lady dandelion

I’ve become more and more reluctant to write early reviews of pens – mostly because a thorough review needs thorough use. I’ve only had the TWSBI pen for a short period of time, but I’m so positively surprised that I want to share some thoughts.

The TWSBI has in a very short time become very popular among fountain pen people.You can buy it straight from the source at Ebay for $39 + a few dollars in shipping costs and I was curious to know what the fuss is all about. And now I know.
It is made to function and comes delivered with a manual for disassembly. It has a smooth operating piston that holds a big chunk of ink. The nib is an EF and it is smooth and at par with nibs made of gold that is mounted on pens many times more expensive. Made to do a good writing job. It is solidly put together and nice to hold. The design is simple, without bling, but with an attention to detail that makes it stylish in a way that pleases us who like clean and unadorned. The EF is more of a F and lays down a nice not-too-wet-not-too-dry line. Nothing (so far) is flimsy. Unlike many expensive pens it is made to be used and seems to be made to put up with a lot of abuse. Can you hear that I am tired of overpriced, expensive pens that doesn’t fulfill the expectation that the price tag gives rise to and which often bears witness of poor and insufficient quality control? Well, I am. I’ve tried far too many modern pens with hefty (in my eyes) price tags which are way too overpriced. Many fountain pen manufacturers also seem to focus more and more on the more “higher” segments with pens that are made as collectibles and not for use and thus it is refreshing with a pen as the TWSBI that expressly seeks to deliver a functional, well designed pen with a piston filler for a very reasonable price and that it seems to keep these promises. It has already made it into my regular stable of daily users. I’ll follow up with a real thorough review when I have used it a little longer. But so far it seems unlikely that it will disappoint.