Parker Duofold Prestige Blue Chevron Review

[freakman]

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh34/frenzyman01/P1316159_zps1k8xmchg.jpg
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh34/frenzyman01/P1316162_zpspmx1pj5k.jpg

The new Duofold Prestige line has been introduced late last year and will be the new flagship model for Parker. I’ve post some pictures of this model and the response for the new design seemed to be mostly negative. So I decided to buy one and try it myself to see what’s the model really like.


Packaging (10/10)
The pen has the same packaging advertised on Parker website and the packaging is relatively small comparing to many Italian makers. But it has all the features for a good packaging: it’s a solid packaging and will protect the pen well for storage and shipping, it’s easy to unpack and it also has a great look both outside and inside. It’s a much nicer design comparing to the older arrow, band and heart packaging no matter they’re wood, plastic or hard paper.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh34/frenzyman01/P1316153_zpsnf774wnf.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh34/frenzyman01/P1316157_zpshxqq49ta.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh34/frenzyman01/P1316158_zps8kkttf3a.jpg



Appearance & Design (10/10)
Personally I like the new design a lot. The old Duofolds are not stylish enough and LE models only change the type of resin/acrylic. The new Duofold Prestige changed the appearance almost completely. It’s in the same shape and size with current heart and older band centennial models. But all the rest are not the same. The blue matte finish chevron pattern combines well with the gold trim. And the satin finish on the section looks durable and comfortable to hold. I like the new solid wide cap band a lot, it resembles some of the Montegrappa and AURORA cap bands with company names and now you can place the cap upright on your table without worries.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh34/frenzyman01/_zps5pp1nroa.png

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh34/frenzyman01/_zpsyi0mipc4.png
Matte finish chevron body.


http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh34/frenzyman01/_zpswoiuzi9c.png

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh34/frenzyman01/_zpsgovdbvcj.png
Wide and solid cap band.





Construction & Quality (9.5/10)
I will update later about the durability of the material later. But the pen is well constructed in my point of view. The band, clip, section, cap and body are firm without wiggles. The chevron pattern is made of resin and don’t have any deformations or discolorations. I’ve not seen any defects on the gold plating but based on my previous experience on heart Duofolds, The gold plating might change after some years of storage or use. They also added a rubber ring to seal the body like Waterman Edson.




Weight & Dimensions (9/10)
The shape and size are completely the same with older centennial models with capped length 137.52mm, uncapped length 128.67mm, body diameter 13.055mm, cap diameter 15.050mm and section diameter ranging from 10.07mm to 11.09mm. The center of gravity is also the same with older centennials uncapped or posted. But it’s a much heavier pen comparing to older Duofolds. Here’s a comparison chart:

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh34/frenzyman01/chart_zps68a9s77m.png

You can see it’s almost twice the weight uncapped comparing to older models. So the pen might not be suitable for daily use if you write a lot. But it’s very comfortable to hold and write.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh34/frenzyman01/_zpss0iczl03.png

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh34/frenzyman01/_zpsxvk1s6ob.png

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh34/frenzyman01/_zpswq3jf1jq.png

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh34/frenzyman01/_zpsnurnmltt.png

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh34/frenzyman01/P1316189_zps9nmwzlsw.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh34/frenzyman01/P1316196_zpswjyrqbio.jpg
Pictures showing the center of gravity. Please note that the pen CAN NOT be posted unless you push really hard.


Nib & Performance (9.5/10)
The pen has a fine nib. Same performance with all current heart Duofolds. The writing sample shows the comparison of width between many other nibs (Band type UK made fine nib, Bock made OMAS Cohiba fine nib, Bock? made Bentley Mulsanne medium nib, NAMIKI 50# broad nib).
The nib has almost no flex. It’s even smoother than the old UK band type nibs in usual writing angle. It writes a bit wider than Band type nibs. The nib performance is very good considering it’s a stock nib.
Tested on Clairefontaine 90gsm paper with NAMIKI Black ink. Sorry for my awful handwriting.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh34/frenzyman01/P1316359_zpszrqk4c38.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh34/frenzyman01/P1316362_zpsclky6q5f.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh34/frenzyman01/P1316360_zpsupgflytj.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh34/frenzyman01/P1316361_zpso7dfgctf.jpg


Filling System & Maintenance (9/10)
Typical C&C system. Easy maintenance and no surprises. But why they still have an almost invisible gold plated metal ring in the front of gold plated metal section? And it helps corrosion a lot. So minus 1 here.



Cost & Value (9/10)
The Prestige Duofold has the same MSRP with old Pearl & Grey Centennial models. But the price is much more ‘solid’. As the first all metal and none LE Duofold. I think the price is very fair comparing to the resin models. I’m planning to get the red Classic Duofold as well. But the MSRP of resin ones are only 10% lower than these metal ones. So I’d rate the overall cost & value point at 9.

Conclusion (Final score 66/7=9.43)
The Duofold models haven’t changed much since 1987 and the pen market changed a lot in the past 30 years. I have many LE Duofolds and I think this new line of Duofolds looks even better than some of them. I’m glad Parker decided to change and I hope they will come up with some more brand new models in the future.
It’ll soon be the year of the Monkey here in China. And I wish everyone a happy New Year of the Monkey!
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh34/frenzyman01/P2016366_zpsozzxtfur.jpg

Edited February 1, 2016 by freakman

[shuuemura]

Very nice review and photos! Thanks for posting this up. The red classic is my favourite of the new Duofold models.

 

I have a question for you. Is there still a breather hole under the pen clip, or has that been removed from this new model? The breather hole in my Parker Duofold Centennial pens caused drying out of the nib until I had the hole sealed.

 

Happy Chinese New Year in advance!

[KaB]

Thx for this review

[colormyalphabet]

Jeeeez such a beautiful nib. I've always wished the duofolds had a built in filling system though. It's always tough spending that kind of money on a c/c

[freakman]

Very nice review and photos! Thanks for posting this up. The red classic is my favourite of the new Duofold models.

 

I have a question for you. Is there still a breather hole under the pen clip, or has that been removed from this new model? The breather hole in my Parker Duofold Centennial pens caused drying out of the nib until I had the hole sealed.

 

Happy Chinese New Year in advance!

It has been removed. But I'm not quite sure if it's gone on Classic Duofold line.

[flipper_gv]

I like this A LOT.

[shuuemura]

It has been removed. But I'm not quite sure if it's gone on Classic Duofold line.

 

Thanks for the information! From close-up photos of the pertinent area on the new Parker Pen website, it seems that they have removed it on the Classic Duofold line as well. I just wanted to make sure that the depicted photos showed changes that made it to the actual production line.

[ArchiMark]

Thanks for this great review of what looks like an excellent and very classic looking pen.

 

I've had a bunch of Duofold Centennials and several Senior Striped LE's released for the Asian market. There is a noticeable difference in quality (in a good way) in terms of finish, materials, and detailing with the Senior Striped LE pens. Like your new pen they felt more substantial due to the heavier weight.

 

Enjoy this handsome pen!

 

Mark

[Lam1]

Great review, thanks for posting.

And fantastic collection of Duofolds!

 

I must admit that at first I didn't like much the new models, but they grew on me and now I think they are very nice. That's very bad news for my poor wallet.

[The Blue Knight]

Great review are these new pens still made in France?

[freakman]

Great review are these new pens still made in France?

Sure, they're still made in France.

[Sagarb]

Beautiful pen and nice review...

[gerigo]

Lovely review! I have always had a soft spot for the modern Duofold especially ones that are fitted with their specialty nibs. Having seen the new design now for a month or so, I have been keeping an eye out for the pen. So thanks for taking the time to create this review as it now confirms my suspicion I need this pen in my collection!

 

BTW where did you get this in China? I hope you're not going to say Hong Kong:) I lived for many years in Shanghai and have not come across a pen store outside of those sold at Montblanc or Porsche Design.

[s_t_e_v_e]

Nice review!

 

Your collection of Duofolds is awesome. It's almost worth my car

I have one (Centennial in Chocolate Pinstripe Special Edition) that my lovely wife gifted me and I love it. It's the perfect pen for me. It's too nice, I want to just keep looking at it and it writes perfectly too.

[rohit1974]

Wonderful review and beautiful pen. Im a bit partial to the colour blue. Looks very robust .

[mchenart]

It's always welcoming to see Parker come up with new designs in the Duofold model. Thank you for an informative review. And those colourful Duofolds ...Wow!

[888007888]

Wonderful review and beautiful pen. Im a bit partial to the colour blue. Looks very robust .

I agree. Looks great. Anyone know where I can purchase one of these here in California USA?

[shuuemura]

I agree. Looks great. Anyone know where I can purchase one of these here in California USA?

 

I was looking into that earlier but it seems the nearest place one can get them is across the pond.

 

http://www.amazon.fr/Parker-Centennial-Prestige-garniture-stylo-plume/dp/B015N3PR38/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1454487616&sr=8-7&keywords=parker+duofold

[VivienR]

More I looking this pictures more I like it, although its have a hefty weight. Still, more and more gravitating away from Parker.... But will see.. Temptations can grow... Thank you for your detailed review.

[Mainecoon]

Wow, that really is a beautiful duofold. Some desire has awakened, oeps ....

Nice pictures and exellent review. Thank you for that. The pen has nice family as well, I see.

Thanks for sharing and enjoy writing with it!