My sad TWSBI sob story: Why I'm not buying any more TWSBI Ecos. (short version) 

I think it's pretty amazing that TWSBI has the kind of warranty they do. That they replace parts as they do, even for pens that are mostly relatively inexpensive. I am sorry you've had such trouble. I own 8 TWSBI pens (a couple of ECOs, a Swipe and 5 Diamond 580s. I've never had any cracking issues with any of them. I hope I continue to be that lucky!

I have 12 TWSBIs, and luckily I haven’t had a problem with any of them. Most of mine are Ecos and Eco-Ts, but I also have a white/rose gold Mini (no cap discoloration), Diamond 580s, Swipe, Vac 700 R Iris. Again, no issues. I may just be lucky but am very sorry you’ve had so many problems with yours. Indeed, a sob story! 😢

This ties in with something I have wondered personally,. If the pens are getting more wear and tear now than they would have in previous generations. We like to swap out our inks and wash our pens frequently, sometimes daily. Previously pens would have been filled to capacity, used, and then refilled with the same ink over and over again with washing happening maybe every six to eight weeks. I don't know that nibs would have been swapped as often either. That doesn't mean that the manufacturing isn't faulty or couldn't be better. I am just curious how much our changing usage patterns also wear out our pens.

I'm in the same boat. I only have 2 ecos but both cracked in the barrel (I hadn't dropped them or taken them outside) and I sent away for replacement parts. I've since bought a diamond mini W&RG but I won't be buying any more despite really loving the writing experience because I'm just waiting on them to fail again. Thanks for the warning about discolouration. I'll keep it stored accordingly. TWSBIs aren't expensive in the grand scheme of things but for the price of all three I could have bought something of greater lasting power and that's what I'll do going forward. If I want an inexpensive new pen for fun, I'll go with a Kaweco instead.

This was so interesting to me and I'm glad you shared it. I do have way more than enough Twsbi's and over the course of 5 to 7 years, I've had a couple weird issues that I thought were a ME issue. I also have no plans to buy any more because the last couple ones I bought just didn't seem as nice or well-made as those I bought years ago.

I don’t understand why they don’t change the plastic. The designs are already good but the plastic is clearly terrible.

I also have a mini white rose gold Twsbi that the cap is discolored from the pen case I had it in. The interior of the pen case was a hot pink fleecy material and it toally transferred its color to the cap and will not come off. As far as cracking, I haven’t noticed that, I’m sorry you have had so many issues, Twsbi is a great writer, never a hard start and always dependable no matter if you let it sit for a day or a month. I only have had 1 nib that I need to replace interestingly, that too is a white eco rose gold, not the mini but the regular size Eco, its a 1.1 stub, the tines came misaligned on it, I was going to message the pen company that I bought it from but I never did. I thought I could fix it. I’ve made it better but it’s not perfect. However…That’s on me, I never contacted Goulet. I know they would’ve made it right.! The Goulet Pen Company is Awesome.!!!

I have had problems with TWSBI pens, too, and decided to not purchase any others except for maybe another Swipe. Swipes are the only TWSBIs that I haven’t encountered any problems with. Even though TWSBI is willing to send new parts for the price of postage, it seems kind of cheap not to replace a part for free. TWSBI obviously knows there is a problem with their pens. Why don’t they fix the problem? I’ve fallen in love with Opus 88. Even though they cost a little more, I know that the pen is a good quality. Thanks so much for sharing your TWSBI woes and the rest of your fountain pen journey. I love your videos!! ❤❤❤

I love having my Twsbi ECOs to hold my favorite inks. Example, next new Twsbi is the Rossa and it will hold my favorite red ink from J. Herbin. One of my ECOs has had Kyanite with shimmer in it since the day I purchased it (Over a Year) and it writes every time. I've never cleaned them, I just refill with the same ink that I love for that pen. My current favorite is the Twsbi Eco Saffron (I have 2 now) is my everyday carry. I enjoy carrying a pen that I do not have to worry about in regards to loss or theft and the Eco holds so much ink that I do not have to worry about running out. I absolutely love my special edition Lamy from Goulet pens but I do have to worry about the ink running out. If you are one that keeps up with your pens and each week give a refill then no need to worry about the amount of ink in a pen. I would just pick another pen to carry that has ink....lol...until I was in the mood to refill. I do think it is amazing that they sent you T barrels!! I love the T barrels the most so to get all of your pens with that is fantastic. Thank you for sharing your experience so that we can know what to expect or what to be cautious of.

I am no longer buying TWSBIs myself. Over the years, I’ve bought 4 TWSBIs. 2 Diamond 540s back in 2011 not long after they were first introduced and then a Vac 700R and a Diamond 580AL. With very little usage, the Diamond 580AL is currently the one that doesn’t have a barrel cracks or breakage. It’s a real shame. I like the nibs, and the feel/weight of the pens, but I’m not putting more money into pens I know are going to break on me.

I have had experiences similar to yours. There are LOTS of loyal customers, but you'll also find a ton of us folks having issues, too. Almost all of the vacs (multiple 700s and minis) I have owned either cracked or leaked eventually. They are cheap. You just have to keep buying them.

Ironically, I clicked your Amazon affiliate link and saw your thumbnail “Pens and Inks is a twsbi 🤣

As frustrating as it must have been, thanks for sharing the state of your TWSBI pens and the entire story! I bought 4 TWSBI ECOs last year. Two of them cracked due me switching nibs. They replaced the barrels for both. Even with that experience, I had been eyeing their 580 series and the Mini (they are gorgeous) pens. Thank you for the wake up call! I am so glad I didn’t give in to my impulses. It really is sad that TWSBI has a fundamental materials flaw that they can’t seem to fix. I agree with you that there are way too many Fountain Pen options available to continue to invest in shoddy products. I would rather buy from a company like Pilot or Lamy where I know that the quality is guaranteed and I will enjoy the pens I purchase for years to come.

My white rose gold mini cap got a little stained by my pen case too. I'm glad it's not just a me thing. Also, thanks for sharing the warning about posting the twsbi mini. I never pay attention to how I twist it when I post it but I will go easy on it from now on.

I haven‘t had any issues except with a TWSBI 503, but it’s one I dropped and cracked the nib section. There just aren’t many pens as durable as Lamy Safari, especially not at that price point. It’s true that not only alcohol, but a lot of glass cleaning agents crack acrylics. They basically dissolve the chemical bonds within the acrylics and they crack.

I have about 6 TWSBIs. 1 Swipe and the others are Ecos. Almost all developed hairline cracks by the nib. I was in the habit of swapping nibs around, but still, for a pen that’s supposed to be easy to disassemble to clean, I really feel that shouldn’t happen. For the price of shipping I got replacement bodies for all that cracked. But that has left me hesitant. I really want to buy more Ecos, I love the colors, the transparent bodies and I love how the pens write. For months I have been debating buying more TWSBIs. And I always have this internal debate. I thought to try the 580 vs the Eco, but once bitten, twice shy. I can’t say I won’t buy another TWSBI, but I do agree that these issues happen way too often.

One of my Twsbi Ecos has a cracked section, which I noticed when I had ink all over my fingers. I had never removed the nib and feed of that particular Eco. I also because of your video checked my Twsbi Swipe and the cap has significant cracks on both sides of the clip. Twsbi should of course pay for the shipping of a faulty item, we paid for fully functioning pens. There is obviously an issue with cracks appearing in many of their pens and it amazes me that it hasn't been fixed yet. Maybe if people stopped buying them they might actually take this seriously. Thank you for this video and also for pointing out the issue with the Twsbi Mini. It'll be good to find out now that you have received all the parts, how long they actually last. It seems to me that you just used them normally, as they should be able to be used.

I had a few TWSBIs myself and some quality issues with some of them. I sold them all in the end. I couldn´t get over the fact that Tswbi pens are basically lowest quality plastic holders for decent nibs. The nibs are good, but they are not made by TWSBI anyway. The plastic looks, feels and basically is the same as with the cheapest bullet point pens you can get in 1€-Stores. 1€ for 10 pens that is.

I basically only get the diamond 580s/ALRs but I never had issues with my Ecos or Eco Ts. I know it’s upsetting when something doesn’t meet expectations, though. I’m sorry they didn’t work for you.

I also had the same issue with my twsbi rose gold staining from a pen case. I was disappointed, and the same issue happened with a Lamy Safari that I had as well. I also stained the grip section with pink ink hahaha so I tried to just accept it as lived in.

I’m sorry to hear about your experience! I love my TWSBIs. I haven’t had any issues yet…I don’t know why! But I completely understand why you won’t buy them ever again. I’m curious about the pen cases that were causing the discolouration on your mini? I have a white mini RG and I want to make sure that I am not storing it in the same case! Could you let me know which ones are known for causing that? Mind you for the last 8 months it has been inked up so it hasn’t been stored but out on my desk…but I would love to know for the future. Thanks!

Wow I have over 40 Twsbi's and only had problems with 2 both user errors.

I have a TWSBI Smoke and Rose Gold and two TWSBI Go’s but will not buy anymore. My TWSBI’S work great with no problems. TheIr heavy hand in dealing with retailers in the ill fated argument with other manufacturers is the reason I am not buying anymore TWSBI’S. So no more TWSBI’S. Sorry for your problems and thanks for the video.

I'm sorry things haven't worked out for you with the Twisbi brand pens. I love the Twisbi minis (I have two) and haven't had any problems aside from the o-rings falling off. The Twisbi Eco is too long for the size of my hand. I've had a few over the years, but haven't used them enough due to the size issue to have had any problems. It's good you know what works for you and what doesn't!

a few years ago, I bought some of the main models from TWSBI, yes they have some design problems, e.g. the use of O-rings which increase stress on some points, which may lead to cracking. However my main problem is not this, the material is plastic, what more can I hope, the pens write ok, I can live with that, after all, there are pens on the world with different qualities. My problem is the price dose not reflect the quality IMHO, like the plastic used, the nib, the pistons on my ECO/580/ALR will sometimes stuck when inked etc. At 60€ I will rather save some more and get a Pelikan M200 (just an exemple). Anyway that is just my thoughts, everybody will cirtainly have their own opinions. Thanks for the video and have a nice day.

I have a TWSBI eco rose gold. It worked really well for 1 year and a few months. Suddenly one day while writing, the nib slipped out! It’s been sliding out by itself every few writing sessions ever since 😕

1. This is a very disheartening story. I remember maybe 10 years ago there were lots of reports that TWSBIs were cracking. Supposedly the problem was resolved, but now it seems to have arisen again, given your experience, along with some of the commenters here. I hereby put TWSBI in the Never Buy This Brand category, along with every pen manufactured in Italy. 2. My only substantial experience with TWSBI was with a TWSBI GO, which I liked well enough. Then the piston suddenly quit moving after no more than half a dozen fills. Couldn't fix it, so into the bin it went.

I find like you that mine are similar. I do like the way the Diamond 580’s write.

I have had issues with cracking to

I have not had a problem with my TWSBI pens, I am sorry that you have gone through this. I love my TWSBI pens, they are some of my go to pens because they are reliable. Hopefully you don't have this again. I don't get why you should pay for the shipping cost when, like you said you have not done anything wrong.

Where did you get your TWSBIs from? The retailer should have been able to help you out. I have so many TWSBIs it's ridiculous; but I never had any cracking issues with them. Some of them I use for annoyingly high maintenance inks; or inks that I don't use everyday with sheen and shimmer. I don't even clean them properly really 🙄. So it's not like I baby them. I am a user so I use them a lot. And my TWSBIs and Kaweco sports are the ones that I throw around a lot as well. I put them in pencil cases with other pens and pencils; I am pretty rough with them. I really don't know how you got so many problematic ones. And I certainly don't think it's user error on your part. I mean messing up one pen happens to us all, but having isses with 4-5 or more of the same model? I find that quite unlikely. Maybe change your provider if it's not a retailer that you know; that would be the first thing I would do personally. And maybe since you got the parts from TWSBI itself, you may have better luck.. ?.. after a while let us know how you get on with your pens

I had Twisbi Swipe, the cap cracked. I hated the nib anyway, so I tossed it. I have one Eco which has given me problems from the nib getting loose and causing major leaking, the o ring not holding the cap for posting, and finally, the nib getting a moldy smell. I have Diamond which for some reason also gets a moldy smell no matter how often I clean it.. None of my other pens have the odor problem. I’m done with Twisbi, can’t understand those who have to have the multiple versions of the same model.

I want the long version also.. !!

Omg, my TWSBI white/rose gold discoloured in a pen case too!!! I thought it was just me!

I have had cracks as you have in my TWSBI pens, which I also love writing with them more than with any of my other pens. So I will keep them. I also have a yellow Safari that i have had since 1985 and the plastic has become stained. I noticed this after not using the pen for an extended period and do not know what caused the staining. I thought you might know how to remove ink stain from the plastic.

My TWSBI Mini Rose Gold also has discoloration on the cap and I always just thought I did something weird.

try small rubber rings. u r probably a bit energy rich on them. to keep your remaining pens safe., you can use small transparent rubber bands matching the colour on all screw sections.

I wish TWSBI would respond to this video. I’ve had one eco crack before and I used it so carefully.

And here I was looking to buy a Twsbi, good to know. Let me stick with my Lamys and Kawecos.

Until now I’ve been happy with the Twsbi range. Although saying that I have only bought a standard, an eco and swipe. They are only used very occasionally. I liked the look of the new Kia and received it yesterday. However there is a crack already in the grip section material. With disbelief that a new pen costing over £100 would be defective I examined it further with a lens. Not only was this defect highlighted but imperfections running through the pen in its finish suggest little attention has been paid to quality. Like yourself I will not be buying TWSBI pens unless their cost is placed around the usual Chinese prices. Have you considered swapping out the nibs into other pens?

:( ….Just bought a mini and a diamond (regular, not AL) for urban sketching use. I hope they can stand up to a bit of bag wear. I would hate to find my $20USD Lamy outshines a $50+ Twisbi in durability. Both having excellent reputations in the sketcher community. Thanks for the info.

I only have two TWSBI pens, and I don't use mine enough to have anywhere or tear on them. I do have to say I like my Lamy a little bit better than my TWSBI.

I have 60 TWSBIs of all shapes and sizes and none of them has ever cracked in any part of the pen. I love the ECOs because they hold a ton of ink and don‘t dry up when not used for a week or longer. Can‘t say the same for my Lamy Safaris and AL-stars, I‘m afraid… which is why I have stored most of them away now. My Lamy journey also started in the 90‘s, I got my first TWSBI in 2020, so maybe I have yet to make the cracking experience… I hope not. ;)

I've had a similar experience...despite loving the form factor and functionality, they seem to stress crack. Caveat emptor I guess.

So far I haven’t had any issues with my twsbi’s. *knocks on wood* I want to love Lamy but it dries up rather quickly. I wish the Lamy pens had better ink capacity. If Lamy & Twsbi had a baby that would be the ultimate grail pen for me.

This is entirely how I feel about TWSBI. The replacement cap for the cost of shipping thing has always bothered me too. That’s a design issue, IMO. For some strange reason that doesn’t register as a glitch and that’s it’s a question of quality that is excused for some reason. Personally, I think the Eco looks and feels cheap but a Lamy Safari doesn’t, and they are within the same price range. I own an Eco and a white TWSBI Diamond Mini Rose Gold. I really like the Mini but I don’t really see myself buying from TWSBI anymore.

User error... nah, I don't believe that to be true. There are so many similar stories out there. It can't be a coincidence. I have "retired" one of my ECO pens because the crack is huge, and it looks like I dipped my fingers in the ink bottle whenever I write with it. I also recently noticed a teeny tiny crack on my 580 diamond alr - in the part where the aluminium grip starts. I probably over-tigthened it as it's a horizontal crack. Like you, I've decided I won't spend any more money on TWSBI. It's a shame, though. Their nibs are so good!

At least Twsbi's customer support sounds excellent, although I'd still be excited to see you shake hands with Luke Hobbs.

You learned 3 things: 1) don’t buy cheap pens 2)if you do so, buy german quality 3) with all the money you spent on those, you can buy 1 good pen! …or 2!