TWSBI v's Noodlers Konrad

[amaranzano]

Hey there Folks,

Good evening. Got a question for you guys, How does the Konrad compare in weight, feel and girth to a TWSBI 530/540 or 580. I have been thinking about getting a Konrad Demonstrator, I was so inclined on doing so, but I fell for the Irish Brigade! I got a new bottle of Mont Blanc Irish Green ready for her!
Thanx for your input in advance!

[Bogon07]

I don't own any TWSBIs but I think you're comparing two very different types of pens here. The Konrad is good fun to muck about with; it may require a bit of fiddling around to get it to work for you especially as a flex nib. On the other hand it can be used as a rather nice fine point nib without trying to flex it. Congratulations on the Irish Brigade it looks very nice in the pictures and its a limited edition too.

[79spitfire]

I have both and they don't compare very well I'm afraid. The TWSBI is a much nicer product, larger and put together better. The Konrad has it's strong points, but most of them have to do with 'ease of modification' I was able to fit a Knox nib and a No-Nonsense feed to mine and make it usable, but that defeats the purpose of a 'flex' nib pen.

The current 580 looks to be very nice, I have the 2 of the 530s and a Mini have had no problem with any of them.

But then again, were comparing a $20 piston filler to a $40-$50 piston filler....

[jor412]

I agree with 79spitfire. I no longer have my TWSBI 530 and I still have two Konrads, but I'm inclined to selling my Konrads, too.

The TWSBI is the better pen. It feels better built, it's heftier, and it's longer. The girth is comparable to an Ahab; i.e. thicker than a Konrad. The plastic is less prone to scratches. And well, it's way prettier than the Konrad. The Konrad scratches easily, the plastic is obviously cheap, the piston filler will -- now and then -- twist out of the body when you remove the blind cap at the end of barrel. They both completely disassemble for cleaning and greasing. My TWSBI medium nib wrote with fantastic, consistent flow. I'd rather pay $50 for a TWSBI than $20 for a Konrad.

[manoeuver]

I'm a big fan of the Ebonite Konrad. It gets more use than my TWSBIs but it is fitted with a VAC 700 nib. My regular Konrad gets very little use. I'm glad I don't have to choose, I like both.

[jor412]

I forgot about the Ebonite variety. I haven't tried one of those. How does it feel in the hand?

[79spitfire]

I wouldn't mind trying an Ebonite Konrad, I'm simply afraid of getting a sub par pen made from expensive materials. As a rule I like Noodler's products, it's just this one I'm not hot on. If all I wanted was a holder for a Knox or some other nib, I could get a Chinese pen (or another Indian pen) for less.

[jor412]

One of my Konrads is about to die. Either the piston or barrel thread is worn out. The piston keeps turning in the barrel instead of tightening. I haven't abused this pen by the way. But I'm also not ruling out the possibility that I got a lemon. The one I've had longer is fine. Oh well...

[recluse]

If all I wanted was a holder for a Knox or some other nib, I could get a Chinese pen (or another Indian pen) for less.

Tried that, doesn't work as good as with Noodler's pens. Maybe I'm among lucky few this time but all three Noodler's pens that I have have great feeds, so whatever nib I put in it works wonderful. None of four Chinese pens where I'm using "outsourced" nibs makes higher than acceptable.

[79spitfire]

Tried that, doesn't work as good as with Noodler's pens. Maybe I'm among lucky few this time but all three Noodler's pens that I have have great feeds, so whatever nib I put in it works wonderful. None of four Chinese pens where I'm using "outsourced" nibs makes higher than acceptable.

Well, I'm feeling myself being sucked in (again) the Ripples are way beautiful... (Hmmm $40 for a piston filling ripple ebonite pen. ) I think I'll have to go pound my head for a while.. (do I really need to write with it?? )

[recluse]

Well, I'm feeling myself being sucked in (again) the Ripples are way beautiful... (Hmmm $40 for a piston filling ripple ebonite pen. ) I think I'll have to go pound my head for a while.. (do I really need to write with it?? )

Same story here. To some degree I hope that I will miss the sale and I won't actually need to answer the question: do I need it?

[manoeuver]

I forgot about the Ebonite variety. I haven't tried one of those. How does it feel in the hand?

I would rate mine (I have two) as lovely.

[jor412]

How interesting. And now Noodler's is coming out w/ acrylic too. I'm curious about how the material changes the pen. Although the construction of the regular one has put me off the pen itself.

[KrazyIvan]

I think acrylic feels a bit sturdier than vegetal resin.

[jor412]

Yes, most probably. I hope someone in my vicinity buys one so I can get a closer look at it

[PSmith]

I think acrylic feels a bit sturdier than vegetal resin.

Smells less as well.

[manoeuver]

Smells less awesome.

[snedwos]

Less like an unchanged baby...

[KrazyIvan]

or one that had an accident from the top end.

[snedwos]

Mine just smells plasticky now though.