Last month, I wrote a piece about how TWSBI recently has made a major push to expand the ECO lineup, seemingly at the expense of the TWSBI 580, it’s “flagship” fountain pen. While I remain a die-hard fan of the 580, I also appreciate what the ECO brings to the table: a high-quality, high-capacity piston filling fountain pen with a reliable nib at roughly $31. And now, the TWSBI ECO is available in a wide range of colors and designs.
My two soft spots in this hobby are red and yellow pens, meaning that if a company releases a model I like in either of these two colors, I’ll likely buy it. So when TWSBI announced the ECO Yellow earlier this year, it was pretty much a foregone conclusion. Now that I have the pen in hand, I have no regrets. The bright yellow acrylic really pops, and the EF nib writes a smooth, wet line. I’ve not had much experience with TWSBI EF nibs in the past, and while this one pleasantly surprised me, it’s definitely a wider, “German” EF, and definitely not a needlepoint or Japanese-style nib.
The Rose Gold Eco is actually branded the “ECO RG,” thought I’ve not seen it referred to as such in marketing releases.
The more unique release, which sold so quickly it was out of stock at most retailers until recently, is the TWSBI ECO White Rose Gold. Years ago, TWSBI released a 580 fountain pen featuring rose gold trim, which, while extremely popular, was plagued by reports of the trim wearing off over time. I understand that TWSBI reformulated the rose gold plating not only to increase durability, but to offer a bit more shine and “rose” tone. Whatever they did, the end result looks great, especially paired with the white acrylic.
The rose gold nib is absolutely gorgeous.
For a full review of the ECO fountain pen, check out this post here. I won’t rehash the specifications, etc. in detail, but I continue to believe that the TWSBI ECO is a well-made, reliable fountain pen that represents outstanding value at its price point.
There’s no discernible difference in line width between the standard Eco steel nib and the rose gold plated nib. Both nibs write on the wider side for an extra-fine.
Takeaways and Where to Buy
TWSBI remains a brand to watch. The company has not only demonstrated its devotion to innovation and continual improvement as it tweaks its product lines in response to customer feedback, but it’s adherence to a reasonable pricing scheme has positioned the company to thrive in all sorts of market conditions, as fountain pen enthusiasts look for affordable ways to indulge in their favorite hobby. You can purchase both the TWSBI ECO Yellow and White Rose Gold and still spend well under $100.
You can currently purchase TWSBI ECO fountain pens in the T.G.S. Curated Shop, starting at $30.99 for the standard line, and $49.99 for the pens with rose gold trim. While some might balk at the premium for rose gold, which sees the pen approaching the cost of a standard TWSBI 580, keep in mind that a TWSBI 580 with rose gold trim actually costs $84.99.