TWSBI Micarta

[Uwe W.]

I just received the recently introduced TWSBI Micarta today. I quite love this pen - partly because it's nothing like any other pen that I own. I'm withholding any comments on its performance and use until I've had some time to use and bond with it. Until then, here's a few photos:

[D N Ravenna]

Very nice! I have a standard 540 and an additional broad nib.

I have a lot of praise for TWSBI, but I do run a little hot and cold. For example, using a medium nib, my 540 is almost like a ball point even when using a tough ink such as Noodler's permanent black. It just never fails to write.

But when using the broad nib, it is almost impossible to get enough ink to it to keep it from starving after a while. So if you have the time, be sure to flush it with diluted Koh-I-Noor or a drop of dishwasher detergent in water. What you are looking to do is to remove as much surface friction as possible inside the barrel, and perhaps more importantly, in the small chamber leading from the barrel to the feed.

For some reason, the combination of the medium nib works well for me. It is almost indestructible. Aside from what I talked about, my only real criticism is that it takes forever to depelte the ink supply!

I look forward to your post!

Dan

[Uwe W.]

Hey Dan, I've got a 540 too, a Diamond with a medium nib and I've been very impressed with the pen. That's why I decided to get the Micarta, which incidentally has a fine nib. They have two other new models that should be released in the next month or so; odds are I'll dip into those as well. I don't have any experience with broad or stub nibs; I don't think my nasty penmanship would be able to pull those off to be honest.

[ZIPPER79]

Nice pen, if they used paper micarta instead of linen micarta the overall pens threads would have been smoother!

[D N Ravenna]

Nice pen, if they used paper micarta instead of linen micarta the overall pens threads would have been smoother!

I would have to agree with that. But given that sometimes people look for that texture to grab onto, it can be cool to have. The only thing I lament is that the nib section seems to be different. With spare nib and sections for going under $30, you can really have some fun and change them out on a whim!

Dan

[Uwe W.]

Nice pen, if they used paper micarta instead of linen micarta the overall pens threads would have been smoother!

I would have to agree with that. But given that sometimes people look for that texture to grab onto, it can be cool to have.

Since you two seem to be familiar with the material, maybe you could lay my greatest concern to rest. Should I be extremely careful with the threads on this pen - that is, will they wear easily and/or be easy to cross thread? The section screws into the barrel very easily and feels on par with a typical fountain pen, but screwing the cap onto the barrel feels a little rough. I don't know much about this material, but I hope that it's strong enough to hold a thread that was cut into it.

[heb]

I got to get me one of those gizmos.

Thanks for the post.
heb

[D N Ravenna]

Since you two seem to be familiar with the material, maybe you could lay my greatest concern to rest. Should I be extremely careful with the threads on this pen - that is, will they wear easily and/or be easy to cross thread? The section screws into the barrel very easily and feels on par with a typical fountain pen, but screwing the cap onto the barrel feels a little rough. I don't know much about this material, but I hope that it's strong enough to hold a thread that was cut into it.

I wish I could answer that Uwe. I have the 540, and based on service it provided at a recent shooting event (wind knocked it hard onto concrete with almost narry a scratch), I consider it to be almost indestructible (nib being typical weak point). My opinion is that if you screw the cap on like a typical threaded watch crown (go in reverse until just past the step and then engage), it should last you a life time. Probably 60 to 70 percent of all fountain pens I use are like that and I have yet to have an issue.

Hope that helps and happy fountain penning!

Dan

[Uwe W.]

I got to get me one of those gizmos.

One consideration along those lines is that only a limited number of them are being produced (1,000). There may be more in the future, but I don't think TWSBI has committed to producing more. With the upcoming Diamond IROC 850 Metal, VAC 700, and Mini models nearing production, it might be some time before/if more Micarta pens will be available.

[Uwe W.]

My opinion is that if you screw the cap on like a typical threaded watch crown (go in reverse until just past the step and then engage), it should last you a life time.

I've since read elsewhere that once the loose fibres have worn off, the remaining resin is an extremely hard material and that wear and tear of the threads shouldn't be a concern. That's good news, because it was the only potential weakness to my mind.