TWSBI Diamond 580AL Review

The TWSBI Diamond 580AL is regularly at the top of the list for fountain pens between $50 and $100. In fact, TWSBI is one of the few manufacturers that offers a fountain pen in the price range. I spotted the orange version of the TWSBI Diamond 580AL a few weeks ago, but this version is no longer in production. I love the Dyson-like look of the orange version, but the silver version is a close second. The Diamond 580AL is a demonstrator, so it takes on the character of the ink inside. All I need is a bit of Diamine Pumpkin, and the TWSBI is fit for any Autumn day.

I'll be using Noodler's Bulletproof for most of this review, but Diamine Pumpkin just looks so darn good in this pen! Who's ready for Fall?

I ordered my TWSBI from Amazon, since the company sells directly via the site. My package arrived a few days later, and I opened the envelope to find a sturdy cardboard box, emblazoned with the orange TWSBI logo. I'm a sucker for orange, and I just can't get over how great this logo looks, especially on the cap of the pen. A plastic display case was padded inside the cardboard. Aside from the pen, the box also included a small wrench, piston grease, and a set of instructions.

The TWSBI Diamond 580AL is the Aluminum version of the TWSBI Diamond 580. My version came in silver, but TWSBI also offers the pen in purple (not quite my style). The pen is approximately $10 more than the Diamond 580 but comes with an aluminum grip, piston mechanism, and piston housing, which are easily worth the price bump. Apparently TWSBI pens are notorious for cracking, and the aluminum pieces, along with new o-rings in the 580, are meant to address this issue.

The Diamond 580AL is larger than the pens that I have traditionally used, and the plastic body has a surprising amount of weight. I couldn't help but compare this demonstrator with my other demonstrator, the Lamy Vista. The orange TWSBI logo on the cap is crisp and high quality, while the Lamy logo looks like a sticker. The TWSBI nib is etched with intricate nib designs, while the Lamy nibs, as usual, are plain. The Lamy is an excellent pen, but it's easy to see where TWSBI spends some of the additional money. The TWSBI clip does seem weak in comparison to the Lamy clip, but the Lamy clip is Hulk-like.

The TWSBI Diamond 580AL features a threaded cap, with an o-ring to ensure that the cap is secure. I first experienced a threaded cap on my Kaweco Skyline Sport, and I love knowing that the pen won't accidentally come uncapped in my pocket or bag.

Most TWSBI pens come with a piston filling system, which is usually reserved for much more expensive fountain pens. This means that the user simply has to dip the pen nib directly in ink and twist the post-end of the pen to draw in ink, instead of using a cartridge or converter. Most TWSBI pens also have quick-fill ports that can be exposed by unscrewing the nib. TWSBI makes a custom ink bottle that makes it easy to fill via the port . The ink chamber in the 580AL holds a massive amount of ink, and I've used the same fill for weeks now.

Twist this piston mechanism to draw in or push out ink. Think of this pen as a giant converter.

The TWSBI Diamond 580AL can be posted, but I find it much more comfortable to use when unposted. Posting the pen looks absurd and completely throws off the balance in hand. This is a big negative for me, since it's a pain to keep up with a loose pen cap.

The extra length may seem minimal, but it completely throws off the balance of the TWSBI.

Aluminum touches add a quality look and feel to the pen, but the aluminum grip section becomes slippery after long periods of writing. I find myself mashing my fingers together to keep the pen grip from slipping. While short spurts of writing are fine, hand fatigue is a common occurrence over longer writing sessions.

Noodler's Bulletproof is known for nib creep, but it compliments the beautiful etchings on the TWSBI nib.

I ordered the fine-nib version of the TWSBI Diamond 580AL and am positive that I made the right choice. It's worth noting that TWSBI nibs can easily be unscrewed and replaced with different sizes. The pen produces a line that's somewhere between a Kaweco fine and a Lamy fine, both thicker than their Japanese counterparts. There is little nib flex, as is common with most steel nibs. TWSBI nibs are very smooth. I did notice occasional skipping when using my Diamine Pumpkin ink, but had no problems with Noodler's Bulletproof.

The TWSBI Diamond 580AL Silver pen is a good fountain pen for the price. I use the generic term "good" because there are several issues holding this pen back form absolute greatness. The slippery grip is the biggest obstacle, since long writing sessions result in hand cramping and fatigue. The aluminum touches are a clear plus, but the few remaining black plastic components and o-rings seem out of place and cheapen the pen's look. The nib did have occasional flow issues with some inks but performs well most of the time. I'd rather forget how poorly the pen posts.

Should you buy the TWSBI Diamond 580AL? If you're looking for a classy demonstrator with a huge ink reservoir and piston filling system for an affordable price, this very well may be the pen for you. If you're looking for a comfortable writer for epically long writing sessions, you may want to look elsewhere.

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Kaweco Skyline Sport Fountain Pen Review

Kaweco fountain pens have been on the market for more than 100 years, and the company has stayed true to the classic design of its earlier models. I've heard a lot about that AL Sport and Sport models, but it wasn't until I stumbled upon a few pictures of the mint version of the Kaweco Skyline Sport fountain pen that I knew I had to have one.

My giant man hands could easily crush the Kaweco Skyline Sport.

The subtle mint color of this Kaweco Skyline Sport reminds me of classic cars from the 50's and 60's. This pen looks like it was plucked from history, and the look is reinforced by the crisp chrome Kaweco body logo and circular cap logo.

It's hard to capture in a photo, but the mint color of the Kaweco is subtle.

The Kaweco Sport lines consist of various pens and pencils that are designed to fit in the pocket. I knew that the fountain pen would be small, but I wasn't prepared for just how tiny it is.

Mint Kaweco Skyline Sport compared to the Lamy Safari.

The Kaweco Skyline Sport is meant to be posted, for all but those with the tiniest of mouse hands. The pen cap is threaded, which ensures that the pen will stay securely capped and leak free while jingling around in a pocket or bag. The pen posts securely, without twisting or moving, thanks to the grip provided by the notched end of the pen body.

Although the pen is tiny, it nestles comfortably in the web between my thumb and index finger when posted. It's worth reiterating that I have massive hands, so I was surprised by just how comfortable the pen is, given its size. The pen grip is on the thin side, and I do notice some hand fatigue after long writing sessions.

The Mint Kaweco Skyline Sport is the first non-Lamy pen that I've owned, and the intricate designs etched in the nib blow the Lamy Safari nibs right out of the water.

I went with the fine nib version of the Kaweco, and it is on par with the Lamy nibs, in terms of line thickness and flow. The nib is a silky smooth writer, even more so than the fine Lamy nibs. I'm using Noodler's Bulletproof ink with my Kaweco, and I love the contrast between the black ink and the mint pen body.

This version of the Kaweco Skyline Sport comes with a Blue International Short Cartridge, but I picked up a squeeze converter as well, sold separately. I've seen a few complaints about how difficult the converter is to fill, but I haven't had any issues with filling it to capacity. It does take a few squeezes and taps to work out the air, but I am pleased with its performance.

The Mint Kaweco Skyline Sport fountain pen is an excellent pocket fountain pen, but it's also an excellent fountain pen period. It fits easily into my pocket, without fear of leaks. I find myself using this pen as my daily writer due to its looks and solid performance. At less than $30 for pen and converter, this pen is an instabuy. For those looking for a heavier alternative, Kaweco also makes a metal version of the pen, the AL Sport. While I have my eyes on the stonewash edition of the AL line, the Skyline Sport is easily my best looking and performing fountain pen so far. This pint-sized pen packs a punch.

Lamy Vista Fountain Pen Review

I picked up a Lamy Vista while attending a conference in Japan. For those who aren't familiar, the Lamy Vista is basically a sexier demonstrator (see through) version of the Lamy Safari. The Safari is one of the most popular starter fountain pens, along with the Pilot Metropolitan. I'm not sure what I was thinking when I purchased a German pen in a country that produces the Metropolitan; however, I just couldn't turn down this sleek looking demonstrator's cat calls from the pen rack. Lamy pens just look more interesting to me, even if the Pilot Metropolitan is universally considered to be an excellent starter fountain pen. I had a rough start with Lamy, but I just couldn't pass up the Vista.

The Lamy Vista is a stunner, with a clear plastic body that shows off all of the pen's inner workings. Although the body is completely plastic, the pen is made well and feels sturdy in hand. The clip is a monster and is so strong that it leaves indentations when clipped to my daily carry Field Notes notebook. The Vista is built to be used and abused. The pen takes on the personality of the ink inside, so it's a great pen to use with colorful inks. The pen takes the standard Lamy cartridge or an ink converter, but the red on the Lamy Z24 converter would ruin the look of the pen. I recommend the Z26 version which uses black plastic instead of red. Goulet Pens has a great writeup about the usage of converters with the Vista. I'm a fountain pen novice, so I appreciate the ability to see how the pen works, and I'm surprised that the Vista isn't mentioned more often in the "best pens for beginners" lists floating around the internet.

Blue is beautiful with the Lamy Vista

The Vista's body does show fingerprints, which is to be expected from clear plastic. It may not be the best choice for the OCD fountain pen fans out there, but it shouldn't be a problem for most. I've also noticed several scratches and scuffs, which are easily visible to the naked eye. The Lamy barrel logo is shiny and metallic, although I was disappointed by how easily the logo cracked and scratched. Small blemishes aside, the Vista feels great in the hand. I can use the pen comfortably all day, either posted or unposted. The cap clicks into place when capping, but there's no click when posting, so be careful not to jam the cap onto the end of the pen.

Lamy Safari and Vista pens are known for their unique molded triangular grip. This grip may be a challenge for those who use a non-traditional grip when writing, but I absolutely love it! My fingers slide easily into place, thanks to the flat sides of the grip, and I find that this grip makes the pen feel much smaller than it actually is. I love small pens, so this is exactly the feel that I am looking for. My terrible handwriting is partially due to poor grip, and the molded grip forces me to hold the pen correctly. This has been helpful in my efforts to improve handwriting skills.

I was hesitant to give Lamy another go after my terrible experience with the Safari, but I was pleasantly surprised by the Vista. The pen is a workhorse and works well for hours at a time without skips, clogs, or leaks. This pairs well with the grip to help produce painfully long pen reviews with zero fatigue or annoyance to the writer! I purchased a fine nibbed version, which is buttery smooth on everything from Rhodia pads to Field Notes. The Lamy fine nibs aren't exactly "fine", so I recommend picking up the extra fine version, if you're looking for a really slim line. The fine nib works well for me, although I think that I may have been better off with an EF nib.

I have to admit that this is my first pen review, but I'm in love with the Lamy Vista. It was difficult to choose between a Lamy and the Pilot Metropolitan, but the unique look and excellent grip pushed me over the edge. I would love to try a Metropolitan to compare, but there's no doubt that the Lamy Vista is a well-performing affordable pen that's deserving of becoming your first fountain pen.