TWSBI Diamond 580ALR Fountain Pen - Prussian Blue
The TWSBI Diamond 580ALR comes with a benchmark piston ink-filling mechanism and has all detachable parts. The clear demonstrator barrel allows you to see your ink color and remaining ink level. This special edition fountain pen has a deep teal blue aluminum grip section, cap ring, and piston knob. The aluminum is enhanced with a subtle matte finish, with circular engravings in the grip and cap area. It comes with a stainless steel nib and is presented in a modern clear display case.
The idea behind the TWSBI Diamond 580 was to go back to basics and capture the simplicity and elegance of traditional writing instruments. In recent years, the development and modernization of writing instruments has resulted in traditional writing instruments, such as fountain pens, falling into obscurity. It was TWSBI's goal to bring the past back to life by creating a traditional fountain pen that even modern day society can appreciate.
The TWSBI Diamond 580 is a classic fountain pen with a piston ink-filling system. By fusing the traditional mechanisms of the fountain pen with a modern industrial design, TWSBI has created an eye-catching fountain pen that is simultaneously appreciative of the past and relevant in the present.
TWSBI's belief is that it is important to allow the user to disassemble and reassemble the pen and completely experience the traditional aspects of owning and using a fountain pen. These pens also come packaged with a wrench and silicone grease. Neither of these accessories are intended to be used immediately, as they are for long-term care and maintenance. Additionally, please use extra care if you choose to disassemble the nib and feed, as the feed is very fragile.
You may notice a white substance on your 580AL or 580ALR pistons. This is bearing grease, and must not be removed during cleanings, or replaced by silicone grease.
- Condition
- New
- Brand
- TWSBI
- Type
- Fountain Pens
- Color
- Blue, Clear, Turquoise/Teal
- Demonstrator
Whether or not the barrel of the pen is translucent, allowing you to see the ink and filling mechanism inside.
- Yes
- Body Material
- Resin
- Cap Rotations
For pens with a screw-cap closure, how many rotations it takes to uncap/recap the pen.
- 1.25
- Cap Type
How the cap is opened/closed from the barrel of the pen. Some common options include Snap-Cap, Screw-Cap, Magnetic Cap, or Capless (no cap).
- Screw-cap
- Compatible inks & refills
Which ink this pen will accept. Choices include bottled ink and various styles of pre-filled ink cartridges.
- Bottled ink
- Filling Mechanism
How the pen fills with ink. Click here to watch our video tutorial on common filling mechanisms.
- Piston
- Grip Material
- Metal
- Nib Size
- Extra-Fine, Fine, Medium, Broad, 1.1mm Stub
- Nib Color
- Silver
- Nib Material
- Steel
- Postable
Whether or not the cap fits securely onto the back of the barrel when open.
- No
- Retractable
Whether or not the nib/tip can retract into the body of the pen (usually for click or twist-open style pens).
- No
- Trim
- Silver
- Diameter - Body
- 13.3mm (0.52in)
- Diameter - Cap (without clip)
- 14.4mm (0.57in)
- Diameter - Cap (with clip)
- 18.6mm (0.73in)
- Diameter - Grip (mm)
Measured from the place most people choose to rest their fingers, which varies with each pen.
- 10.0mm
- Length - Body
The measurement from the back end of the barrel to the tip of the nib.
- 130mm (5.12in)
- Length - Cap
- 60mm (2.36in)
- Length - Nib
The measured length of the visible portion of the nib when it is installed in the pen, from grip to tip.
- 19mm (0.75in)
- Length - Overall (Closed)
- 142mm (5.59in)
- Weight - Body
If a converter is included with the pen, this weight is reflected in the total.
- 17g (0.60oz)
- Weight - Cap
- 10g (0.35oz)
- Weight - Overall (g)
- 27.0g
- Max Ink Capacity - Piston Vac
The maximum volume of ink that can fit in the pen when using the built-in piston or vacuum filling mechanism.
- 1.98ml
Customer Reviews
I loved this pen, but unfortunately it only lasted 2 years.
First, the endcap cracked. I have no idea how. I haven't dropped the pen, and it's never left the house. The cracks expanded until the endcap eventually broke into three pieces. I contacted TWSBI about this, and they offered to send a replacement piece if I paid $8 shipping. Seemed an ok deal at the time. Now it's been over a month, and I still haven't received the piece. Unfortunately they ship parts from Taiwan (hence the $8 shipping I guess), and the tracking they give you sucks. It shows that the pen arrived in the US at some post office. But no idea where or which post office. It only took a week or so to get to the US, and now it's disappeared. So I'm out $8, no part.
Now, just yesterday, the pen cap on the same pen has broken. The metal ring at the end that screws onto the pen just broke off. Again, didn't drop it or anything. Just broke. I contacted them about this, and they offered to send me a replacement cap for another $8. Very disappointing, especially considering I never received the other part they supposedly sent me. You'd think with this many issues with a pen, they'd replace it, but no.
My other Diamond ALR (navy blue) hasn't had any of these issues. However that pen came with a nib with misaligned tines. Again, they sent me a replacement (that time it was $5 shipping and I actually received it). However that nib was even worse. After trying and failing to fix it myself, I finally bought ANOTHER nib from Goulet, and that one works ok, but still doesn't write as smoothly as my other TWSBI pens.
The only plus side is I can take the pieces from my two Diamonds and at least have one pen that writes well and isn't broken. But for over $60 for a pen, I expected a lot more to say the least.
I did some looking online, and it seems this is a known issue with their pens. Sometimes the acrylic they use is defective, and will crack and break over time. First off, that shouldn't happen more than once--you'd think they'd fix the problem, whatever it is. Second, if/when it does happen, they should replace the defective pen free-of-charge. They don't.
One of the reasons I got into fountain pens was to stop putting pens in landfills. I expected a well-cared-for-pen like this to last a lot longer than 2 years.
It's a shame, because I really like the design of their pens, and they're cheaper than a lot of the other fountain pens out there. But there do seem to be some major issues with their quality control. It's a roll of the dice if you'll get a pen that will last, or get a lemon like I did, and same thing with the nibs. Wouldn't be such a big deal if they'd replace the defective pens, but they don't. Considering they're overseas, and so it's difficult and expensive to get replacement parts, I think I'm done with TWSBI pens.
Everything it should be and more…quite nice!
Great product, great service!
Until I received this pen, my daily writers were a Lamy 2000 and a Faber that also has a gold nib. While I still love the Lamy 2000 I am timid to carry it everyday bc of the price and I don't want to lose it... Hence the reason I bought this TWSBI. I've been carrying it everyday since it arrived. It's smooth, has a threaded cap for security and it has been a conversation piece in most all of my meetings. For the price I'll pickup another to stay resident in my office.
Just got it. It is my favorite pen. I like the metal and clear makeup. It feels less cheap than twsbi plastic. It writes and writes and writes, no scratch. The blue is even nicer in person.
