I purchased the very popular Twsbi FP at the NYC Pen show over the weekend. I was looking for several pens at the show, not really having this in mind at all. I was told by a known/friendly
pen repair person to take a look at this pen! Boy, was I in for a pleasant surprise!Design- This is a jewel-like quality demo pen made with crystal type etching in the acrylic body. This pen looks like a piece of fine crystal at first glance. It is well made, and has a very solid feel. I was carrying a Pelikan M205 Demo with me to the show, and the quality of this Twsbi really became obvious. It is a medium to large size pen (length of a Pilot VP) that feels as solid as a Sailor 1911 Demo (pic for comparison). This pen can be completely disassembled for cleaning, as a “wrench” and silicone grease are included (along with instructions). The pen case itself is also something to be admired for its’ design and practicality.
Filling System- This is a piston-fill FP that filled the first time I put it in the bottle. It did not require any priming, and filled full that first time. The materials are plastic, with a metal collar around the barrel where the knob shaft threads. The piston filling process is very smooth, and did not “stiffen”, nor hesitate to push through the barrel.
Nib- A stainless steel, iridium tip nib that has that familiar “Schmidt” type look/feel to it. The nib is a medium, and I would call it an Asian medium. It lays a nice line, and it is very smooth. The nib is marked “TWSBI” along with their logo, and an “M” on the side of the left tine that reminds you of other Asian made pens.
Price- The price paid for this pen was $40. I cannot state enough the value for the price paid on this pen! Imagine a quality piston-fill pen for less than $50! This pen feels like a pen costing twice and/or three times as much! The performance for the money also is something to be amazed at!
Conclusion- This pen is made by a company based in Taiwan. It has the quality of a Japanese pen costing two/three times as much. There is no need to leave a score, since I can find very little (nothing) to complain about with this pen. I was also told at the point of sale that any problems would be addressed as the pen is guaranteed against any defects. Early problems with prior models have been fixed as these new models have better seals. Bravo for a well-made, low price-point pen!
