1965 Facit TP1 #P385282
Status: My Collection
Hunter: Kewin Sanfridsson (JoxSoup)
Created: 10-20-2024 at 10:05AM
Last Edit: 10-20-2024 at 10:07AM
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Description:
(Typeface Specimen will be added when I have bought a new ribbon for it.)
Immediately right at the first keystroke you can feel that this typewriter is "Somethin' Else" to quote Eddie Cochran. It's not mushy feeling at all like the later Facit portables (TP2 & Privat/1620). The opposite it's super snappy and sturdy feeling when typing just how I like a typewriter to be. I would even use this keyboard for writing on my computer if I could any day! I guess you could say I really love the feel and performance of the TP1. And that I do indeed but not the design so much. I think it might be because it reminds me of a porta potty. Sorry everyone who finds this design attractive, it just comes to mind when I see it. But don't let my opinion change your mind if you enjoy the design! Although there are parts of the design I do love. The platen knobs, they are both comfortable and stylish. And all levers are very well sized especially the carriage release they are the best! If the carriage return lever just would have had a tad larger bend to the end then it would be perfect. It's also the little sibling of the much bigger and heavier T2. They both got the same design going for them and even the same smooth finish with the colour Viking-Gray. To tell the truth I didn't think I would enjoy the typing experience as much as I do. The performance I thought would be quite mediocre but it actually blew me away a bit, a smooth carriage and mechanism, a precise stamping on the page. What else can you ask for in a portable typewriter or any typewriter for that matter? This, this is Facit's engineering at it's finest! If you get the chance to try or even buy one I really recommend it, you won't be disappointed.
This is actually my second TP1, my first one is in a bit of a sorry state right at the moment because early in my typewriter journey I tried to clean it and fix something which was wrong with it and it resulted in the whole ball-bearing system to collapse and I managed to lose a few of the metal balls. I haven't yet gotten around to buy replacements and I think my rage over it still needs some time to calm down.😅
This TP1 though had a really bad case of the Frozen Facit Syndrome, everything was stuck! The carriage, the type slugs and even the ribbon spools which can be a hassle of it's own to pick apart because of two locking washers, one underneath each spool. I really dislike those washers they are hard to get on and off, they also tend to break in my experience. I guess I haven't found out how to handle them correctly yet. Anyways, you could say that the typewriter was frozen like a block of ice.😆
My final thoughts on it is that it's a great little portable from Facit's prime years! It writes wonderfully, precise and smoothly. Very snappy, no mossy feeling here. I only wish that this mechanism was inside the later portables too because it makes the writing experience experience very pleasant. This is my favorite Facit portable to type on.
Hope you feel it was a fair review of it. Cheers!
Typeface Specimen:
Photos:
Hunter: Kewin Sanfridsson (JoxSoup)
Kewin Sanfridsson's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 1305
Hi my name is Kewin and I'm a 24 years old from Sweden. I have a few hobbies like drawing and playing guitar but I do also like myself some project here and there which is where my interest in typewriters fits in. I have always collected things through my life but I did not expect typewriters to be my next big passion in collecting. I started collecting typewriters in the beginning of 2022 and so far I have 80* of them (3 of which is currently disassembled) . I find it really enjoyable to pickup a typewriter at a thrift store/second hand and starting to clean it up and get it to a working condition to the best of my ability and knowledge. (Excuse all the dog hairs in my pictures, I do actually try to remove the hair before taking the pictures. xD) Cheers!
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Facit TP1 on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Facit Serial Number page and the Facit TP1 By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.
