Twsbi Semi-Flex Nib

[perrins57]

In a response to my enquiry, Twsbi have confirmed they are looking into making a semi-flex nib. If they could bring something to the market that works as well as Platinum's soft fine, but in steel for half the price (£50 instead of £100 for a 3776)that would be great. As long as the feed can keep up with the nib. Some flex with no railroading is better than uber flex with two tracks and stop/start feed.

[Scribblesoften]

I look forward to seeing what they can produce. Some of the vintage steel flex and semi-flex nibs are very nice. Some of the new steel nibs seem to be more semi than flex.

[Gloucesterman]

Definitely would buy some of those.

perhaps we should start a mini-survey here to help TWSBI determine a level of interest in such an offering?

[Fabienne]

FABULOUS!!!! I loved that sorta-flex feel of the Bock nib and mourned its passing with the advent of the Jowo.* If TWSBI would go in for a semi flex I would buy a boatload. If that came out with a white and rose gold semi flex, that would be heaven. I do love me some TWSBIs. I am a great fan of theirs.

 

*Yes I did buy some Bock nibs and will be swapping out the 580 Jowo for Bocks from old 540s. That road feel slays me.

[Pterodactylus]

Good news!

 

I would definitely buy one.

I hope they focus also on the feed, nothing worse than a weak feed that can't really keep up.

 

I also prefer the a bit springy Bock nibs on the 540 over the current JoWo nails.

[grainweevil]

Oh, yes, please. A TWSBI with a more lively nib would be most excellent indeed.

 

And now I need to remind myself that going from "looking into it" to "Here, buy one" takes time. Patience, grasshopper.

[perrins57]

Yea, they want to get it right, apparently it's getting it to work at the right price that's the problem. The whole Twsbi pen line-up is in quite a narrow price band at the moment, they may well be constrained by how much people are willing to pay for their brand. I'd pay £50, £60 tops ($80-95) what would others be willing to pay?

[Pelikan Vera]

Not more than 50 dollars and the nibs need to be much better than the current offerings. they are too hard and the line is so slim and dry.

[ethernautrix]

Interesting development....

 

I've been using a Hardtmuth Studio fp with an Artus semi-flex (flex?) steel nib (both from the '30s), and it is unexpected and very cool.

 

I almost don't want to say anything about vintage steel nibs, but who am I fooling? I'm not going to hunt them all down and buy them all up. Hahaha.

[F104]

If TWSBI were to be counting heads, they can count mine in the "very interested" column.

[nomadhacker]

will buy several

[maximme]

YES
let start a poll and get some solid interest on the pens for TWSBI

[docbp87]

Definitely would be interested. I don't own any TWSBI pens currently, but the ability to get one of their pens (or all of them) with a semi-flex nib that has a feed that can keep up would definitely push me over the edge!

[maximme]

their new ALUMINIUM pen almost push me over the edge,
only to discover everything else is the same 580, just some parts are

more colourful...
ie, the same design faults etc.

[perrins57]

Design faults? I thought the 580 very good for price?

[I.M.]

The 580 is extremely good for the price, as are their other pens, and their customer service.

 

As for flex nibs, I would definitely be interested. Flex nib replacement sections for the 580 model would be really good, and even for the mini if it's doable.

[MINItron]

I would love to see a semi-flex TWSBI. I have heard mostly good things about TWSBI, and love using a semi-flexible nib.

[discopig]

A semi-flex nib would be amazing, I'd definitely buy one.

[Pterodactylus]

Yea, they want to get it right, apparently it's getting it to work at the right price that's the problem. The whole Twsbi pen line-up is in quite a narrow price band at the moment, they may well be constrained by how much people are willing to pay for their brand. I'd pay £50, £60 tops ($80-95) what would others be willing to pay?

Why do you think the price will be a problem?

 

If you have it in production a flex nib/feed is not different from material and labor efforts than any other nib/feed.

 

Ok you have to develop it, but this is no rocket science, and an investment they made to sell more pens.

Probably they will approach a big nib manufacturer to manufacture/develop it for them.

 

Noodler´s (and FPR) already prooved that there is a market, even when you sell something like they do.

 

So its not different than developing a new pen chassis for a new model.

 

A 580 or Mini with a flexible nib unit option would be perfectly fine.

 

The development costs will be covered by more pen sales.

So I expect the flex nib option not to be more expensive than the same pen with any other nib.

Edited January 17, 2014 by Pterodactylus

[CF.]

That is wonderful news.