The Twsbi Mini Has Been Released!

[chris537]

Has anyone figured out what the nib size is on the TWSBI Mini? On the feed, near the end, mine has the number "2" on it. Is it a #2 nib? #3? It is smaller than the TWSBI 540 (which fits #5 nibs, it seems).

 

I know that MrsGouletPens is looking into it. Wondering if anyone else has figured it out.

 

I got mine today and was able to put a 540 1.1 stub on it. The sections are different but the nib unit itself swapped into the mini section perfectly. Don't put the bigger inner cap thing in the mini cap though it won't fit but the stub fits just fine with the original.

[Alohamora]

 

 

I don't post. Could someone do a side by side comparison photo of a uncapped mini next to uncapped 540? Or side by side with uncapped/unposted Pilot Prera? I'm guessing it will be close to the Prera in size.

 

Is the Mini still long enough to write with unposted?

Edited October 27, 2012 by Alohamora

[jisip]

I love the Classic design (and it sounds good when to talk about it too!) but hope they've fixed the posting issue. The standard is short enough to me as it is, this my fall of my hands! :hmm1:

[XiaoMG]

One would think that in the time someone writes a "hope it'll post" post, they could easily find out from available pictures and posts. This requires almost as little research as "does the Lamy Safari have a screw cap?"

[saskia_madding]

When mine gets here, I'm totally going to try it with an m425 nib. It always looked too small for the 540, which now sports an m625 (M). I'm super excited!!

[goldiesdad]

Love the 540 size so for the same money I'll stick with it ... actually I have 3 so I do love them ...

 

Congrats to those getting one and give us a review once you play with it ...

[NedC]

Some comparison shots and brief design notes:

From left to right-Kaweco Sport, TWSBI mini, Pilot Prera, Pelikan m205, Stipula Vedo, Noodler's Konrad, Lamy 2000, Lamy Al-star, Tombow Zoom 505fp, TWSBI 540 ROC100.

 

The same capped-

 

And posted-

 

Just the facts ma'am-

 

And now for some opinions and observations, I won't call it a review so I'll just list them;)

 

• If you're put off by the idea of this being a 'mini' pen–don't be. As you can tell from the images and measurements the TWSBI mini is actually a fairly substantial pen that happens to pack down to a compact size for easier carrying.
   
  
• A note about posting the TWSBI mini: It does post, securely and comfortably and with excellent balance. Indeed, it is designed to be posted, that's what the threads and rubber 'O' ring on the back are for. There is a trick to proper posting however; like most screw on pen caps the mini has multiple entry threads so in order to line up the clip with the nib one should line the clip up with the nib before engaging the threads on the tail and then give the cap one full rotation until they're lined up again, the O ring is ther to assure a snug fit and take up any slack, no need to tighten it up hard.
   
  
• So good sir, why did you choose this particular assortment of fountain pens to compare with the new TWSBI mini? –I'm so glad you asked. The reasons are several, they were all pens I had on hand and which met at least two of the following criteria: Similar in size to the TWSBI mini, pens commonly mentioned in FPN threads and widely available current production pens, moderately priced pens, pens selling for very close the price of the mini, and pens I just like to use and would happily recomend even if with some reservations or caveats.
   
  
• The pen does write beautifully with a very smooth if very stiff nib, indeed one of the stiffest nibs I own.
   
  
• I've been using Platinum Carbon so far and it seems to be a nice sketching pen, even though the nib is a nail I can get some line variation in drawing by changing the nib angle and altering the speed and pressure of my strokes as well as by inverting the nib. I like the fact that the pen can be disassembled completely of thorough cleaning if I'm using pigmented or highly saturates inks or custom mixed inks.
   
  
• The pen really does feel substantial, posted it is a very well balance full sized pen the metal collar at he cap's base is well contoured and provides a smooth transition from the body, the surprising thing is that for someone with small to average sized hands, like me, the pen works quite well unposted as well. The faceted design of the body inhibits rolling when not posted, always a plus in my book, and the gripping section is rather generously sized, well contoured and quite comfortable, it's in no way twee and is really the section of a full sized pen and really does lend to the overall substantial feel of the pen.
  
• The nib is almost exactly the same size as the Pelikan m200 and m400, Stipula Vedo and Esterbrook J nibs....
  

[Renfield]

Good Post Ned.

 

Thanks for taking the time and effort.

[Alohamora]

Some comparison shots and brief design notes:

 

Awesome comparison. Thank you so much!

[penhand]

Has anyone figured out what the nib size is on the TWSBI Mini? On the feed, near the end, mine has the number "2" on it. Is it a #2 nib? #3? It is smaller than the TWSBI 540 (which fits #5 nibs, it seems).

 

I know that MrsGouletPens is looking into it. Wondering if anyone else has figured it out.

 

I got mine today and was able to put a 540 1.1 stub on it. The sections are different but the nib unit itself swapped into the mini section perfectly. Don't put the bigger inner cap thing in the mini cap though it won't fit but the stub fits just fine with the original.

Chris was right. I got my mini today and swapped in a broad nib from my 530/540, works great!

 

My quick comments, great pen. I have 4 530's, a 540 and now a mini. I'm thinking there is least another mini in my future. Balance is great when posted and looks like a great everyday carry.

[Spector]

I'll look interested when they release the twsbi click for a reasonable ~60 dollar price range

[chiaroscuro]

Here are some pics for size comparison with other minis. I forgot to take one of the uncapped pens; also, sorry for the low quality images. As you can see, the TWSBI is larger than most of these other mini pens, but it's still very pocket-friendly. For me, it's comfortable both posted and unposted.

 

From right to left:

 

– TWSBI Mini

– A.G. Spalding Mini

– Kaweco AL Sport

– Pilot Petit1

– Kaweco Classic Sport

– Dietrich & Düller FP

 

 

 

Does anyone know if the back of the filling mechanism (between the plunger and the knob that twists) is supposed to get ink in it? If so, will this rinse out along with the ink chamber? This is my first piston fill pen.

[chiaroscuro]

Wow, didn't see NedCs excellent, thorough post... It would have saved me some time.

[trhall]

I got mine today and was able to put a 540 1.1 stub on it. The sections are different but the nib unit itself swapped into the mini section perfectly. Don't put the bigger inner cap thing in the mini cap though it won't fit but the stub fits just fine with the original.

 

Thanks for mentioning this. I hadn't tried to exchange the sections yet. The caps don't interchange -- I did try that, just to see.

 

I'm still wondering what the official size is. Wondering if it will work with a few smaller vintage nibs.

 

Some comparison shots and brief design notes:

 

Thank you for taking the time to post these detailed notes. Marvelous.

[jde]

Some comparison shots and brief design notes:

 

 

Outstanding, informative post, Ned.

 

 

[dalliance]

Ned, great post. Nothing beats photo comparisons and that's a wonderfully comprehensive one. Thanks for taking the time.

[MKeith]

When they come out with a pen the same size as the 540, truly safely posts, has a clear middle section while cap and blind cap are colored, consistently doesn't crack or break, and is $50 tops I'm all in.

[ribbit]

How does the section width compare to the 540? 540 is almost too narrow for me.

[Bongopalms]

Ordered a Classic for a Christmas gift. If they had proceeded with a Sapphire, I would have ordered one for myself too!

 

I hope they add Sapphire to the line-up before too long.

[chris.hale]

Since when is an iPhone a measure of length? Did they state the dimensions oof the iPad Mini in terms of TWSBI 540s?

 

 

For over 250 million people, it's an instant frame of reference. I saw that photo and knew exactly how large it was. Granted, I saw the photo of it next to a 540 and knew how big it was, too.

 

If Speedy is trying to win over new customers, it's a nice way to demonstrate his product feature (read: size) to many people.

 

Maybe, but for the other 6.75 billion of us it's utterly useless as a frame of reference. Using centimetres demonstrates the size to everyone.