TWSBI Mini Fountain Pen Review

[heath]

For all the images you can check out the review on my blog.

TWSBI has been making some announcements about new products recently and has also just released an update to their 580 line but the TWSBI Mini has always been the one that I’ve been most drawn to in their regular lines. It’s not new, it came out just after the 540 I think several years back, and it isn’t available in rose gold. It comes in Clear, Classic and Black so there aren’t unlimited variations. All of this I see as an asset. It’s been tested and proven worthy without having glitter or a fancy name.



I love the look of all three, the black, classic and clear, but for me it was easy, the clear one was the easy choice. If I had to look over the entirety of the TWSBI line currently in production and on the market and pick one to start with all over again it would be this pen. I was able to try it in person for a bit before getting this one because a friend bought one and let me try it out so I knew it wasn’t just the look I liked.



I know I want a 580 once the USA cap comes out and I like the 700 vac, especially the blue one, and I love the clip-less Micarta that has unfortunately been discontinued so I hope I can get hold of one of those at some point. I like the clear the most on the Mini but love the red, clear and blue of the ROC and the upcoming USA. I have a hard time deciding which setup I like best in the 580 regular line but I think a classic with a ef nib would be nice.

I would be remised if I didn’t mention the packaging. Sure, it’s superfluous in many ways but it is a real concern in many others. Does it keep the pen secure? could it harm the pen? Well, I’m please to say that in all areas it is well done. The case holds the pen securely and the box the case comes in is well padded to the extent that the case won’t be easily damaged when handled or packed and shipped, if shipped correctly. And on top of that, it just looks great. It’s maybe a bit Apple-like but it’s clean and simple and goes well with and even shows off the pen.



Ok, you know where I stand. TWSBI is a brand I have liked the look of since the first time I saw it. I’ve had some of their notebooks since soon after they were released and I love those too. This was however, my first TWSBI to own. I think I can still be objective though as I have been in this situation before with other pens.



The first aspect of the pen I want to look at, which is a bit subtle but makes a huge difference I feel, is the diamond like pattern on the center of the pen. Take that away and you have what 90% of demonstrators have, a round body. It’s not overly angular but it is enough so to make a huge impact. So much so that the rest of the pen which does fit the more standard convention of being round still seems to stand out. One of the other distinctive is the internal slits around the piston turn knob n the end of the pen. They are on the inside so they don’t assist with grip but they are functional in that they make the internal knob turn as the external one is twisted.



For me this version has just the right amount of chrome as well. It has a band just inside of the back knob, one where the section and nib fit together and then on the cap there’s one on each end and then the clip. Nothing overlaps when capped and when posted the cap band and the band near the knob become one.







The section is clear plastic and it’s smooth but I have not found it slippery. For really large hands you might call it small but there is plenty of room for me to get a solid grip even if I want a bit more nib out in front of me. Unlike other demonstrators, like the Noodler’s Ahab for instance, where you can see the exposed feed and thus ink through the section this one has a black sleeve that keeps everything looking uniform. If you like the TWSBI logo then you’ll like the nib pattern which features it heavily in a way that I think looks quite nice.





If I had one complaint about the pen it would be the slightly tinted hood on the interior of part of the cap where the nib rests. At the same time I imagine it keeps ink from staining the clear cap so I am fine with it. The cap screws on to cap and to post which is nice as the threaded posting keeps you from ever being able to accidentally turn the piston. As this is indeed a Mini I like that it has a clip that’s not overly large or sharp. It has nice angular but rounded edges and it’s got a good spring to it. The logo button in bright red and silver on the cap tip just makes the pen sing in my opinion.

This version has the 1.1mm stub italic nib. The version I had tried in the past was a 1.5mm which I liked but found a bit wide for everyday writing. I’m happy to report the 1.1 is perfect for me. It’s super smooth although maybe a tiny bit dry or limiting with some inks. It’s not enough though for me to mess with it at the moment.



To wrap up I love the pen. It’s my perfect mini at the moment and only makes me more excited about hopefully getting the USA 580 before to long. I think TWSBI are doing a great job of keeping things simple and not overdoing it and for $55 I think it’s a great value as well. At the same time they aren’t being ‘safe’ as they did try the unusual Micarta which I loved but some hated. Back on the mini size I will say that although it is very pocket-able I never carry it in my pants pocket. I clip it in my shirt at times but it usually rides in a Nock Co case. It’s not that I find it delicate but I just have so many other bang around pens and I really do want to preserve the aesthetics of the Mini as long as I can. If you like the look online and are sure you like the size I think you’ll love the pen. Smooth nib and piston mechanism. It comes apart to clean if you need it to. What else is there to say, the TWSBI Mini is my kind of fountain pen.

-Heath
@WeThePPIL