Twsbi 580

[amantadine]

My 580 has been delivered this morning! Once it's worked its way through the bureaucratic machine that is my place of work I shall be uploading some pics!

 

Can't wait!

[amantadine]

I got my hands on it finally! Here are a few unboxing photos, haven't had time to put it through its paces yet...

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8096/8559004493_a34f64ba10_o.jpg

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8507/8560112552_ce13e96a6b_o.jpg

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8375/8559006795_b4d8c2b7c7_o.jpg

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8228/8560114954_4b619bab28_o.jpg

 

I should have brought my 580 with me to compare but I was not that smart! I am not going to pass any judgement (yet) but one thing I have noticed is that the section seems loose! It can rotate quite freely, around the nib/feed part of the pen. The metal ring at the base of the nib stays in one place - it's just the clear plastic section that moves.

Edited March 15, 2013 by amantadine

[pellidon]

Mine just arrived. :clap1: Mine turns free (not real free) like yours does. My guess is it is acting like a spacer to allow the nib assembly to be tightened up just enough. So someone like me can't crank it in too hard and stress fracture the plastic. Now I have to wait till I get home to ink it up.

[DanF]

One of my 540 sections is loose too - I got one pen with two nibs - one is tight and one is slightly loose.

 

Dan

Edited March 15, 2013 by DanF

[Earthdawn]

Oh yes they did land ..

 

http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac10/thevaporcafe/B53F3235-DFAD-4746-ACD9-E8886F8C4C2B-8547-000002BD22821A74_zps45035ff3.jpg

[TassoBarbasso]

this is such a nice pen!

 

mine has a different clip, though. Did they change the design recently?

[pellidon]

My 540 ROC has the flat clip. Meaning it does not have the facet motif the barrel has. Good eye, I missed it comparing mine.

[amantadine]

I couldn't help myself...I had to review

 

Introduction

 

I would be putting it mildly if I said I was looking forward to using this pen! After a 14 hour shift at work I'm sure you could imagine there was only one thing I wanted to do...start writing! Standard TWSBI packaging (cardboard outer box with white/clear plastic case holding the pen itself) along with the TWSBI wrench/silicone grease and instructions.

 

Appearance and Design 9/10

 

TWSBI hasn't ventured too far away from the design of the 540, which for me is both good and bad. I do like the addition of the metal ring near the piston knob. It brings the design closer in line with the Mini and the Vac, and I think makes it seem more balanced. But, it also isn't anything revolutionary - it's a design that works (I still really enjoy looking at the faceted design TWSBI uses for the barrel). The difference in clips between the 580 and 540 is very subtle and at first glance I honestly didn't notice it! (oops!)

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8525/8561271494_e13dabec06_o.jpg

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8240/8561271498_b5de072314_o.jpg

 

Construction and Quality 8/10

 

I've read many accounts of cracking issues with the 540 (something that I have not experienced thankfully!). My initial impression is that this is a well-built pen, however I am sure that is skewed by my experience of my other TWSBI pens (that have all been well built). One design feature/flaw that I noticed straightaway, however, relates to the plastic part of the section. It seems to rotate! The nib/feed/metal ring near the nib base don't move, just the plastic section. I thought this would have caused me much anguish when writing but truth to be told I don't notice any movement whilst writing. The cap will post (something that I don't do), it slips on to the end of the piston knob. When posted it feels a little back heavy (though not as bad as other pens that I use) - but I think this is most likely due to the fact that I generally write unposted (and so I am just not used to writing with a posted cap).

 

Weight and Dimensions 8/10

 

This is the same size as the 540 (142mm capped, 130mm un-posted, 175mm posted). If I had a set of scales I would weigh it because it feels a little heavier than my 540 (is this psychological?). For me a great size to use unposted but when doing so it feels a tough too light. Needless to say it is definitely comfortable to write with (though I have only managed short sessions so far!).

 

Nib and Performance 10/10

 

One of the smoothest stub nibs I have used - more reliable so far than my other two TWSBI stubs. I am not sure whether it is the ink I am using in it (Diamine Green-Black). I definitely took my time deciding which ink to go for, and so perhaps I chose a better performing colour to use. What would be ideal would be to compare my two 1.1mm stub nibs with the same ink (however at this time of the night I will stick with what I have!).

 

Filling System and Maintenance 10/10

 

I have a penchant for piston fillers and this is a great example. Good solid mechanism, no worries about accidental emptying and is reliable when sucking up water/ink. As with the 540 this holds a considerable amount of ink and I wil by no means be worried about running out during the day. As with all other TWSBI pens the 580 is completely servicable! For the ease of its servicability alone (especially given TWSBI supplies tools as standard!) I think it deserves a 10.

 

Cost and Value 10/10

 

Brilliant value (I purchased this directly from TWSBI.com). Nothing more needs to be said (apart from the relatively high delivery cost!).

 

Conclusion 55/60

 

As this is a quick review after having only just received the pen I am not yet able to comment on reliability. Billed as the successor to the 540 this has a few nice design changes, but TWSBI also state improved section and smoother cap thread turning. I think these differences are slight and perhaps more noticeable after longer writing sessions.

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8101/8561271492_dcffb6509a_o.jpg

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8246/8561271526_f90de1eb42_o.jpg

 

 

Edited: scanner issue solved!

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8527/8561286744_ce7561b744_o.jpg

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8232/8560179451_bddf1170cb_o.jpg

Edited March 16, 2013 by amantadine

[mrsagewise]

I must thank you for my wallet being 65$ lighter now -.-

 

I was loving the look of the pen, but your writing sample sealed it for me.

[amantadine]

I must thank you for my wallet being 65$ lighter now -.-

 

I was loving the look of the pen, but your writing sample sealed it for me.

 

Thank you very much! I would say I am more than happy to encourage others to buy FPs but I know what it's like to be in your shoes - I hope you enjoy your 580!

[Colin8]

That is a great looking ink! Have you had any problems with it smearing? I'm left-handed and am looking for an ink that is relatively fast-drying.

[amantadine]

Colin8:

 

My best guess is that diamine green-black would not be the best choice for you, it does seem quite wet when writing, though I haven't done a formal test of its drying time yet. I am right-handed, though. I would want to speak for others - what are other people's (left-handed) experiences of green-black? I would recommend it on its colour alone - I find italic nibs really bring out the green.

 

I don't have a huge repertoire of inks, but diamine eclipse is a dry ink, as is chocolate brown, two fantastic colours!

[akustyk]

Nice review, thanks! This is a very, very promising pen. I like it but my Mini is so perfect. Do I really need this pen? What if it was available in black? Well, then...

Edited March 17, 2013 by akustyk

[kjm]

I received my 580 yesterday and inked it with Diamine Syrah. I own the full Twsbi Pen line and am always amazed at how great they are for a moderate price FP. Two thumbs up for Twsbi again!!

[fendetestas]

Thanks for your review, I will go for a 1.1 for myself.

 

Perhaps in the future I'll be able to make a calligraphy so beautiful as yours

[teenytina]

@colin8 - I'm a TWSBI using left-hander, and from your complaints about writing I guess you are either a side writer or hook-over writer.

 

Have you tried using a post-it note to cover text you have just written over? It works well for me and I can use whatever ink I want.

[pellidon]

I have a 540 and I think the metal band on the piston screw end and the one on the section assembly gives the pen a more "finished" upscale look over the 540. Which I think is perfectly fine as is, this just ups the ante. I know it if because of the stress cracking but it still adds a little bit to the design. I cracked one body and two caps on my 540. Both, I feel from my over tightening the respective ends. I always gave the cap a little "oomph" when I closed it up, Now after talking to the people at TWSBI, I am more careful. Their brand is not the first I have done such damage to so I should have known better.

 

I may retire the 540 until I get a fine nib to put on it. This new one has a fine and I like it alot. Or I may just retire it and get another 580....

[kwk1]

I have a 580 1.1 stub on the way, thanks for the reviews and pictures.

[bekki2308]

I ordered a medium, I wants a stub now!

[bekki2308]

I ordered a medium, I wants a stub now!