TWSBI AL Mini in Mint Blue Review

Hello and welcome back to another fountain pen review! I realize that working from home truly has been given me the chance to find more fountain pens which I am happy about but at the same time, I wish I knew about these sooner! The TWSBI AL mini is one of those pens I never really knew about until I wandered onto Youtube and multiple online stores. 

First, off I bought this one from Goulet Pens but sadly if you check out the store now the Mint is sold out completely and it is discontinued. The price was $65 which I feel is great especially since I also got a 1.1mm stub nib on it. This was a bit of an impulse purchase but I am very happy with it.

The overall TWSBI design still looks amazing even in this shortened pen body. You can still see all the ink inside, the entire piston filler, and this lovely soft blue that is labeled as mint. Thankfully unlike the TWSBI 580AL this does post by twisting the cap making this a nice travel pen like the Kaweco Sport, just that it is a bit longer.

The nib is steel and writes with no problems. I personally got stub because I really wanted to use one and I love it. It is so amazing to see the thick downstroke when using it and makes cursive and print look better on paper which is exactly why I used it on letters. I heard that TWSBI stubs are wonderful and I am seconding that motion.

This TWSBI as well as the 580AL are easy to clean plus if you invest in the TWSBI inkwell for $25 to $30 like these that I bought from Pen Boutique there is no mess in refilling your pen cause you can untwist the nib, place it on the spout and, twist the filler for a nearly one try fill.

Overall I super recommend the TWSBI mini especially if you don't want a Kaweco AL Sport or Sport but still want a small fountain pen for travel that isn't plastic.

If you enjoy all these fountain pen reviews, stationery reviews, my hoard of limited edition games, and me covering all of otaku life please check out my Patreon! You will get sneak peeks on what I'm poking at for future posts and know exactly what is coming up every month!

TWSBI Diamond 580AL in Emerald Green Review

I am getting closer and closer to reviewing all the fountain pens in my collection, which means two things. One is that I will hopefully be requiring some pens I been saving up for a very long time, and two is that we will finally get to the more expensive and limited edition pens.

This post will be all about this wonder TWSBI Diamond 580AL in emerald green! I do have one more TWSBI pen to cover which will be out next week.

To start off I bought this from Yoseka Stationery for $60, which to me is such a good price when you consider that this is a piston filling pen with a steel nib and looks stunning. I got the emerald green cause I love green along with coffee browns and flower-based designs. The TWSBI Diamond 580AL is available in other colors such as rose, silver and there is TWSBI Diamond 580ALR which has a matte finish that comes in Prussian blue, nickel grey, punch pink, and purple. 

The design of this is so interesting to look at and play with cause this can be fully deconstructed and put back together, plus you can see all the ink in the pen very clearly along with the piston. The TWSBI logo is at the finial and the body has this nice edged design. It is a bit heavy but it is a tall pen however you can not post with it. When the cap on it is a few millimeters taller than the Lamy Safari.

This is available in extra-fine, fine, medium, broad, and 1.1 stub nibs. As always I got the fine nib and this writes so nicely that I use it for all my shimmer inks. Had no problems with clogging and really brings out the shine. The nib is steel but for the price the writing experience is amazing. Would be nice if TWSBI had gold or dual-tone nib option for other higher price points cause I think people would still buy it.

Inking this up was easy after applying the silicone grease, which is stated in the instructions it comes with. Feels very satisfying looking at the shimmer in the pen.

This pen is perfect got people who want a more substantial pen in length, and construction but with a price point of under $100. Very much recommend this pen.

Fountain Pen and Ink Collection So Far

 Hello everybody! This is Tsubaki and I am back with another post wrapping up this year. Not only do these posts help me catalog everything I have but it reminds me to do reviews and updates to help you decide what is best for you! 

Somehow I fell in love with fountain pens while also discovering all the different analog systems and amazing planners that are available. Decided o try fountain pens since Hobonichi Techo is fountain pen friendly plus are less impactful on the environment since they can be reused so many years, as long as it is not neglected. Fountain pens also come in beautiful designs and colors that you just can't get in disposable pens. 

Please note that I do like using fine (F) nibs so if the nib size is not mentioned it is fine.

Moonman Wancai in Green Swirl

Pilot Kakuno in Light Green

Lamy Safari in Mint Glaze

Kaweco Student in 60's Swing (Medium Nib)

Hello Kitty Preppy Platinum in Black, Blue, Green, Pink and Yellow (Extra Fine Nib)

TWSBI Diamond 580AL in Emerald Green

TWSBI Mini AL in Mint Blue

Sailor Pro Gear Slim Shikiori in YukiTsubaki [Snow Camellia] (14K Medium Fine Nib)

Sailor Pro Gear Slim in British Racing Green (14K Medium Fine Nib)

Pelikan M800 in Brown-Black

I do have a couple of more much-wanted fountain pens I wish to get so expect an update on those soon!

If you like TikTok here are my videos showing all my pens: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. Follow me on there to be updated in upcoming posts!

Now for the ink bottles! Most of them are J.Herbin or green inks. I love greens but I am also looking into some more interesting browns so I might need to make some room.

Lennon Tool Bar - 2020 Summer Limited - Fireflies

DeAttramentis - Document Ink Black

Noodler's Black Swan in English Roses

Noodler's Black Swan in Australian Roses

Noodler's The Blue Nose Bear

J.Herbin Emeraude de Chivor 1670

J.Herbin Vert Atlantide 350th Anniversary

J. Herbin Vert Amazone

Rohrer & Klinger sketchINK Emma

Herbin Vert Reseda

Herbin Vert de Gris

Herbin Vert Empire

Herbin Lierre Sauvage

Robert Oster Caffe Crema

Lastly all the ink samples I am trying to use up. If you are interested in how these inks look please see the swatches coming up!

J.Herbin Cornaline d' Egypte 1798

J.Herbin Amethysete de l'Oural 1798

J.Herbin Kyanite du Nepal 1798

J.Herbin Caroube de Chypre 1670

J.Herbin Blue Ocean 1670

J.Herbin Rouge Hematite 1670

J.Herbin Stormy Grey 1670

Lennon Tool Bar 2020 Summer Limited - Watermelon

Lennon Tool Bar 2020 Summer Limited - Pacific Ocean

Lennon Tool Bar - Taiwan Tea Set - Muzha Tieguanyin

Lennon Tool Bar Bar - Taiwan Tea Set - Sun Moon Lake Rudy Black Tea

Lennon Tool Bar - Taiwan Set - Wenshan Pouchong Tea

Diamine Aurora Borealis

Diamine Kensington Blue

Diamine Holly

Diamine Shimmer Wine Divine

Monteverde Azure Noir

Nemosine Coalsack Nebula Twinkle

Colorverse Hubble Zoom

Kyo-Iro Arashiyama Morning

Sailor Jentle Apricot

J.Herbin Cacao de Bresil

Noodler's Nightshade

Noodler's Ottoman Rose

Here is my TikTok for inks along with all my ink swatches!

That is all of the fountain pens and inks in my collection so far! If you love what you see and are interested in a deeper review of specific ink brands or any of the pens you saw here, let me know in the comment section. Love hearing any feedback so I can keep these posts coming out at least every week.

Until next time, stay hyped!