This is my TWSBI Eco fountain pen. This pen is not as attractive to me as my conventional pens because it is a demonstrator pen. A demonstrator pen is made of clear resin so you can see the inside of the pen, its piston mechanism and ink flow. I have this pen loaded with Pelikan Edelstein Topaz ink which is a very pretty blue. The more I use this pen the more I like it. It is a smooth writer and allows good ink flow. I ordered the medium nib which seemed too wide for me until I found this ink that works well with the wetter nib.
A side note. Had to replace my water heater on Thursday. I have been wanting to replace it for the past year as it’s somewhere between 16 and 18 years old. The last thing I need is to have it break down and deal with flooding. On Monday it began making unfamiliar noises so I called to have it replaced. There is a sigh of relief but also a cringe because my wallet it $1150 lighter which means a delay on the next camera lens. 🙁
19 Comments
E.Brooks
Monte, I like the pen and I’m impressed with how knowledgable you are about pens and ink and such. Sorry about the hit to your budget by the water heater…I hate it when life gets in the way of fun things one could spend money on. 🙂
Monte Stevens
Yes, the wallet took a hit. But, it was due and I got plenty of use out of the old one.
Tom Dills
That’s an interesting looking pen, Monte. Very cool to be able to see the inner workings. Water heaters are one of those things that we know will give out eventually, and always at the worst possible time. We had one go out years ago, on a day where I had just had outpatient surgery and was in no position to do anything about it. Terrible timing, and if I recall the cost was similar. Something tells me that you’d value a hot shower over a new lens tnough, especially in winter!
Monte Stevens
Yes, it’s quite the pen. Yes, we are a culture who values our necessities for life. I smiled after paying the guy and thinking about how many people in the world do not know what a water heater is. 🙂
oneowner
I haven’t used a fountain pen in a long time. I wouldn’t know where to go (in a brick-and -mortar store) to buy one. But it photographs very well. Maybe you could do a series on it.
I replaced my water heater last year. It died on a Friday so we went the weekend with out hot water. My mom used to say “You never miss the water ’till the well runs dry”. I think she might have meant hot water!
Monte Stevens
I’m having fun writing with them. I think a nice fountain pen encourages me to pick it up and spend the time writing.
Yes, these things we consider are necessary in life are not known about in parts of our world. We gotta have a hot shower every morning.
Paul Lester
Maybe you can do some crowd-sourcing to help you get that lens sooner, Monte! 😉 Glad that you got that water heater taken care of! Better to spend that money now than to have to deal with all of the consequences and inconveniences later!
Monte Stevens
Yes, I would not want to deal with flooding in my condo or the neighbors. The lens can wait.
Cedric Canard
It’s probably weird but I cannot remember the last time I used a pen for anything more than a signature. It’s good to know that there are people like you (and my daughter who also loves pens) to keep the analogue arts alive.
About the water heater, when we moved into our house we had nothing so we bought all our white goods at the same time. We also replaced the water heater then because the one that was there was too small. Now, that was great back then to have all this new shiny stuff and I have to say they all lasted well. Almost 20 years. And then, in the space of a couple of months, they all died: washing machine, dish-washer, oven, dryer, fridge and even our hot-water system went out in sympathy. Let’s just say it was an expensive time. But here’s hoping they all last another 20 years.
Paul Lester
Yikes! Talk about timing. Too bad you couldn’t stagger the purchases the second time around 🙂 Oh well, I suppose you have 20 years to think about that!
Monte Stevens
Oh, my gosh! When it rains, it pours. And, that is a large sum of money at one time. 20 years is a good lifetime for an appliance. But, you’re set for another 20 years. As a single man I wash my few dishes by hand, which is also therapy and meditation time. But, I do run it every once in a while to keep it from leaking. I noticed this last time a different sound and watched it like a kawk. Caused a bit of anxiety. 🙂
Cedric Canard
Yes, that did hurt the cash flow somewhat. Our dishwasher is simply there to fill a big hole under the counter. It’s used primarily as a drying rack (I don’t mind washing dishes but I don’t like drying them). Like you I run it on occasion and I do use it when we’ve had people over for lunch or dinner.
Mark
Seems like it could become a bit hypnotic watching the ink splash around in there. There is definitely something about analog that has a charm to it. But imagine doing a blog via analog! 🙂
Sorry about the water heater, but sounds like it was due. We had ours done not long ago, and turns out even the building codes changed since our last one was put in, and it amounted to more extensive work for the exhaust part.
Monte Stevens
Yes, it is kinda cool to look inside and watch the ink. When I see another pen I try and guess what color they have in it. It’s surprising how far off I can be. They needed to change the water lines due to the different water heater and grateful there wasn’t any more. I’m not surprised to hear about all the water heater’s people have had to replace. Maybe I should have been a plumber. 🙂
Mark
What do you think Monte… is this a good pen for a fountain pen newbie? You have me thinking about joining the club.
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Monte Stevens
I would start with a Pilot Metro. They are a little less money at $15.00. They will come with ink cartridges where the Eco will require purchasing a bottle of ink. Here the Web site to Goulet Pens: Gouletpens.com. This website also has videos to learn more about fountain pens under resources.
Mark
ordered! 🙂
Monte Stevens
Have fun with it and let me know what you experience.