My "new" Parker 51

[fotographik]

Today, the mailman dropped off my recently purchased 1944 Parker 51 Vacumatic. I bought it from Tom Heath, a member here on FPN, and I am absolutely pleased with this pen as with the transaction with Tom. The 51 is exactly as described and absolutely wonderful. I've inked it and have already started writting with it. This is the first fine point fountain pen that I've ever liked...it just glides on the paper.

 

It's loaded with Pelikan Blue-Black but I'm looking for something with more flare. Any suggestions? I'm currently partial to blues and blue-blacks. This week-end, I'll hitting a shop which carries Noodler's....are there a few bottle of these that I should add to my small collection of ink? I've heard BSB is nice but would it present a problem for the 51?

 

 

Enough talking, here are a couple of quick snaps.

 

http://fotographik.smugmug.com/Other/MyPens/i-td63848/0/L/1000830-L.jpg

 

 

http://fotographik.smugmug.com/Other/MyPens/i-T5PrsZr/0/L/1000833-L.jpg

[Glenn-SC]

very nice.

 

Enjoy

[talkinghead]

This week-end, I'll hitting a shop which carries Noodler's....are there a few bottle of these that I should add to my small collection of ink? I've heard BSB is nice but would it present a problem for the 51?

 

 

BSB has severe staining issues....search in the ink forums here and you can read all night about it. That said, I love BSB and use it in SELECT pens..mainly a cheapo Pilot 78 G with a B stub...

 

There are plenty of other inks out there, I would try something else first and not use BSB in this beautifully restored P51. That said, in a black pen with no inkview section, really, what are you going to stain? The feed? The collector? The inside of the cap? There is no ink sac either to stain, just the diaphragm....

 

 

Hopefully I've confused you thoroughly!!!

 

Rick

[dcpritch]

Hello François, and congratulations on your new Parker 51!

 

 

I agree that P51 nibs can be incredibly smooth, regardless of the size. I just recently received my 51 (c. 1942) back from Ralph Prather in New Mexico, who hand-hammered the sterling cap into a work of art (IMHO). I've used Noodler's BSB in my Parker 51, to the dismay of some, and have had no problems. Here are a couple of photos from before the cap was worked on, to show what it looks like:

 

 

For what its worth, I am also using BSB in a Bexley with an 18k 1.3mm stub nib, again with none of the "issues" that have been so widely discussed. If you like the blue of BSB, I'd say give it a go - as Rick said, you can't really stain any part of the Parker 51 that makes a difference. Just be sure there are no traces whatsoever in your pen of any prior ink, as that will likely cause a problem. The BSB cleaned up very well from my P51, and this week I am using Visconti Blue, shown below. Lots of other great colors out there, I just thought I'd give me two cents worth on the BSB issue with your "new" 51. Happy writing, DAVID

 

Edited May 31, 2011 by dcpritch

[Inka]

I have a rare wartime Parker "51" Vacumatic in India Black & gold filled cap, silver vermeil clip making it more rare.

I keep that "51" filled with Noodler's The Heart Of Darkness black for it's permanence, bulletproof and Eternal qualities among other reasons.

It's a rich black ink, flows extremely well from my XXF "51" nib, feels very smooth to write with it despite the ultra-fineness of the nib, an ink I'd highly recommend you at least give a try in the black area of inks out there.

If you want more flare, then look through the many Ink Reviews here at FPN for some blues, blacks, blue-blacks, whatever tickles your fancy at the time.

So many inks, so little time, what fits me may not fit you but given what's out there it's best to just try some samples to see what floats your boat and any given time.

[fotographik]

very nice.

 

Enjoy

 

 

Thanks. I'm sure I'll enjoy it for a long time.

[fotographik]

BSB has severe staining issues....search in the ink forums here and you can read all night about it. That said, I love BSB and use it in SELECT pens..mainly a cheapo Pilot 78 G with a B stub...

 

There are plenty of other inks out there, I would try something else first and not use BSB in this beautifully restored P51. That said, in a black pen with no inkview section, really, what are you going to stain? The feed? The collector? The inside of the cap? There is no ink sac either to stain, just the diaphragm....

 

 

Hopefully I've confused you thoroughly!!!

 

Rick

 

Actually, you make perfect sense Rick! Thanks for your input.

[fotographik]

Hello François, and congratulations on your new Parker 51!

 

 

I agree that P51 nibs can be incredibly smooth, regardless of the size. I just recently received my 51 (c. 1952) back from Ralph Prather in New Mexico, who hand-hammered the sterling cap into a work of art (IMHO). I've used Noodler's BSB in my Parker 51, to the dismay of some, and have had no problems. Here are a couple of photos from before the cap was worked on, to show what it looks like:

 

 

For what its worth, I am also using BSB in a Bexley with an 18k 1.3mm stub nib, again with none of the "issues" that have been so widely discussed. If you like the blue of BSB, I'd say give it a go - as Rick said, you can't really stain any part of the Parker 51 that makes a difference. Just be sure there are no traces whatsoever in your pen of any prior ink, as that will likely cause a problem. The BSB cleaned up very well from my P51, and this week I am using Visconti Blue, shown below. Lots of other great colors out there, I just thought I'd give me two cents worth on the BSB issue with your "new" 51. Happy writing, DAVID

 

 

Thanks for your feedback on the ink. It looks like I'll be getting a bottle this weekend. Very nice pen by the way (nice nib!) and that cap looks great!

[fotographik]

I have a rare wartime Parker "51" Vacumatic in India Black & gold filled cap, silver vermeil clip making it more rare.

I keep that "51" filled with Noodler's The Heart Of Darkness black for it's permanence, bulletproof and Eternal qualities among other reasons.

It's a rich black ink, flows extremely well from my XXF "51" nib, feels very smooth to write with it despite the ultra-fineness of the nib, an ink I'd highly recommend you at least give a try in the black area of inks out there.

If you want more flare, then look through the many Ink Reviews here at FPN for some blues, blacks, blue-blacks, whatever tickles your fancy at the time.

So many inks, so little time, what fits me may not fit you but given what's out there it's best to just try some samples to see what floats your boat and any given time.

 

Sounds like a good looking pen! I'll ask the clerk to show me some of that The Heart of Darkness, I may get a bottle to give it a try. Like you said, so many inks out there to try and so little time!!!

[OcalaFlGuy]

I too like BLUE/blacks.

 

I'd suggest either PR American or D.C. Supershow Blue.

 

I have read that PR did intend for them one of them to resemble Parker Penman Sapphire (I don't recall which) and they are 2 of the most oft recco'd off the shelf substitutes for Penman Sapphire. The DCSSB will be a hair more towards a darker blue than the medium blue American.

 

For me the idea of having a Parker Penman (at least looking) ink is neat. Kind of what it might have looked like writing with it back in "the day".

 

The pen below is my Vac loaded with a Faux Penman recipe which is predominantly American Blue. (Thanks to David Waites here on FPN for helping me with the recipe.)

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

[fotographik]

I too like BLUE/blacks.

 

I'd suggest either PR American or D.C. Supershow Blue.

 

I have read that PR did intend for them one of them to resemble Parker Penman Sapphire (I don't recall which) and they are 2 of the most oft recco'd off the shelf substitutes for Penman Sapphire. The DCSSB will be a hair more towards a darker blue than the medium blue American.

 

For me the idea of having a Parker Penman (at least looking) ink is neat. Kind of what it might have looked like writing with it back in "the day".

 

The pen below is my Vac loaded with a Faux Penman recipe which is predominantly American Blue. (Thanks to David Waites here on FPN for helping me with the recipe.)

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

 

 

Nice pen Bruce...and I really like the colour of your ink. Two more colours of ink to add to my list of "wanted" inks!(plus one recipe to try and match that Penman Saphire)

Edited May 31, 2011 by fotographik

[OcalaFlGuy]

That particular recipe is;

 

PR American Blue 40 parts, Waterman Green 8 parts, Quink BB 5 parts

 

an equivalent Noodler's base recipe is;

 

Noodler's Ottoman Azure 60 parts, PR Tanzanite 8 parts, PR Blue Suede 4 parts

 

some of my Estie nibs were fond of the Noodler's blend, the PR was fine in them.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

[fotographik]

That particular recipe is;

 

PR American Blue 40 parts, Waterman Green 8 parts, Quink BB 5 parts

 

an equivalent Noodler's base recipe is;

 

Noodler's Ottoman Azure 60 parts, PR Tanzanite 8 parts, PR Blue Suede 4 parts

 

some of my Estie nibs were fond of the Noodler's blend, the PR was fine in them.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

 

Thank you so much for the recipes, Bruce!!! I can't wait to gather the required inks to try it out!

[dcpritch]

Great idea on the PR American Blue - a beautiful shade of blue. And I'm going to try out that recipe for faux sapphire; just need one ingredient.

[fotographik]

Great idea on the PR American Blue - a beautiful shade of blue. And I'm going to try out that recipe for faux sapphire; just need one ingredient.

 

I still need two out of the three ingredients...I'll hopefully have them by the end of the week-end.