(Jeff Abbott is a regular contributor at The Pen Addict. You can find more from Jeff online at Draft Evolution and Twitter.)
TWSBI has been up to a lot over the last few years, including the amazing GO and Eco, but I've been sleeping on the 580 ever since the AL models were introduced. Aside from new colors, what could I be missing, right? Turns out, TWSBI have made some small improvements that make this old classic something to consider.
The TWSBI 580 has been around for years. It replaced the 540 with more reliable parts and slightly higher quality finish. Instead of offering colored acrylic materials like the 540, the 580 just adds in accents of color at the section, band, and a few other small places. With the introduction of the aluminum (580AL) models, it's been a regular cadence of fresh new colors every year. I still use the orange 580AL that I picked up almost 10 years (!!!) ago. The ALR models add a little something special to the already great 580: texture.
The Black TWSBI 580ALR I have looks awesome on my desk, and I really enjoy using it. Just like previous models, it has dashes of aluminum accents around the grip section, cap band, and piston grip. The differences in this model are that the aluminum is a matte finish, and the grip section has a microscopic milled surface that provides plenty of traction while still looking smooth. Every time I pick this pen up, I have to squint and try to make out the tiny lines that wrap around the diameter of the section. You can see them if you look close enough, but they're seriously small and provide an excellent amount of grip. This small change on the grip section has renewed my love for this classic pen that I discovered early on in my fountain pen journey.
Everything else about the design of the pen is the same as older 580s. The length and diameter are the same, the ink capacity is the same, and the fit and finish are great. I'm really digging the matte finish on these accents, and the size feels really good in my hand when writing. This is a workhorse, and the better grip elevates it to a different level of comfort and control.
The fine nib in my unit worked flawlessly out of the box. The line width is what I'd expect, and the flow is good. Like all demonstrators, you have a full view into the status of your ink supply, and the piston filling mechanism works great. The clip on this version is a bit stronger than my old 580AL, and that's a welcome change.
There's no mistaking this pen for anything other than a TWSBI, and that's before you even look for any branding. Looking a little close, there's a TWSBI on the front side of the cap band, and a DIAMOND 580 AL R TAIWAN on the reverse side. And on the top of the cap there's a lovely TWSBI logo jewel nestled inside some more of the same textured aluminum used on the grip section. Aside from this and the grip, the other aluminum bits are a smooth matte finish — no milled texture.
Overall, the 580ALR is a solid pen that builds on the success of the previous models. Honestly, when Brad sent me this pen for review, I wasn't really excited because I assumed it would be just like the 580AL that I've had for years. I was wrong, and I'm here to tell you that this small change that the 580ALR brings with it is enough to merit another look if you already have a 580AL, and it for sure merits some serious consideration if you haven't had the opportunity to pick one up yet.
The TWSBI 580 is a classic vehicle for getting into the piston-filler game at a great price, and TWSBI's quality is to a point nowadays where you'll get plenty of use out of the pen before anything breaks (assuming you treat it well). If black isn't your thing, there are many, many colors to choose from. Whatever color you pick, you'll be getting a solid pen that packs a ton of value, utility, and whimsy.
(Vanness Pens provided this product at a discount to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)
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