I have had my Diamond 580 for about 18 months now and have had no issues whatsoever, no cracking to report. But then again I'm one of those lunatics that has more pens than necessary and is constantly rotating them so maybe mine isn't getting as much use as the ones that have cracked. Either way solid pen from a solid company that will do great, affordable things in this industry we see fit to bankroll.
I watched ten useless videos about this pen before I watched this one and immediately thought to myself, "Damn, this guy pens." Thanks for the great review, I am going to follow!
Thank you for this review. So apart from the slightly rotating grip section, there seems to be nothing really negative to be reported about this pen for those who don't post their pens anyway. I liked the writing sample a lot. And now that I checked the price, I think I might finally get myself my first piston pen. Thanks again.
goharosen Yeah, it's all a myth perpetuated by the big expensive European manufacturers. They are just upset that manufacturing in the far East is of such a high quality now.
Another fab review, I love your frank honest reviews you answered so many questions. Im actually looking to get this, but torn between the this 580AL or the mini vac. Plus this lilac is just gorgeous, Im so gutted I missed out on this colours. Thanks again for this review.
I have one of these. I've had no trouble with the body or cap cracking, but the nib collar broke at the threads where it screws into the body. It was a major pain getting the threads out, and when I contacted TWSBI they said that that part was backordered. Of course they'll replace it for free, but not having that part in stock must mean that that breakage isn't exactly uncommon. I enjoyed the pen while it was in one piece though. It gave me no trouble, and always wrote very nicely.
My mini had cracking on the cap and grip. I contacted their customer service who were very responsive and was gonna send me replacements for 6 usd shipping.
You've mentioned cracking before, personally, I've never experienced it. I have owned just a single 580, but with three different sections. One cracked but it was my fault in dropping it. Mr. Wang then sent me a new section (not nib) even though it was my fault. Then I purchased a new nib and section from Pendleton Brown. None of the cracked, and none of them had free rotating grips. I wish you had the same experience as me!
Another good review, Stephen. I got my Twsbi 580 a while back because I enjoyed your review of it. So you can just know what I will soon be ordering. I love the pen. It had a M nib, and yes, it ran to the dry side, setting speed records as it ran. I changed it out to a F nib, and have had no troubles, and it writes great. I've noticed this on some other pens I have. I'm thinking that pen companies, to keep costs of inventory down, maintain a feed that is more suitable to F nibs as that is, according to some who track that sort of thing, the most popular nib size. As for cracking, I've not experienced that. When screwing on the cap, I stop as soon as I feel it tightening and setting. The cap is secure and, knock on plastic, there's no cracking. So no over tightening.
I've owned the TWSBI Diamond 580AL in violet for a few weeks now and I love it. Though I feel like I'm the only person that posts this pen. It could be me though.
I'm nervous about TWSBI after a day taking notes with my Vac700. I spent the whole time tapping, shaking, twisting and priming. Then someone nearby handed me a Bic ball point :( I bought a second one with a broader nib. That too had flow problems. Thanks for the review Stephen, the 580 looked great.
Dammit. I wish you're posted this video (reviewed it) 4 days ago. Just ordered TWSBI Dia. 580 1.1 Italic - and I was wondering should I go for AL version. I didn't because I thought metal grip part would make my fingers slip at some point. Well, I'll probably get AL too. It seems that aluminium surface finish is not polished one so it may not be slippery at all.
Although I love my TWSBI Vac 700, I can't say the same about my two cracked 540's and the one cracked 580. My 580 AL on the other hand, so far so good. The fact that I kept buying TWSBI's after these horrible statistics, is one because of the excellent Vac 700, because I believe that they can do very nice things, and because of the filling mechanisms that are just cool and offer immense ink capacity that I usually need. So, let's say that I'm willing to forgive the (quite unforgivable) damage (3 pens cracked) by TWSBI, and give the company another chance. I'm not saying that this will happen to you, but that's my experience so far. Another good thing I've experienced is the nibs that now are made by Jowo. Not that Bock nibs are not as good, but the Jowo nibs made for TWSBI feel much better than their predecessors. Btw, I've been a customer of La couronne du comte since 2012, and have always received excellent service. Kudos to Dennis and his team for the great work.
I agree about that. Apparently the cracking issues are solved with a new material, but I'll see it before I believe it too. And I couldn't agree more about La Couronne du Comte!
I miss the days when, as a carefree single man, you would report from your mancave with your magnificent collection of swords hanging in the background.
Hi Stephen! You're awesome videos have made me (under no great duress) buy a Pelikan M1000, which I love (who wouldn't?). But, as I'm using it, I'm realizing more and more that it'd be pretty cool to see what's going on inside. Could you tell us your favorite demonstrator pens?
I think that TWSBI's pens are fantastic quality and performance. I'd much rather have one of these than a Pelikan that costs almost 10 times as much money.
I have both. Pelikan's are equality as good quality and smooth writers, The price is reflected in the gold nibs which I really wish TWSBI would bring out a gold nib too :)
I have had my Diamond 580 for about 18 months now and have had no issues whatsoever, no cracking to report. But then again I'm one of those lunatics that has more pens than necessary and is constantly rotating them so maybe mine isn't getting as much use as the ones that have cracked. Either way solid pen from a solid company that will do great, affordable things in this industry we see fit to bankroll.
I watched ten useless videos about this pen before I watched this one and immediately thought to myself, "Damn, this guy pens." Thanks for the great review, I am going to follow!
Thank you
As usual, an excellent review by Stephen. RS. Canada.
I love my TWSBI Diamond 580. I bought one pen for myself - this TWSBI - at the Chicago FP show earlier this year.
Thank you for this review. So apart from the slightly rotating grip section, there seems to be nothing really negative to be reported about this pen for those who don't post their pens anyway. I liked the writing sample a lot. And now that I checked the price, I think I might finally get myself my first piston pen. Thanks again.
You're welcome!
I have the orange one for a month now and really love it. No cracking so far (hopefully never). Great review
goharosen Yeah, it's all a myth perpetuated by the big expensive European manufacturers. They are just upset that manufacturing in the far East is of such a high quality now.
u_dun_goofed All my previous TWSBIs have cracked.
@@Tom_- twsbi diamond al mini cracks too
It seems silly that the 580 doesn't post well when TWSBI has made the Mini post so nicely and securely.
Another fab review, I love your frank honest reviews you answered so many questions.
Im actually looking to get this, but torn between the this 580AL or the mini vac. Plus this lilac is just gorgeous, Im so gutted I missed out on this colours. Thanks again for this review.
+Gadget Girls Reviews You're very welcome!
I have one of these. I've had no trouble with the body or cap cracking, but the nib collar broke at the threads where it screws into the body. It was a major pain getting the threads out, and when I contacted TWSBI they said that that part was backordered. Of course they'll replace it for free, but not having that part in stock must mean that that breakage isn't exactly uncommon. I enjoyed the pen while it was in one piece though. It gave me no trouble, and always wrote very nicely.
My mini had cracking on the cap and grip. I contacted their customer service who were very responsive and was gonna send me replacements for 6 usd shipping.
You've mentioned cracking before, personally, I've never experienced it.
I have owned just a single 580, but with three different sections. One cracked but it was my fault in dropping it. Mr. Wang then sent me a new section (not nib) even though it was my fault. Then I purchased a new nib and section from Pendleton Brown. None of the cracked, and none of them had free rotating grips.
I wish you had the same experience as me!
7:16 Writing sample
Another good review, Stephen. I got my Twsbi 580 a while back because I enjoyed your review of it. So you can just know what I will soon be ordering. I love the pen. It had a M nib, and yes, it ran to the dry side, setting speed records as it ran. I changed it out to a F nib, and have had no troubles, and it writes great. I've noticed this on some other pens I have. I'm thinking that pen companies, to keep costs of inventory down, maintain a feed that is more suitable to F nibs as that is, according to some who track that sort of thing, the most popular nib size. As for cracking, I've not experienced that. When screwing on the cap, I stop as soon as I feel it tightening and setting. The cap is secure and, knock on plastic, there's no cracking. So no over tightening.
Stephen,you are the greatest person ever to live :)
I don't know what I have done to earn that epitaph, but thank you :-).
I have been eyeing this particular model ever since I saw the promotional photos. 😍
I remember that the cracking thing only happens on the 530 and the 540.
I've owned the TWSBI Diamond 580AL in violet for a few weeks now and I love it. Though I feel like I'm the only person that posts this pen. It could be me though.
I'm nervous about TWSBI after a day taking notes with my Vac700. I spent the whole time tapping, shaking, twisting and priming. Then someone nearby handed me a Bic ball point :( I bought a second one with a broader nib. That too had flow problems. Thanks for the review Stephen, the 580 looked great.
I have had my regular 580 and my Vac700 run dry a lot too, unfortunately.
I got this pen in silver and the extra fine nib. It's a very enjoyable pen to write with.
i love la couronne du comte, great customer service and knowledgable people.
Dammit. I wish you're posted this video (reviewed it) 4 days ago. Just ordered TWSBI Dia. 580 1.1 Italic - and I was wondering should I go for AL version. I didn't because I thought metal grip part would make my fingers slip at some point. Well, I'll probably get AL too. It seems that aluminium surface finish is not polished one so it may not be slippery at all.
Although I love my TWSBI Vac 700, I can't say the same about my two cracked 540's and the one cracked 580. My 580 AL on the other hand, so far so good. The fact that I kept buying TWSBI's after these horrible statistics, is one because of the excellent Vac 700, because I believe that they can do very nice things, and because of the filling mechanisms that are just cool and offer immense ink capacity that I usually need.
So, let's say that I'm willing to forgive the (quite unforgivable) damage (3 pens cracked) by TWSBI, and give the company another chance. I'm not saying that this will happen to you, but that's my experience so far.
Another good thing I've experienced is the nibs that now are made by Jowo. Not that Bock nibs are not as good, but the Jowo nibs made for TWSBI feel much better than their predecessors.
Btw, I've been a customer of La couronne du comte since 2012, and have always received excellent service. Kudos to Dennis and his team for the great work.
I agree about that. Apparently the cracking issues are solved with a new material, but I'll see it before I believe it too. And I couldn't agree more about La Couronne du Comte!
your reviews are the best!
you said aluminum and not alyoominium
I miss the days when, as a carefree single man, you would report from your mancave with your magnificent collection of swords hanging in the background.
And the singing monks! Let's not forget the monks at the beginning of the review! They've become a cult classic with older subscribers.
A grat fountain pen for everyday use! I recommend B nib.
Hi Stephen! You're awesome videos have made me (under no great duress) buy a Pelikan M1000, which I love (who wouldn't?). But, as I'm using it, I'm realizing more and more that it'd be pretty cool to see what's going on inside. Could you tell us your favorite demonstrator pens?
Justanotheruser92 The M1005 is a demonstrator M1000, but it was a limited edition.
So, what's cracking?
So... Do they still have the cracking issue? Was there ever a follow-up where this was talked about again?
Love that pun in the beginning.
I think that TWSBI's pens are fantastic quality and performance. I'd much rather have one of these than a Pelikan that costs almost 10 times as much money.
I have both. Pelikan's are equality as good quality and smooth writers, The price is reflected in the gold nibs which I really wish TWSBI would bring out a gold nib too :)
compared to the lighter all plastic 580, how is the balance in hand? thanks
N Dawkins I think the weight difference is marginal.
Is this pen for selling?
What a cracking review of this pen 😉 lol!
flagged for sexual content at 8:23