Faber Castell Loom - What To Think?

[MuddyWaters]

I'm a bit perplexed by this. In this price category of pens, there are the Lamy Safari/AlStar, the Twsbi Eco and the FC Loom. I have gathered that the Eco has garnered a lot of attention and for good reason. My girlfriend just got one and it's a near perfect pen: the only downside for me is that the section is a little narrow and I find it slightly uncomfortable for my bigger hands. The fact it has such a good ink capacity and a piston fill is incredible at the price.

 

Prior to seeing the Eco I was interested in the Loom because I like the look (though the Eco in clear is stunning), the indestructibility, the thick barrel and section and it getting good reviews especially for its nib. But now that I see the ink system and light weight of the Eco, I wonder why the Loom got higher rankings in both Matt Armstrong's and Figboot's lists for pens under $50.

 

Adding to the confusion is why the Loom is not more popular than it is: why is it not on an equal footing as Lamy's or Twsbi's if it is that good?

 

So in summary: I am craving a Loom, but disappointed it is not a piston-filler and light like the Eco, and wondering why it is not popular than it is despite good reviews.

 

A bit of background: my best pen is a Lamy 2000 which I quite like as a desk pen. I am looking for a cheaper pen that can take a beating at work in hospital and that I won't die over if I lose. I like wider sections, I've not liked the Lamy Al-Star/Safari, not liked Kaweco Sport, not liked Pilot Metropolitan/78g for this type of use because of narrow sections. The Loom seems to fit the bill though it's a little heavy and damn thing doesn't come with a converter.

 

[sciumbasci]

I think we must consider everything on the big picture, but rephrase the question while considering just two pens at once.

 

Why would people prefer Lamy Safari over the FC Loom?

Because you can replace nibs quickly and effortlessly. Also, it is cheaper than the Loom.

 

Why would people prefer the TWSBI Eco over the FC Loom?

Because it is a very reliable demonstrator piston filler: something you don't get to see often at that price point.

[LizEF]

I think the Loom didn't get as much "press" (people talking about it) in the past. Could also be the look - I don't like it as well as the other two, and the price (given what you get, it seems a little high, especially if you haven't heard the raving reviews of the nib). I'm very curious to see just how great the nib is, but not enough to buy one.

 

If you prefer the features of the Loom, however, then it's probably worth it over the other two. (But that's a guess, since I have the other two and have never tried this one.)

[sandy101]

I have two Looms - one medium and one broad.

 

The steel nibs are lovely - and rival pens that cost more

 

The caps are secure, and keep the feed from drying up too much - and the robust nature of the pen makes it great for every day carry.

 

I use the broad pen for glittery inks because it is easy to clean and doesn't gunk up so well.

 

In my opinion, the Loom is one of the best pens you can get for under £30.

 

I think a problem the Loom has in the UK is its availability. You can go into any High Street Stationers, and buy a Lamy, Parker, Cross or Waterman, but not FC's pens - which is why they are not as popular as other brands.

 

 

A lot of the weight in the Loom is in the cap. Write unposted, and it's not particularly heavy.

[CrispyBacon_87]

I have a Loom. I also have several more expensive pens. The Loom gets the most use.

 

Seriously, you need to try it. The nib is incredible.

[MuddyWaters]

Have you both (last two posters) tried the Eco and how does the Loom compare? I am debating between the different nib sizes. I would get a broad if it was just for pleasure but if I get a narrower one I could also use it for work.

 

I also had a concern about the price given some nice features of the Eco missing but that wouldn't be a deal breaker.

 

The gun metal version is kind of cool because it's actually lighter for some reason, but yes, is likely go for the cheaper version as everyday carry.

[dan in montreal]

As others have mentioned, the FC Loom and Basic nibs are very nice.

 

I don't have an ECO for 2 reasons: while I have a few piston fillers they don't get much use as I like to change inks often. Second reason is I don't like the look of the ECO (I've used one for about 10 minutes a few months back and decided it wasn't for me). Now it seems those 2 reasons are exactly the ones which draw you to the TWSBI.

 

Really, they are very different pens.

If you do get the Loom, don't forget you have to buy a converter.

[sandy101]

Sorry, I don't have an ECO.

 

The Loom's medium nib has a slightly wider line than the Lamy 2K. It is a hard nib. I think there is a fine, nib, but I'm not sure.

 

It is a wet pen, so it consumes ink quite quickly. I've only used cartridges with the medium nib.

 

The Loom is particular over the convertor it takes - the Waterman ones don't fit securely - so I got the FC convertor which worked.

[dan in montreal]

The Loom is particular over the convertor it takes - the Waterman ones don't fit securely - so I got the FC convertor which worked.

 

This is true. The Kaweco converter also fits (and is less expensive than the FC model).

[Retro-user]

A teacher friend bought one. I wanted one then, and definitely now after reading this!

[Pensei]

Seems like a toss-up to me. TWSBI nib is nice, too, although I might give the F-C a little advantage. The ECO has a remarkably high quality filling system for the price. So, no real way to say definitively that one is better. Personally, I like them both more than the Safari, but that's subjective, too. Safari offers great value, also. Oh, and the Safari is really easy to take apart and clean. Not sure anybody mentioned that.

 

Edit: for me (usual ymmv caveat), the F-C (often) and the Safari (not so often) need a shot of water to start writing after a layoff of say a few days. The ECO can sit in the cup for a month and start right up.

 

That's really helpful, isn't it?! Just get them all.

Edited November 14, 2017 by Pensei

[senzen]

I seem to remember people having problems with these? As with Twsbi, that makes it a no go for the risk averse; the nib looks like the one in the ambition, which I have and is very nice. Plus it's not the prettiest pen, but that is entirely subjective of course.

[MuddyWaters]

A lot of people comment on the section's slipperiness combined with the pen's weight being difficult for long sessions of writing. Anyway, I am still happy to give this pen a shot:

 

I like the look of the cap and the nib. The FC logo is really nice.

 

I read that the nib is a Bock. Is it like the Kaweco nib? I don't like the latter, it was way too dry.

 

Another issue I have is still not sure which colour to get. They all look kind of cool, but none stand out really.

 

By the way, the gun metal version is actually lighter, but it's 15-20$ more expensive.

[LanceSaintPaul]

I have the Loom with a chrome barrel, piano black top. In my hand I find it a bit heavy (even unposted) with the grip just barely grippable. I wish it were slightly more tactile, perhaps lightly rubberized. I would probably pay the extra for a lighter version - I like the look of the gun metal version, too.

 

The chrome barrel is heavy as it is real metal. If you need to throw it at someone or just be rugged it fits the bill. I do wonder if the gunmetal version is just a metalized plastic to save weight (10 grams). Anyone know?

 

I find the nib wet enough & smooth - medium width.

Edited November 15, 2017 by LanceSaintPaul

[MuddyWaters]

Yes it might be a sort of plastic but I'm not sure. The price of the gun metal defeats the purpose for me though of a cheap pen I don't mind losing.

 

I just realized there's another poem that I should consider. Since this is a poem for work and fiber nib would be useful, I was thinking about the pilot prera which I can get for the same price. I used to like my Metro but the section was bad, and the Petra does look thicker and to be a reliable writer as well.

 

Any thoughts: Prera vs Loom?

[dapprman]

I have 3 Ecos (M, B, and 1.1), an Ambition (both F and M nibs) and a E-Motion (M) - the last two may cost more than the Loom or Basic but have the same nibs. From my personal tastes I'd comfortably say Faber Castell make the best steel nibs out there. I will pick up a Loom and/or Ondoro at some point. I do find that both my Ambition and E-Motion do suffer from evaporation though.

[displacermoose]

I don't have a Loom, although my next purchase will probably be an Onduro. My ECO is a perfectly good pen, but I prefer my Wing Sung 978 which is what I hoped my ECO would be. The Wing Sung has a bit more style to my eye. I loathe Safaris. The section drives me nuts and while they are perfectly reliable writers they have no soul. I got a purple one and found it boring.

 

I have 2 Preras. They are really nice pens: comfortable and reliable with great nibs. I love it that they are short and rather fat. They are my go to edc work pens. Of all those you suggested I'd go with the Prera.

[voltron]

It all depends on what qualities do you want your next fountain pen to have.

 

Loom has smoothest nib among all FPs priced upto 50$, is well balanced even when posted but is a little on the hefty side but not uncomfortable to write with even for me who has medium sized hands.

 

ECO is an economical demonstrator piston filler & is a nice pen but keep in mind that TWSBI pens are more prone to cracking than others. But on the positive side TWSBI have an excellent customer service department.

 

Safari is popular because of easily replaceable nibs & its unique grip which helps newbies to hold the pen properly. It is made of very tough ABC plastic & hence won't break if you accidentally drop it to the ground.

[akrohn2010]

I believe, to answer your question, it's a few things put together: a higher price, lack of included converter, and weight combined with metal section.

 

Two out of those three are often enough to push a buyer towards an alternative (Eco, Metro, Safari, even a Conklin or Nemosine). Like you, I read Matt's reviews on the Loom and almost pulled the trigger twice, but the total cost (with converter, upwards of $50 for the finish I'd want) i and chance the weight/metal section combo would make it uncomfortable have made it too much of a gamble.

 

I'm sure it's a great pen, and wouldn't be surprised if I end up getting one eventually, especially since that new stealth model looks great. But now I find myself eyeing the $100+ options, so the Loom has taken a back seat for now.

 

~AK

[Carrau]

Colorado Pen and Levenger are selling them for $40 at the moment.