Twsbi Mini Classic Ef & Stub Italic

[coffeetoofull]

I'll Take Two Please - 1.1mm Stub Italic (SI) & Extra Fine (EF) nibs

 

 

 

The TWSBI Mini comes with a nib of your choice. Select from italic 1.1, italic 1.5, B, M, F, EF. I, also, purchased a TWSBI Mini backup pen and a selection of additional nibs for testing and for working on my writing skills.

The Mini is a fine portable pen which is solid, well appointed (large clip and cap), and of quality construction, which I have not found in acrylic pens.

I was worried about the balance of the cap screwed to the barrel end, but found it comfortable after a couple of days. The cap fits the overall design and is not top heavy in use.

This pen is a medium weight pen, which is a feel-good-heavy-plastic-material blast for everyone.

BLACK & CLEAR ACRYLIC WITH CHROME ACCENTS is the equivalent of the "Classic Model".

WEIGHTS: Overall:19g (0.67oz)Body:10g (0.35oz)Cap:9g (0.32oz)

LENGTHS: Overall, closed:117mm (4.6in)Overall, posted:141mm (5.55in)Body:108mm (4.25in)Cap:54mm (2.13in)Nib:19mm (0.75in)

DIAMETERS: Body:12.5mm (0.49in)Cap (no clip):14.3mm (0.56in)Cap (w/ clip):18.3mm (0.72in)

The Goulets offer a TWSBI Mini Review video which is most helpful and informative on their blog, Ink Nouveau.

I've tested the new TWSBI Mini Classic on Clairefontaine, Rhodia, and Moleskine papers. The Mini pen handles well on my preferred paper sized pad, A5 (5.8" x 8.25"), with 5mm ruling and/also on dot paper. Both of the nibs are approximately a size 5, not the standard 6 nib, which allows a great deal of visibility and freedom.

The EF nib performs well on all types of paper with little to no bleed through. The EF nib can accumulate paper in the nib over time, if the user has a heavy hand. The EF nib seemed a bit scratchy and sharp to me, but if that doesn't bother you, it is as close to an EF as I've found without going to a nibmeister or to the Japanese nibs.

The SI responds well on the Clairefontaine and Rhodia papers, as expected. Any fine paper over 80g should be acceptable without any tremendous amount of bleeding or feathering. I found the SI to be a slow starter and rather dry when I began using this nib. However, after using it for a week it began to settle and perform as expected - most of the time. I found that the pen ink will flow more satisfactorily in the TWSBI Mini, if the barrel is not completely filled and any remaining air expunged by the use of the piston before writing. The TWSBI Diamond 50 ink bottle, in glass with metal cap, works exceptionally well for refilling and using this pen without allowing any air into the barrel.

I'm finding the exercise of writing with my FIRST SI nib as one which takes some little time and patience. However, it is, also, serving to break some of my bad habits - too many to mention. There is a need to address the paper with the hand directing the nib to meet it in a flat fashion while the angle and distance remain constant. The TWSBI steel nibs, like so many steel nib pens, have a "sweet spot", which allows you to move over the paper with maximum smoothness, and with the least amount of pressure. Timing or slowing down to create a legible style varies with the type and weight of paper to the climatic conditions in which you write. The SI nib took my print/script to new dimensions, while providing shading from inks I only read about. I'd been using EF, F, and M nibs and hoping to achieve a fine signature. Now I begin to express myself differently and to imagine texts filled with italic script. Who knows, maybe, someday, I'll let myself go and purchase the TWSBI 1.5mm Italic Stub nib!

I tested several inks, and found those inks which were typically thinner performed well over days without having to restart the nib with a wet paper towel or flushing the nib with water.

Tested Rating - [D to A+]

Sailor Green - A

Private Reserve Chocolat - C+

Pilot Tsuki-yo Blue (for some reason this ink reminds me of 'Star Trek 2 Blue') - A

De Atramentis Sherlock Holmes Night Blue - B

Noodler's Dr. Zhivago - C

Noodler's El Lawrence - C

It's a breeze to flush the nib unit. You unscrew the nib assembly and place it under the faucet to flush. Then I use a syringe and a small amount of 'J.B.'s Perfect Pen Flush' to cleanse the nib followed by a bulb syringe rinse with distilled water. The uniqueness, function, and purpose of this pen was designed to be fully assembled and taken apart for cleaning by the user. I've been able to accomplish this in a matter of a few minutes with the small wrench provided by TWSBI, which resides beneath the interior pen case with the silicon grease. The silicon grease provided free by TWSBI is a liquid form. I tried a few drops on the piston and assembled the pen to fill with ink. I found that the grease left a sticky feel, and not a lubricated feel like the silicon gel provided by Goulet Pen Company or Edison Pen Company.

If you're experiencing ink flow problems with the TWSBI nibs, Philip Wang at TWSBI Pen Company recommended to "squeeze the sides of the nib with your thumb and index finger. Then press the nib down on a piece of paper a few times until you see the nib spread. Be careful not to press too hard to avoid bending the nib. This will open up the ink flow more and should fix your problem." I carefully tried this procedure without any significant results. However, compared to TWBI's other models, this is a new style nib made by Jowo for TWSBI with narrow wings, and it's difficult to bend. The Jowo nib has a matching symbol, which appears on the pen's cap under a plastic resin. It truly belongs on the Mini while enhancing its unique style.

Brian Goulet stated "that some of the Minis have Bock nibs and some Jowo. They're all switching to Jowo, but for now they're mixed. You can tell which is which by the location of the nib size designation....if it's on the side of the nib to the left of the TWSBI logo, then it's Bock, on the surface of the nib just below the TWSBI logo is Jowo. Both brands of nibs on the Mini are supposed to write well."

The barrel seems to be a diamond or Rhodan Lozenge design, which reflects the ink beautifully in light. The Classic model affords the business person some presence, while in their pocket, and some fun when it's in use.

The barrel design is similar to the Pelikan M215, but more spectacular than their Black & Silver Rhomb pattern (M = piston filler). Pelikan 215M Dimensions: Length 125mm; Diameter 12mm; Length w/o cap 121mm; Cap on barrel 147mm.

TWSBI provides an interesting short video, "TWSBI Diamond Barrel Rub Test", on the strength of the barrel and its acrylic to withstand daily use and minor scratches.

I, recently, found a new product to protect the barrels and exteriors of most of my fountain pens. It's a polish called Renaissance Wax, which hardens to protect the pen from minor scratches, cracking, and breaking. I applied it to the metal surfaces on the TWSBI, since the clip is a dominant feature and the cap symbol is almost unprotected.

The history of the TWSBI symbol and of the pen manufacturer is available on their site. In short, it represents the gods of writing.

Best Writings To You, coffeetoofull

 

Edited May 18, 2013 by coffeetoofull

[tomgartin]

Nice review. Thanks for the info about how it performs with different inks. It's no surprise that it likes the expensive stuff

[Edwaroth]

I have found the EF nib to be just awesome after a good flossing with .002 and then .003 Brass shim stock. Plus Diamine Eclipse...a nice wet ink.

[coffeetoofull]

That's very interesting, and I'm glad it worked for you.

As an experiment, a few days ago, I tried the 8,000 grit jewelry sandpaper on the 1.1 stub italic. I lightly drew it across the 2" pad a couple of times and ruined the smoothness of my nib. In fact, I trashed the nib after my unsuccessful attempt to further smooth an already smooth nib.

Some pen retailers, i.e.. Goulet Pen Company, offer to check the smoothness of all nibs prior to shipping, but I don't know if that includes any smoothing by their technicians.

I ordered some Monte Verde Brown ink and am looking forward to experimenting with it. I haven't tried any of the Diamine inks. Best Writings To You, Bradley

Edited May 20, 2013 by coffeetoofull

[coffeetoofull]

I had a chance to try the new EF nib ordered direct from TWSBI, Philip Wang, today. I flushed the nib with pen cleaning fluid and/also with water through a syringe, before filling the pen barrel and testing the nib with ink. It works perfectly and with very little scratch resistance on all paper finishes, while providing a true EF line.

The Monteverde Brown, Diamine Monaco Red, and Sailor Epinard Green all performed well on the TWSBI nibs. Of course, the Pilot Iroshizuku Take-Sumi Bamboo Charcoal Black, and the Tsuki-Yo Blue were exceptional. However, the Iroshizuku Yo-Yake Persimmon Orange was a disappointment.

Best Writings To You, coffeetoofull

Edited July 6, 2013 by coffeetoofull

[This-is-the-wonder]

Wow, thanks for the great review! I ordered a TWSBI Mini and De Atramentis Hyacinth ink from Goulet Pens this past Wednesday so I appreciate all the detail, particularly regarding ink performance. It's my first fountain pen ever and I'm so excited to receive it and try it out.

 

(In your experience would you consider De Atramentis inks in general to be "safe" inks? The term has come up in my ink research and because my TWSBI is a demonstrator it had me wondering.)

[WDP4BAAZ]

Nice review ..

[tylchick]

Thanks for the review! I have a TWSBI mini clear with EF nib and I just love it! It goes very well with the Pilot murasaki-shikibu (purple) ink. Really happy with the purchase!

[warblerick]

Thanks for the review! I have a TWSBI mini clear with EF nib and I just love it! It goes very well with the Pilot murasaki-shikibu (purple) ink. Really happy with the purchase!

How wet/dry does the EF nib write? I'm thinking of getting another TWSBI mini with either F or EF nib, as my current one (clear) is a 1.1 stub. And you're right, it does look great with the purple ink. I have mine half-full of Iro Kon-peki. Waiting for a bottle of Yama-budo to fill it with.

[djp]

Thanks for your review! I'm getting one of these in black with the 1.1 stub, plus a fine nib. Let the fun begin!

[tylchick]

How wet/dry does the EF nib write? I'm thinking of getting another TWSBI mini with either F or EF nib, as my current one (clear) is a 1.1 stub. And you're right, it does look great with the purple ink. I have mine half-full of Iro Kon-peki. Waiting for a bottle of Yama-budo to fill it with.

Well, I find it dryer than my Lamy Safari Fine but wetter than my Pelikan M200 HEF. It's just fine with me, not too dry and not too wet. I have a bottle of Yama-budo too, currently filled in my neon yellow Lamy Safari. Ha, I'm going to buy a bottle of Kon-peki, for my coming Lamy Al-Star Black.

[warblerick]

Well, I find it dryer than my Lamy Safari Fine but wetter than my Pelikan M200 HEF. It's just fine with me, not too dry and not too wet. I have a bottle of Yama-budo too, currently filled in my neon yellow Lamy Safari. Ha, I'm going to buy a bottle of Kon-peki, for my coming Lamy Al-Star Black.

Neon yellow Lamy and Iro Yama-budo---must make for quite the shocking contrast

[tylchick]

Neon yellow Lamy and Iro Yama-budo---must make for quite the shocking contrast

Hehe, I did it on purpose but they go well together. I don't do contrast all the time, I fed my Pelikan M200 with Mont Blanc Irish Green.

[monanza]

Very nice review. I use J. Herbin Perle Noir in my mini clear with 1.1 nib. No problems with flow or start at all (with days between rotations).

 

With other TWSBIs I have used Iroshizuku tsukushi (700 VAC, Ex Fine), J. Herbin Eclat de Saphir (700 VAC, Fine), Sailor Jentle Epinard (580, Ex Fine) and Jentle Apricot (540, Ex Fine), J. Herbin Lie de The (540, Broad) and Violette Pensee (540, Broad). No problems with flow on any of them. The Sailor Apricot needs a wider nib though; the EF is hard to see as you write.

 

Thanks for the review.

Cheers.

Edited July 25, 2013 by monanza

[coffeetoofull]

Additional Information - TWSBI Mini Stuck Piston

The TWSBI Mini out of the box worked perfectly. I, usually, break-down the TWSBI to clean before replacing with another ink colour.

Unknowingly, I used J.B's Pen Flush from Goulet Pens. It cleaned the nib and assembly perfectly. However, I do not recommend using this cleaner on the barrel and piston. It will clean the barrel and piston, but the piston seems to stick after cleaning, and not to move smoothly in the barrel.

After cleaning everything with water and wiping down with paper towels, I applied a small amount of the enclosed silicon to the piston top sides. This did not alleviate the problem.

 

My solution, after another cleaning, was to apply a small amount of WD-40 to a cloth and wipe it lightly on the sides of the piston top. It has worked perfectly with the application of WD-40. I, also, noticed that another TWSBI FPN user found this to be a satisfactory solution.

 

I, also, unboxed a second TWSBI Mini fountain pen, and applied the enclosed silicon to the piston top side, which resulted in the piston sticking. [i've noticed that some types of silicon can react to changes in pressure and altitude when shipping by Air Mail, and thought that the silicon might be the problem.] Next, I cleaned the 2nd TWSBI pen with water, and applied Edison's silicon to the piston top sides. The piston top still hung-up in the barrel, but less than the TWSBI silicon. It could be that the RUBBER 'piston top/cap' is reacting to the silicon, or that the TWSBI silicon has reacted to Air Mail shipping.

 

My new favourite inks for the TWSBI Mini are Pilot Iroshizuku Take-Sumi Bamboo Charcoal Black & Akkerman Bekakt Haags #23.

Edited July 30, 2013 by coffeetoofull

[coffeetoofull]

I received a very nice and courteous reply from TWSBI, on 29 July, in regards to WD-40 and TWSBI's silicon. If the piston of your TWSBI is reluctant to turn and sticks in the barrel, then you might decide to send it to TWSBI USA for cleaning or repair.

 

TWSBI, Taiwan, reply: "Thanks for your e-mail, basically, we do not recommend to use WD-40, due to we have no experience to use WD-40 on our pen. Basically, we do not suggest to clean the pen too frequently, except the pen does not work.

If you will change the ink color, you can use the water like fill the ink then exhaust out water for several times, when the water is clear, exhaust out water then fill new color ink. If the pen does not work, then you need dismantle the pen, after clean, you need put minor silicon on piston like the file attached.

The mini VAC fountain pen still on developing, we do not have schedule yet."

TWSBI offers great communications with their pen owners, and a wonderful repair/warranty service.

Best Writings To You, coffeetoofull

[warblerick]

Just today I received my 2nd TWSBI mini via US regular mail. This time I chose the Classic with a fine nib, and I filled it with Diamine Majestic Blue. Writes perfectly right out of the box (in other words, being rather lazy, I did not flush it first). The cap is a bit fussier than my first, and needs to be perfectly aligned before the threads take hold, but hopefully it will wear in. Great little pens, if you don't futz with them too much.

[Scribble Monboddo]

I've just swapped my Mini's dull round-nib for a new italic, and I have to say I was impressed by how easy it was to do - TWSBI really do make it a simple job and the results are worth it, I'd say...