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.
The TWSBI's seemed to me a good alternative for those seeking a well-made piston-filler priced well south of USD $100, which, I think is about the entry-level price for many European piston-fillers. Thanks, Palimpsest. Jack/USA
ReplyDeleteIt's a great pen, but mine tends to spill ink when being carried around 8^(
ReplyDeleteYou know, I'm not sure if it can be converted to an eyedropper. Technically, yes. But practically, I don't know. The reason is that it includes that metal collar at the end, where the piston threads are. From what I know, it's not a good idea to have ink in contact with metal parts because certain inks can contain components that react with the metal and will potentially oxidize it. I was tempted to convert mine but then I had second thoughts when I realized that I might damage it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Matthias. I'm not a TWSBI owner, so I relied on others' reviews. I guess one of the startling aspects of the TWSBI was that its manufacturer (Taiwan?) deliberately wanted to be influenced in the design of the pen by writing gear fans worldwide.
ReplyDeleteI found a similar sort of "corporate responsiveness" in the makers of the Zequenz-brand (Thailand, I think) bound journals. I read a good review of this extraordinarily well-made journal on a U. S. Web site. I sent the manufacturer an e-mail asking for American retailers. The manufacturer replied and encouraged my comments on their shipping (from Washington State), quality of manufacture, product appearance, etc.
Jack/USA
Thanks, Matthias. I'm not a TWSBI owner, so I've had to rely on posted reviews. What seems extraordinary to me is the extent to which the TWSBI manufacturer publicly sought the influence of writing gear fans in its design. Jack/USA
ReplyDelete