very bold medium). Maybe I'll try the F, with a bit of adjustment if needed. I absolutely love this pen and I think a little ink staining will only enhance the patina. Too bad it's not a piston filler though!

[floydee1]

Been reading the various threads and posts on this pen.

 

I dont think this pen is meant to remain pristine after a bit of use.

In fact in my opinion that is the very essence of the pen. With all the probable staining, worn in frayed finish, and general patina...

 

With time, one would have a VERY unique and personalised finish. Its a good pen ethos IMHO. I like that. Credit goes to TWSBI for challenging our ideal of pen (with reference to all our posts).

 

I think I'll be getting a Micarta the end of the month...others, probably not.

 

But to each of us, thats just they way the ink drop blots.

[ethernautrix]

Actually, my B nib was on the narrow side, closer to a Japanese B than to a Western B like, say, a Pelikan. And it also was on the dry side. I tweaked the nib a little with a razor blade (between the tines, very carefully) and now it writes wetter and also more like the B I was hoping for.

 

 

I solved a dry-writer problem after watching Shawn's video (watch_art) in which he used a razor blade and gingerly deepened the main groove of the ink-feed (which necessitates removing the nib, which it sounds like the Micarta nib comes out fairly easily, like the Danitrio nib).

[watch_art]

You can also just slightly spread the tines a bit. I like to take the nib off for this so I don't bend the nib away from the feed. I sort of push up and out from the breather hole. That doesn't make any sense w/o a picture. I'll try to do that later...

[ethernautrix]

You can also just slightly spread the tines a bit. I like to take the nib off for this so I don't bend the nib away from the feed. I sort of push up and out from the breather hole. That doesn't make any sense w/o a picture. I'll try to do that later...

 

 

Right after you make the light saber pen, right? Hee.

[ParkerBeta]

When I ordered my Micarta, I requested color code 2 and that's what I got.

 

Thanks for the link. I didn't know about the choice, and I ended up with code 1, which is just fine with me.

 

Same here ... got code 1, I guess. No problems with that.

[productred]

After 2 weeks of use, I found the pen too dry for my taste. I did the floss trick from here and it is now a bit more enjoyable: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/7659-how-do-you-increase-ink-flow/

[ravantra]

1334903051[/url]' post='2319190']

After 2 weeks of use, I found the pen too dry for my taste. I did the floss trick from here and it is now a bit more enjoyable: http://www.fountainp...rease-ink-flow/

 

I found the pen a bit dry too. I have a medium but wrote like a fine. I finally took the nib and firmly pressed down on the top of my desk to spread the tines. I then took a loupe and made sure the tines were still aligned. I adjusted them slightly and now it writes more like a medium and much wetter. The line width almost doubled. Much better. I got this idea from a video posted by speedy showing how to do this for the 540. YMMV.

[mcnoodle]

So far, I'm liking everything about this pen, from the look of it to the stiff nib to the sparse packaging. It's just... that darn Nakaya Shield. As long as I'm using my Nakayas, I'm wondering why would I want to buy another pen? I've got my eye on this one, though. Just keep lookin'.... *Sigh*

 

I don't have as many Nakayas as you (who does???), but other than that I am in the same boat. This pen has my attention! I nearly clicked on the Order button a couple of times already, and it's getting harder and harder to resist.