My Twsbi 580Al Blues

[FOUR X FOUR]

What size is the nib?😃

[Cryptos]

I think this must be a new low point for me since I joined.

 

Just repackaged a pen to return, flushed and cleaned the 4 Esties and an Italix, and about to flush and clean the 580AL - these are all to go on the Bay of Fleas I guess, though no doubt it will be a disheartening experience as usual.

 

That will leave me with just 2 fountain pens left that are inked - a Pilot 912FA and an Indian ebonite pen. Actually, that's a small fib. I have a Desiderata with ink in it but it is more an art tool than a writing tool. And the ebonite thing will go eventually.

 

 

I have no idea what has gone wrong, but I am not at all a happy camper.

[Fabienne]

I do feel your pain, and as much as I love TWSBIs, I will never buy another AL again. Here is your problem: The grip is impossible, since it is aluminum your fingers will either slip down it's slick surface OR you will have the constant illusion that they are slipping. Very unpleasant feeling. First I tried to scuff up the surface with sandpaper (I didn't care if I ruined it, I just wanted it to work for me). It still felt too slick even after a good chaffing with coarse sandpaper. Then I wrapped a piece of electrical tape about the grip and it worked well. Yes, it looks like sin and i finallly replaced it with a plastic grip which fits.

 

My esteemed advice to you. Hold your horses about putting it up on e-Bay and wrap a piece of electrical tape around the grip. Try using the pen for a couple of days with this arrangement and just concentrate on how it feels in your hand. I be you will forget you had a problem very soon and as long as you don't look at the tape, you will be having a great writing experience.

 

Later, after you get in tuned with your pen, write to Speedy here on the forum and tell him your story. Ask him if he will send you a plastic grip for your AL and I am sure he will.

 

Just give my fix a try. If it doesn't work, you can take off the tape and sell it with no damage to the pen.

 

I still love TWSBIs and will buy them. Hats off to them for experimenting. I hope they read this thread, I bet they will.

[Cryptos]

Well that's a new experience for me. The TWSBI sold within a couple of hours of listing!

[setriode]

Like you I had to get rid of my 580. It was a combination of its length, weight, balance and girth which meant it was unsuited to my hand and uncomfortable. The TWSBI mini on the other hand suits me quite well although I still prefer my Pelikan 200s, Parker 51s, Pilot 74/2 or even a Safari.

Edited May 18, 2016 by setriode