Twsbi Accessory Needed? Accoutrement Or Not!

[fountainpenlady]

Well, I like my TWSBI. In less than 24 hours of receiving it; thanks in part to several tips, encouragement from some thoughtful and nice Network members. Those of you who support, own, love, enjoy and profess regular TWSBI owner pride, what do you think about the inkwell? As a simple accessory, it looks nice, both versions of the 50ml; like the idea of being able to easily fill my TWSBI using it. Also, it can be used for my Bexley, which is a converter fill, Lamy the same. Yet, believe the inkwell would have to be used for one routinely used ink. My regular "go to ink." Otherwise, the ink might not be used for a while, as I rotate, discover other colors and brands of inks.

Questions: For those of you who possess a TWSBI inkwell, how are you using it? Is it worth it? Do you have regrets? Or is it one of the few TWSBI accoutrements you can't dare be without.

Edited February 20, 2015 by fountainpenlady

[graystranger]

fountainpenlady,

 

I have six of these TWSBI Diamond 50 inkwells. I keep different inks in them and use them with a lot of different pens. The plastic cone is wonderful for filling a pen, especially when the well is getting low.

 

I have two Vac-700s and one Mini. Filling the Mini (or any TWSBI except the Vac-700) is like magic, just remove the nib section, place the body over the nipple, and fill. The glass shows no mold seams, so I think it is ground and polished. Beautiful. I have two with the plastic sections (metal cap) and they work well but I think TWSBI has dropped them from their line.

 

Is it worth it? They are gorgeous, very well made and fitted. Not sure I would take them traveling much. Took one to a pen club meeting 60 miles away, stored in its nice foam cocoon in the original box, just in case. Well, even though I had tightened the caps, Black Swan in Australian Roses was dribbling down the sides of the bottle and on the foam inserts in the box. Not a flood, just a little dribble. If you want to travel, close the inkwell up in a plastic bag and have a paper towel handy when you open it. Maybe wrap the ink well in the paper towel before you put it in the plastic bag.

 

Expensive inkwells, but by no means cheaply made - quality through and through. Hope this helps you.

 

What color Alba do you have? Mine is green, the italic nib. #13 by the way.

[fountainpenlady]

GrayStranger,

 

There are two versions of the 50ml inkwell, There is the glass version and there is a less expensive plastic version. Which one (s) do you own?

My Omas Ogiva Alba is not scheduled to arrive until Monday. I ordered the Orange version with an 18kt gold XF nib. I am very low-keyed and don't like to draw attention to my writing instruments much, (even though, I have yet to see someone else who uses fountain pens in any place I have so far resided).

Besides, I have seen a Southern sunset and it reminds me of one when I used to travel to the beach. Or it can represent for me a sunrise, birth of a new day and year; as my birthday is next month. Yes, tend to be someone whose excuses are often validated by symbolism; may not be practical, but certainly poetic.

Edited February 20, 2015 by fountainpenlady

[Barkingpig]

I have the glass version of the TWISBE inkwell. Mine has an orange plastic band that encircles the neck of the bottle. Try to see if you can find this version in an image as I think it would "match up" with your forthcoming Alba in similar color. I have only used the bottle as a holder for sample ink vials I have purchased when filling a pen from them. Yes a "shot" glass also works but not ALL shot glasses are "created equal" some are more flared @ the top & don't offer stability for the sample vial. The bottle is beautifully made & I was most pleased to find it with a polished & ground bottom. I appreciate crystal & think this is offers a quality well worth the cost. Perhaps I will someday need to use it as an actual receptacle for ink but @ the moment I have mostly "full" bottles as I am "late to this game!"

[fountainpenlady]

Now, that is an idea I had not thought of at all. I can surely now use something to stabilize my new bounty of sample inks. Also, the idea of matching color to the orange Alba is great! I was looking for one to match the TWSBI, red one. The glass one is sold out at the company, but on the 'Bay, they have the plastic version in red available for less.

That is a wonderful idea, more appropriate than holding a sample vial with my knees, hoping for the best when I am too lazy to make trip to the restroom to place it on bathroom sink counter and hope for the best.

On another note, Franklin-Christophe is offering a new version of their loop pen holder necklace. They are offering one in raw silk. They currently are offering in red and denim blue versions with a black one to be available soon. I am awaiting someone to return my email message, they don't respond to actual calls on Friday. I have some additional questions to ask before placing my order. Looks like the red version is going to be perfect and I intend to order it. I just want to make sure any of the big pens, also, including the TWSBI, will fit in it. I can also, if any of the other considered either mid-size or big pens will fit, if I want to make one the debutante of the day. The rest of the crew will be carried safely in a pen roll. The debutante will be carried as you said before, as if a Chatelaine. A red one

Edited February 20, 2015 by fountainpenlady

[Barkingpig]

I just checked I SELL PENS site & they have the Twisbe (glass with red banded metal top) listed as "in stock" & priced @ $25.00. If you have not used I SELL PENS I can safely say you would be happy with them. The owner Todd is a member here & has VERY competitive pricing with EXTREMELY fair shipping costs. His products have always been "as described", promptly communicated & shipped (in careful packaging.) He may not offer the amenities of other sites BUT a person can find many things they are seeking @ fair prices with excellent service.

 

I must make the disclaimer: "I am not related to, employed by or receiving commission from I SELL PENS (NOR Vanness, Fahrneys, Fountain Pen Hospital, Peyton Street, Franklin Christophe, Dromgooles, Andersons, Jet Pens, Goulets, Goldspot,Bromfield Pen, Cult Pens, The writing Desk, Missing or Mr. Pen, The Ink Flow, Vintage Fountain Pens UK, Online Pen, Jud Perlson, Speerbob or Regina Martini!) These are just sellers that have provided what I wanted in a matter that was a pleasure for me."

[amberleadavis]

I really like the glass bottle, it's elegant and beautiful. Alas, the Vac20 bottle gets all the attention in my office because it is great for a travelling inkpot.

[fountainpenlady]

I really like the glass bottle, it's elegant and beautiful. Alas, the Vac20 bottle gets all the attention in my office because it is great for a travelling inkpot.

I am still debating. Besides, I have probably spent my quota this month on fountain pens. Right now, I am trying to decide to purchase the Franklin Christophe neck loop pen holder (not probably what they call it). Since I have several sample inks, this is probably something I will put on my list for next month. I will also have by then a better idea, since I now have almost two new additions to the crew. Red? Orange? I have plenty of time to make a decision or purchase them both. My Pelikans and Bexley are not happy right now; my Lamy feels as if it has been kicked to the curb

[Barkingpig]

You tell your Bexley it got a new nib recently & it must take a "back seat" as there are other pens that like to play & order some of that new Lamy Copperburst ink for the Lamy. It will also take the "knot out of it's tail" & sit up straight waiting for that ink! You may have to practice some "Tough Love " on those pens & that might also bring those Pelikans "in line." Just mention in their presence that new Gray Striped "bird" (that could be coming to roost!) & that you have been "noticing" those new Red Tortoise ones .......... (That new 805 Stresemann would surely look nice laying down some red ink or "hanging" in a new Franklin Christophe red raw silk pen "hanger!")

[fountainpenlady]

I certainly will relay the messages to all in active collection. Our wonderful passion of pens. Metaphorically, they sometimes feel to me like my children. They become jealous with each subsequent addition. It is as if they are saying, "you like that one more than me!" When in fact, we enjoy them all almost equally. Otherwise, we would not have acquired them, fill them with ink, carry them with us each day and write.

Saw the grey striped bird, believe I also have seen the red Tortoise, not yet the 805 Stresemann. Have not informed all participants of the new system of using the Franklin Chistophe red raw silk pen hanger. Now does not seem to be the time. There is already discord with the addition of the TWSBI's. My Orange Omas Ogiva Alba should arrive Monday. I'll keep the new system a secret for now.

Edited February 21, 2015 by fountainpenlady

[Jamerelbe]

Just one correction (I think) of a misunderstanding. The TWSBI inkwells are all made of glass. The more expensive ones ($25?) have a metal cap, while the cheaper ones ($17.99, I think, when I bought one) have a plastic cap. Other than composition of the cap, the're identical in design and function.

[fountainpenlady]

Just one correction (I think) of a misunderstanding. The TWSBI inkwells are all made of glass. The more expensive ones ($25?) have a metal cap, while the cheaper ones ($17.99, I think, when I bought one) have a plastic cap. Other than composition of the cap, the're identical in design and function.

For so much via this mode, thank you so very much for all your tips and suggestions. I am finding that YouTube is also one of my best resources. I am a visual learner, then auditory. Therefore, I am enjoying this TWSBI journey already. I am interpreting that you purchased the plastic cap instead of the aluminum version. How do you like it? I have found the plastic one available through secondary sources (the 'Bay). On Youtube, other than plastic, seems not to be very much difference. Would you recommend? Brian of GPC says in his video, if you are paying money for an inkwell, might as well get the aluminum one, which I gather he believes denote quality. Yet, as this is definitely more functional for me, rather than aesthetics, I simply want to use it to fill my pen and nothing else matters, except it performs as intended.

[graystranger]

Just one correction (I think) of a misunderstanding. The TWSBI inkwells are all made of glass. The more expensive ones ($25?) have a metal cap, while the cheaper ones ($17.99, I think, when I bought one) have a plastic cap. Other than composition of the cap, the're identical in design and function.

 

The glass TWSBI Diamond 50 inkwells all have the same heavy metal top cap. The 50P plastic models are glass with plastic top sections that have the special filling design for TWSBI pens, but they still have the same heavy metal top cap as the 50 models with metal filling sections. Check out TWSBI's description of them:

 

These are the inkwells with the metal top. http://www.twsbi.com/collections/ink-bottles/products/twsbi-diamond-50-ink-bottles

 

These are the inkwells with the plastic top. http://www.twsbi.com/collections/ink-bottles/products/twsbi-diamond-50-ink-bottles-plastic-cap

 

I have two with the plastic top and four with the metal top. They are great inkwells, lovely (if somewhat modern looking), stable, very heavy (not going to tip over) and filling your TWSBI pen works like magic (unless it is a Vac-700, they you fill like you do from a bottle).

 

And, I agree with Brian Goulet that if you are going to pay so much for the 50P you might as well get the 50 with the metal top. There is also a possibility that the plastic may crack in time, the metal looks made to last forever. Goulet Pens does not carry the plastic Diamond 60 inkwells anymore. The all metal inkwells only cost $6 more anyway. I would go with the metal.

 

http://www.gouletpens.com/twsbi-inkwells/c/307

 

It was Brian's two excellent video reviews of the TWSBI ink wells that led me to get my first one. Then I quickly ordered 5 more over the next several weeks because I was so impressed with them. By the way, you can fill standard international converters cleanly just as you do the TWSBI ens. For anyone who is interested and have not seen them, check out Brian's two videos on these inkwells.

 

http://blog.gouletpens.com/2013/02/twsbi-diamond-50-inkwells.html

 

http://blog.gouletpens.com/2013/03/twsbi-diamond-50p-inkwell.html

Edited February 21, 2015 by graystranger

[MrSteve3000]

I have both the diamond 50 inkwell and the vac 20 version. I also like to use the vac 20 as a traveling ink pot. By the way, the plastic insert from the diamond 50 fits perfectly in the vac 20, making it easier to fill pens other than the vac 700 too.

[graystranger]

MrSteve3000, I did not know that the plastic cone insert in the Diamond 50 inkwells fit into the Vac-20 Inkwells! Thank you for that nice bit of information.

 

I have both kinds of inkwells. It would be great if we could buy extra inserts for our Vac-20 inkwells. This tidbit makes them even better as traveling ink pots.

 

By the way, the top cap of the Diamond 50 ink wells will fit onto the Vac-20 wells. But, since they are heavy metal, and large diameter, there is no real reason to do so. Makes them so top heavy and offers no advantage over the nice small cap that the Vac-20 has.

[MrSteve3000]

You're welcome!

[mmg122]

Like AmberLea, Mr Steve and Graystranger, I also like using the TWSBI Vac 20 as a traveling ink pot...just the right size. I like using the 50's to store successful ink mixtures that I use on a regular basis. Their inkwells are just another reason I like that company so much.

[tinkerteacher]

Given the heavy duty construction of these TWSBI inkwells, nifty two piece colour coded caps, the versitility of being able to use it for TWSBIs, international converters, or just straight-up dunking, they are a very good deal at USD 25 or so each. Plus they come in a packing box that can actually be re-used as traveling case. Very nice.

 

One thing to watch out for is that being completely clear they will allow light in to degrade dye based inks, so don't leave them out on your desk in full sunlight too often.

 

I am curious to see what improvements TWSBI has made to the VAC20 with their upcoming VAC20A, re-designed for the Vac Mini.

[amberleadavis]

I really disagree with the don't leave the out. I've done three year test with dye based inks. The inks while liquid, do not fade. So keep it on your desk. Use up that ink.

[tinkerteacher]

I really disagree with the don't leave the out. I've done three year test with dye based inks. The inks while liquid, do not fade. So keep it on your desk. Use up that ink.

 

Not fade per se, but de-grade, as fountain pen ink is a solution and sunlight is a source of high energy waves/particles. The UV wavelength being the most biggie. Mold growth too is an issue.

 

Depends a lot on your latitude, season, humidity levels also. Also, if your windows are UV resistant or not.

 

Here, where I live at the moment, with 50 degree Celsius summers and near 100% relative humidity, I keep my inks tuck away save and sound in a dark, dry place.

 

 

edit: added the bit about UV.

Edited March 23, 2015 by tinkerteacher