Is Twsbi Eco Worth Buying?

[astela]

Hello everyone
For a couple of days now, I've been wanting to buy the TWSBI Eco. I've found the shop in my country that will have the black one in in mid-late January, so I have some more time to think.

I currently own two Parkers (Vector and I.M.), a Waterman Hemisphere, two Kaweco Sports, Pilot Plumix and a Pelikano. I've always wanted a demonstrator, and TWSBI Eco caught my eye (I think it's just lovely). But I started reading about it more and more, and there are very mixed reviews out there... Some say it's a great pen, but I often read about it's problems with QC, cracking barrels, burping ink and so on. I've read countless reviews and issues all over the internet, so I just need some personal opinions.

I will be able to afford it, but if I don't buy it, I will probably buy some inks.

So... Do you think it's good enough pen to buy? Is it worth it's price (about 40€ here)? Or is there a pen with better price/quality? I'm looking for an EDC that holds a lot of ink (I'm a student, and write a lot), demonstrator (since I don't have one yet )... Please note that I'm not looking for vintage pens and shipping here can be a pain (Amazon fails me regularly).

Thanks in advance for all the answers!

[Notgatherox]

I have one, and I think it's fully worth the price.

 

In fact, even if it were the same price as the Diamond 580, I would pay for it too. Although not as fancy a design as the 580, but it is less likely to crack because of the one piece design of the nib unit.

 

In fact, I'm thinking of getting more as gifts for my fellow FP friends. I really like it.

 

In the unfortunate case something happens, TWSBI has a lifetime warranty on their pens.

 

 

 

~Epic

[Doug C]

A great pen and has the same quality as other TWSBI'S (I have had 0 problems). I would buy another one in a hearbeat.

[T4TEXAS]

I have had no problems after several months of daily, but limited use. Excellent fine nib. For everyday carry I suggest shirt pocket carry (or clipped to the placket of a pull over shirt). I am always appalled that people stuff a pen into their jeans/pant pocket and then are surprised when it suffers from such abuse. That said, given the reputation for cracking problwms in previous models, you have to accept that as a possibility. Decisions, decisions!

[migo984]

I have two. I have experienced no problems. I like their size & section shape. The nibs are smooth, with generous ink flow. Good value for money.

[astela]

Thank you everyone! I guess you convinced me!

[Miz Black Crow]

I'd get another and I HAVE one. I'm looking at buying a 1.1stub nib for my 580, then realised buying a brand new Eco in 1.1 would be literally $6 more. Done deal, in my opinion.

 

Enjoy it when you get it, great little pen!

[paddrino]

I use my ECO mostly as a work pen. I use it daily and have gone through 2 full to empty inks, and am on my 3rd complete refill. I haven't had any cracking nor issues with mine. I think it is well worth the price. The extra fine I have is quite smooth for an extra fine especially in this price range. I held off of the other models due to the reports of cracking, but I have been pleasantly surprised by the pen thus far. I purchased mine in the 2nd wave of stock at Goulets, and I haven't had any issues at all.

 

Good luck deciding on the pen!

[EricTheRed]

I have one with a medium nib. Its a very smooth writer and the pen is very comfortable to use unposted. An excellent pen!

[Jamerelbe]

If you're wanting a simple pen, a reliable writer with large ink capacity, this is probably THE best pen for the price. Not the most 'elegant' looker (at least, not in my books), but just a great pen to write with, and VERY easy to maintain.

 

Two potential downsides:

(1) Some people have issues with posting - the cap can work its way off the end of the pen too easily. Haven't encountered personally, and find the pen a bit long when posted anyway - but it's an issue to be aware of.

(2) I find that when flushing the reservoir between inks, some ink and water tends to 'hang' around the junction of the reservoir and the grip section. This is easily resolved, *either* by sticking to the one ink (and therefore doing a lot less flushing), *or* by using the supplied plastic wrench to remove the piston assembly and wick away the excess ink / water with a tissue. It's not a big deal for me - just a minor irritation - and I enjoy assembling and disassembling pens anyway.

 

Those caveats aside, I love the ECO. I love my Diamond series pens too (540, 580 and Mini), but their reputation for cracking, and their higher price point, give the ECO the edge in some ways...

[ac12]

I have an Eco since August and have had zero problems with it.

It has an EF nib, which I had to tinker with to make it as smooth as I wanted it to be. I am fussy.

For less than smooth paper I would recommend the larger F nib, as the EF nib feels all the texture in the paper surface. And a less than smooth paper feels rather scratchy, which I don't like.

I do not post my Eco. When I do post, the pen feels too tail heavy, for me.

You do need to be aware that some inks will stain a clear pen/demonstrator. There are several threads on this subject.

The Eco is much lighter than your IM, about like your Vector, so would be better for LONG writing sessions.

 

Warning, watching the ink slosh about in the pen is fun, but can be distracting when you need to get work done.

 

For school use, I would recommend you carry 2 pens, a primary and a backup/spare. When the primary pen stops writing, for whatever reason, you can quickly switch to the backup pen. Then deal with the pen between classes, when you have time to tinker with or refill the pen. I carried 2 Parker 45s through college.

 

The Parker F nibs on my P45 is a bit smaller than the EF nib on my Eco. The F Parker nib was stingy on ink, so my cartridge would last a long time. But you do need smooth paper with a TWSBI EF nib, or the pen will feel scratchy.

Edited January 9, 2016 by ac12