TWSBI Fountain Pens Overview

In 2009, TWSBI introduced the Diamond 530 and effectively disrupted the fountain pen market with an affordable, piston-fill demonstrator engineered for avid fountain pen users.

As with any first attempt, the design of the 530 wasn't perfect. However, what separates TWSBI from most pen manufacturers is their insatiable drive to improve. They show a deep commitment to the fountain pen community by soliciting feedback and addressing concerns, leading to new designs.

In 2011, TWSBI introduced the next version in the Diamond 540 with great success. Two years later, the Diamond 580 became the model we now offer today. For a more substantial look and feel, the 580AL has an aluminum front grip section and the piston mechanism.

In 2012, TWSBI introduced the Mini - the little sibling of the Diamond 580. Take all the parts you love about the Diamond 580 - the modern, industrial design, the transparent barrel, the piston mechanism, the smooth-writing stainless steel nib - then make it more compact for writers who prefer a postable, pocket fountain pen.

The Mini is a pocket-worthy fountain pen - perfect for smaller hands and those who need an on-the-go pen with high ink capacity. The internal piston mechanism can draw over 1ml of ink into the barrel. The mesmerizing visual of ink sloshing inside the pen is a signature feature of the Diamond 580 passed on to the Mini.

If a Mini is not your style, double-down on size and filling capacity with the TWSBI Vac700R. Introduced in the same year as the Mini, the Vac700 featured a one-handed vacuum-filling system with a larger, number 6 nib and a shut-off valve to prevent any ink burping while traveling.

The Vac700R is the largest and heaviest pen in the TWSBI lineup. It has a modern, industrial design with accents of luxury. The smooth, clear resin barrel gently tapers down toward the faceted end cap. The metal vacuum piston rod and mechanism are visible inside the barrel.

In 2015, TWSBI scaled-down the vacuum-filling system to fit a compact, postable pen design in the Vac Mini.

By the sound of the name, one might think the Vac Mini is a miniaturized version of the TWSBI Vac700R. Rather, the Vac Mini is only about 15% smaller than the Vac700R and shares more design similarities with the TWSBI Mini. Like the Mini, the Vac Mini has a clear, facet-shaped barrel, a tapered, rounded end cap, and screw cap design.

Speaking of downsizing, the TWSBI Eco was also introduced in 2015 at a lower price than all TWSBI pens at that time. The piston-filling Eco provides all the enjoyment of owning a modern fountain pen at a fraction of the cost.

To make this starter pen even more "beginner-friendly," TWSBI introduced the Eco-T in 2016. The grip section has a more pronounced, triangular (that's where the "T" comes from) shape to help beginners properly grip their pen. The cap and piston-knob are also shaped in a rotary triangular design.

In 2018, TWSBI continued to push their design capabilities with the GO fountain pen. Their most affordable pen in the lineup, the Go provides a simple, one-handed filling operation using a spring-loaded piston mechanism.

As the name implies, the TWSBI GO is a quick-draw, ink-up-and-write fountain pen. The body and snap cap consist of lightweight, transparent resin.

Filling the TWSBI GO is quick and satisfying. Instead of turning the barrel end cap to move the piston, the spring-loaded plunger draws up ink in one stroke. Using the amount of effort it takes to click a mouse, the TWSBI go fills with over one-and-a-half ML of ink.