Not Loving Ef On 580Al

[theoddcopy]

So I've had my 580AL with an EF nib for a little over a month now and I'm not super loving it. I mean, the look and feel of it in my hand is nice, but I'm not feeling the way it writes too well. I've got a F nib Metropolitan that is amazing and an EF Lamy 2000 that obviously writes thicker but very smooth and is my current favorite as well. I just don't know if I'm enjoying the feedback of the TWSBI.

 

But I don't want to throw the baby out- as someone new-ish to fountain pens I know that sometimes a different nib can make for a different pen. I've thought that I really enjoy Fine and Extra Fine nibs but now I'm considering branching out thanks to the ease of swapping a TWSBI nib.

 

Only question is: which nib should I go to? Should I go up in size to something like a medium or up in style to the stub?

 

 

[Bluey]

I got the EF on my 580AL to begin with too, but swapped it out with a Bock nib. I wasn't that thrilled with the EF Jowo nib either, and I'm not that fussed with any Jowo nib. It lacked character, was really stiff, and a little on the scratchy side. I replaced it with a 1.1 stub and enjoy it much more.

 

I've got it inked up so I can give you a writing sample of the 1.1 if you wish.

Edited March 3, 2017 by Bluey

[theoddcopy]

I got the EF on my 580AL to begin with too, but swapped it out with a Bock nib. I wasn't that thrilled with the EF Jowo nib either, and I'm not that fussed with any Jowo nib. It lacked character, was really stiff, and a little on the scratchy side. I replaced it with a 1.1 stub and enjoy it much more.

 

I've got it inked up so I can give you a writing sample of the 1.1 if you wish.

 

That's the perfect description for what I've been experiencing as well. I write somewhat small most of the time so I've enjoyed other F/EF nibs but have been disappointed with performance of this one.

 

I'm really interested in the stub because I've not used one and would like to introduce some diversity to my writing instruments. If you don't mind showing it off I'd appreciate it. And if you'd let me know where you purchased it as well.

[Bluey]

I bought it locally so it may be rather pricey for you. You're best off getting it from somehwere like Goulet pens or Andersons Pens.

 

If you enjoy writing small but still want a really smooth nib, I totally recommend a Sailor medium-fine or below. I've found them to be the most characterful nibs of all.

Edited March 3, 2017 by Bluey

[theoddcopy]

Appreciate the personalized response. I'll give Goulet a check to see what may be available. Thanks for the tip!

[Padawan]

1) You can fing in Youtube a TWSBI tutorial how to increase ink flow.

Perhaps it can solve your problems.

2) Try another ink, more "wet" and better lubricating.

[Mishka5050]

I'm not EF person, but got one to complete the collection.

+1 to Padawan

 

 

2) Try another ink, more "wet" and better lubricating.

 

Ink will help. I have De Atramentis Olive ink in my 580AL green and it's super wet...

[theoddcopy]

I'm not EF person, but got one to complete the collection.

+1 to Padawan

 

 

Ink will help. I have De Atramentis Olive ink in my 580AL green and it's super wet...

 

I was actually wanting to get a new ink anyways, looking for a good dark purple color. Know anything about De Atramentis Aubergine? Wondering if it would have the same qualities as the Olive ink you're using.

[Mishka5050]

 

I was actually wanting to get a new ink anyways, looking for a good dark purple color. Know anything about De Atramentis Aubergine? Wondering if it would have the same qualities as the Olive ink you're using.

 

Aubergine is wet and smooth ink - give it a go

[MCViewPoint]

I have a Classic EF that was too fine for my taste. Nibgrinder.com worked it over. Much better.

[Witsius]

Do you have a loupe? If so, clean the pen, and use the loupe to inpsect the nib slit against some kind of back light. I find my computer monitor works great for this. You should see a slight gap between the nib tines. If there is no gap, or almost no gap, open the tines a bit. Every TWSBI nib I've had has the nib tines too tightly closed resulting in a dry flow. Opening up the tines helps a lot, but I'm not a fan of the TWSBI nibs units overall. I find the feeds stingy, and the Jowo nibs just don't feel good to me.

 

There is a great article in the nibs and tines forum here on the reference links about how to increase a pen's flow by opening the tines.

Edited October 12, 2017 by Witsius

[Mrpink]

I recommend changing the nib. They are $20 AUD here. I suggest the B or a 1.5mm stub as I didnt have much luck with the other nibs. Both 1.1mm stubs I have were not great at all.

[inkstainedruth]

I have no experience with an EF nib on a TWSBI. My 580-AL has a B nib and I love it. In some ways I actually prefer it to the B nib on my M400 Stresemann (not to knock that nib at all, mind -- it's just that the nib on the TWSBI is... better). Of course it might have just been the ink -- so far the TWSBI has only seen De Atramentis Sky Blue in it.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[prashant.tikekar]

I just love my clear 580 with EF nib. It works really well with every ink I tried. But all inks that I have are known to be wet. Waterman Diamine Sailor Pilot iroshizuku have gone well in it. Currently it has Blackstone Barrier reef blue in it and I just love the combination.