(Please Vote) Has Your Twsbi Cracked?

[malang]

Yes I agree it is a valuable, if flawed, thread.

On the results so far for all models, 26% have cracked and 74% have not. That is out of a total of 668 responses. When you take into account those who have not yet voted, I wonder how that compares with other brands (even MBs have been known to crack).

This is the more valuable stat. It's a good idea to compensate for the pen you're thinking of buying. When I did this for the Vac 700 which I'm looking to buy, approx 75% did not crack.

 

One thing the poll doesn't do is tell you the timeframe. Very important detail.

[EBUCKTHORN]

I haven't seen a response to my questions, comments (shown again below), perhaps because the way I posted them wasn't clear. Anybody have any thoughts?

 

"And, while you're at it please allow for folks who have more than one of a particular model with mixed results. I have three minis. One (cap) cracked but the other two pens haven't. How do I express that in the poll? Also the last time I looked I didn't see the VAC Mini in there. And, i agree that "don't own one" doesn't add any useful information. I know you're trying to perform a service with the poll and appreciate that but am just expressing a couple of frustrations."

[Matlock]

I haven't seen a response to my questions, comments (shown again below), perhaps because the way I posted them wasn't clear. Anybody have any thoughts?

 

"And, while you're at it please allow for folks who have more than one of a particular model with mixed results. I have three minis. One (cap) cracked but the other two pens haven't. How do I express that in the poll? Also the last time I looked I didn't see the VAC Mini in there. And, i agree that "don't own one" doesn't add any useful information. I know you're trying to perform a service with the poll and appreciate that but am just expressing a couple of frustrations."

 

I think your questions are very clear and very relevant but it seems that no one seems to be paying much attention to this post any more. That, actually, may be quite telling. We shall have to wait and see.

[EBUCKTHORN]

 

I think your questions are very clear and very relevant but it seems that no one seems to be paying much attention to this post any more. That, actually, may be quite telling. We shall have to wait and see.

Thanks for your comment. The whole situation is so darn frustrating. Twsbi produces pens that a lot of folks really like but it's hard to purchase them with confidence (though I have five!). It's reasonable to believe that a technical solution is possible and I thought more recent pens were going to be better but now, if I remember correctly, even the Vac-Mini has been cracking. I wish I were wrong about that-perhaps I am.

[Matlock]

Thanks for your comment. The whole situation is so darn frustrating. Twsbi produces pens that a lot of folks really like but it's hard to purchase them with confidence (though I have five!). It's reasonable to believe that a technical solution is possible and I thought more recent pens were going to be better but now, if I remember correctly, even the Vac-Mini has been cracking. I wish I were wrong about that-perhaps I am.

 

I wonder how the actual percentage of pens that crack compares to other makes. Quite often see reference to MBs cracking and Parker had to replace a whole batch of 51 Special Editions. As you say, it is a shame, because TWSBI make very good pens. I have 4 and no cracking (yet).

[kapanak]

I do sincerely hope TWSBI goes back to experimenting with materials like Micarta

[jpierson]

The black plastic unit that holds the nib and feed for my classic cracked. Had to pay $4 for a replacement part that is now on the way. I heard a disconcerting noise from the piston on my 580. Wonder if the barrel is starting to crack. I will reassemble the classic and put both away. I'm pretty much done with TWSBI.

[EBUCKTHORN]

I don't personally remember the Micarta TWSBIs but a problem with using that material is that it can't be molded but must be machined, thereby (I think) increasing costs unless modern digitally-controlled lathes can do the work fast enough.

[malang]

 

I have both the 580 and the Eco. Consider these key points:

 

1. The 580 posts to the piston knob, which is so-so as long as you are very careful that the piston knob is tight and you make sure it doesn't turn (to avoid an inky mess). Also the 580 is top heavy when posted.

 

2. The Eco is not only cheaper than the 580, I think the quality is on-par with the 580. The Eco is much more balanced when posted compared to the 580, and the Eco doesn't post to the filler knob. However, some Eco owners (like me) have a problem posting their pens, the caps pop off when posted. But it seems this posting problem with the Eco does not seem to be wide spread. I attribute the Eco's posting problem to air being trapped in the cap and having no way to escape when posted because the cap posts to a rubber O-ring.

 

So there you have it. Both pens aren't perfect in my opinion. If I had to choose between the 580 and the Eco, I would go for the Eco and take a chance on the posting issue. The 580 is just too top-heavy for me when posted, and I always write posted.

 

If you are in-fact in Australia and you can't buy the TWSBI pens in-country, you might consider buying from a retailer in Singapore. I buy from Singapore and ship with tracking via Singapore Post (Speedpost). I know of two places to buy TWSBI pens in Singapore:

 

Overjoyed:

 

http://www.overjoyed.com.sg/

 

Straits Pen:

 

http://aws.straitspen.com

 

Good Luck, David

 

 

I've just ordered a Vac 700 from 'overjoyed'. Can't wait for it to arrive as I'm getting tired of my Pilot Prera and starting to notice it's faults!

[FOUR X FOUR]

If you like posting on twsbis FB page, don't suggest that speedy get more involved in the forum

[kapanak]

I wonder if switching away from the current formulation to go with a plexiglas injection molded resin would resolve basically all cracking issues of not...

Edited June 12, 2016 by kapanak

[grubi]

In my case, my 700 cracked (just a little) in the threads connecting the vacuum knob and the barrel... and it was totally my fault. I pushed it when it was not aligned correctly. As far as the infamous "mystery" cracking, I've experienced none.

[stuartk]

 

 

One thing the Vac 700 does have going for it though is that it uses a modern No.6 (~6mm diameter) size nib. So you have a several 3rd-party sources for swappable nibs. The TWSBI 580 and Eco both use a smaller (~5mm?) nib.

 

 

 

I was told that the Eco uses a #4 nib.

[Jamerelbe]

 

I was told that the Eco uses a #4 nib.

Nope, it's definitely a #5 nib, but narrower "wings" than the Diamond 580, which is why people think it's a #4. I bought a few steel #5 JoWo nibs from Fpnibs.com that fit snugly in the Eco - the design of the pen makes it easy to swap them in and out.

[Orange25]

I've had two 540s and one 580 - all have cracked within the first 18 months. The 540s cracked in the barrel and the 580 in the section. None of these pens ever left home. They were sat in a drawer when not in use and I never dropped them or took them apart.

 

It's nice that replacement parts come easily and swiftly, and that there's a lifetime warranty on TWSBI pens - it seems like they need it. I don't expect demonstrators or any plastic pen to be indestructible, but they shouldn't be made so poorly that they crack without any misuse or mishap on the part of the user.

 

I like the design of the 580 and love the idea of a quality piston filler at a reasonable price, but this shouldn't come at the cost of build quality and longevity.

 

From the results so far - I know it's not a great sample - 17.3% of 580 owners (32 out of 185) have reported cracks. Even if 17.3% is a little high, it's still a long way off being good. I'm pleased to see things are much improved for the Eco (for now) at 5.2% (six out of 116), and I'd love to see a similar trend in the 580's successor.

 

In the UK, prices range from £40 - £55 depending on retailer and model. If TWSBI came out with a 580 successor with much better build quality, I'd be willing to pay up to £70. If it lasts as long as good fountain pen should, it's only a small increase in cost in the long term.

Edited June 26, 2016 by Orange25

[Gilkv]

I have to chime in on this one. I bought a Diamond 580 and was excited when it arrived. Pulled it out of the box, flushed it and let it dry out, then the next morning filled it, noticed the section was loose so I tightened it a bit, but knowing the cracking issue I was very gentle. I sat down to write in my daily journal, and about 150 words in I felt something sharp on my finger... The section had cracked, even with gentle pressure applied to keep it from spinning freely. Contacted TWSBI and they said that I had abused the pen and told me that with shipping and the repair it would cost me $47.50. So, I just purchased another nib unit from goblet pens and it works ok but I wouldn't carry for for an every day pen anymore.

[kapanak]

I have to chime in on this one. I bought a Diamond 580 and was excited when it arrived. Pulled it out of the box, flushed it and let it dry out, then the next morning filled it, noticed the section was loose so I tightened it a bit, but knowing the cracking issue I was very gentle. I sat down to write in my daily journal, and about 150 words in I felt something sharp on my finger... The section had cracked, even with gentle pressure applied to keep it from spinning freely. Contacted TWSBI and they said that I had abused the pen and told me that with shipping and the repair it would cost me $47.50. So, I just purchased another nib unit from goblet pens and it works ok but I wouldn't carry for for an every day pen anymore.

 

And this is why honesty doesn't pay.

[prashant.tikekar]

 

And this is why honesty doesn't pay.

I just reported that section of my diamond 540 is broken to twsbi and on 3rd day spare feed holder is on the way. They just asked to pay me nominal ( 5 usd ) shipping charges. No other questions asked. It was way cheaper than spare nib unit here so I paid shipping charges.

[Astaraya]

My 580 cracked two weeks ago, the black part of the section breaking off. I should have seen it coming, considering that ink was starting to leak into that section. I contacted TWSBI, and they sent me a replacement section, which was great. I did crack the clear section area some more, trying to get out the broken bits on the inner threads. The new section came yesterday, and it doesn't fit my 580, nor does it fit my nib.

 

idk at this point I'm just very done with my 580 and probably won't buy another TWSBI again. It's a shame. I really loved my 580 and its capacity.

[yzeng]

Now after seeing this pole I guess eco and 580 seems the safest to go to of all TWSBIs. Glad I got an ECO for my first pen!