Parker 51 disappointment

[JPDyson]

When I read the title of this thread, I thought it was a joke. I've never heard of such a phenomenon as "Parker 51 disappointment". It is, without exaggeration, the single most fuss-free, dependable pen in my lineup. Admittedly, it's a Special (so not a vac - an aero, rather) so filling is more obvious. But it just writes like it was made to do it (hey, would you look at that).

[rearviewmirror]

the 51 is the camry/accord of fountain pens. its not the flashiest, its not the hippest. it just works. every single time.

[CrotalusHH]

This is definite proof that the heat in Texas addles the brain and causes hallucinations.

Watch out. I'm in Texas!

I sent the Parker back today. I have my fingers crossed.

[Jimmy James]

Just like there are Ford lovers versus Chevy Lovers, there are the Shaeffer lovers and the Parker lovers. But those Pelikan people are just plain weird !

I actually started out as a Parker person and hated Sheaffer quite a bit...until I tried one. Now I'd say my collection is about 50% each but grows more and more toward Sheaffer and less and less toward Parker all the time. Even in terms of acquisitions I have now convinced myself that Sheaffer got the better parent with Bic than Parker did with Sanford. Bic at least sells a comprehensive line of inks under the Sheaffer name and attempts to make competent pens. Parker makes some good pens on the low end and some on the high end, but ask many with a Sonnet what they think of Parker now. It's sad, really.

[andyg30]

I only have 3 Parker 51's but they all work great!

[Bristlingbeardofodin]

I'll say it since I own both -- the TWSBI is better than the Parker. There are problems with both (TWSBI's infamous cracking grips being the main one for the TWSBI and I have not found the Parkers to "just work") but both are fine pens.

[Doc4]

This is definite proof that the heat in Texas addles the brain and causes hallucinations.

I'm in Texas!

"Well, that explains a lot."

--Brianw.

[CrotalusHH]

When you have a problem is when you find out what kind of seller you are dealing with.

I sent my Parker back, the seller Emailed me immediately when he received it, said he would work on it today.

I'll keep you posted.

[CrotalusHH]

I got two more Emails. He replaced the feed and the nib, tested it for two days, and it is on the way back to me.

I paid too much for the pen I guess, but I don't feel bad about it now. It was the going price at the time.

[mark the shoeshine boy]

the 51 is the camry/accord of fountain pens. its not the flashiest, its not the hippest. it just works. every single time.

I was thinking more the Dodge Dart Slant Six.....LOL

[nemo]

I was thinking more the Dodge Dart Slant Six.....LOL

For us older guys, yeah, that makes way more sense.

[mark the shoeshine boy]

the only dissapointment I have with a 51 is, I have only one hand to write with, with only so many places to write to.....

President Obama says he is enjoying my letters and that my handwriting is approving....(now you know what he does in his spare time)

[CrotalusHH]

My repaired Parker 51 is out for delivery today. I hope to find out what all the hype is about this evening.

[oc_in_fw]

My repaired Parker 51 is out for delivery today. I hope to find out what all the hype is about this evening.

I am torn on these, as I don't care for the look of the hooded nib. That being said, some well respected people in this subforum really sing their praises, so there has to be something about them. I am mulling getting one to answer the question myself.

[CrotalusHH]

Well, I'm using it today. No skips, no blobs. It holds twice as much ink as it did before, about 15 drops.

It's not nearly as sensitive to what rotational position I hold the pen at compared to my Ahab. I think I am going to call it good, give the seller 5 stars on Fleabay, and pass my Ahab to my son.

[Go West Young Man]

Who's the seller? He deserves some good publicity here!

[CrotalusHH]

His name is Tom Kaczmarek. Ebay name tk3916. He is in Chicago. He even refunded my postage to send the pen back to him.

He offered to refund my money and was pleasantly surprised when I asked him to fix it instead.

He repaired the pen and sent it back to me in 48 hours. He Emailed me every step of the way. Very quality seller.

[oc_in_fw]

His name is Tom Kaczmarek. Ebay name tk3916. He is in Chicago. He even refunded my postage to send the pen back to him.

He offered to refund my money and was pleasantly surprised when I asked him to fix it instead.

He repaired the pen and sent it back to me in 48 hours. He Emailed me every step of the way. Very quality seller.

Thanks- I may be looking to try a 51in the future

[jochums]

my only gripe with the 51 is that i don't seem to be able to locate any broad nibs (which is what a prefer). the fine that i owned wrote fine, but the fine was just to scritchy for me...and on a different note, imho, anyone who thinks a 51 with a 14k nib (that has has survived a minimum of probably 30 years without cracking or breaking) is inferior to a steel nibbed twsbi has drunk some sort of Kool Aid that i don't want any part of (and i have owned and sold both)

[brianw]

B, BB, BBB can be had from Greg Minuskin. He retips. Factory Broads, stubs, and italics are pretty rare. I have had 4, 3 which I still have... the other one is in Toronto