Parker Urban Black M nib

[hecya]

One day I was browsing on pens I discovered the Parker Urban. I was at once attracted by its shape of the Parker Urban pen and when I found it on ebay for a low price I decided to give it a try.

 

First Impressions 4/5

The pen arrived on a modest blister that contained the pen, a cartridge with blue ink and a fabric pouch. The finish is matte black with the metal trims very well differentiated. It looks way better than I expected for the price. The fabric pouch is a nice touch. It is a black fabric with a geometrical pattern and on the zipper there is the Parker arrow on metal. A very welcomed bonus.

 

 

Appearance & Design 9/10

The most obvious feature is the barrel shape that is not a plain cylinder but it is wider at the middle of the cap and towards the other end. It looks modern but not designed for high school.

 

The cap clicks on and off.

 

The clip is the classical Parker arrow pointing downwards and on top of the cap is the letter P.

 

 

Construction & Quality 9/10

I was surprised that the build quality was so good. The black areas are matte smooth with no hint of scratches and the metal parts are all shiny and well finished.

 

Weight & Dimensions 9/10

The pen dimensions are as follows:-

Overall Length Capped = 138 mm

Length Uncapped = 125 mm

Length Posted = 155 mm

Maximum Cap Diameter = 15 mm

Maximum Barrel diameter = 12 mm approx.

 

The pen feels substantial and it is on the heavy side. I prefer heavy pens. Uncapped it feels just fine for writing maybe demanding a bit more balance but capped seems to go the other way now being top heavy.

 

 

 

Nib & Performance 9/10

The nib is M and writes smoothly right from the beginning.

 

Filling system & Maintenance 8/10

The pen uses cartridges.

 

Cost & Value 9/10

I bought it from 'savichenko' on ebay for US$19.99 with free international shipping to Mexico in March 2010. It took 2 weeks to arrive. I expected a somehow cheap looking pen but the combination of its high quality finishing, weight and unusual design makes it look far more expensive.

 

Conclusion 9/10

For a modern looking fountain pen you can not go wrong with this pen specially at this price. Just a bit more expensive than Chinese pens the build quality is much better and the included pouch is very handy if you toss your pen on a backpack or other environment that could scratch it. If this cheap entry level Parker is an indication I can imagine how wonderful the more expensive Parkers must be!

Edited February 12, 2011 by watch_art

[penspouse]

Nice review. I appreciate the dimensions.

[Samovar]

Nice review.

[razr]

Good review I especially like the fabric pouch.

[karinh]

Great review! I like the cool little pen pouch/protector that came with your pen. That's neat!

 

I have this pen in a gorgeous metallic hot pink with an M nib and I find it excellent to use. Can't write with the cap posted as, like you say, it makes it unbalanced but otherwise it's a lovely pen to hold. Excellent quality too for such a reasonably priced pen. So nice in fact that I may just get another on in a different colour.

[ajcoleman]

Nice review! Parker has a nice selection of reasonably priced pens. I have been really happy with the Jotter FP my daughter picked up for me in Europe. It is a great writer for the price, and looks nice. I have been considering picking up another one of their lower-end pens. I had been leaning against the Urban, but I am not so sure now!

[Ed Ronax]

Nice review and nice looking pen, thanks.

[pbhat]

Few months back my wife got me the Parker Urban in brushed chrome finish (Metro metallic) with a Medium point from bought from a pen shop in Paris (28 euros). It came without a converter and I managed to buy a twist converter from a pen shop in Mumbai(the Pen shop guy gleefully took it from a new Sonnet and sold it to me for an amount equivalent of 6$ in Indian rupees). I have yet to see the Urban in FP version in Mumbai while the BP & RB versions are easily available.

Why I bought the pen is somehow I liked the Pens unusual shape and I love matte steel finishes.

My initial impression was the pens fit and finish is very good but the very important aspect of writing is concerned it is slightly rough and also skipped a bit. But by usage for about 4 months (2 days a week) both issues were sorted out. It now writes pretty wet, never skips, starts without a hiccup and is reasonably smooth with some feedback.

 

Great review Hecya and I love that pouch, Mine came without any original Parker packaging though it is brand new and was not inked when it reached my hand.

pbhat

[Steve01]

Parker Urban Premium Fountain Pen (Ebony with fine nib) Photos (September 2010)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bought from www.penfountain.co.uk

Edited September 4, 2010 by Steve01

[IWantThat]

Pesonally, I think the low-end Parkers are underrated as far as starter pens Though the nib is pretty basic, the body of the pen is solidly constructed and durable - great for a no-worry pen that you can take anywhere.

 

 

Edited to correct my grammar...argh :embarrassed_smile:

Edited September 5, 2010 by IWantThat

[hecya]

This variation of the Parker Urban looks great! Is a fine nib available?

[hecya]

For comparisons my pictures of the normal Parker Urban are here:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/149748-parker-urban-black-m-nib/page__p__1489117__fromsearch__1#entry1489117

[IWantThat]

This variation of the Parker Urban looks great! Is a fine nib available?

 

The Urban comes with a M nib only

[richardandtracy]

According to the Parker website ( http://www.parkerpens.com/en/discovery/product/urban ) it comes in two sizes, which I take to be Fine or Medium.

 

Regards,

 

Richard.

[IWantThat]

According to the Parker website ( http://www.parkerpen...y/product/urban ) it comes in two sizes, which I take to be Fine or Medium.

 

Regards,

 

Richard.

 

 

Good to know! I've only seen M in stores, which is typical, I suppose

[andybiotic]

I have a bit of concern about the shape of this pen, I have a Parker Urban ballpoint (not the same shape but it has the similar curve at the bottom of the pen) it is a bit hard to hold and write, its also a bit on the heavy side, dont know about the fountain pen though...

 

Thanks for the great review!

[Ccdjr106]

Are the nibs changeable in this pen? If so can someone link to a website where i can buy a fine nib because the medium that it came with is a little thick for school

 

Thanks

 

Edit: I'm pretty disappointed that I payed 50 bucks for this pen when I see it online for only 20 or 30

Edited December 15, 2010 by Ccdjr106

[inkspot]

I recently bought two of these pens, and I love them! I bought a fine and a medium, and they are both impeccably smooth and haven't skipped once! My only disappointment was that it did not come with the pouch

[Ccdjr106]

Do you know if Parker sells extra nibs for them?

[inkspot]

You can buy replacement nibs - they're about $10. I found some on this site: http://www.theonlinepencompany.com/pencompany/nibs.php?cat1=Parker&cat2=Urban

 

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