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The Grass is Greener: A TWSBI Review

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If you ever see me writing, just know that it’s a TWSBI in my hand. Not only are they stylish, coming through with the demonstrator look that everyone loves, but the piston mechanism that holds the ink is undefeated. Well, at least in my book it is. I have been able to write with the same ink for the last 25 days and I keep asking myself, “when will this run out of ink?” But guess what? It doesn’t. Well, I over exaggerated a bit. It eventually does after about 30 days.

With that being noted, there are two statements from TWSBI’s mission that I have found to be true time after time: 1. dedicated to manufacturing the highest quality precision writing instruments. You are able to see this directly from the precision of their nibs. If you are looking for a nib that’s smooth and behaves well or any type of paper regardless of the ink you choose, then TWSBI is the one. From my experience, I have never had a problem with inconsistent ink flow, misalignment which results in too much nib feedback in other words, scratchiness.  2. Providing sincere and dedicated customer service. No matter what the issues is, their customer service has always been supreme. They will even answer you via Instagram if needed. Now that’s what I call a brand dedicated to their customers. Did you know that TWSBI will also assist in replacing parts. It’s true! Not the nib though, sorry.

Additionally, TWSBI comes in a variety of colorways and models with their latest being the TWSBI Irish Green with Onyx, which is the first of its kind. It is characterized with black trimming and a black nib to give it that amazing style and structure. They maintained the piston filling system to continue giving us that voluminous amount of ink. I also appreciate that they kept the price feasible in which it retails for $49.99 at Goulet Pens. However, there are other retailers that have discount codes that allows you to save money, basically reducing the taxes, Lol. Am I wrong?

Of course, I had to ink it with Anderillium’s Spirula Green, I didn’t think there was a perfect ink, but it was the perfect combination. The black nib writes very comparable to the Lamy black nibs, so if you own one, you know exactly what I mean. Buttery smooth! The nibs are made with black stainless steel but be careful because it will still scratch. I love the entire aesthetic of the pen. TWSBI really won me over with this one.

Here are SEVEN things to love about TWSBI:

1. Piston filling system

2. Easy cleaning

3. Variety of colors

4. Interchangeable nibs

5. Affordable 

6. Great starter pens

7. Customer service support

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All That Glitters Isn’t Golden: Fountain Pen Regret!

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I never thought that it would come to this, but I have to share my thoughts on this new fountain pen that I acquired. I will not include the name of the retailer that I bought it from because they were so honest, patient and very apologetic on the behalf of Nahvalur.

I heard so many great things about this company and I don’t doubt that they have amazing pens. I have seen and held some of their gorgeous pens and was very impressed by the one my friend had so guess what, I waited it out and behold they came out with the Nahvalur Eclipse. The first of its kind, retractable. When I saw it, my heart immediately wanted it because after all, I am a fountain pen addict! Yes, collecting fountain pens is a real hobby. Don’t judge me! Lol. I searched all over the internet because I was determined to find a fountain pen retailer selling it on pre-order. After two days of searching, I found a shop based in Texas.

Four weeks later, the pen was in my possession. I couldn’t wait to get home to ink it up. Once I arrived home, I inked it with the most perfect ink, Diamine Dusted Truffle. It has the perfect combination of ink and shimmer, and the dual shading properties are amazing. I just knew it was going to be amazing once I put the pen to the paper.

*Started writing. In my mind I am thinking, “maybe this ink is too wet for this pen.” *drip *drip No, it is really dripping ink from the nib. The disappointment on my face was unmeasurable. I was literally flabbergasted that I waited all this time for a pen that was not functional.

The next day, I emailed the retailer, and they shipped out a replacement. I received the replacement two days later and guess what? The nib begin to leak again and the worst part of it all was that the top of the pen would not screw back on. At this point, I had to contact Nahvalur because this was the fault of the company.

You know the saying, “If it’s too good to be true, then it probably is.” I felt very cheated of being able to experience something comparable to the Pilot Vanishing Point. However, I did find a solution on my own. The Pilot Vanishing Point’s nib unit fits the Nahvalur Eclipse. So, if you are reading this and have had the same problem, you’re welcome!

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Here are six things to know before purchasing any new fountain pens:

1. Research the company, look at reviews on the internet and YouTube. If you can find a retailer, see if you are able to write with the pen before buying. Fountain pen shows are very helpful when it comes to this. If you can find one in your area, I say go for it.

2. Educate yourself on the type of ink that works well with the brand. There is a plethora of “Currently Inked” videos in which this can be helpful.

3. Know what your writing style is like. Nibs come is different shapes, sizes and lengths and understanding what your preference is will assist you in purchasing the nib that is right for you.

4. Learn about the maintenance of the pen such as how often it should be cleaned, and with what products. This is essential for those that do not want to spend hours disassembling and assembling pens for more than 15 minutes.

5. Budget wisely. If this is not a pen you have had before, consider purchasing something similar to see how it feels in your hands. There is nothing wrong with starting with an entry-level pen before exploring higher-end options.

6. Stick to what you know! My lesson in all of this is that “all that glitters isn’t golden!”

 

Updated on 10.19.2024:

As you know, Nahvalur sent me a replacement pen for all the trouble that I had went through with the first two replacements. After having the new and third replacement, it is safe to say that I am still having the same issue. It still leaks from the back of the nib. Of course I will be keeping this pen but this is not something that I can recommend to any of my viewers. This has been the most excruciating experience of my fountain pen journey. 

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Top Fountain Pens: My Favorites Ranked

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#4: Kaweco Sport

The Kaweco Sport is an excellent starter fountain pen that shares many features with the TWSBI Kai. It boasts a notably smooth nib that performs well on all paper types, handling both wet and dry inks effortlessly. Compact and portable, it easily fits in pockets, planners, or small pencil cases. Despite its small size, it’s quite comfortable for extended writing sessions. However, the tiny converter means you might find yourself inking it more frequently.

#3: Lamy XL 

The Lamy XL was my first fountain pen purchase, and while my initial experience was a bit scratchy—especially with the extra fine nib, which is a common critique—the consistent ink flow and ergonomic design make it comfortable to write with. I haven’t encountered clogging issues, but I advise caution when using shimmer inks, like Diamine Alpine. Inks with heavy shimmer can cause performance problems, so stick to smoother inks for best results.

#2: Pilot Vanishing Point

The Pilot Vanishing Point, my first retractable fountain pen, is affectionately known as my “baby.” Its sleek style and matte finish were major draws for me. I appreciate its consistent ink flow and the adequate ink capacity for its nib size. It performs beautifully on Hemlock and Oak notebook paper, with no issues of feathering or bleed-through. However, I’ve noticed the nib can feel scratchy on certain papers, particularly the 52gsm Tomoe River Paper, offering more feedback than I prefer for my extra fine nib.

#1: TWSBI Kai

At the top of my list is the TWSBI Kai, a limited-edition fountain pen that has become my daily go-to. This pen is a staple in my messenger bag, with its beautiful marble resin and gold trim. It offers exceptional ink flow and features a piston filling mechanism that holds enough ink for about 30 days of writing. The nib is incredibly smooth with just the right amount of grip, making it comfortable for long writing sessions. My only wish is that TWSBI would expand the color options, as this pen truly deserves a broader palette.

Overall, these fountain pens each bring their unique charm and functionality to the table, making them great choices for different writing preferences. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned enthusiast, there’s something in this lineup to suit your style. Ultimately, investing in a quality fountain pen can enhance your writing experience and inspire creativity in every stroke.

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