Parker Frontier medium nib Review

[freewheelingvagabond]

Hello everybody. Yes, I'm a tad nervous and very excited since this is my first review! I hope to write an informative review, one that helps people here. Please comment, not only regarding the pen but also on my review and whether I've missed any important point or not. So here it goes. First of all links to a few pics:

My link

My link

My link

 

Now let's get down to business!

 

First Impression: This pen has an understated appearance and gives an impression of being sturdy and functional with its looks. It comes in a black coloured box.

Score: 7/10

 

Appearance: This pen has a steel body, a steel cap and a black grip section which is made of(I think, I'm not sure) hard rubber.

Score: 7/10

 

Size/Weight/Design: This pen is what one would probably call a small to medium size. It is smaller than my Lamy Safari. It is not particularly heavy even with the cap posted. The grip section is standard and is comfortable.

Score: 7.5/10

 

Nib: Now I come to the section I consider to be of utmost importance. Since I purchased it at a store, I had the luxury of trying out the nib. The nib is of stainless steel and has a medium sized rounded tip. The nib is considerably smooth. It is quite rigid; I read somewhere on the net that this nib is very sturdy, which I think it is. This pen turned out to be a dry writer with Aurora blue, Sheaffer Skrip blue and Pelikan Royal blue though now it is laying down a less dry line after having been inked with Private Reserve Naples blue. It is a dry writer compared to my Lamy Safari broad nib. This feature of being a dry writer takes something away from the smoothness of the nib, I'm sure it'd have been much better had it been laying down a wetter line. I don't exactly know the brand of paper I have been using but it is of 70 gsm. The medium nib writes down a line which is broader than a Pelikan medium nib(I have the M200 in mind).

Score: 6/10

 

Filling System: This pen uses a cartridge/converter system. I've come across better converters in almost all other pens by other brands.

Score: 6.5/10

 

Cost/Value: I purchased this pen in October 2009 for 1400 INR (approximately 30 US$) which is not much. It is reliable and I think is what one calls a beginner's fountain pen but I guess there may be or are some better pens within its price range (to be specific I have the Lamy Safari in mind, I have one with a broad nib), especially when it comes down to the writing experience.

Score: 8/10

 

Overall: Finishing off, I think this a reliable inexpensive pen that can conveniently be reserved as a backup option. I myself don't write much with it, except when I feel like using this pen specifically. If I had to keep only one pen between this and my Lamy Safari, I'd keep the Safari. It is far from being a bad pen but it is also not the best one either in its price range when it comes to writing with it. Of course the construction of the pen is solid. It is a decent pen and a decent writer. Here is a link to its official webpage: My link

Overall Score: 42/60=70%

 

Thanks to you all. I hope this was helpful.

[diplomat]

Ciao and no need to get nervous, you did a great job. I have two "fligther" Frontiers, one chrome trim like yours and one gold trim. I think for the price they are looking very good and write decently. It's a good choice for an entry level pen.

 

Best,

[freewheelingvagabond]

Ciao and no need to get nervous, you did a great job. I have two "fligther" Frontiers, one chrome trim like yours and one gold trim. I think for the price they are looking very good and write decently. It's a good choice for an entry level pen.

 

Best,

 

 

Thanks for your comment!!!

[GirchyGirchy]

I've had good luck with my cheap Parker Jotters, and wouldn't mind picking up a Frontier sometime. They're good pens to use ink in which I wouldn't want to run in nicer pens.

[Rabbit]

I love your Flighter Frontier! I have a translucet green one and just recetly picked up a "luna green" version too. They are wonderful pens for the price and remind me a bit of a steel nib Parker Sonnet. (I'll have to take a closer look when I get home to see just how similar they are.) Their construction feels very durable, and makes them feel a step above the Jotter/Vector/Reflex level pens, yet still very affordable compared to the Sonnet line.

 

I agree GirchyGirchy, these affordable pens are great for questionable inks--gotta use that Baystate Blue somewhere!

 

--Stephen

Edited November 23, 2009 by Rabbit

[diplomat]

They are wonderful pens for the price and remind me a bit of a steel nib Parker Sonnet. (I'll have to take a closer look when I get home to see just how similar they are.)

 

My understanding is that the Frontier share the same nib unit with the stainless steel Sonnet.

[freewheelingvagabond]

I love your Flighter Frontier! I have a translucet green one and just recetly picked up a "luna green" version too. They are wonderful pens for the price and remind me a bit of a steel nib Parker Sonnet. (I'll have to take a closer look when I get home to see just how similar they are.) Their construction feels very durable, and makes them feel a step above the Jotter/Vector/Reflex level pens, yet still very affordable compared to the Sonnet line.

 

I agree GirchyGirchy, these affordable pens are great for questionable inks--gotta use that Baystate Blue somewhere!

 

--Stephen

 

 

The frontier is definitely a step above the jotter/vector line, though I don't know how close it is to the sonnet. But given the prices here in India, I'd get a Pelikan M200 and a Parker Sonnet for about the same price and I'll probably go for the Pelikan if I have to get one.

[Rabbit]

They are wonderful pens for the price and remind me a bit of a steel nib Parker Sonnet. (I'll have to take a closer look when I get home to see just how similar they are.)

 

My understanding is that the Frontier share the same nib unit with the stainless steel Sonnet.

 

I took some photos for comparison. (The Sonnet is the flighter, glossy section, or nib on the LEFT in these photos) It looks pretty close to me! Interestingly though, I tried to put the Frontier nib/feed in the Sonnet and the Sonnet's in the Frontier and it didn't work. I'm not exactly sure what year each of these were made, so it may not be a direct comparison.

 

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2614/4129233901_96e34cae41_o.jpg

 

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2494/4130000636_1df5139530_o.jpg

 

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2686/4129234129_3394119698_o.jpg

 

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2608/4129234281_f5761f0f8f_o.jpg

 

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2719/4129234405_97435a9ba3_o.jpg

 

--Stephen

Edited November 24, 2009 by Rabbit

[freewheelingvagabond]

thanks for the pics. the two nibs do look remarkably similar.

Edited November 30, 2009 by MYU
removed full quote of original post

[GirchyGirchy]

 

I took some photos for comparison.

Dangit, I need a light tent.

[Cheapogit]

I have a stainless frontier, with gold plated trim and nib (medium) from 2001(ish?) (Letter code UI).

 

Nib is terrible, scratchy as you wouldn't believe, and has to be held so the nib is turned facing away from you (to the right, not upside-down) to get it smooth.

 

I don't know if it is because used to be a harder writer than I am now (?), but even so, the nib doesn't look like it's in bad shape. I haven't used it in a few years because I'm not mad keen (and I'd been out of the fountain pen 'loop' for a while) but thought I'd start using it again.

 

I must just mention that I don't remember what the nib was like when I first bought it...

Edited November 27, 2009 by Cheapogit

[freewheelingvagabond]

I have a stainless frontier, with gold plated trim and nib (medium) from 2001(ish?) (Letter code UI).

 

Nib is terrible, scratchy as you wouldn't believe, and has to be held so the nib is turned facing away from you (to the right, not upside-down) to get it smooth.

 

I don't know if it is because used to be a harder writer than I am now (?), but even so, the nib doesn't look like it's in bad shape. I haven't used it in a few years because I'm not mad keen (and I'd been out of the fountain pen 'loop' for a while) but thought I'd start using it again.

 

I must just mention that I don't remember what the nib was like when I first bought it...

 

This may be due to a manufacturing defect, though it still seems unlikely. You can try it out again, and if you're not happy, maybe you can take it to somebody for repair.

[freewheelingvagabond]

Here are the pics:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2773/4152572905_61098359ba_s.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2632/4153337640_3f2a907560_s.jpg

[Taurean]

Hey nice review there..i recently acquired a Frontier myself.

Infact I was out on a pen shop hunt, headed to avenue road(bangalore)..having heard about the existence of some nice shops there from fellow FPNer Hari.

After enquiring at a handful of shops, all of whom telling me they dont stock FPs anymore, i spotted this inconspicuous little wholesale shop called 'Prakash Pen World'..the FP collection there isn't something to boast about, but I did manage to find a Parker 45 flighter(fine nib, stainless steel body, black barrel and black plastic end), apparently it had been lying in neglect since quite some time..also picked up a metallic grey Frontier(medium nib), this particular model was discontinued in 2002.

Prices were the best part, got the Frontier and the 45 for 600 INR each(around 12 USD each), also picked up a handful of Quink bottles. He also had a Cross century 2 (lustrous chrome) for 2500 INR, which was sorely tempting, but there's only this much a student on a budget can buy at a time :bonk:

I haven't yet inked up the Frontier, but the 45 sure is a smooth writer..

 

May I ask what paper you use freewheelingvagabond? The notebooks provided by my institute aren't exactly FP friendly and I was looking for an efficient and economical solution.

 

 

regards

Shubham

[Cheapogit]

This may be due to a manufacturing defect, though it still seems unlikely. You can try it out again, and if you're not happy, maybe you can take it to somebody for repair.

 

Well, doesn't matter that much, once I've finished the ink off, I'll just take it out of 'circulation', and then decide what to do, I don't find it an overly comfortable pen anyway.

 

Thanks for the reply.

Edited December 2, 2009 by Cheapogit

[freewheelingvagabond]

Hey nice review there..i recently acquired a Frontier myself.

Infact I was out on a pen shop hunt, headed to avenue road(bangalore)..having heard about the existence of some nice shops there from fellow FPNer Hari.

After enquiring at a handful of shops, all of whom telling me they dont stock FPs anymore, i spotted this inconspicuous little wholesale shop called 'Prakash Pen World'..the FP collection there isn't something to boast about, but I did manage to find a Parker 45 flighter(fine nib, stainless steel body, black barrel and black plastic end), apparently it had been lying in neglect since quite some time..also picked up a metallic grey Frontier(medium nib), this particular model was discontinued in 2002.

Prices were the best part, got the Frontier and the 45 for 600 INR each(around 12 USD each), also picked up a handful of Quink bottles. He also had a Cross century 2 (lustrous chrome) for 2500 INR, which was sorely tempting, but there's only this much a student on a budget can buy at a time :bonk:

I haven't yet inked up the Frontier, but the 45 sure is a smooth writer..

 

May I ask what paper you use freewheelingvagabond? The notebooks provided by my institute aren't exactly FP friendly and I was looking for an efficient and economical solution.

 

 

regards

Shubham

 

 

Hello Shubham! As for your query on notebook, I've seen that many of the notebooks you find around can stand up somewhat decently to fountain pen writing. But I've had the best result with an expensive notebook manufactured by Luxor. Apparently it's called "Converge" and "premium notebook series" is written on it. the size i got is 14*21.6cm and has 160 pages. i got it for 80 INR. you'll find it in any upper-medium end stationary store which retails Luxor. Good Luck!

[DJJM19951998]

Hello everybody. Yes, I'm a tad nervous and very excited since this is my first review! I hope to write an informative review, one that helps people here. Please comment, not only regarding the pen but also on my review and whether I've missed any important point or not. So here it goes. First of all links to a few pics:

My link

My link

My link

 

Now let's get down to business!

 

First Impression: This pen has an understated appearance and gives an impression of being sturdy and functional with its looks. It comes in a black coloured box.

Score: 7/10

 

Appearance: This pen has a steel body, a steel cap and a black grip section which is made of(I think, I'm not sure) hard rubber.

Score: 7/10

 

Size/Weight/Design: This pen is what one would probably call a small to medium size. It is smaller than my Lamy Safari. It is not particularly heavy even with the cap posted. The grip section is standard and is comfortable.

Score: 7.5/10

 

Nib: Now I come to the section I consider to be of utmost importance. Since I purchased it at a store, I had the luxury of trying out the nib. The nib is of stainless steel and has a medium sized rounded tip. The nib is considerably smooth. It is quite rigid; I read somewhere on the net that this nib is very sturdy, which I think it is. This pen turned out to be a dry writer with Aurora blue, Sheaffer Skrip blue and Pelikan Royal blue though now it is laying down a less dry line after having been inked with Private Reserve Naples blue. It is a dry writer compared to my Lamy Safari broad nib. This feature of being a dry writer takes something away from the smoothness of the nib, I'm sure it'd have been much better had it been laying down a wetter line. I don't exactly know the brand of paper I have been using but it is of 70 gsm. The medium nib writes down a line which is broader than a Pelikan medium nib(I have the M200 in mind).

Score: 6/10

 

Filling System: This pen uses a cartridge/converter system. I've come across better converters in almost all other pens by other brands.

Score: 6.5/10

 

Cost/Value: I purchased this pen in October 2009 for 1400 INR (approximately 30 US$) which is not much. It is reliable and I think is what one calls a beginner's fountain pen but I guess there may be or are some better pens within its price range (to be specific I have the Lamy Safari in mind, I have one with a broad nib), especially when it comes down to the writing experience.

Score: 8/10

 

Overall: Finishing off, I think this a reliable inexpensive pen that can conveniently be reserved as a backup option. I myself don't write much with it, except when I feel like using this pen specifically. If I had to keep only one pen between this and my Lamy Safari, I'd keep the Safari. It is far from being a bad pen but it is also not the best one either in its price range when it comes to writing with it. Of course the construction of the pen is solid. It is a decent pen and a decent writer. Here is a link to its official webpage: My link

Overall Score: 42/60=70%

 

Thanks to you all. I hope this was helpful.

I have this pen also in green and in my opinion it has one of the best steel nibs made today.

[freewheelingvagabond]

Here are the pics:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2773/4152572905_61098359ba_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2632/4153337640_3f2a907560_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2524/4153341888_50e8e7801e_b.jpg

Edited December 8, 2009 by freewheelingvagabond

[Gojira]

I bought my translucent blue Frontier for a steal last year and have been enjoying the wet, medium nib since then. A little too broad for my handwriting so I'd love to try a fine nib one day. I would consider the Frontier to be one heck of a good deal for a starter fountain pen, especially if one can find it at the price I purchased mine.

 

 

 

[robeck]

I've got 4 Frontiers all with medium nibs. The ink delivery varies very slightly between them - one pen in particular runs wetter than the rest. Even though I have much more expensive pens, I still have 3 of the Frontiers in my rotation at the moment and user them regularly. For the money, I think these are excellent performers. The nibs are all very smooth and they write without a hint of skipping, drying up or other bad trait. I'd highly recommend these pens.