Best Twsbi?

[Manalto]

I hate to think of the money that has been spent on nice gift fountain pens that have never been used.

 

They're waiting for us and will become available once the sentimentality fades.

[Quantumchaos]

I love the 580 demonstrator. There is nothing like a TWSBI demonstrator

[j1020]

Love the 580, +1. Huge ink capacity and you can see when its getting low!

[abstract49]

+1 for the Diamond 580. I have 2 with different nibs, and I have a Vac 700. I guess the Vac 700 is okay, but I just like the 580 better.

[EdeIstein88]

TWSBI Micarta i think is the best.. no crack issue

[PandP]

I have an amber 540, clear 580 and 580 RB. All three are fantastic to write with. They hold a good amount of ink and look very good. I use Fine nib on all three of them. The 580 RB looks very pretty but you'd have to be careful what colour ink you use in it because the red and blue sections wont go with anything.

 

The only issue I have with TWSBI pens is that somehow they wont work with the KWZ inks (because apparently the ink reacts with the silicone lube that TWSBI uses).

[akrohn2010]

I absolutely love my Eco (it's my favorite of my 8 pens so far), mainly because of how fantastically it writes, and how it shows off the ink and starts conversations when I use it. I have considered grabbing another TWSBI, but unsure as to whether to get a second Eco or one of their other models. From what I've read sounds like opinions are many and YMMV with each model.

 

For those of you who have 580s/Vac700/Minis etc. and an Eco -- how does the writing compare? Do they all write similarly? I'm aware of the differences in filling mech/size/posting etc. that I've found here.

 

Want another TWSBI but having some analysis paralysis...

~AK

[Joseph B]

TWSBI Micarta i think is the best.. no crack issue

 

+1

[chad.trent]

I own several. A 540, Vac 700, Eco, and Classic. The only one I've had problems with is the Classic. Which is too bad because it's my favorite. But it constantly leaks around the ink window. I've tried silicone grease to stop it but no luck.

 

I have heard that a lot of the cracking on the 540/580 results when people are removing and resinstalling the section. I've never done that on mine though.

 

Out of all of them I write with the Eco most. My 540 is orange which I like, but not always appropriate for taking notes during a meeting at work.

 

The Vac 700 is just too big for me. No complaints about the pen itself though. Keep thinking about getting a vac mini. I probably will sooner or later.

Edited August 12, 2017 by chad.trent

[abstract49]

I have three (3) Diamond 580 models and one (1) Vac 700. While the Vac 700's ink capacity is enormous, the 580's is more than adequate, especially when using a F nib. I also like the size of the 700, but the 580, again, is more than enough.

 

I don't much like having to write with the blind cap unscrewed on the 700. Just a quirk, I know; it's really not critical, just an aesthetic factor.

 

Altogether, my vote goes to the 580 series.

[almoore]

I've had several TWSBI's including the Mini's and my absolute favourite is the Vac 700R, but I also keep my ECO in circulation - they both get used most days.

 

They are both great pens but when I buy another it with be a Vac 700R.

 

Al

Edited August 18, 2017 by almoore

[stephanos]

Depends what you want to use it for.

 

If travelling, the Vac700 wins hands down.

 

Otherwise, for me, it's a toss-up between the 580 and the Eco. I prefer the looks of the 580, but I find I use the Eco more.

 

(I have the mini versions, but nearly never use them - I find the cross-threading when capping too annoying.)

[Tas]

For me, the Vac 700 is not only the best TWSBI but it's right up there with the best of any pens I own. Its nib is a smooth, nail like EF and the pen is a joy to hold and use.
I write with mine almost every day and I've really had to control my urge to buy another.

 

http://www.taskyprianou.com/vac_700_ancient_copper_fpn.jpg

(I never did manage to lay my hands on a Micarta though . . . )

Edited August 22, 2017 by Tas

[AlexLeGrande]

I have three TWSBi's, the 540,580, and the Mini. I've had cracking issues with both of the 500 series pens which were quickly replaced by TWSBI customer service. My Diamond Mini is the rare and sought after Rose Gold and White. It is a beautiful pen and a smooth and reliable writer starting up instantly after three weeks of non use, no skips, no problems.

 

[Torrilin]

My eco and 580 are both XF nibs. I can't peg which pen did which line if they're using the same ink. I get more line variety from me than anything else. (We're not talking serious nib flex here, more art geek having obsessive attention to line weight)

 

I probably "need" a 1.1mm italic nib. The 580 is easier to use with ink samples, but I'm not sure I neeeeeeed tremendous ink variety for a calligraphy nib. So maybe I'd get an eco and keep it for boring bottle worthy inks. I've considered getting an f and m nib eco for playing with line weight, but every time I think about it, I wind up playing with a brush pen or trying to figure out more efficient methods than obsessive cross hatching.

 

I haven't tried any other TWSBI, so I can't say there's a best. I really like them both, and they're top contenders in the school pen++ category.

[almoore]

For me, the Vac 700 is not only the best TWSBI but it's right up there with the best of any pens I own. Its nib is a smooth, nail like EF and the pen is a joy to hold and use.

I write with mine almost every day and I've really had to control my urge to buy another.

 

Same here, the only reason I don't own several Vac 700R's is that they are out of stock where I buy them from.

[jslallar]

580s for me
i have 2, a B and a 1.1 stub, lov them

[the_pendit]

I would say that I love the ECO-T, but the vac700 is near perfect...

Im rotating around a Conklin Wordguage in stealth atm, but will move onto the Vac700R in a few days

 

[Arotaes]

The 580AL is just killer. The piston is smooth and satisfying, the colors are bold and pop well, the barrel looks gorgeous, and the grip and nib are both great. My 580 is definitely my daily driver, and even if people complain about it not posting I think that's not too much of a big deal - it's too topheavy posted.

[JulioPB]

The ECO with no doubt.