I thought the TWSBI ECO looked clunky until I couldn’t see it clearly. That’s when I ordered it. After using it for only a few days, I’m ready to declare it the best “next step” fountain pen available. (More on that later.)

The initial TWSBI ECO’s had white or black caps that, because of the hexagonal design of the cap, seemed heavy. Although they were released at the end of last year I put off buying one hoping for better colors.

Then, recently, TWSBI released the ECO Clear. It has a clear cap and piston nob and if it weren’t for the piston parts, the feed and the translucent inner cap, it would be nearly invisible. Well, at least until ink was added.

The TWSBI ECO clear. I’m not a big fan of the plastic disk finial as it crosses the line between being and looking cheap.

I bought a version with a fine nib and I’ve rarely been this impressed with a nib on the first use, especially a steel one. It isn’t scratchy at all and thus far has worked well on copy paper, Tomoe River paper, Rhodia paper and an onion skin notebook.

Unposted the pen is 5.2 inches (13.1 cm) long and weighs 3 ounces. Even posted (which makes it 6.3 inches  /16.1 cm long) it’s still comfortable to use. The end has a rubber O-ring that helps the cap snap into place and holds it steady.

Even beyond my initial testing, I already find myself looking for excuses to work it into my daily rotation. The section is a bit small towards the tip of the pen, but it’s well tapered and comfortable to use.

It might be a bit big for people with small hands but I think people ready to take the next step from cheaper fountain pens to slightly more upscale fountain pens will like this. At this point, I think it would also make an excellent first fountain pen.

A closer up look at the section and cheap plastic finial.

The only problems I’m having are that I’m 50/50 with TWSBI fountain pens. I have one that’s worked perfectly out of the box, and a second that’s had three parts break and have to be replaced. This one is supposed to be designed to prevent some of the cracking problems but we’ll see how it holds up over the next six months or so of regular use.