Life Expectancy Of A Vac 700R

[Dr_Jekyll]

Hello,

 

I was hoping to ask if anyone could give me a rough idea of how long a TWSBI Vac 700R would last? I've read multiple reviews praising the pen, however many have talked about cracks, leaking, or skipping as well. I generally buy pens not only for myself in the present moment, but in hopes that they will be passed on to my children (way too young to have kids right now, but it's good to think about the future, is it not?). Also, how prone is the barrel to ink staining?

 

Thanks in advance

Edited February 25, 2018 by Dr_Jekyll

[Drubbing]

Not sure if a TWSBI was ever meant to be in the 'heirloom' category, so I'd wouldn't view them as long termers, more like affordable workhorses. They're not made with the same grade of materials as vintage or high end pens.

[Inkling13]

Who knows? If you have an unused one in 100 years, it may be the only surviving example without cracks... or it may be nothing but an artifact like the Parker T1 in terms of usability.

[Inksomnia]

I have not had any problems with TWSBI vac 700, so I can't really say about craking issue. But more expensive pen doesn't mean more durable materials, expensive pen is more likely to stay at home than workshorse. I don't think it is material that is going to give up or be any lesser quality than vintage celluloid, which is much more brittle than polycarbonate plastic that twsbi uses. Modern pens has much more durable material than vintage fountain pens and more stable. Vintage pens needs often restoration, at least replacing the sac or seal. I think seal is the part that is firstly giving problems in twsbi vac, but I have many vintage fountain pens from 50s that still have their original seals, so I would assume that Vac seal would last as long because it is moder material. And seal are always replacable.

 

I think there isn't any way that twsbi wouldn't survive, but it is more about how it is used. Often those heirloom pens don't get that much use and twsbi is more like workhorse, so it is more prone to face accidents and wear and tear.

 

I think what is going to mostly affect pen is this culture we are living. Pens are consider dispossable and not treasures like back in the day. I would be more worried about twsbi ending up in bin at some point than it material giving up.

 

Reason why old fountain pens are survived, is that they were important to someone. Someone wanted to them be saved. Good fountain pen was also really expensive, it was kept really well and great care. So I think there is no reason why modern pen couldn't be saved as heirloom pen, even twsbi.

Edited March 3, 2018 by Inksomnia

[Chrissy]

Not sure if a TWSBI was ever meant to be in the 'heirloom' category, so I'd wouldn't view them as long termers, more like affordable workhorses. They're not made with the same grade of materials as vintage or high end pens.

 

+1 for this. These types of pens were never designed to last a lifetime and become pens in the heirloom category.

[ernieh]

very well said Inksomnia !

 

I have not had any problems with TWSBI vac 700, so I can't really say about craking issue. But more expensive pen doesn't mean more durable materials, expensive pen is more likely to stay at home than workshorse. I don't think it is material that is going to give up or be any lesser quality than vintage celluloid, which is much more brittle than polycarbonate plastic that twsbi uses. Modern pens has much more durable material than vintage fountain pens and more stable. Vintage pens needs often restoration, at least replacing the sac or seal. I think seal is the part that is firstly giving problems in twsbi vac, but I have many vintage fountain pens from 50s that still have their original seals, so I would assume that Vac seal would last as long because it is moder material. And seal are always replacable.

 

I think there isn't any way that twsbi wouldn't survive, but it is more about how it is used. Often those heirloom pens don't get that much use and twsbi is more like workhorse, so it is more prone to face accidents and wear and tear.

 

I think what is going to mostly affect pen is this culture we are living. Pens are consider dispossable and not treasures like back in the day. I would be more worried about twsbi ending up in bin at some point than it material giving up.

 

Reason why old fountain pens are survived, is that they were important to someone. Someone wanted to them be saved. Good fountain pen was also really expensive, it was kept really well and great care. So I think there is no reason why modern pen couldn't be saved as heirloom pen, even twsbi.

[Honeybadgers]

no issues with mine about one year into ownership.

[Tas]

I've had my trusty Vac 700 in amber for just over five years now. Easily one of my most relaible pens. No signs of cracks or issues. Starts fiorst time every time.

My clear 540 did crack and TWSBI immediately sent me out replacement parts free of charge. I wonder now if the colouring agent has an anti cracking property?

[Karmachanic]

Depends.

[WillN]

I've had both a VacMini and a Vac700 that have cracked. TWSBI sent out replacement parts very quickly for just the cost of postage. I think the vacuum might put additional stresses on the barrels. Both cracked badly. I think the 700 the screw threads section of the cap broke off. In the end the Vac feature seemed more of a try it once or twice deal, and then it's more of a hassle trying to get the right seal on the special bottle.

As an heirloom? I'd say got a Mini (nonvac) or a 580 that costs a bit more but has more metal rings on the barrels. These seem to hold up a lot better. But these are more pens for using than pens for the grandchildren.

A better pen for passing down to the grandchildren would be a pen that is already old and has held up well. Something that is 50 years old and known for its durability is far more likely to be around in another 50 years than something that is currently only 5-10 years old.

 

And make sure to include a life preserver and some Noodler's bulletproof (waterproof) ink for those rising seas....

[Karmachanic]

Life expectancy of a Vac 700R? Hmm - 30% of a Penbbs 456?

[KaB]

Just one tip to make it last longer: when opening the pen, hold the cap by the silvery shiny band and not by the plastic. If not, at some point the band will crack loose from the rest of the cap.

[KaB]

Oh, and don't drop it: it'll break at excactly that same place.

[Tas]

Just one tip to make it last longer: when opening the pen, hold the cap by the silvery shiny band and not by the plastic. If not, at some point the band will crack loose from the rest of the cap.

 

Sadly, yes. This happened to me a few days after posting somewhere that I'd never had a single issue with my Vac700.

(a spot of super glue fixed it though )

[maclink]

I have a TWSBI Vac 700R and it seems to be a good build and no problems so far. However, I'd be wary of serious longevity and the varied testimonies here of problems or a lack of them, are not surprising. I think it's an excellent bang for the buck and I got mine with medium and fine nibs to interchange. Both nibs are surprisingly great from the get go. The pen performs fabulously and I would highly recommend one hands down.

 

I do also have a Vac 700 and I am unfortunately one of those who had the ink flow issues (even with the plunger fully unscrewed. I'd have to pull on it a bit or shake the pen to get flow going) that led to the development of the 700R, and I can confirm that the 700R works a treat with no ink flow issues at all!!

[Uncial]

Never had a single TWSBI crack....am I the only one?!

Then again, I don't repeatedly pull out and shove back in the nib and feed to clean it (which many appear to insist on doing and then wonder why it cracks), haven't dropped one.....yet and I don't tighten up the cap like I'm fixing a nut.

[Freddy]

Life expectancy of a Vac 700R? Hmm - 30% of a Penbbs 456?

Why?

Fred

[Karmachanic]

Why?

Fred

 

Sturdier than that cracking 700R Gromit!

[Freddy]

 

Sturdier than that cracking 700R Gromit!

Based on what? Personal Opinion or..............

Fred

[Karmachanic]

Based on what? Personal Opinion or..............

Fred

 

Based upon myriad sad stories of cracked TWSBIs, including the 700/R, and zero stories of said problem in Penbbs pens. And my subjective experience.