peterm1
Veteran
Are there any fans of the Parker 51 in the room? I had one years ago (no idea what happened to it) and a few years ago bought a cheap Chinese copy of this model just for the heck of it. While the copy is not as good as the original (and neither should it be, costing only a couple of dollars) with a little tuning it writes very nicely indeed. This pen design is unprepossessing, having a plain plastic barrel and a small shrouded nib but the design makes for a basically very functional if un-pretty pen.
Robert Lai
Well-known
Parker 51 - great pen built for a lousy ink
Parker 51 - great pen built for a lousy ink
The Parker 51 is a bulletproof pen. It is the complete opposite of the Montblanc. Instead of a brittle plastic that can be polished to a high gloss (Montblanc), the Parker 51 uses plexiglass. Parker noted how durable and resistant the material was, as it was used for fighter aircraft canopies. The feed is also plexiglass as well as the material in the ink sac, if you have an aerometric version.
The reason for the use of plexiglass and for shielding the nib (14K gold) was all due to a new ink that Parker introduced at the time called "Superchrome". It sounds like the name of a slide film.
However, it had metallic dyes in it which are corrosive, and an extremely high alkalinity which would corrode most metals except gold. There was also a high content of alcohol in it (isopropyl alcohol), which would dissolve most other plastics beside plexiglass. The purpose was to create an ink that "Writes dry with wet ink". The ink would chemically react with the cellulose fibers in paper, so that the ink trace was permanent even before the ink dried. The alcohol speeded up the drying. Thus, the hooded nib to minimize drying on the nib itself.
The pen is thus a fantastic performer even today. It revolutionized people's conception of what a fountain pen could be, in the same way that the Leica M3 changed the view of a rangefinder 35mm camera from the Barnack designs.
The ink, however, is highly corrosive. If you happen to run across any vintage ink bottles that turn out to be Parker Superchrome, NEVER USE IT IN ANY PEN! It will ruin virtually any pen you put it into. Parker stopped making it after 10 years.
As a side note, the Hero factory in Shanghai was originally Parker's. That's why the Chinese Hero 616 looks so much like a Parker 51.
Parker 51 - great pen built for a lousy ink
The Parker 51 is a bulletproof pen. It is the complete opposite of the Montblanc. Instead of a brittle plastic that can be polished to a high gloss (Montblanc), the Parker 51 uses plexiglass. Parker noted how durable and resistant the material was, as it was used for fighter aircraft canopies. The feed is also plexiglass as well as the material in the ink sac, if you have an aerometric version.
The reason for the use of plexiglass and for shielding the nib (14K gold) was all due to a new ink that Parker introduced at the time called "Superchrome". It sounds like the name of a slide film.
However, it had metallic dyes in it which are corrosive, and an extremely high alkalinity which would corrode most metals except gold. There was also a high content of alcohol in it (isopropyl alcohol), which would dissolve most other plastics beside plexiglass. The purpose was to create an ink that "Writes dry with wet ink". The ink would chemically react with the cellulose fibers in paper, so that the ink trace was permanent even before the ink dried. The alcohol speeded up the drying. Thus, the hooded nib to minimize drying on the nib itself.
The pen is thus a fantastic performer even today. It revolutionized people's conception of what a fountain pen could be, in the same way that the Leica M3 changed the view of a rangefinder 35mm camera from the Barnack designs.
The ink, however, is highly corrosive. If you happen to run across any vintage ink bottles that turn out to be Parker Superchrome, NEVER USE IT IN ANY PEN! It will ruin virtually any pen you put it into. Parker stopped making it after 10 years.
As a side note, the Hero factory in Shanghai was originally Parker's. That's why the Chinese Hero 616 looks so much like a Parker 51.
Monz
Monz
Great info, thanks ^^
I didn't realise Parker originally owned the Hero factory in Shanghai. I always thought the Hero copies of the Parker 51 were just cheap imitations made completely independent of any Parker connection. Those Hero pens were and still are very popular in the Asian sub-continent where apparently you can get "fake" Heros!
coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
Alfred Dunhill Sentryman. Screw-in converter and double o-rings for the barrel making this pen a great air travel companion.
dave lackey
Veteran
dave lackey
Veteran
Ok, I am blown away by the sheer artistry and talent in this video:
http://youtu.be/pRebkWHsHC0
Anyone here have a Namiki Falcon?
http://youtu.be/pRebkWHsHC0
Anyone here have a Namiki Falcon?
Robert Lai
Well-known
I have a Namiki Falcon with nib made extra flexible by Mottishaw.
You'll get greater flexibility and flow out of a vintage flexible nib, such as a Waterman #2. There are commonly found on the Waterman 52, which is a plain Jane common pen from the early 1900s. Even if the pen is broken, you don't really care as you want the nib only!
You'll get greater flexibility and flow out of a vintage flexible nib, such as a Waterman #2. There are commonly found on the Waterman 52, which is a plain Jane common pen from the early 1900s. Even if the pen is broken, you don't really care as you want the nib only!
peterm1
Veteran
Check these videos out. They show how the ancient Japanese technique of Maki-e (and similar techniques) are used to decorate high end fountain pens. Maki-e involves the painting of intricate designs using Japanese Urushi Lacquer then sprinkling particles of precious metals like gold and silver onto the design. You can readily see why maki-e pens are so expensive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiplHpVvq3E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hn8jVZ0yCko
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCFWyIm73A8
http://www.pilot-namiki.com/en/
porktaco
Well-known
have one. love it. i had it revivified by the fountain pen hospital after 40 years in a box. it came out lovely. i'm really surprised at how much i like it. it's light, well balanced, smooth and cool i wish i had better visibility into ink fill, but aside from that it's awesome.
interesting note about plexiglas and the chinese factory...
i hated the shroud at first and now i think it's very air age cool.
peterm1
Veteran
Thank you, yes I agree. I wish I still had my original Parker 51 as even the copy is surprisingly nice in use. I am sure the riginal one i had (in high school) i did not really appreciate enough. I must say though that my favourite original pen was a lovely Conway Stewart in celluloid with a flexible 12 or 14 carat gold nib. It wrote like a dream. Another pen that somehow got lost or stolen.
dave lackey
Veteran
The art of letter-writing...
http://www.artofmanliness.com/2009/04/16/the-art-of-letter-writing/
I have been asked by several friends to send them a letter after I have received my new fountain pen. So I have been practicing diligently and now my hand no longer cramps. I have also been reading for hours and watching videos on writing. It is an amazing world out there!
Reclaiming my handwriting is like reclaiming my identity.
Writing a letter (not using a keyboard) is a personal thing in so many ways...it must be the true analog form of communication!
Great match for film photography! I should be posting photos in a couple of days.
http://www.artofmanliness.com/2009/04/16/the-art-of-letter-writing/
I have been asked by several friends to send them a letter after I have received my new fountain pen. So I have been practicing diligently and now my hand no longer cramps. I have also been reading for hours and watching videos on writing. It is an amazing world out there!
Reclaiming my handwriting is like reclaiming my identity.
Writing a letter (not using a keyboard) is a personal thing in so many ways...it must be the true analog form of communication!
Great match for film photography! I should be posting photos in a couple of days.
ronnies
Well-known
After reading this thread I've revived my Cross ATX which has suffered from lack of use. I've also found the following pens around my house and my Mum's house.
Schaeffer NoNonsense
Parker "Batman" (my six year old son's)
Parker Frontier (my wife's)
One unnamed with "Diplomat" on the nib
Penmen (not sure of any model designation)
Waterman's C/F
Parker 61
Parker 45
Osmiroid (again no model but replaceable nibs)
I have a Cross and two Parker converters but no bottled ink yet. Cartridges in one or two to try them out again. I should try and find a fine nib for the Cross as the medium in it is a but thick for me.
Ronnie
Schaeffer NoNonsense
Parker "Batman" (my six year old son's)
Parker Frontier (my wife's)
One unnamed with "Diplomat" on the nib
Penmen (not sure of any model designation)
Waterman's C/F
Parker 61
Parker 45
Osmiroid (again no model but replaceable nibs)
I have a Cross and two Parker converters but no bottled ink yet. Cartridges in one or two to try them out again. I should try and find a fine nib for the Cross as the medium in it is a but thick for me.
Ronnie
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porktaco
Well-known
The art of letter-writing...
http://www.artofmanliness.com/2009/04/16/the-art-of-letter-writing/
I have been asked by several friends to send them a letter after I have received my new fountain pen. So I have been practicing diligently and now my hand no longer cramps. I have also been reading for hours and watching videos on writing. It is an amazing world out there!
Reclaiming my handwriting is like reclaiming my identity.
Writing a letter (not using a keyboard) is a personal thing in so many ways...it must be the true analog form of communication!
Great match for film photography! I should be posting photos in a couple of days.
next level:
http://www.amazon.com/Italic-Calligraphy-Handwriting-Exercises-Text/dp/0800842847
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v22dewR4izg
lloyd reynolds was a professor of calligraphy at reed college in portland, oregon. now, famously, he's the guy that steve jobs looked back on as a singular influence on his design sensibility. that red book is pretty easy to work with. even if you never write italics with a square nib, it's a nice way to think about writing. my handwriting is famously bad, but it got better once i started doing calligraphic exercises with my daughter when she was learning her letters. she never got to lloyd's book - but then again i don't think she ever read the real wordy solar system books i got for her when she was in her crib either.
porktaco
Well-known
peterm1
Veteran
The art of letter-writing...
http://www.artofmanliness.com/2009/04/16/the-art-of-letter-writing/
I have been asked by several friends to send them a letter after I have received my new fountain pen. So I have been practicing diligently and now my hand no longer cramps. I have also been reading for hours and watching videos on writing. It is an amazing world out there!
Reclaiming my handwriting is like reclaiming my identity.
Writing a letter (not using a keyboard) is a personal thing in so many ways...it must be the true analog form of communication!
Great match for film photography! I should be posting photos in a couple of days.
I filled notebooks over and over with "The rain in Spain.....etc" and poems and the alphabet. I got to the point where I could recite and write from memory the poem "Ozymandias" from memory. And you know, my hand writing and penmanship still stinks. 😃 Its fun though.
dave lackey
Veteran
Hi, Helen,
I can't think of the last time I had a better request! UPS is scheduled to deliver my pen tomorrow afternoon so when it comes in I will certainly post a photo of the pen. Aubie is a willing model but it still may take a day or two to work her in!:angel:
Thanks for that, I have had a difficult weekend but now you have given me a bit of direction.
dave lackey
Veteran
Helen, my Pelikan M205 was delivered this afternoon and I am delighted!!!
Combined with Rhodia premium paper and Montblanc Irish Green ink, it is a beautiful combination only made better by the presence of its new partner, the M6 (Big Font).
I LOVE this pen!
(Oh, Aubie will be modelling for me in a couple of days! So, photos of her will have to wait...)
Combined with Rhodia premium paper and Montblanc Irish Green ink, it is a beautiful combination only made better by the presence of its new partner, the M6 (Big Font).
I LOVE this pen!
(Oh, Aubie will be modelling for me in a couple of days! So, photos of her will have to wait...
)Attachments
coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
Great choice, Dave.
Very classy and classic. Great and timeless color choices on the pen and the ink. Looking great with the M6.
Word of caution: Those birds multiply very quickly if you aren't careful.
The latest addition to my flock of Pelikans says hi.
M805 Demonstrator with Engravings, the ink is Iroshizuku Murasaki-Shikibu.
Very classy and classic. Great and timeless color choices on the pen and the ink. Looking great with the M6.
Word of caution: Those birds multiply very quickly if you aren't careful.
The latest addition to my flock of Pelikans says hi.
M805 Demonstrator with Engravings, the ink is Iroshizuku Murasaki-Shikibu.
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
Yes, it's a great pen! And lovely to look at, too. I use it for normal penmanship and it gives a very expressive line. It's already a flex nib, even without modification...but that mod is quite dramatic!
dave lackey
Veteran
Great choice, Dave.
Very classy and classic. Great and timeless color choices on the pen and the ink. Looking great with the M6.
Word of caution: Those birds multiply very quickly if you aren't careful.
The latest addition to my flock of Pelikans says hi.
M805 Demonstrator with Engravings, the ink is Iroshizuku Murasaki-Shikibu.
Thanks, Sug! I am loving this fountain pen rennaisance.
I never thought I would do a box opening series of photos but I did.
Here is one of them as I thought it was fitting to show the elegance of even an inexpensive pen. I was absolutely stunned with the Rhodia paper but also slightly taken aback with the MB Irish Green ink. Dry times are quite fast! Much to learn....even how to improve my cursive handwriting. As I thought, my architectural lettering came back quickly since I used that for decades in professional work. But the ballpoint pen practicing over the last two weeks had a totally different feel to it than the fountain pen. But I reckon I can get used to that! LOL...
Wish I could post a larger size, but not yet figured that out yet!
