Which Demonstrator Pen Should I Buy And Why?

[bijou3owl]

I had the same writing issues on my TSWBI mini - it turned out the feed wasn't connected enough to the ink reservoir to break the surface tension (so the ink was just stuck there, creating a vacuum in the feed). Giving it a little extra oomf to tighten when reassembling takes care of the problem.

[benbot517]

Due to a cracked nib collar (regardless if it was replaced for free), I can no longer recommend the TWSBI 580. It was all the more dramatic because it happened in class.

[mgmmaze]

Due to a cracked nib collar (regardless if it was replaced for free), I can no longer recommend the TWSBI 580. It was all the more dramatic because it happened in class.

I dont have a twsbi but I see this a lot on reviews. I thought the 580 was suppose to be the upgrade to fix the cracking issue. I seen that is what the aluminum is suppose to be a further upgrade to help the cracking issue. Seems like if they just invested in slightly better plastic the problem could all be solved

[Mangrove Jack]

Back to the original question. If you are considering buying a demonstrator I would suggest a piston filler. You can see how it works and to me it looks classier than seeing a cartridge or converter inside the barrel. You can see the ink better too.

I had the same questions before I bought a Pelikan M200 clear demonstrator and now I am glad I did. Worth the extra price. Just my cents.

[benbot517]

I dont have a twsbi but I see this a lot on reviews. I thought the 580 was suppose to be the upgrade to fix the cracking issue. I seen that is what the aluminum is suppose to be a further upgrade to help the cracking issue. Seems like if they just invested in slightly better plastic the problem could all be solved

 

The problem is not with the plastic of the barrel or piston or any of that, but rather a small black plastic nib collar that holds the nib and feed. It may be a stock part from Jowo. When I first contacted about a replacement they were all out of that part, and I hear that I'm far from the only person with that problem. I think part of it is the engineering. The threads on the nib collar that hold it to the barrel are the only things holding it, nib and feed, and entire section to the barrel. A fix would be to have a section that threaded into the barrel itself, with the nib collar screwing into that.

[Bklyn]

Never been fond of demonstrators. To me, they look like cheap plastic. I have had a couple TWSBI Mini's in black and clear but all have cracked and are unusable.

That is sad and unfortunate.

[Bklyn]

The TWSBI 580 is my workhorse pen. Super comfortable in hand unposted. TWSBIs have had problems with cracking in the past, but the majority of issues (from what I hear) are resolved in the 580.

Agreed. The 580 is grand. A real workhorse and I hear that the cracking is a thing of the past.

[Bklyn]

TWSBI 580 - and if you don't like the logo, get the USA one, which has the American flag instead of the TWSBI logo.

 

 

 

 

~Epic

I have the USA one for 2 months. Love it.

[Bklyn]

Lamy vista is pretty cool but the red converter is distracting. Get the black one, it apparently fits just as well. I have one, behaves just like any other lamy safari or alstar.

 

The Shiny LAMY logo on the barrel wears off over time, making it look weathered.

 

The ink itself is not all that visible. You have a part of the section, some threading, the weird ink window holes, etc. kind of covering up the ink.

 

Lamy vista:

• Be aware the two different colors of converter
• Being a demonstrator, doesn't actually have much to show off
• As a demonstrator, has threading in front of part of the converter
• For some reason the ink window was kept on this pen while it clearly isn't needed.
• Ink window and other holes in the barrel prevent it from being used as eyedropper
• Built like a tank.
• Interior not that interesting.
• Molded grip.
• Nib is pretty good for a steel one. Very reliable.
• Can be taken apart for cleaning.
• Never started any conversations or managed to steer away from dreaded small talk. "My pen is awesome." "Yep, looks like a pen to me, so where are you really from?" "Uranus -.-"

 

The TWSBI 580 has this diamond thing going on and shows off the insides much better than the Vista imo. I only have the AL version so far. AL stands for aluminium version. It has more shiny stuff inside. The diamond thing I mentioned means it spreads light around that passes through it. So you get a little bit of a light show if you put it on a table or play with the light a bit.

 

It seems the logo and text is laser engraved into the metal parts so they don't seem to wear off.

 

The ink is prominently visible, which shows off the huge ink capacity and the ink itself. Even with just standard Lamy Blue ink it looks pretty cool.(I always fill all pens with lamy blue to benchmark their performance, before using a different color)

 

It does a very good job at demonstrating the inner workings of the pen, which is, afaik, what demonstrators were made for in the first place. Because it has the piston mechanism, there's actually something interesting to look at.

 

It's a newish company though and there seems to be a large proportion of damage reports involving cracks. In a recent video, SBREBrown pleaded to please use better plastic. Gourmet Pens herself reported a disproportionate amount of damaged pens of previous iterations (530/540). I only have one and it hasn't failed me yet. I feel I should put emphasis on "yet". On the other hand, I can say the same things about my Watermen. Of the 4 Waterman pens I'm staring at now, 3 didn't work properly when I got em. Of the 4 parkers lying next to the watermen, 3 didn't work properly when I got them either. The reports on TWSBI issues should be further nuanced by the fact that most of the people buying them, are probably internets FP aficionados. We're more likely to complain about stuff online than euhm, whatchamacall em... "regular pen users" <8]

 

The TWSBI has a lot of parts, threads, pressure points, etc. So someone who handles them in a rough manner would probably break them. If not by slamming the pen down as some people like to do, then maybe by overtightening. I personally cringe when I hear people opening a threaded cap pen and it does this "crick". I feel sorry for the pen. Poor baby <8[

 

I tend to use my pens lately to steer conversations towards something more interesting. I'm one of them small-talk haters. I tend to think about (supposedly) Eleanor Roosevelt's quote "Small minds talk about people, average about events, great minds about ideas" and try to change from horrendous small-talk about the weather or someone's attitude or weight to something way more interesting through association and lateral thinking. For example: "yeah it's only a steel nib but for a steel nib it's pretty good, see the very small amount of springiness? Gold nibs tend to have that a bit more, like Lamy nibs, ever heard of those? Gold price been going up though, usually happens during recessions and depressions" Convo can go to for example, fear buying, human behaviour, psychology, etc. to maybe greece, the European Central bank, politics, to maybe metallurgy, old timey stuff, great writers, ideas of those great writers. Last TWSBI-convo was about gold content in 14-18-24k, whether it is a good idea to invest in jewelry (it's bad).

 

This last conversation starting/redirecting property of the TWSBI Diamond is a very important property not that many pens have. Sure any FP is an FP and to non-FP users is either strange or just an FP. A Sonnet looks like a fountain pen; an hémisphere looks like an FP; a 149 looks like an FP. A TWSBI looks like a machine with a red eye and a cool looking liquid inside of it. I'd even say kudos on the smoke inner-cap that requires a second look to see it houses an FP nib.

 

TWSBI Diamond 580 (AL)

• Red logo on cap isn't that distracting
• Being a true demonstrator, has cool stuff to show off and demonstrates it well
• Big ink capacity which makes it a great epic writing pen of epic writings. Think written essay exams. You won't worry about running out of ink. (I have an F nibbed one)
• Probably not built like a tank. Maybe built more like a banana. You can slide a banana into your bag but you can't really sit on it... Or maybe built more like an IPhone. Get a reinforced pen pouch.
• Interior extremely interesting, maybe more so on an AL one.
• Metal grip but brushed/matted so not slippery.
• Nib is incredibly good for a steel one.
• Can be taken apart for cleaning.
• Seems to catch people's eye more easily and is great at making people stop asking stupid questions.

 

If I had to choose between a vista and a twsbi... or 2 vistas and 1 twsbi, considering price, I'd take the twsbi. If I had to take it into a rough work environment (less desk, more location stuff or crappy small desks like a school) then maybe a Vista but I'd get the twsbi anyway.

I LOVE long and interesting answers such as this. I learn a lot here. My thanks to you.

[Bklyn]

For a demonstrator I really like the Nemosine Singularity. It is under 20 bucks on amazon and they come in some interesting nibs. They are really easy to disassemble and clean, come with a converter and take any #6 nib you want to throw on it. Not to mention it can easily be converted into an eyedropper and have an ink capacity that will put any twisbi to shame.

 

-BP

A #6 nib? Wow. I must look at this pen. Thanks

[Bklyn]

Be a big spender and reach out for a much nicer pen.

 

I recommend a Sailor 1911 Demo - great nibs.

 

I bought one on ebay a few years ago for $125. I see one for $150 BIN at the moment

My, that is LOVELY. What is BIN?

[wspohn]

My, that is LOVELY. What is BIN?

 

'Buy it Now' - bid the stated price you get the pen.

[Bklyn]

I am in a similar frame of mind, in that I am interested in purchasing one final pen for a while. I too keep hearing things about the TWSBI. I use an extra fine nib exclusively and planning on purchasing the one you mention. It doesn't hurt I live in a military town, often go on base and think it would be a nice way to show pride.

"One final pen for awhile?" Who are you kidding?

[Bklyn]

The Waterman Kultur can be had in the $50 range.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Waterman-Kultur-Clear-Fountain-Fine/dp/B004K3BAAC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1424109999&sr=8-2&keywords=waterman+kultur

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61Qj92nQVpL._SL1500_.jpg

Oh my, that is lovely.

[FOUR X FOUR]

Another great idea is to buy the Lamy vista for 25 to 30 dollars. Then buy 3 or Platinum preppies with converters. Now you've got a great pen and a few extra for testing out different Noodlers colors

[Bklyn]

Update: the TWSBI arrived and I am so deeply in love it's almost shameful. It feels so refined! Perfectly weighted, with a nib as smooth as melted butter. It tends to run dry after a few pages--a bit of skipping--but a little priming of the feed fixes it (and gets the ink about five shades darker, which is kind of amazing). And it just looks. So. Cool. :wub:

 

ETA: Its inaugural ink is the sample vial I got of Liberty's Elysium, which just looks fantastic through the bezeled face. Much enjoy! Though I syringe-filled and it ate the WHOLE SAMPLE all by itself! That's a lotta ink capacity!!

Great news. I am using mine right now!!!!!!!!! Wonderful pen.

[Bklyn]

http://www.samanthawilding.net/penstuff/twsbi2.JPG

 

http://www.samanthawilding.net/penstuff/twsbi1.JPG

Beautiful.

[Bklyn]

 

'Buy it Now' - bid the stated price you get the pen.

Thanks!

[ac12]

Miz BC

Glad you like the 580. It is a nice pen.

 

I have a green 530, and have been thinking about getting a clear 580, so that I can see the ink without the color of the barrel distorting the color of the ink. Then the picture became fuzzy now that the TWSBI Eco is announced and soon to be shipping, the white/clear one is calling me. Decisions.....