ECO vs 580 nib difference

[Tyroker]

I'm kind of at a loss here as how to proceed, so I'll ask you fine people for some advice.

 

I've owned a Fine ECO for some time, it's super smooth and just a pleasure to write with. It's become my go to pen for my daily writing. So smooth that I really wanted another to fill with another color of ink. However I settled on a 580 due to it being round, not the hexagon the ECO is. A simple change but I just don't like the huge hexagon cap on the ECO.

 

I eagerly opened the Fine 580 and inked it up with Noodler's 54th Mass and boy was I disappointed! Its VERY rough on every paper I own from Tomoe River, Rhodia, some loose Clairefontaine paper and even cheap copy paper. I don't have a magnifying glass to closely inspect the Nib but to the naked eye it looks aligned like every other nib I own. It's also at least 2x wetter than the ECO. I really like shape and feel of the pen, it's just not nice to write with. I own Bic ballpoints that are smoother than this 580, it may seem like an over exaggeration, but I assure you it's not.

 

Is there some solution to this? Should I just contact TWSBI and see what they say? Yes I could order a replacement nib at my expense but they are pricey in Canada, I may as well just buy another Eco for $10 more. Any advice on the best path to proceed is greatly appreciated.

 

 

 

 

Edited December 27, 2022 by Tyroker

[Sailor Kenshin]

Wet yet rough, on every sort of paper?  Could suggest that it is misaligned, but also perhaps the ink itself's at fault.  Does the nib feel rough to your fingertips?

[Tyroker]

34 minutes ago, Sailor Kenshin said:

Wet yet rough, on every sort of paper?  Could suggest that it is misaligned, but also perhaps the ink itself's at fault.  Does the nib feel rough to your fingertips?

Running my finger along the bottom and top of the nib, perpendicular to the slit in the nib. It oddly feels rough in both directions. The corners of the tip feel squared off more than my other pens. This could be the issue.

 

Is the Noodler's 54th Mass a known less lubricated feeling ink? The Noodler's Black in my Fine Metropolitan feels buttery smooth.

 

I'll drain and clean it. I'll put in the Rohrer & Klinger - Verdigris. That's what's in my ECO and its buttery smooth, this way I'll know if its the ink or the pen. Thank you for the suggestion.

[Sailor Kenshin]

You're welcome; I hope that works.  If you don't have a loupe it might be difficult to smooth the nib.  
 

Maybe contacting TWSBI might help.

[Checklist]

3 hours ago, Tyroker said:

...

It's also at least 2x wetter than the ECO. 

...

 

 

1 hour ago, Sailor Kenshin said:

... perhaps the ink itself's at fault. 

 

The 54th Mass is a known wet ink; turned just about all my pens into firehoses, when Noodler's basic inks (Blue-black in my case, but probably Black, too) do just fine.  I bet the wetness is the ink.

 

I have also read that the two models use different nibs, but the 580 usually gets better reviews than this.  Maybe you got a dud or a misaligned nib.

[Tyroker]

23 minutes ago, Sailor Kenshin said:

You're welcome; I hope that works.  If you don't have a loupe it might be difficult to smooth the nib.  
 

Maybe contacting TWSBI might help.

 

Now that I have the pen apart and cleaned. The nibs edges are still rough, I'll need a loop to get a real good look at it so I'll have to order one to have on hand anyways. Upon putting in the ink that's super smooth in my ECO, I still get the very rough writing experience. Although this turned into a learning moment, these TWSBI's are easy to clean compared to trying to clean that little Lamy Converter!

 

In messing around with it, I turned the pen over so I would write with the top side of the nib and its a night and day difference. The top is smoother than the proper side. This one must be a dud, I'll just shelve this pen for now. I'll contact WTSBI see what they say.

 

3 minutes ago, Checklist said:

 

 

The 54th Mass is a known wet ink; turned just about all my pens into firehoses, when Noodler's basic inks (Blue-black in my case, but probably Black, too) do just fine.  I bet the wetness is the ink.

 

I have also read that the two models use different nibs, but the 580 usually gets better reviews than this.  Maybe you got a dud or a misaligned nib.

They do use different nibs for sure. It was one of the first things I noticed when I unboxed it. The 580 nib is larger than the ECO, even this 580 fine vs the ECO fine, the 580 fine is wider, more like an Eco medium.

 

[Horseflesh]

My 580 F nib needed tweaks to feel good. My M nib was good out of the box. 

 

I would definitely invest in a loupe, without one you are flying blind. 

 

[Tyroker]

Update: I did contact TWSBI and the only questioned they asked me was what my address was so they could send me a new F nib. A couple hours later I got a tracking # and it's already on its way to me.

 

I'm super curious to compare the two when it arrives. I'll be ordering a loupe asap as well to have a good look at it.

[Tyroker]

Update 2: The replacement Fine nib came in the mail today. I'm glad TWSBI did send the replacement, however it was just a nib / feed unit. It didn't come with the plastic housing that the replacement nibs do, just a small piece of bubble wrap.

 

Upon swapping it out, and writing with it, wow. It writes as smooth and nice as my ECO does. I'm glad swapping out the nib fixed the pen, I really like the shape and feel in my hand far more than the ECO. Even before I swapped it out, I held the nib in my hand and slid it across a piece of paper. It really is a massive difference.

 

I'm still waiting for my loop to come in the mail so I can have a good look and it and compare the two for science and see if I can see what the differences are.

[jchch1950]

On 12/29/2022 at 9:41 AM, Tyroker said:

Update: I did contact TWSBI and the only questioned they asked me was what my address was so they could send me a new F nib. A couple hours later I got a tracking # and it's already on its way to me.

 

.

An excellent service. I wish other companies will react as fast even to acknowledge reception of the message.

 

[Tyroker]

10 hours ago, jchch1950 said:

An excellent service. I wish other companies will react as fast even to acknowledge reception of the message.

 

There are some posts for TWSBI not offering warrantee and being unhelpful for people. So I was worried that I may have issues as well. Luckily no issues, prompt nice service, sent new part without any arguments, no additional questions either.