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Twsbi Eco Or Lamy Al-Star

Waltz For Zizi

By Waltz For Zizi
in Fountain & Dip Pens - First Stop

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42 members have voted

  1. 1. Twsbi vs Lamy


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MuddyWaters Collectors Item

MuddyWaters

Posted
Posted

My two favourite pens are Chinese copies of these models. They are excellent designs and I like to rotate them. The Al star model gets a little thin in the hand but it's just rock solid. The other feels better but I always have this fear it's going to explode.

Link to a post about ergonomics I made: http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/343593-which-indian-fountain-pen-would-you-write-a-novel-with/?p=4179072

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overwriter Rare

overwriter

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The Lamy is the better built pen. The TWSBI’s are great writers but I am now convinced that they all eventually crack. That being said TWSBI is wonderful about replacing parts. Just email them an image of the crack but you’ll pay the postage.

 

I have a Safari that is now over 30 years old. As fun as they are I can’t see an Eco lasting that long.

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dragondazd Vintage

dragondazd

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After using the Eco for a bit, I really like it as an edc. The ink capacity is fantastic. I am less concerned about it getting scratched.

 

Actually.... It's going to be a long time before I run out of ink on my first fill.

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markofp Rare

markofp

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TWSBI Eco, hands down. Stupidly easy to fill, holds a ton of ink, writes smoothly. This is especially so if you are thinking of an extra-fine nib. The one on the Lamy writes like a needle and tears cheap paper, the JoWo nib on the Eco is beautifully smooth.

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Almu Mint

Almu

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The Lamy is the better built pen. The TWSBI’s are great writers but I am now convinced that they all eventually crack. That being said TWSBI is wonderful about replacing parts. Just email them an image of the crack but you’ll pay the postage.

 

I have a Safari that is now over 30 years old. As fun as they are I can’t see an Eco lasting that long.

 

Safaris are really well built, I can't see how anyone could break one unintentionally :D.

I have three Ecos, it will be interesting to see how long these will last. One is from 2015 and the other two I bought last year...

 

 

 

TWSBI Eco, hands down. Stupidly easy to fill, holds a ton of ink, writes smoothly. This is especially so if you are thinking of an extra-fine nib. The one on the Lamy writes like a needle and tears cheap paper, the JoWo nib on the Eco is beautifully smooth.

 

Depends how lucky you're with nibs... My first Eco (EF) had the most scratchy nib ever, even though the tines were perfectly aligned. My second extra-fine Eco writes quite nicely though.

I haven't had a scratchy Lamy nib, but one out of my three extra-fines had tines misaligned.

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LuisAAbrilRomero Mint

LuisAAbrilRomero

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Posted (edited)

Lamy Al-Star. No problem with the grip, no problem with cracks, cheaper replacement nibs, and both have looks that are mainly appreciated by their respective design mothers.

Edited by LuisAAbrilRomero
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minddance Collectors Item

minddance

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My Lamy al-star (and safaris) are all good after 10years or so, though they do not preserve inks very well.

 

TWSBIs are in my possession for less than 3 years, I haven't encountered any cracks (yet). They seal inks very well indeed and are easy to fill. Some nibs can write very dry, some blurped ink. If you have a good dealer/vendor who backs the products, Twsbi should not be much of a problem.

 

I dislike the grip on both: Lamy too restrictive (and slender), TWSBI too slender for my hands.

 

I wouldn't get any of them now since I have both of them but for anyone who doesn't have them, they can offer good fun. So, get both :) They offer good nib choices and Lamy sells nibs individually. I wish TWSBI Eco does the same.

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Astronymus Collectors Item

Astronymus

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My first Safari lasted 30+ years before he got cracks after heavy use. Still caps and writes though. The former matte finish is glossy now.

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1nkulus Collectors Item

1nkulus

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It is down to personal preference. The nib selection is similar.

 

The Eco, being a piston filler, has larger ink capacity. I would suggest an upgrade to a 580AL.

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Someone who does precision guesswork based on unreliable data provided by those of questionable knowledge.

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