We have had an on again, off again relationship TWSBI and I, it's been quite a ride! Patreon: / pensandtea Discord: / discord Instagram: / pens_and_tea
I love all your presentations about fountain pens. What I like most about you is that you don't go for the super expensive fountain pens, like myself. Please continue your good work. My prayers for your health and wellbeing. From Singapore!
I very much like all my TWSBI's but especially my 580 ALR in the Prussian Blue with a fine, medium or broad nib depending on the specific use. Perhaps I've just had good luck with each of those that I own but I'm five for five now and that's a pretty good score. The 580's are, imo, attractive and utilitarian but they don't knock me over like my Pelikan M800 or Pilot Custom 823 which are superb ... again imo. The best aspects of the TWSBI's are how easy they are to clean and maintain. I don't need as much ink capacity, but they're easy to partially fill. If you enjoy looking at the ink sloshing around in the barrel, the TWSBI's are very hard to beat! I do prefer the 580 series and I think they seem much more "refined" than the others even if they're not in the same class as the Pilot and Pelikan I mentioned above.
I like this pen as well. Have it in Navy-unless my co,or is way out of whack, I believe yours is Prussian Blue. I love the ink supply of most Twsbi’s for their ink supply and transparency. It’s been replaced in my heart by my Pilot 823, but now that we’re slowly moving back into the office, it will be one of those accompanying there. Thank you for another clear and concise video.
TWSBIs are great! Maybe I've just had good luck with them but they have all been great and I have 5 of them. I have only ever had an issue with 1, a vac 700 iris that had a bad seal. TWSBI had me a replacement part in a couple days and it has been fine ever since. No complaints about the pens or their customer service.
The TWSBi Diamond 580 AL was my first pen purchase over $50. I have small cold dry hands, but I found my hand cramping due to the slippery grip. I now have a purple 580 ALR and it's one of my main pens for long writing sessions; I have no hand strain with the ALR. Thanks for your review and re review!
I do like the 580. Love? Not sure, it's a good-looking tool with the features I like at a price that's worth paying. So far I have a M nib for general writing and an F mostly for work stuff. And a second M that has yet to be inked. Will be getting more of them 😅 They are just tools, but they are my tools.
Love this pen ( not for looks). I’m teaching myself cursive(never learned it as a young person), this is one of my favorite pens to use. I’m currently in the love phase with Twsbi and Benu( for different reasons). I don’t have flow issues with any of my TWsbis. But, my current favorite is a Narwhal/Nahvalur,.
I like these long term use reviews 👍 Utilitarian is certainly not a bad thing in a pen. In fact my taste in pens is fairly utilitarian but refined: basically if it looks and feels nice and works reliably for the purpose I’m using it for, then I like it. The Pilot 823 fits that category for me, but I can see the case for a less refined utilitarian pen like the 580 for the purposes you mentioned in the video.
I had the normal 580 and had to return it. I have the mini and it’s ok for me. I thought I would never get another Twsbi, but I’m taking another chance with the glow in the dark Eco. It should be here today.
The 580 series is the only TWSBI I like. I like that I can unscrew the grip for ease of cleaning, but I really dislike the flimsy feed. I tend to dedicate inks to them as workhorses so I don't have to remove the nibs for deep cleaning.
My twsbi diamond 580 was so dry and scratchy out of the box. After really tuning the nib, it writes pretty well but the nib is way too stiff for my liking! I do like the filling mechanism, ink capacity, how well it seals, and how it feels in my hand. I’m surprised by how much people love this pen though considering the writing experience is so meh!
I love all my TSWBI Diamond 580 AL-R. They never let me down. I like the design, the huge ink capacity and the B and Stub nibs are perfect for me. At 80 EUR/USD they are not cheap but worth the money.
The TWSBI nib/feed issues must be hit-or-miss; I have heard a lot about scratchy nibs and poor flow, but my experience has been the opposite. I have a Diamond 580 AL-R (identical color to the one in this video) with a 1.1 stub which writes nice and juicy (and keeps up fine - in spite of the fact that I'm a very fast writer), and I have an Eco (Yellow special edition) with a medium nib that writes smooth and juicy/. Both of these pens wrote great out-of-the box (no tuning needed). I have another Eco (green glow-in-the-dark) on the way with a fine nib - maybe my experience will change (although I don't mind tuning and polishing nibs - so even if it's not great out-of-the-box like the others, I'll get it the way I like it). Thanks for another great video!
I love the 580 alr. You can get a size five ultra flex nib from fountain pen revolution and have a budget flex pen as a daily carry. It’s feed surprisingly keeps up with flexing for being plastic
I kinda went through the same arc with Twsbi, I had multiple twsbi cracking on me (the only uncracked one is my diamond mini and I have no idea how since it is the one who looks the most fragile) and I absolutely despised it for a while but, after getting my hands on a few models who didn't crack (seems like luck of the draw) I have to say that they are pretty good writers all things considered, might actually invest in the vac mini although I heard that is the most crack prone of the bunch.
Good re-review! One nit-pick to note, that's the Prussian Blue 580 ALR, not Navy Blue like you mentioned in your video. The Navy Blue is a bit darker. One thing I like doing with my ALRs is sending them to a nib-meister. I had my fine nib tuned to be "glassy and smooth" because I like how Pilot pens write, and it's probably my favorite fine now
I keep twsbi's filled for ages with my favourite inks and don't count them in my currently inked tally. They don't dry out or have problems with shimmer. My issue with the 580 is it is awkward to post, which is a necessity for my adhd brain. I can lose things without even moving!
I have the same one but fine nib. Writes like a pencil, not really what I want. Doesn't dry out, so that's great but I don't use it anymore, if I want something to write like a pencil I'll use a pencil!
So I was actually considering buying this pen. I'm just curious what you would suggest in lieu of this pen? Are there other options that you would recommend over the TWSBI Diamond 580AL? Appreciate your feedback!
Thanks for the video! Have you tried to use shimmering inks in Kaweco sport fp? If so, which brands have you got better results with? Any recommendations or tips? I want to try Cygni Colorverse in my kaweco pearl but I'm a bit worried about clogging it...
I had bad experiences with two TWSBI Diamond 580AL pens, involving the snapping and cracking of plastic barrels. Admittedly, these were pens purchased several years ago when there were these issues, as you mentioned. But, sorry, TWSBI. I'm done. But not with Pens and Tea.
So . . . kinda like in 7th grade, you like TWSBI, but you don't LIKE LIKE it. I know what you mean about certain pens giving you the warm fuzzies and others being utilitarian. For me, Pilot Varsity pens are utilitarian. That's what I have in my EDC TN in my purse. I don't worry about running out of ink, it's a decent writing experience, but if I lost it or it broke, Meh. I wouldn't be devastated! Your review makes me want to up my game and maybe try this one the next time I have to travel. 🙂
I have had Diamond 580’s before. And, there a great choice. As, a pen you can afford to loose. I would much rather loose a Diamond 580 than my Visconti Marine Blue model. As, my Visconti is far more costly to replace. I keep a Diamond 580 as my EDC. as loosing it is not that big of a deal. Leonardo, Visconti, Mont Blanc, Parker Duo fold, Sailor KOP etc….. are far costlier to replace.
The most disappointing pen in my collection, it looks fantastic, but it skips and skips and skips despite all my efforts to tune it. The aluminium grip section should be renamed “slip section”.
TWSBIs are great if you don't use them often because they don't dry out. That alone is worth the price of admission.
I love all your presentations about fountain pens. What I like most about you is that you don't go for the super expensive fountain pens, like myself. Please continue your good work. My prayers for your health and wellbeing. From Singapore!
I very much like all my TWSBI's but especially my 580 ALR in the Prussian Blue with a fine, medium or broad nib depending on the specific use. Perhaps I've just had good luck with each of those that I own but I'm five for five now and that's a pretty good score.
The 580's are, imo, attractive and utilitarian but they don't knock me over like my Pelikan M800 or Pilot Custom 823 which are superb ... again imo. The best aspects of the TWSBI's are how easy they are to clean and maintain. I don't need as much ink capacity, but they're easy to partially fill. If you enjoy looking at the ink sloshing around in the barrel, the TWSBI's are very hard to beat!
I do prefer the 580 series and I think they seem much more "refined" than the others even if they're not in the same class as the Pilot and Pelikan I mentioned above.
I like this pen as well. Have it in Navy-unless my co,or is way out of whack, I believe yours is Prussian Blue. I love the ink supply of most Twsbi’s for their ink supply and transparency. It’s been replaced in my heart by my Pilot 823, but now that we’re slowly moving back into the office, it will be one of those accompanying there. Thank you for another clear and concise video.
I so appreciate your honesty in your reviews! I asked for this pen for my birthday so I’ll see how it compares for me.
I've been enjoying your on again off again relationship saga with Twsbi. XD
TWSBIs are great! Maybe I've just had good luck with them but they have all been great and I have 5 of them. I have only ever had an issue with 1, a vac 700 iris that had a bad seal. TWSBI had me a replacement part in a couple days and it has been fine ever since. No complaints about the pens or their customer service.
The TWSBi Diamond 580 AL was my first pen purchase over $50. I have small cold dry hands, but I found my hand cramping due to the slippery grip. I now have a purple 580 ALR and it's one of my main pens for long writing sessions; I have no hand strain with the ALR. Thanks for your review and re review!
I am with you. My experience with TWSBIs has been highly inconsistent.
it's so interesting how pens are such a personal thing. I love the look of the twsbis!
I have 8 TWSBI’s, love ‘em all.
I do like the 580. Love? Not sure, it's a good-looking tool with the features I like at a price that's worth paying. So far I have a M nib for general writing and an F mostly for work stuff. And a second M that has yet to be inked. Will be getting more of them 😅 They are just tools, but they are my tools.
Love this pen ( not for looks). I’m teaching myself cursive(never learned it as a young person), this is one of my favorite pens to use. I’m currently in the love phase with Twsbi and Benu( for different reasons). I don’t have flow issues with any of my TWsbis. But, my current favorite is a Narwhal/Nahvalur,.
I like these long term use reviews 👍 Utilitarian is certainly not a bad thing in a pen. In fact my taste in pens is fairly utilitarian but refined: basically if it looks and feels nice and works reliably for the purpose I’m using it for, then I like it. The Pilot 823 fits that category for me, but I can see the case for a less refined utilitarian pen like the 580 for the purposes you mentioned in the video.
I have the TWSBI Diamond 580 ALR in Prussian Blue nib. Love it! Yours looks like a Prussian Blue.
I had the normal 580 and had to return it. I have the mini and it’s ok for me. I thought I would never get another Twsbi, but I’m taking another chance with the glow in the dark Eco. It should be here today.
How do you like the glow in the dark eco vs the 580 mini?
@@radiofreealbemuth the mini is better than the eco for me. It’s easier to clean. Both have sat unused for months though.
The 580 series is the only TWSBI I like.
I like that I can unscrew the grip for ease of cleaning, but I really dislike the flimsy feed.
I tend to dedicate inks to them as workhorses so I don't have to remove the nibs for deep cleaning.
My twsbi diamond 580 was so dry and scratchy out of the box. After really tuning the nib, it writes pretty well but the nib is way too stiff for my liking! I do like the filling mechanism, ink capacity, how well it seals, and how it feels in my hand. I’m surprised by how much people love this pen though considering the writing experience is so meh!
Popcorn 🍿 for this one!
I love all my TSWBI Diamond 580 AL-R. They never let me down. I like the design, the huge ink capacity and the B and Stub nibs are perfect for me. At 80 EUR/USD they are not cheap but worth the money.
The TWSBI nib/feed issues must be hit-or-miss; I have heard a lot about scratchy nibs and poor flow, but my experience has been the opposite. I have a Diamond 580 AL-R (identical color to the one in this video) with a 1.1 stub which writes nice and juicy (and keeps up fine - in spite of the fact that I'm a very fast writer), and I have an Eco (Yellow special edition) with a medium nib that writes smooth and juicy/. Both of these pens wrote great out-of-the box (no tuning needed).
I have another Eco (green glow-in-the-dark) on the way with a fine nib - maybe my experience will change (although I don't mind tuning and polishing nibs - so even if it's not great out-of-the-box like the others, I'll get it the way I like it).
Thanks for another great video!
If I remember correctly, Twsbi actually uses a different feed for the 1.1 Stub one that's designed to be well nice and juicy.
I love the 580 alr. You can get a size five ultra flex nib from fountain pen revolution and have a budget flex pen as a daily carry. It’s feed surprisingly keeps up with flexing for being plastic
I kinda went through the same arc with Twsbi, I had multiple twsbi cracking on me (the only uncracked one is my diamond mini and I have no idea how since it is the one who looks the most fragile) and I absolutely despised it for a while but, after getting my hands on a few models who didn't crack (seems like luck of the draw) I have to say that they are pretty good writers all things considered, might actually invest in the vac mini although I heard that is the most crack prone of the bunch.
Good re-review! One nit-pick to note, that's the Prussian Blue 580 ALR, not Navy Blue like you mentioned in your video. The Navy Blue is a bit darker.
One thing I like doing with my ALRs is sending them to a nib-meister. I had my fine nib tuned to be "glassy and smooth" because I like how Pilot pens write, and it's probably my favorite fine now
I keep twsbi's filled for ages with my favourite inks and don't count them in my currently inked tally. They don't dry out or have problems with shimmer. My issue with the 580 is it is awkward to post, which is a necessity for my adhd brain. I can lose things without even moving!
I have the same one but fine nib. Writes like a pencil, not really what I want. Doesn't dry out, so that's great but I don't use it anymore, if I want something to write like a pencil I'll use a pencil!
I have one TWSBI: a Diamond 580 in a 1.1mm stub nib. It can't keep up with fast writing at all, but mine writes very smoothly. I love the pen.
eeeeeee my whole collection is twsbi if the nib aint a twisb it aint hitting my paper lol
So I was actually considering buying this pen. I'm just curious what you would suggest in lieu of this pen? Are there other options that you would recommend over the TWSBI Diamond 580AL? Appreciate your feedback!
Thanks for the video!
Have you tried to use shimmering inks in Kaweco sport fp? If so, which brands have you got better results with? Any recommendations or tips? I want to try Cygni Colorverse in my kaweco pearl but I'm a bit worried about clogging it...
I had bad experiences with two TWSBI Diamond 580AL pens, involving the snapping and cracking of plastic barrels. Admittedly, these were pens purchased several years ago when there were these issues, as you mentioned. But, sorry, TWSBI. I'm done. But not with Pens and Tea.
Sadly I agree . I’ve had issues with 4 separate twsbi pens.
Is it worth buying the twsbi?what about build quality and writing experience?any issues problems while using the pen?
I had a Twsbi Eco with a 1.1 nib.
Sold it. Never really liked it.
So . . . kinda like in 7th grade, you like TWSBI, but you don't LIKE LIKE it. I know what you mean about certain pens giving you the warm fuzzies and others being utilitarian. For me, Pilot Varsity pens are utilitarian. That's what I have in my EDC TN in my purse. I don't worry about running out of ink, it's a decent writing experience, but if I lost it or it broke, Meh. I wouldn't be devastated! Your review makes me want to up my game and maybe try this one the next time I have to travel. 🙂
I've noticed my 580 ALR only writes well on super slick paper. Everything else is horrible.
I have had Diamond 580’s before. And, there a great choice. As, a pen you can afford to loose.
I would much rather loose a Diamond 580 than my Visconti Marine Blue model. As, my Visconti is far more costly to replace.
I keep a Diamond 580 as my EDC. as loosing it is not that big of a deal. Leonardo, Visconti, Mont Blanc, Parker Duo fold, Sailor KOP etc….. are far costlier to replace.
that's Prussian Blue?
The most disappointing pen in my collection, it looks fantastic, but it skips and skips and skips despite all my efforts to tune it. The aluminium grip section should be renamed “slip section”.
Discord link broken?
TWSBIs are okay, but overpriced for what they are. I considered buying when I was a n00b in the hobby, but they never got close to opening my wallet.
You are just a pen to me 😂