The Drop: TWSBI Diamond 580 ALR Sunset Yellow Fountain Pen

It's a big EDC market out there, and tons of awesome gear is released all the time. We made The Drop to help you discover the latest and greatest essentials worth a spot in your EDC.

For those in the know, a fountain pen provides the smoothest writing experience for everyday carry. The liquid-based inks used in these pens and the unique stainless steel or gold nibs used to deliver them onto paper require less force than a run-of-the-mill ballpoint, rollerball, or gel-based pen. While it does require some getting used to, grabbing a quality EDC fountain pen like the new TWSBI Diamond 580 ALR in stunning Sunset Yellow is a great way to start. TWSBI is a renowned fountain brand based in Taiwan, and I love TWSBI's unique stationery designs and the value I get for my money with the brand.

The Diamond 580 ALR is TWSBI's flagship fountain pen, featuring diamond facets and aluminum metal hardware for a premium writing experience. This special edition of their flagship pen features a bright Sunset Yellow color only available for a limited time. The diamond-faceted see-through barrel of the pen allows you to see the amount of ink you have left and the color of the ink you have loaded. Filling up the pen is easy, and you have a total 2ml capacity, much higher than a fountain pen that uses cartridges instead. First, dip the pen nib into the ink bottle and use the rear twist mechanism to draw up ink using the piston filler. Then you can wipe off the excess ink and use the stainless steel nib to test your writing on paper.

You'll have to grip the pen differently to make the ink flow properly, and you don't use a fountain pen nib like a cheap disposable pen. The Diamond 580 ALR also features a machined grip surface that makes it easy to hold correctly. But once you master it, it makes for the smoothest writing experience you've ever had. Unlike with a standard ballpoint pen, you don't have to put much pressure on the paper to get the ink to flow correctly. And unlike with a traditional ballpoint pen, you can easily swap out the color of the pen by changing out the ink you are using.

What we like: The TWSBI Diamond 580 ALR in Sunset Yellow offers an excellent writing experience and great value for money. The versatility of the pen and the plethora of ink choices at your disposal make it worth getting used to writing with a fountain pen and making it a part of your EDC.

What to watch out for: If this is your first fountain pen, it will take some getting used to. I suggest watching a few YouTube tutorials if you are entirely new to them because you can damage the stainless steel nib severely if misused.

Final verdict: Whether you're looking for your first fountain pen or want to add this new limited colorway of TWSBI's flagship pen to your lineup, the Diamond 580 ALR is a perfect starting point for elevated everyday carry.

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