TWSBI VAC 700R in Cerulean: First Impressions & Review

TWSBI VAC 700R

TWSBI VAC 700R

If you’ve been around the TWSBI brand, you know they make some of the best affordable piston-filling fountain pens out there. But this time, I got my hands on something a little different—my first vacuum filler from them, the TWSBI VAC 700R in Cerulean.

I’ve had plenty of TWSBI pens before, but never a VAC 700R, so I was really excited to check this one out. Let’s dive into the unboxing, the filling system, and my initial thoughts after inking it up!

Unboxing & What’s Included

TWSBI always does a great job with their packaging—simple, functional, and protective. Inside the box, you get:

✔️ The pen itself (in a gorgeous cerulean blue)
✔️ A wrench (for disassembly & maintenance)
✔️ Silicone grease (for smooth operation)
✔️ Extra O-rings (always a nice touch for long-term use)

This is one of the reasons I like TWSBI. They design their pens with user maintenance in mind, which is rare at this price point.

Design & Build Quality

The TWSBI VAC 700R Cerulean is a large demonstrator pen with a vacuum filling system.

  • Cerulean blue accents on the cap, clip, and piston collar make it stand out.

  • The matte clip adds a subtle touch of contrast.

  • The TWSBI logo on the finial is as sharp as ever.

The cap has an inner sealing mechanism to prevent ink from drying out, which is always a plus.

How the Vacuum Filling System Works

Unlike the piston fillers that TWSBI is known for, the VAC 700R uses a vacuum filling system, which works like this:

1️⃣ Pull the piston rod all the way up
2️⃣ Dip the nib into an ink bottle
3️⃣ Push the rod down—this creates a vacuum and sucks ink into the barrel
4️⃣ Lock the collar to seal the ink inside

This system allows the pen to hold a huge amount of ink, which is great if you write a lot.

Inking It Up & Writing Test

I chose Colorverse Gravity Wave, a deep blue-teal ink, to match the Cerulean color of the pen. Filling was smooth, and thanks to the vacuum system, I was able to get a full barrel of ink in just one go.

For the nib, I went with a 1.1mm stub because:
✔️ Stub nibs make handwriting look more stylish
✔️ Wide downstrokes & thin cross-strokes add character
✔️ TWSBI’s stub nibs are well-tuned & easy to use

First Writing Impressions:

🖋️ Super smooth—no scratchiness
🖋️ Nice ink flow—not overly wet, but just right
🖋️ Comfortable grip & well-balanced feel

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?

If you’ve been wanting to try a vacuum filler, the TWSBI VAC 700R is a fantastic choice. It has a high ink capacity, a smooth writing experience, and a solid build quality at a reasonable price.

Pros:

✔️ Large ink capacity
✔️ Smooth stub nib (great for adding style to handwriting)
✔️ Vacuum filling system is fun & efficient
✔️ Easy to maintain with included tools

Cons:

Larger size might not be for everyone
Not pocket-friendly (best for desk use)

Overall, I’m really impressed with the TWSBI VAC 700R in Cerulean. It’s a great pen for fountain pen lovers who want a big ink reservoir and a fun filling system without spending a fortune.

Would you try a vacuum filler? Let me know in the comments! 👇

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