Notes:
- Black and clear demonstrator
- Broad Steel Nib
- Iroshizuku Asa Gao
- Weight: a comfy 21g
- Posted: way too long
- Unposted: very comfy
- Pick one up here!
Likes:
- Broad nib is smooth and wet
- Round barrel looks great
- Clear grip section
- One piece body/grip
- Piston fill is smooth
- Packaging is modern
- Price ($32 shipped)
Dislikes:
- Cap is HIDEOUS
- Piston knob is also pretty ugly
- Worried about breakage (past experience with TWSBI has been “meh”)
edjelley.com - Fountain Pen, Ink, and Stationery Reviews 
OK, what is the little orange wrench for?
It’s for removing the piston mechanism to clean out the pen throughly.
So, If I already own a Twsbi 580 Diamond clear demonstrator, would you consider the ECO as well, or is it very similar to the 580?
I think the design and feel of the 580 is better than the Eco. If you want to save a few bucks, it’s not a bad pen at all.
After all these years, TWSBI still doesn’t understand how to balance a pen in-hand when posted. So much for pens based on user feedback, TWSBI’s Mantra back when they began this pen-making adventure. Surely by now, TWSBI (“Speedy”) would have “gotten” it. Obviously not…
The TWSBI Mini posts comfortably (for me at least). Clearly, TWSBI designed its desk pens (5×0, Eco, etc) to be used unposted. Lots of people prefer not posting desk pens, lots prefer posting. The Eco is designed (presumably based on feedback / demand) to be the cheapest available quality piston filler. This is quite a feat, and I can forgive Speedy for not also making it comfy both posted and unposted. It may be a fair criticism that TWSBI could add a posting desk pen to the lineup, but seems like unreasonable criticism of the Eco. The Eco can’t please all people all the time, but it has already pleaded a great many fp users.
I understand that, but I don’t think I slammed the pen too heavily for not posting. I simply stated that it is way too long. The pen is a great value, but I am curious to see how it holds up in the long run. Especially given TWSBI’s history in cracked pens. I wish some of the design was less clunky, but oh well.
It’s hard to please everyone with a single pen, but I feel like the design of the cap and piston knob could be slimmed down and streamlined a bit. The cap is relatively light weight, but it’s very large. Good thing that writing with the pen unposted is as comfortable as it is!
I was directing the posting comment at David. Loved your review, Ed. Seems very fair.
Oops! Thanks!
I like the simplicity of the Eco compared to the 580. I think the overall look is very nice. The medium is wet and smooth. Posting, as with the 580, is a problem. The only TWSBI that posts well is the Mini. I’m glad I bought it and I have added it to my rotation.