Twsbi 580 With Vintage Waterman's No 2 Ideal Semi Flex Nib

[lennymarchese]

I'm not really sure where exactly this post belongs because it is not strictly a review of a product you can buy off the shelf, but I think this sub forum is probably the best.

 

As far as the TWSBI 580 is concerned, I have no complaints. I think it's a fun looking pen that is also very functional. I originally had concerns that the clear plastic would become scratched and scuffed and lose its nice shininess, but this hasn't happened after almost a year. It's comfortable in the hand, holds a good amount of ink, smooth operating piston and easily user serviceable. The only thing I wasn't crazy about was the fine nib. While it wasn't scratchy or dry, I just didn't find myself using it very often, choosing something more expressive over it.

 

When I found a Waterman's No 2 Ideal semi flex extra fine nib for sale that seemed to be about the same dimensions as the factory fine nib, I went ahead and ordered it. Below are the (poorly photographed) results.

http://i.imgur.com/6wuLsuhl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/ELthhqkl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/JFpQJkQl.jpg

As far as modifications to the TWSBI go, I first needed to enlarge the upper half the black plastic piece of the section (near 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock) to allow for the shoulders of the new nib. I did this with a round file followed up by sand paper. The feed was a little too long so it was cut and then sanded down. The feed did not lay flat against the nib so, I formed it to the nib by heating it in hot water and pressing it in place. This was a little tricky since I was really only able to mold the very tip of the feed with my hands. I suspect that this produced a small reservoir between the nib and feed which initially resulted in a very heavy flow. I reheated the section and used a metal dental tool I have for pen work to help me press the feed to the nib by putting pressure along the flat track on the underside of the feed. All in all, it took and hour or so to get things how I wanted them.

The Waterman nib has some nice spring to it. It really helps induce a rhythm into my (somewhat sloppy) writing and I'm happy with the flex it has.

[efchem]

Very cool. Sloppy, I wish my handwriting could be that sloppy.

[Alexandra]

Wow...that looks nice.

[lennymarchese]

Thanks for the positive feedback guys!

 

I think I'm going to try these with a full flex nib later this year.

[Namo]

So, the feed is the feed of the JoWo unit? Seems very large comparing to a Wat. #2 nib. But this is close to what I am looking for, using this amazing nib is a decently big pen... Might go for a twsbi aluminium.

[lennymarchese]

Yep, same TWSBI feed. Part of the reason the feed seems so large is partly due to how far back the nib sits. I ended up sanding down the notches on the feed that positioned the original nib on the feed. I'm not sure if this was completely necessary to due. If I was more careful with how I filed down the interior of the black plastic piece of the section, I may not have needed to removed those notches.

 

I was thinking the same thing in regards to the aluminum version. However, if they make the interior section out of aluminum, it would be much harder to modify.