Twsbi 540 Vs Pilot Prera

[snowblink]

Given that these pens occupy a similar price point, which one would you prefer and why?

[AtomicLeo]

Own 2 Preras. They are similar in size to a m200, but slightly shorter and thicker. I like a squat fat pens. Come in lots of colors that are not demonstrators. Easy to swap a Pumix italic nib into a Prera. Just a great happy little pen. :ltcapd:

[rockydoggy]

I have and like both a lot. I especially like how well-made each of them feels. Ultimately, however, I find that I reserve the Prera for particular tasks--mostly editing since the one I have has a great fine nib on it. Also, I find that the larger size of the TWSBI makes it easier to write with for longer sessions than the Prera. In addition, I like that the TWSBI's piston-fill. I wouldn't give either one up but my vote goes to the TWSBI.

[Dave the brew guy]

The TWSBI is the obvious choice to me, I like the size and weight better, the quality is much better, the nibs are at least as good if not better and it's a piston filler. I can't think of a single thing that I prefer about the Prera.

[hipcat]

I own both. Definitely prefer the TWSBI. Don't like the F nib on the Prera at all. Too scratchy and poor flow even after my amateur attempts to adjust. Will likely buy more TWSBIs as other colors/styles come out but will not buy another Prera.

[fabrimedeiros]

TWSBI no doubt! There is no comparison between a piston filler made of a great plastic (polycarbonate) and cheap japanese cartridge filling pen. Another great point is that TWSBI nib can be swaped for the excellent Pelikan (M200, M400, I think also M600) nibs.

 

 

[rdh]

It seems like there are some clear distinctions here. If you want a solid color, only the Prera will do. For demonstrators, you can get either. Although the Prera uses a cartridge or converter, I find mine lasts forever on a fill. The fine nib uses ink very slowly and it is a much finer (but scratchier) nib than you will find on the fine TWSBI.

 

As mentioned earlier, the Prera is similar to a Pelikan M200, while the TWSBI is a much larger pen.

 

Dave

[Nonsensical]

For the price, I'd go with a TWSBI. I own both, I have 2 TWSBIs filled at the moment, and my Prera is all the way in...the UK with my mum right now.

[USMCMom]

I own both and would take the TWSBI over the Prera in a hear beat. It feels more comfortable in my hand, is the weight and size I like. I personally feel the quality is much higher with the TWSBI and it holds more ink, in my opinion. I like demonstrators, so that's not a problem. My TWSBIs (I have several) wrote right out of the box. I can't say that about the Prera, as I had to tweak the nib. For the money, I think the TWSBI is more pen for the buck.

 

Obviously, I voted for TWSBI. LOL

[AmateurAficionado]

TWSBI id going to be my next purchase, along with some ink. I haven't held either one, but I don't mind a larger pen and I really like the hands-on user friendly approach the 540 promotes.

[snowblink]

Gosh, bit of a landslide! Thanks for the responses everyone. I currently have a TWSBI, but was flirting with the idea of a Prera. The Prera is currently selling for approx 150% of the TWSBI. The TWSBI does fit more in line with the kind of pen for me, both in size and filling system.

[jhazelwood]

I have purchased both in the last week. The Pilot feels cheap, but only in that it is a light pen. It is miserly with ink so that is a plus, the TWSBI gushes in comparison. Both are medium although a Pilot medium is closer to a fine than the TWSBI. I use both daily and the only change would be to make the Prera slightly heavier, I use it for paperwork and use the TSWBI for notes etc.

[Vpen]

No doubt the build quality of TWSBI is great and it's a large and heavy pen. I think Pilot will write very well out of the box but with TWSBI you have to work a lot in my opinion based on my experience with Pilot Metropolitan and TWSBI 580 F.

Edited May 5, 2015 by Vpen

[deacondavid]

This is a bit dated poll, which makes it harder for me make a choice. I am going to substitute "580" for "540", since it is the current model.

 

Still, these are two very different pens. They're both great, but it's bit like comparing an apple and an orange.

 

The Prera is a very light pocket pen that is a cartridge/converter design. I have the fine nib and found it to be a bit fussy when I first bought it. It has now settled down to be a reliable writer for me. Pluses: fits in a shirt pocket very easily, good fine nib, posts well (in fact, I have to post it to be able to use it for more than a few words), good build quality. Minuses: low ink capacity, a bit light and small for my hand.

 

The 5x0 is a rather substantial pen that can be fit in a pocket, but may stretch things (I carry one every day). I have found it to be a reliable writer for me from the first inking. Pluses: huge ink capacity, piston fill, good balance for my hands, good smooth nib (I have a fine nib), good build quality (I have not had any problems with any of my TWSBI pens), good customer support (from what I have heard). Minuses: It's a little large for a pocket pen, the cap should not be posted (it unbalances the pen and sits on the piston cap, which can result in unfortunate accidents when the cap is pulled (my wife thinks that this pen is possessed because it dislodged a good amount of Polar Black on her laptop when she was playing with it).

 

If I have to pick one, I am probably going to favor the TWSBI - while (again) they're both great pens, the TWSBI feels more solidly built while the lightness of the Prera makes it feel fragile and a bit cheap in comparison. Plus the advantage of the piston-filler - I have never been impressed with the converter on Prera - at roughly the same price.