English Duofold Questions

September 1, 2013

Hi,

I know there are many Duofold in the family. Are the nib line size all the same> Medium?

Or they are not entirely the same? Are there some information about the nib size (line thickness) between these Duofold such as Slimfold/Standard/Senior/Maxima?

Information like which Duofold member have thinner line up to thicker size? I do not see there are option available for their nib size?

So I suppose they are available only one size, no F/M/B?

Thanks.

September 1, 2013

Which English Duofolds are you referring to? They can be split into the 1940's-70's and post 1988,

The Duofold has always been towards the top of Parker's range. In the 1940's-70's it was certainly offered in a range of sizes. I have seen oblique broad nibs, so there were some unusual ones available. However, they were not common, with medium being the most popular.

By the late 1960's/early 70's the 'Parker 17 Duofold' seems only to have only been sold as F/M/B (though this may be my lack of knowledge speaking, but I've never seen other sizes of P17).

Newhaven (UK) seems to have been pretty consistent with their nib sizes, being about half a size wider than Janesville (US) for the same designation. As the years went on, there seems to be less variability in what is called a Medium too.

Getting onto the 'Modern' Duofolds, also made in England, post 1988. These are/were Parker's flagship pen and until this year had a very wide range of nibs. Possibly 10/12 sizes. They now seem to have 2, F/M.

Regards,

Richard.

September 1, 2013

Thanks Richard,

Yes the 1940's-70's Duofold. I should have made it clear and nevertheless, very good information.

Cheers.

Whoelse.

September 1, 2013

Hi,

There is a range of widths within each model of the Newhaven Duofolds. e.g. I've a Slimfold (5) with a wet wide nib, and a Maxima (50) that gives a rather austere narrow line. From my limited sampling, the Standard Duofolds with the 'N' nibs are quite ~~idiosyncratic~~ wide-ranging.

I agree with Richard that the [chalk marked] pens with graded Newhaven nibs in Fine, Medium & Broad are slightly wider than their stateside contemporaries. I have no experience with the very narrow Newhaven nibs, so cannot comment on those.

If you have specific width/grade in mind, I suggest confirming that before purchase.

Bye,

S1

Edited September 1, 2013 by Sandy1

September 1, 2013

I can not compare the English Duofolds with those from the USA and modern.

I can, for example, upload pictures.

Draw any conclusions yourself.

English Duofolds family in red.

http://images55.fotosik.pl/49/8965e3865e2f4c07.jpg

And their nibs.

http://images53.fotosik.pl/49/8b23fbb86f2b82e6.jpg

Duofold Maxima nibs.

http://images53.fotosik.pl/51/cf84c586a4c7ecd0.jpg

regards

September 1, 2013

Hi

I only have 3 English Duofolds but they are all Mediums

I have an Early Duofold the one like the American Duofold.

The next is the Duofold AF or the third generation English Duofold

The third one is an English Centennial.

They are all supposed to be mediums and the writing example of all three is below.

Paul

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l312/Paul-80/Pens/DuofoldMediumNibs_zpse552f12b.jpg

September 3, 2013

Nib size (great big shiny nib, or slim-looking Parker 51 nib, or not-much-metal-showing Montblanc wing nib) need not be related to the width of the line that the nib will write. I happen to have owned some of those English Aerometric Duofolds of the 1950s and 1960s, and can attest that each nib size, from little 5 to big 50, came in fine, medium, and broad versions at least. People writing in Chinese or Japanese might wish to own a big, fat pen but not wish to write a big, fat line with it. And some who write in European languages share that taste for a fat pen writing a narrow line. Parker catered for an entire range of tastes.

September 4, 2013

I can not compare the English Duofolds with those from the USA and modern.
I can, for example, upload pictures.
Draw any conclusions yourself.
English Duofolds family in red.
http://images55.fotosik.pl/49/8965e3865e2f4c07.jpg
And their nibs.
http://images53.fotosik.pl/49/8b23fbb86f2b82e6.jpg
Duofold Maxima nibs.
http://images53.fotosik.pl/51/cf84c586a4c7ecd0.jpg
regards

great collection of vintage Parkers

October 17, 2013

I love the British Doufold both look and how it writes and have a Slimfold beside my desk. I always write with it for no real reason. The only think I don't like about them is the plastic barrel material. They scratch very easily, are there Parker alternative to them with a better barrel material?

October 21, 2013

Yes, P51 plastic (lucite) is more resistant to scatching, and of course the P75 came in a wide range of finishes, including metals, although the lacquer finishes do chip more than get scratched in my experience

October 26, 2013

I can not compare the English Duofolds with those from the USA and modern.
I can, for example, upload pictures.
Draw any conclusions yourself.
English Duofolds family in red.
http://images55.fotosik.pl/49/8965e3865e2f4c07.jpg
And their nibs.
http://images53.fotosik.pl/49/8b23fbb86f2b82e6.jpg
Duofold Maxima nibs.
http://images53.fotosik.pl/51/cf84c586a4c7ecd0.jpg
regards

very nice duofold family