Palimpsest admits that
it was the glowing Fountain
Pen Geeks review that prompted the purchase of the TWSBI Diamond 540.
Palimpsest wouldn’t have ordered a demonstrator (the Lamy Vista was quite
sufficient) but bowing to the others’ higher wisdom hastened to order a Diamond
540 from the Writing Desk. Following
the arrival of said pen, pernickety Palimpsest was too quick to comment
unfavourably on the Diamond’s presentation box (too much, too plastic), on the
Diamond’s body (too many diamond-shaped edges), on its cap (a screw-on, how
annoying) and on its fine nib (too fine). However, Palimpsest finds that as of
late the Diamond 540 has become a constant companion. What has changed?
Some time has elapsed.
The nib is now conditioned nicely. There is some resistance as it glides on
paper but it is a pleasant resistance with an ever so slight flex to it. Inked
with J. Herbin Perle Noire (a lot of it, too, for the reservoir is of enormous
capacity), the Diamond 540 performs wonderfully. Ink flow is consistent (no
skipping) and the nib has the right amount of wetness. Should one wish to
convert the Diamond 540 into an eyedropper, the pen’s Apple-sque presentation box
comes with a silicone tube and wrench to remove the piston.

The Diamond 540 is a
substantial pen and even more so when it’s posted: it becomes this enormous (and
heavy) writing instrument that people stare at when Palimpsest uses the Diamond
in public places. But it’s OK. Palimpsest forgives the enormity and prefers
holding the cap in the other hand. And a wonderful cap it is with its simple
clip, wide band and the metallic TWSBI logo at the top set against the red
background. The only thing against it: it is a screw-on not a snap-on cap. And
it does take some time to screw on, which is more noticeable when one is in a
hurry. But never mind. Palimpsest feels that screwing on a cap, after a writing
task is finished, gives one an air of importance.
And thus, dear
Readers, Palimpsest finishes this review by self-importantly screwing the
Diamond’s cap on and proceeding in recommending the TWSBI Diamond 540 warmly.