The round jewel atop the cap displays the red TWSBI insignia. It costs a bit more than the regular Mini, but it's well worth it. Like the original, the size and form factor are stellar. TWSBI started as an OEM manufacturer for different western brands, and around 2009, they decided to start their own brand. The wrench is now plastic, not metal (it still works great though!). Really, the question isnt whether you should get a TWSBI but simply which TWSBI you should get. Please correct me if I'm wrong.. /r/fountainpens - A community for fountain pen enthusiasts, from the novice to the collector. The 1.1 and 1.5 I have for my Mini Classic are great, but did require adjustment and smoothing. The Classic isnt the best choice for people who want to be able to change nibs quickly and easily, but you can pull the nib and feed out of the grip section and replace them with ones from a Diamond Mini or Vac Mini replacement nib unit. However, if you want to carry it in a pocket, it's a much better size (being a pocket pen and all). I'm planning to get a TWSBI pen with a 1.1 nib, and I've been looking at the Diamond Mini - the 580 and Vac are a bit too big for my small hands, as I always like to write with the caps posted. They are a very tight fit and the grip required can result in the collector fins breaking. The rest is plastic. For those who write cap-in-hand, the Mini has a petite profile with a light weight. Wow, that really is saying something - I'll be getting at least one of them, for sure!
Here is what I think about them: Eco: A good writer, excellent ink volume. The TWSBI Mini takes all the parts you enjoy about the Diamond 580 - the clear, diamond-faceted barrel, the benchmark piston-filling mechanism, the detachable design, and the smooth-flowing stainless steel nib - and scales it down by 17%. I always recommend TWSBI pens to people who are interested in trying a piston-filler fountain pen for the first time. The nib writes well from the start with no stuttering or skipping. My favorite? Since introducing the 530 several years ago, TWSBI has dominated the $50-100 price point, and has also made serious headway into the entry-level segment with the TWSBI Eco. Do I want to do that or go with a 580AL (which I've not heard about having any leaking issues). Sign up for our mailing list to receive new product alerts, special offers, and coupon codes. Regardless, TWSBI is known for having good customer service, so if you run into a problem, they will make it right. It was said that Pelican M800 was the model they were inspired. The blue edition will likely sell out soon, but there's always the standard silver AL! As for me, I would get the Eco. The Eco offers great value and I was very impressed when it arrived but, when I try to write with it posted it isn't as comfortable as the Mini. In terms of looks, they're correct: there's not a lot to visually distinguish the Diamond Mini from the 580, other than - obviously - the shorter length and some different color schemes. And, the cap threads onto the pen without affecting the piston knob. I've only used the mini. Pen Review: The TWSBI Diamond Mini (AL Gold Model), Workhorse Pens: Faber-Castell E-Motion Pure Black Review, Five Things I'm Excited About (or, Favorite Things from Atlanta) .
I don't expect it will be too long before I get an Eco too (next payday perhaps). I have all three and I'll pretty much eco the sentiments of the others. And, they're just loads of fun. Another fun thing about TWSBI is that you can swap out the nib units if you want another size without buying another pen. It works fine though - the pen writes every time. And even with quite a heavy amount of ink on the paper, I don't get any feather or bleed, so this pen and this ink make a great combination on my cheap notepad and my Black n' Red book. And, of course, you can see your ink sloshing around in the reservoir, which is always fun. And yes, there's nothing wrong with plastic at all - it was one of our most world-changing inventions. (This was an initial run model from four or five years ago.) Which do you prefer? Here is the TWSBI Mini compared against the Diamond 580 fountain pen. ", YeahI like going to Brian Goulet and there wasn't much info on the Ecothanks for basically calling me a liar. The steel nib is very rigid, which means there's no flex to speak of. However, as the Eco doesn't have interchangeable nibs, you might prefer the versatility that the 580 offers. Replacement nibs for the Diamond 580 are readily available and easy to install, making it a flexible choice for people who like using a variety of nib sizes. Free Economy Shipping over $75 (USA Only). The 580 would be even heavier (and I believe the AL version even more so). When we scale down in pen size, it's often at the sacrifice of ink capacity. They both have the exact same nib and write the same. A pocket-sized, piston-fill fountain pen almost sounds unheard of, doesn't it? Luckily, I've never had any problems with my TWSBIs, and I still really enjoy them. Yours may differ. I would choose the Eco. I enjoy writing with it and it's 1 of 3 pens, I use daily. Digital Divide Media, LLC, 2014-present. I don't think you can go too far wrong either way - and wish you the best with your purchasing decision! I've been using an Eco for the past couple of months, and I love it - don't ask me to express a preference, I'd find that difficult to do! The cap fits snugly on the pen when closed, and the clip has a nice spring to it. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Then consider becoming a member to receive additional weekly content, giveaways, and discounts in The Pen Addict shop. This EF is no exception. Way back in 2013, I wrote my first review for Brad on this site. The mini (and vac mini) is nice and also feels better built than the Eco, but I'm not a fan of having to post a pen to write with it, nor am I a fan of having to thread the pen to post it. Posted, the Eco is ridiculously long but light enough that it's still okay to write with, and the extra weight can help somewhat. When it comes to packaging, the TWSBI Mini is boxed in a clear, plastic rectangular box with rounded corners just like the Diamond 580. 
Oops, what I meant to say was that the Mini had a different nib unit that was screw in. My Diamond Mini is already with me - very quick shipping from The Writing Desk, who deserve a nod. The wedding-ring style band has the TWSBI logo, the words "Mini," and "Taiwan" laser-etched into the polished surface. I haven't tried the 1.5 nib yet and I don't know whether it will suit me, but I thought I had to get one now while they're still available or else miss my chance to try one. Like the Classic, the Precision is a great choice for people who like TWSBIs design philosophy but aren't fans of transparent demonstrator pens. The Mini has a quality feel to it, with a bit of solidity and weight. All content is the exclusive property of Digital Divide Media, LLC, including The Gentleman Stationer website and trademark, and should not be reproduced without express written permission. Copyright 2004-2021 The Fountain Pen Network However, I can afford the full. To the extent any content may contain paid advertising, affiliate links, or sponsored content, it will be plainly disclosed by a disclaimer when/if featured. 2) The feed and nib were touchy and could dry out if they were not well taken care of and placed in the pen perfectly. "I am having trouble finding sufficient information to make my next selection.
TWSBI (San Wen Tong) is one of our earliest collection even before the store. Posted, the Diamond Mini is actually slightly longer than the TWSBI 580. In Pursuit of the Perfect Patina: The Schon DSGN Machined Pen v2 Anniversary Edition, Pen Case Review: Lochby Quattro Four-Pen Case. The initials of the name San Wen Tong was reversed and thus turned into "TWS". If this issue were to be corrected, the 580 would be just about the perfect TWSBI pen. When the knob at the end of the pen is fully tightened, a rubber seal closes off the ink chamber from the feed. I thought they fixed the 580 with their new update? Not so with the TWSBI Mini. Do you own a TWSBI Mini fountain pen? If the Mini and Eco use the same nib and feed, couldn't one just buy extra Mini nibs and pull the nib and feed from the collar and put them in the Eco? It's the simplest design, happens to be the least expensive, and still uses good nibs (although smaller nibs, not #6). Pair one up with a Diamond 50 ink bottle for quick and easy filling at your desk. I have a 530, and a 580. Because it posts. It has a single piece of plastic for its body and does not have the design defect the 580 has that is the most common cause of cracks and ink leaks. ", "I want a pen with metal construction and a cool, industrial style. The pen looks and feels great, but how does it write? October 13, 2015 in TWSBI. Of the three, this one is easily my favorite. It's a great pen that feels steady in the hand and writes beautifully. The facets on the cap would be great if not for the cap ringthey WOULD keep the pen from rolling, but the cap ring is round rather than facetted. vac twsbi The nib is smooth with a little feedback. I have both. The piston mechanism is smooth and sure. The barrier to entry is lower than a Pelikan M200 or a Lamy 2000, and TWSBI generally offers a relatively inexpensive, reliable writing experience while still allowing people to dabble in the "limited edition" craze. Membership starts at just $5/month, with a discounted annual option available. ", "I want a pen that makes it easy to swap nibs whenever I want. To accommodate most handwriting styles, the Mini features number 5 stainless steel nibs available in extra-fine, fine, medium, broad and 1.1mm stub tip sizes.
Despite its large size, the Vac700R has another special feature that makes it uniquely travel friendly: a safety valve to protect against leaks. And, best of all, theyre a fantastic dealTWSBI could sell most of their pens for twice the price and still compete with other brands. If you are determined to take things apart, the ECO is cheaper to replace, when you break yours. Filling the GO is as easy as can besimply dip the nib in ink, press down on the spring-loaded plunger, and release. Replacement nibs for the Vac Mini are readily available and easy to install, making it a flexible choice for people who like using a variety of nib sizes. In most videos he uses Chinese xuanzhi, which is the paper for traditional calligraphy, to hold the greater ink flow of calligraphy-oriented pens. What do you get in the Mini? Powered by Invision Community, @hssqqWelcome for FPN, and thank you for your suggestion. They hold a ton of ink, fill directly from bottles, and are beautifully designed to show off the ink inside them. Plus, you support me and the site directly, which I am very grateful for. If I had only 25, I would get the ECO. All rights reserved. It's easy! The body is one circular piece of plastic, unlike the faceted barrel of the Mini. fountain twsbi You can swap with a replacement TWSBI Mini nib unit by unscrewing and replacing the section. Send an electronic gift card by email to a fellow pen junkie! This site is supported by sales from the T.G.S. Become a member of our fine writing community to receive exclusivedeals, gain access to limited editions &new arrivals. 
