Lamy Or Twsbi?

[Marc-An]

Hello guys,

 

First, Thanks all for your answers. I've now a better idea wich pen will be my next!

 

 

I have several of both. You have not told me the intended use of such fountain pen.

What is a CEGEP student ? Which fountain pens have you used ? Please disclose

more about your situation and needs.

 

I have the MontBlanc Classic and the Sheaffer Prelude. These FP are not very useful for what I have to do(To take notes and not beeing too showy: I want a less recognizable and cheaper pen!)

 

 

Hello again Marc An,

 

I do not know what your pen hygiene habits are - but if you like to flush your pens with a bulb syringe; do not get a TWSBI Classic, (I cannot speak for the other TWSBI models, but I fear they'll be close to the same story).

 

My 2 pens are Cartridge/Converter system. So, I want something like that or a Piston Filler.

 

 

Marc-An

[Fabienne]

When it comes to cleaning pens, the TWSBI is my favorite. I take the nib and grip off, then I take the grip off the nib. I put the nib into a solder bulb and give the feed and nib a good pressure wash. Then I take a blunt washing syringe and fill it with water and wash out the interior of the ink reservoir and the area right in front. Voila, clean and i can see it's clean. I love using my TWSBI to try out inks for the reason that it's easiest to clean of all my pens. The Lamy is also easy to clean for the same reason, but does not disassemble as fully and has a couple of parts I really don't want to shove into the solder bulb (I have done it but it is worrisome). So, either one is pretty easily cleanable, but the TWSBI is see through (the Demo 580) and you know it's clean.

 

Hope that helps. In any event, a Radio Shack solder bulb and a blunt syringe are a must with fountain pens.

[proton007]

I like both.

[foamy]

I dislike it's looks (it's the pen I'm carrying today), but my Al-Star (aluminum Safari) writes as well as anything I have and better than most. I like some of my other pens better, but the Lamy is just so danged competent—in all areas.

 

The ugliest clip I've ever seen—and it's the most user-friendly and functional clip I've used.

 

I can see where the finger indents would bother some folks, but after writing with it for a while, I've come to like them. Again, functional. It's a well thought-out pen designed to write.

 

One of your goals is to be un-ostentatious. The Lamy fits that bill.

 

A snap cap that's smooth and reassuring. Easy to get on and off quickly. Mine writes like a champ right out of the box.

 

Having said all that; the Pilot Prera has most of those same qualities (except the ugly part). I prefer the solid colored ones to the demonstrator types. All of my Pilots perform very well. Hard to go wrong there.

Edited November 14, 2014 by foamy

[Huskysibe]

I have both and the TWSBI is a better pen but I use the Lamy a fair amount as its pretty darn convenient and I like the grip on it.

[TheRealScubaSteve]

Hello again Marc An,

 

I do not know what your pen hygiene habits are - but if you like to flush your pens with a bulb syringe; do not get a TWSBI Classic, (I cannot speak for the other TWSBI models, but I fear they'll be close to the same story).

 

 

I've not used a classic, but imagine it's very similar to the 580. It can be cleaned with a bulb syringe (provided it does not have the hard plastic tip). You just need to put firm pressure on the end of the nib unit so that the rubber forms a relatively good seal and does not leak. It is certainly clunkier than other nib sections, but I use it with success.

 

 

I have the MontBlanc Classic and the Sheaffer Prelude. These FP are not very useful for what I have to do(To take notes and not beeing too showy: I want a less recognizable and cheaper pen!)

 

 

 

My 2 pens are Cartridge/Converter system. So, I want something like that or a Piston Filler.

 

 

Marc-An

 

The TWSBI would be far more recognizable (at least as a "nicer" pen) than the Lamy. The Lamy looks much more like a run of the mill pen, especially the Safari which is plastic. Also, the Lamy runs much more dry than the TWSBI, which may be more beneficial to your needs writing on (presumed) cheap paper.

[J85909266]

I do not have a TWSBI, yet. I have my eye on getting a Mini, though.

 

That said, I do have a Lamy Safari, and I would like to recommend it.

 

The Safari is perfect as a tough, dependable, robust every day carry pen. It's light. It posts great. It fits together flawlessly. My EF nib lays down a consistent, damn smooth line every time, from any angle. It has a great ink window. The pocket clip is amazing. I prefer to front pocket carry my pens, and nothing carries as confidently as a Safari. It's also very unique and handsome, aesthetically. I recommend charcoal. Pure business.

 

Honestly, it's all the pen I really ever would need.

[kidde]

My complaint with either is nib size. For notes and math computations I like F and EF. My AlStar is marked EF but writes M. TWSBI claims it's an M, I think it's B.

foamy make a great suggestion, in my opinion, for the Prera. I have seen the solid colors for $18-$30. It is a short and light pen that really strikes a chord with everyone I've let use it.

 

Paul

[cbaytan]

580 of course, no question. If you don't mind the size, Vac 700.

[RudyR]

Hello again Marc An,

 

I do not know what your pen hygiene habits are - but if you like to flush your pens with a bulb syringe; do not get a TWSBI Classic, (I cannot speak for the other TWSBI models, but I fear they'll be close to the same story).

 

Another thing, comparing a 580 to a Safari is like comparing a Chevrolet to a Buick. The pens are in different price classes and will have inherent differences. You should compare a 580 with a Lamy CP-1 or a Studio. Ironically, the Studio uses the "same" Z-50 nib that the Safari uses - but I can tell you from personal experience, the nibs are not equal and they are not tuned the same way. I have had a couple of scratchy Safari's but both of my Studio's have written like liquid silk - straight out of the box.

 

If you're willing to spend $50-75 on a TWSBI, you should also be willing to spend that much for a Lamy - and in doing so, you'll find the "quality gap" narrows significantly. I would put one of my Studio's up against any TWSBI model, any day of the week.

 

Best regards,

 

Chris

 

The problem I had with the Studio, and ultimately the reason I gave it away, was that the white metal section was slippery and I never could keep my fingers from slipping down towards the nib. If Lamy could come up with a more tasteful section for the studio (meaning not a black plastic section) I would not hesitate on buy another.

[LamyOne]

 

The problem I had with the Studio, and ultimately the reason I gave it away, was that the white metal section was slippery and I never could keep my fingers from slipping down towards the nib. If Lamy could come up with a more tasteful section for the studio (meaning not a black plastic section) I would not hesitate on buy another.

 

Hello Rudy,

 

I know some people complain about the smooth chrome sections on Studios; personally, they don't bother me, (they may not bother the OP either), but maybe my fingers are drier than average - I don't know. At any rate, if the OP fears the chrome section may be a problem for him, it still leaves the brushed steel version with the rubberized grip or the CP-1 to consider. (Or the Safari/Al-Star).

 

At any rate, I hope he finds a pen that will serve him well - whatever brand/model it turns out to be.

 

Best regards,

 

Chris

Edited November 16, 2014 by LamyOne

[VitrescentTortoise]

I own a TWSBI mini white Rose gold and no matter what ink I use I can't have this pen to write well. At the moment my Safari writes better. I really want this TWSBI to write well. I am curious, how is yours writing?

I've got a TWSBI mini that writes fine. Have a fine and a 1.5mm stub, both are good nibs. Is there a specific problem with your nib? What isn't good about it?

 

Anyway, I don't have any Lamy pens, so I can't compare, but I do recommend the TWSBI mini. It posts securely (is threaded on) unlike the 580 and vac700. Has better ink capacity than the Lamy, also very beautiful. Just keep in mind you have to unscrew the cap and screw it on the back, you really can't use it unposted. Too small. It fits nice in the pocket (or where ever) though. All of the screwing could be tedious, but I don't mind it.

Edited November 16, 2014 by VitrescentTortoise

[inkeverywhere]

I own both, having not long ago had the 580 delivered. Used the 580 for a couple of weeks now and it would be my pick between the Lamy and TWSBI.

 

To me, a 2000 is my bench mark FP, and I find the medium nib fitted to the 580 to be very smooth and is not far behind the fine gold nibs on my 2000's, again my opinion only. The only strange thing with the 580 is writing with it unposted.

 

Greg

[Ecriveur]

Safari is a safer choice in terms of quality control and is half the cost, but a really good TWSBI 580 is probably a bit better of a pen than a Safari, assuming you like piston fillers.

[Daisy25]

Someone mentioned this earlier in the thread but I think it's worth repeating: the grip on the Safari isn't for everyone. It is very distinctive. I found it really uncomfortable and gave the pen up. For me the TWSBI pens (both the 580 and the Mini) work just fine.

[a.lachlan]

They're 2 very different pens - the TWSBI is a much more expensive pen while the Lamy Safari is an inexpensive pen.

The TWSBI is great but I wouldn't want to take it out without some protection as it doesn't feel amazingly tough, while the Safari feels a little more durable.

The TWSBI nibs tend to be more reliable, while my experience with Lamy nibs (I've had several, in medium, broad and fine) is that they are very inconsistent, some are great but in terms of line width and smoothness they're too variable for me to really properly trust Lamy.

Having said that, my advice would be to go a step up from the Safari and get an Al Star - it's basically the Safari's tougher brother and a much nicer feeling pen in my opinion, and if you do end up with a nice nib a great pen. If you aren't happy with the nib they're very cheap to replace.

However, if durability isn't an issue, TWSBI wins - the nibs are great and the large in capacity is very handy to have.

[amk]

Love my Lamys!

 

There's a good reason to get a Lamy in the UK, which may also apply in Canada - most B&M pen shops and graphics shops carry Lamy. Whereas a shop focuses on graphic designers and media workers as its clientele you'll probably find the Safaris, plus nibs to swap or spare nibs to buy. TWSBI you're unlikely to see at all. In my town I can think of four shops which sell Lamys, at least!

 

But I would say think about going upscale with the Lamy. You might look at the Accent in palladium, as well as the Studio - the Accent has swappable grip sections including rubber and wood, which I find much nicer than the Studio's metal section. And the nibs can still be swapped around in the Accent and Studio just the way they can in the Safari. Plus if you don't like the triangular section, these two are more conventional round-section pens.

[Regulateur]

Bonjour Marc-An,

 

I do have several Lamy and TWSBI. All have 1.1mm nibs. Both brands are great writers. They are not gusher, you can use cheaper paper without having a shadowing or feathering issue. From a performance standpoint, it is a wash.

 

I do prefer the TWSBI because they are piston fillers, i.e. they contain more ink which is useful when you take notes at school. Second, I find that the TWSBI looks better (very personnal). Obviously, they are more expensive.

 

Best of luck at Cegep (college for our anglophone friends).

Edited November 16, 2014 by Regulateur

[Algester]

Really if ink capacity is an issue go with a 580 get from a source most importantly you can trust and not backdown when bad things happen I would say the same goes to Lamy anyway... But I'm currently happy with what I got from lamy a logo and the 2000 but I just noticed that TWSBI gets a bit dry writing but thats just me being a southpaw using a side writing method

[siopaopei]

I would suggest a Lamy, but a Studio instead of a Safari. Lamy nibs are almost always good (I've had several and have yet to come across a disappointing nib, although some people may disagree). TWSBI doesn't have that cheap plastic feel that Lamy Safari has, though the TWSBIs that I have tend to write a bit drier after writing several pages. My favorite Lamy is a stainless steel studio. Feels heftier than a Safari, rubberized grip makes it comfortable for longer periods of writing.