Rhody
I'm a Lumberjack.
Same like using the eco very much. Broad nib.I got a TWSBI eco, and really like it!
I just ordered the vac model. Medium nib.
Same like using the eco very much. Broad nib.I got a TWSBI eco, and really like it!
This is very true. Years ago I went to a pen show and had the benefit of trying a number of nibs before buying a pen. I thought I was sold and set. Later I bought a different model on line same nib but it’s not the same. That one is not like butter.When it comes to discovering your pen-preferences, in my experience there's one major thing to find out, and then there's all the rest. All the rest like new or vintage, ink colours, IG or not, girth, weight, filling systhem, looks, brands, hooded nib or not, snap on or twist cap, demonstrator, ...
The major thing to find out (in my experience): nib preference. Do you prefer the precision of an EF, the unobtrusiveness of an F, the presence of a B(BB), the 'makes my writing look better' qualities of a stub/CI. Or maybe even the door to exquisite writing skills /caligraphy of a flexnib.
Starting with a Lamy Safari helped me to find out. You can buy extra nibs of different widths at very low cost and change nibs very easily. That's how I discovered my preference for stubs and CI's (and an occasional EF) long before getting my first MB149BB to a nibmeister.
Enjoy your discovery!
I agree that the nib is the most important consideration.When it comes to discovering your pen-preferences, in my experience there's one major thing to find out, and then there's all the rest. All the rest like new or vintage, ink colours, IG or not, girth, weight, filling system, looks, brands, hooded nib or not, snap on or twist cap, demonstrator, ...
The major thing to find out (in my experience): nib preference. Do you prefer the precision of an EF, the unobtrusiveness of an F, the presence of a B(BB), the 'makes my writing look better' qualities of a stub/CI. Or maybe even the door to exquisite writing skills /caligraphy of a flexnib.
A higher pricepoint can get you ...
- potentially a better nib. (Cheap pens have lower QC levels, so it's hit-and-miss if they get the nib just right or just okay or screwed up.) Not only quality control, but also material ... gold nibs are often seen as "better" (certainly different at least.)
- better materials in the pen body
- artistic aspects (can be actual artwork, or using fancy materials for accents, or having extra work done to make the pen "look nice".)
- a better filling mechanism ... if you want an upgrade from "cartridge/converter" you pay for it
There are plenty of cheap pens from China that have hefty metal bodies. There are some expensive pens from Japan and other places that are noticeably lightweight. "Heft" is a personal preference, and there are pens at every price level that give you either light or heavy.
I think I agree with this. The nib is obviously important, but there are other considerations that someone may rank higher. People can get into fountain pens for many different reasons and buying a pen for its design or esthetic appeal is perfectly valid to me. Somewhat ironically, the nib is simultaneously the most important part of the pen and the least. By that, I mean that the nib is what makes a fountain pen, a fountain pen. If you don't care about the nib, than save yourself a lot of money and get the rollerball version of the pen you like. Nibs are paramount to the connoisseur who savors the feel of the tipping on the paper and appreciates the personalization it lends to their writing. On the other hand, nibs are often replaceable and always modifiable. They are readily tuned to write wetter, drier, smoother, or toothier, or ground to display line variation, though that will induce additional cost and hassle to send it to a nib meister. The pen's body, however, is rather immutable. The body is what you look at 99% of the time and hold all of the time, so you better like it.I agree that the nib is the most important consideration.
However, it's not the only one, and some others are also critical to the selection of a pen.
Length (posted where intended), weight (and importantly, balance), and girth are all factors fundamental to to the choice of a pen.
Hands differ in size, gripping technique, angle, and purpose (i.e. a mere signature pen vs one for lengthy writing), and these are all affected by those factors. None can be dismissed when shopping for a pen.
Even the nib itself cannot often be reduced to just one choice. Different nibs for different purposes, signature, calligraphy, accounting, marginal notes, script size, &etc. Flexible nibs only for those that know how to use them.
Still, I agree that non-functional choices should be secondary, lest one acquire a beautiful pen that's uncomfortable, difficult, or impractical to use.
This is what initially turned me off to transparent pens, but the TWSBI had such good reviews, as well as coming with tools and instructions for disassembly (and price of course) so I figured I had to try it.The body is what you look at 99% of the time and hold all of the time, so you better like it.
Oh man, like a bullet to the heart! I DETEST demonstrators. I don't know why. I get why people like seeing the ink swirling around, and why in the olden days, when the pen salesman pulled out the demonstrator to show off the snazzy new filling system, people said "dude, that's so cool! I want THAT one!" But they just don't do it for me. I don't want to see the ink swirling around. I want to see a tastefully designed and appointed pen. I read all the love for TWSBIs and get why they are on everyone's "best starter pen" list and all the rest. But I just couldn't do it. I couldn't love it. And I might add that TWISBI isn't the only widely loved, widely praised pen that I look at and can't love. I guess that's my burden to bear. I wish nothing but happy writing to you and all TWISBI enthusiasts.This is what initially turned me off to transparent pens, but the TWSBI had such good reviews, as well as coming with tools and instructions for disassembly (and price of course) so I figured I had to try it.
How are you with "ink windows" like on Pelikan &c?I don't want to see the ink swirling around. I want to see a tastefully designed and appointed pen.
Sure, an ink window is fine. Especially nicely integrated ones such as on most Pelikans. But I’m probably less flummoxed by the lack of an ink window than some people seem to get.
Whoa now tell us how you really feel...Oh man, like a bullet to the heart! I DETEST demonstrators. I don't know why. I get why people like seeing the ink swirling around, and why in the olden days, when the pen salesman pulled out the demonstrator to show off the snazzy new filling system, people said "dude, that's so cool! I want THAT one!" But they just don't do it for me. I don't want to see the ink swirling around. I want to see a tastefully designed and appointed pen. I read all the love for TWSBIs and get why they are on everyone's "best starter pen" list and all the rest. But I just couldn't do it. I couldn't love it. And I might add that TWISBI isn't the only widely loved, widely praised pen that I look at and can't love. I guess that's my burden to bear. I wish nothing but happy writing to you and all TWISBI enthusiasts.
Oh, did I lay it on too thick? Sorry. BTW, @LMcC , I am absolutely NOT criticizing your pen, so please don’t take my little tantrum that way.Whoa now tell us how you really feel...
I'll gladly share that burden with you, for I too, have no love of demonstrators....I DETEST demonstrators. I don't know why...they just don't do it for me. I don't want to see the ink swirling around. I want to see a tastefully designed and appointed pen...I guess that's my burden to bear...