Thursday Drops: Announcing the New TWSBI Swipe in Pear Green

This week TWSBI announced the launch of the new TWSBI Swipe in “Pear Green,” which will be released on March 18, with pre-orders potentially available a few days beforehand, depending on stock. If you’re unfamiliar with the TWSBI Swipe, it’s TWSBI’s latest entry in their fountain pen lineup - a cartridge-converter pen that ships with not one, but two, different high-capacity converters and represents tremendous value, both for those new to fountain pens as well as to experienced users looking for an everyday workhorse. The Pear Green TWSBI Swipe will be priced standard at $26.99.

View fullsize

Each Swipe ships with a cartridge, a traditional twist converter, and a plunger-style converter. Photo courtesy of TWSBI

If you’d like to learn more about this pen, you can check out our writeup of the TWSBI Swipe. The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized TWSBI retailer, and we currently have the following TWSBI fountain pens in stock, in addition to the current colors of the TWSBI Swipe:

1. TWSBI Diamond 580 Piston Filler. The classic TWSBI is still probably my favorite, overall. The pen that started it all is now available in a variety of colors and trims, and the nib units are still interchangeable and available for purchase separately.

2. TWSBI Diamond Mini Fountain Pen. Do you love the idea of the TWSBI Diamond 580’s integrated piston filling system, but are you in the market for something a bit smaller, or something that posts? The Diamond Mini is a pocketable piston filler that expands into a full-size pen when posted.

3. TWSBI Vac700 Iris. TWSBI’s latest . We currently have one pen in stock with a broad nib, and will try to get more as soon as stock becomes available.

4. TWSBI Vac Mini. Like the its sibling the Diamond Mini, the TWSBI Vac Mini is a smaller version of the Vac700R, only more portable and more postable. This little pen holds a ton of ink, and the shutoff valve in the vacuum filling system makes it a great choice for a pocket fountain pen.

5. TWSBI ECO. Last but certainly not least, the TWSBI ECO has arguably stolen the crown from the Diamond 580 as TWSBI’s “flagship” fountain pen. The colorful ECO features an excellent integrated piston filling system for only $32.99, and comes in a wide array of colors and finishes, including two different rose gold trim models.

Learn More About TWSBI Fountain Pens By Visiting The Review Archive!

I’ve written extensively about TWSBI pens for years on the site, and past content has been consolidated into the TWSBI section of the Fountain Pen Review Archive. Past articles include a detailed comparison of the TWSBI Diamond 580 with the TWSBI ECO, and why you might prefer one over the other, as well as reviews of the Vac700R, the Vac Mini, and various other TWSBI models.

The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by reader contributions and purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and the T.G.S. Patreon Program, which offers access to online meetups, exclusive discounts and pre-orders, and more! The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of TWSBI and all other brands stocked.

5 Reasons Why Parker Nailed the Parker 51 Reissue

Once the news broke that Parker has planned a reissue of the Parker 51 fountain pen for this fall [recently postponed until February 2021], there was no shortage of “hot takes,” and most, predictably, were negative. With a pen as iconic as the Parker 51, Parker’s move bears a lot of risk. In an era where the community of fountain pen users has shifted online - and where the opinions of those with the loudest voices tend to be both negative and magnified - an unsuccessful launch places Parker at risk of becoming the butt of jokes, potentially even before the pens ever make their way to consumers. (Just look at the initial attempt to revive the Esterbrook brand.) But Parker is an established, experienced pen company, and what they are doing here warrants more careful consideration than I have seen so far. I actually think their strategy just might work. Here are five things to consider:

View fullsize

1. Parker is reissuing a modern version of a pen from its own archives, not simply using the Parker 51 name on a completely different pen. Sure, as I’ll discuss more in detail below, Parker implemented some (predictable) design changes to modernize a pen first designed in the late 1930s, but they avoided what doomed the first attempt to resurrect Esterbrook: releasing a “modern” pen that bore no resemblance to the much-loved original. Here, Parker embraced its heritage and made an attempt to keep the classic form while adding features designed to appeal to the modern fountain pen user, which is akin to Aurora’s re-release of the Duo-Cart and other Aurora “Archivi Storici” reissues over the years.

2. Parker chose a reasonable price point lower than what I expected. Too expensive? Seriously? The new 51 arrives in two different versions: one with a steel nib and one with gold, priced at approximately $100 and $250, respectively. With so much discussion about how major pen companies are trying to drive the price of steel nib pens to the $250 price point, I actually expected these pens to cost twice as much. Unless the construction turns out to be shoddy, price/value should be the least of anyone’s concern. Yes, you might be able to get a less expensive vintage pen or knocked-off clone, but as I discuss below, there are many people (myself included) who simply don’t want to deal with the vagaries of either and would prefer to purchase from Parker directly.

3. Certain updates to the original design are necessary to appeal to modern users. The criticism that Parker should have released this pen with a vintage aerometric or vacumatic filling system puzzles me the most. Why? To appeal to vintage pen collectors and internet blowhards, the very people determined to hate this pen no matter what, and who would never buy it in the first place? While Parker admittedly hasn’t done much to promote its brand to the latest generation of fountain pen enthusiasts, at least not in the form of community engagement and limited editions, the company has stayed true to form in that it designs and markets its pens for actual writing. I would venture that most modern pen users prefer a cartridge/converter filling system that is less likely to leak ink, and a threaded cap with a secure closure. One of the criticisms of Aurora’s Duo-Cart re-release was that the slip cap tended to come loose in bags and pen cases.

4. The availability of vintage pens and cheap clones will not affect the market for this pen. As I addressed briefly above, part of the criticism of Parker’s chosen price point revolves around the idea that “vintage pens are available for less money,” and “you can buy a Parker 51 clone (knock-off) from companies like Wing Sung or Hero.” While those pens certainly are available, and sometimes for less money, I doubt they would appeal to the target market for the new Parker 51. The majority of people (1) don’t want to fiddle with a vintage pen, especially a pen that will be 70-80 years old soon; and (2) want a quality writing instrument from a company that will stand behind the warranty. As to the latter point, sure, Parker 51 clones can be fun to play around with, but these pens won’t last very long, and when it breaks, you’re just going to throw it away if you can’t fix it yourself. Finally, many people aren’t comfortable shopping for vintage pens on the internet and don’t trust random eBay or Amazon merchants - they want a reliable modern pen from an established company, which is perfectly fine, especially since the pen show scene isn’t coming back anytime soon. [Update: Many people also don’t feel comfortable shopping within the vintage pen community online because the tone can be, frankly, unwelcoming and kind of nasty. Just see the tone of some of the comments on this post from those who think I’m somehow violating the sanctity of the vintage Parker 51 by merely acknowledging that some might prefer to buy a modern version.]

5. Parker timed the reissue perfectly. The Parker 51 was first released in the early 1940s, approximately 80 years ago. Vintage Parker 51s aren’t going to last forever, no matter how well made they are, and those that remain serviceable will (1) likely command higher prices going forward and (2) require more maintenance to actually remain serviceable. I’ve already seen pen show prices for Parker 51s creep upward in recent years, and I don’t think the delta between the price of the new Parker 51 and a well-restored vintage pen is as favorable to vintage as some would have you believe. And still, while there remains demand for vintage pens, there is also strong demand for pens that look vintage while offering the advantages of modern manufacturing.

View fullsize

Sure, vintage Parker Aerometric fillers work fine, but so do cartridge/converter systems, and why would Parker issue a new filling system just for this pen, especially where an aerometric system will eventually require replacement of the sac and/or breather tube? Sorry, but I’m backing the decision to go cartridge/converter here.

Of course, none of this matters if the pen ends up suffering from serious design flaws, or ends up being low quality. As always, the final verdict won’t come until we actually have these pens in-hand and can write with them. I’ve placed a pre-order with Appelboom for two Parker 51s, one “Deluxe” model with the gold nib, and one standard with stainless. Personally, I’m intrigued by what Parker is attempting and look forward to getting my hands on these as soon as possible. Judgment reserved.

[UPDATE: I just received notification, via the comments below as well as an e-mail from the retailer with whom I placed a preorder, that the Parker 51 reissue has been postponed until February 2021. Review has been updated accordingly.]

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

The Sad, Strange Saga of Crane Stationery

Amidst the turmoil that has enveloped the country since March, it’s understandable that the travails of stationery companies wouldn’t receive much attention in the mainstream national press. Still, Crane & Co.’s decision to drastically reduce their workforce by 200+ individuals and close their North Adams, Massachusetts manufacturing facility is notable not only because it’s a cautionary tale for those stationery companies that fail to adapt to modern realities, but also because it marks yet another end of an iconic American stationery manufacturer with more than 200 years of history behind it.

Based on the limited media coverage and my own discussions with knowledgeable sources, the January bankruptcy and closure of retailer Papyrus - Crane’s largest distributor and retail footprint - threw the Company into a precarious financial situation from which it simply couldn’t recover once COVID-19 forced the shutdown of the North Adams facility in March. What followed was a series of apparently ham-handed efforts to manage the fallout, which saw the company get embroiled in a dispute with the local officials over their attempt to re-open as an “essential business” in alleged violation of local COVID-19 guidelines, followed by an announcement that the “reopening” would be temporary, and that 200+ Crane employees would be laid off on June 19, and the North Adams manufacturing facility closed.

Indeed. #feelingrightnow #dowagercountess #penaddict #fpgeeks #crane #cranestationery #stationery #finewriting #downtonabbey

Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

It’s unclear whether this is the end of Crane as a brand. Parent company Mohawk Fine Papers, Inc. has stated that they plan to relocate an unspecified (i.e., small) number of employees to their main facility in Cohoes, New York. Other sources say that all remaining employees will be laid off by September. As of now, the Crane website is still live, and their COVID-19 statement still emphasizes that “Crane products are exclusively produced in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts and have been for 2019 years. We are inextricably connected to the wellbeing of our community, and its wellbeing will always be our top priority.” In my opinion, not the best look given everything that’s occurred, and one would think that clearer messaging might be in order. Then again, I’m not sure whether Crane’s “core consumer” cares as much about the history behind the company and American stationery traditions in the same way readers of this blog might.

Regardless of whether “Crane” stationery continues to technically exist, the end of a storied 200-year run of making stationery in the Berkshires will be sad to see. I have the Crane engraving plates for the personal stationery for three generations of my family, as do, I suspect, many in this community. I’ve not paid much attention to Crane outside their (well received) efforts a couple of years ago to expand their business beyond wedding invitations and formal stationery, but when I visited their setup at the National Stationery Show in January, the company seemed poised to branch out further with some new licensing deals and collaborations designed to appeal to a more modern consumer. I presume that going forward, Mohawk will continue to fulfill orders for wedding invitations and personal stationery via Crane’s existing retail footprint, but it will be interesting to see whether any effort is made to grow the brand further. They could continue to build on 200 years of tradition, or Crane could simply go the way of Eberhard-Faber and other former stationery “greats” and become just another label. This will likely be a story I continue to follow, so stay tuned….

Updating Prior Reviews: Platinum Curidas Feed Issues and the Diamine Music Set

In light of recent news surrounding what sounds like a design flaw with the Platinum Curidas, it’s appropriate for me to take a minute and update my recent review. For those who have not heard, there have been numerous reports of the feeds on the Curidas cracking, and apparently the problem is pervasive enough that Platinum has stopped shipping the pen to retailers while they figure things out. Brad provides a good update on Episode #411: Curious Case of the Curidas Cracking.

What about my Curidas pens? After learning of the issue with the feeds, I closely inspected both of my pens and was pleased to discover the feeds intact, with no signs of cracking. That was Monday morning. Yesterday morning (Wednesday), I checked again, and noticed that the feed on my red pen was split down the middle.

View fullsize

The cracked feed on my red Curidas (right), compared against the normal feed on my green Curidas.

So far, this has not caused any performance issues with the pen. It doesn’t leak, burp ink, hard-start, or show any symptoms that you might typically find in a fountain pen with a damaged feed. Will that change? Who knows. I plan to keep using this pen until it starts causing problems, and hope that Platinum comes up with a fix. I can only assume that some part of the mechanism is too tight, generating pressure on the feed and causing it to crack over time. While design issues are inevitable in a pen this complex, it surprises me that something this basic didn’t show up in Platinum’s prototypes, especially given how prevalent the cracking issue seems to be. It’s a shame, because otherwise I’m really starting to enjoy the Curidas as a daily writer. I’ve kept my two pens inked up since writing my review, and for my grip and writing style, it’s an extremely comfortable pen to use.

Meanwhile, on a Happier Note…

View fullsize

In March I reviewed inks from the Diamine Music Set, which contains 10 inks all “themed” around a different composer. At the time of my initial review, I had used two of the ten: Strauss and Vivaldi. I’ve since inked pens with three more, all of which are excellent. Tchaikovsky (a rich royal blue) and Chopin (a dark grey with blue undertones) easily could serve as daily drivers. Schubert (a darker teal green) has had less time in the pen, but I’m enjoying this color that I wouldn’t typically pick for myself. You can read my full review of the Music Set and see a full set of swabs here.

Baron Fig Double Release: "Lock & Key" Confidant and Squire

Baron Fig has announced their first limited edition of 2018, and this time it's a Confidant/Squire combination! The "Lock" Confidant is a gorgeous dark "forest green" color, with a debossed maze cover and a puzzle insert. The brass Squire - a first for Baron Fig - sports a "key" motif, and the packaging from the pen contains a code that you can use to decipher the puzzle hidden in the Confidant. 

View fullsize

Photo courtesy of Baron Fig. 

The last few limited edition Squire Pens have sold out quickly - as in, within a day or two of release - so jump on this one quickly if you're interested. I've spent the last two days writing exclusively with the brass Squire, and if you like brass pens, this is a good one. The brass will patina quickly: mine has already started to develop after a few hours of use. It's not light by any means, but since the Squire is a shorter pen with excellent balance, you don't necessarily feel the weight of the material. I'd compare the writing experience, in terms of comfort, to that offered by the Kaweco Brass Sport or Supra or the Inventery Machined Pen. 

View fullsize

Photo courtesy of Baron Fig. 

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I won't go on again about how the Baron Fig Confidant and Squire are two tools that I use on a near-daily basis and can readily recommend, because I've written a lot about both. You can purchase the Lock & Key Squire/Confidant set directly from Baron Fig for $77. This gives you a slight discount, as the notebook and pen are priced at $20 and $65, respectively, if you purchase them separately. This particular limited edition Squire costs $10 more than the standard pen, which is more than fair due to the brass construction.  

As I mentioned, I expect at least the pen to sell out quickly, and this one is even more unique than past releases, so don't wait if you want one. Great job by Baron Fig on their first limited release of the year, and I can't wait to see what else they have in the queue. 

Disclaimer: Baron Fig sent me the pen and notebook featured in this review free of charge, for review purposes.