adventureswithnibs

One word describes the TWSBI Eco: smooth. I love this pen because it embodies that word. The Eco’s design is modern and sleek while its feel is consistent and effortless. All these factors make this pen incredibly popular. This pen is a refined feat of engineering that has been TWSBI’s calling card among enthusiasts. Adding to the allure is the demonstrator effect. Demonstrators are uncommon in the pen world and you won’t often see one that is not a TWSBI.

I rarely see white pens so I decided to purchase the Eco with a fine nib, white-barreled model. I have drained the ink well twice now since I bought it a month ago. I wish I had bought one sooner. I’m surprised by how much I love watching its inner workings.

It’s easy to get distracted as this pen glides. The nib is flexible but firm, with just the right amount of spring. There’s no hitching on paper or rough edges. The internal converter draws ink quickly. TWSBI even provided a little bottle of silicone to help maintain the converter’s moving parts. The ink distribution is perhaps a touch too wide at times, but it may just be my ink. You can use an ink flow test, as shown below.

The pen is well balanced with the cap posted or without. The rubber ring it sits on does not have the tightest grip. But, you do not need to worry about the cap rolling or popping off as you write.

Sometimes cleaning your pen can be a hassle, as I mentioned in my last post. I was concerned about getting the nib back on the thin feeder. I had no reason to be concerned. The nib and feeder easily came out of the barrel and perfectly seated back together taking the guesswork out of properly aligning the nib to the feeder.

Condensation in the barrel

The internal converter

Half way done

Nib and feeder disassembled

Cleaning day.

The TWSBI Eco is special. Not just its design, or function, but TWSBI’s commitment to quality. That will make me into a loyal enthusiast. I cannot wait to buy another. What is your favourite pen?

I collect fountain pens, and have done so for the past three years. I believe, as do thousands of other enthusiasts, that fountain pens are superb writing instruments.

My TWSBI Eco

Now you must be asking: what is a nib? The nib is the metal piece on the above pen. The nib distributes ink onto paper. A great nib makes for a superior pen and a memorable writing experience.

If you enjoy the physical act of writing, or use pens at all, you owe it to yourself to pick up a fountain pen. You may never again write with a ballpoint. Here are five tips on buying and using your first fountain pen.

Finding the right first pen is about feel. Consider balance, weight and how it writes. Go to a pen store, like Wonder Pens in Toronto, and try as many different pens as you can. If you do not have a store near you and you want to buy a pen online I suggest you look at TWSBI’s Eco It is a durable pen with a smooth feed and flexible but firm nib. Also, Lamy, Kaweco and Pilot pens are excellent starting points for a new collection.
There are a variety of inks to use. You need to experiment to find your favourite. For beginners, I recommend Pilot’s 70 ml blue-black ink or Heart of Darkness ink made by Noodler’s Inks. Both dry quickly and have issues with bleed through.
The thicker the paper the better. As shown below, commercial legal pad paper is thin and ink bleeds through the page. Rhodia Paper, Clairefontaine, Pilot, Moleskin, and many other companies put out fountain-pen-friendly paper. JetPens has put together a thorough list of many popular paper choices.
You need to clean your new pen and maintain its various parts. A good rule is to clean out your pen if you are not going to use it for more than a week. JetPens has an excellent beginner’s guide for the basic cleaning steps. Remember: use a drain screen anytime your pen is disassembled near a sink.
Have fun with your pen. Explore, learn, ask questions and enjoy your new pen.