Uk Parker Duofold

[Cassotto]

I've found this UK Parker Duofold for sale, but I'm not able to figure out which version it is (I'm having a look at https://parkerpens.net/ukduofold.html, which is great, but it's full of terms I cannot understand well, so it's difficult for me to identify what they're talking about).

 

I've attached photos of the pen which is for sale.

 

 

 

 

(It's difficult to tell, but the pen's supposed to be blue.)

 

The seller is asking €69, and he says the pen is in right working order. Do you think it's worth the money? I'd like to have a Duofold, but they're usually more expensive, so I don't know whether there's something which is very obviously wrong (he says there isn't). Or is this a very common version, or one which is known not to be very good for whatever reason?

 

[newkid12]

I believe that pen is a Parker Duofold AF from about 1948.

[mariom]

Duofold AF sounds right (AF = Aluminium filler BTW).

 

€69 sounds over the odds for a pen of this type, particularly given that this example looks very well worn. When you note that Duofolds are usually more expensive, it really doesn't mean much as Parker has used the Duofold name for pens from the 1920s right through to the present. Some Duofolds will be much more expensive, but the 1940s & 1950s British Duofolds are typically more affordable. Saying that though, they are usually well made and very reliable, particularly the later Aerometric models.

Edited November 25, 2019 by mariom

[Erik Dalton]

Duofold AF sounds right (AF = Aluminium filler BTW).

 

€69 sounds over the odds for a pen of this type, particularly given that this example looks very well worn. When you note that Duofolds are usually more expensive, it really doesn't mean much as Parker has used the Duofold name for pens from the 1920s right through to the present. Some Duofolds will be much more expensive, but the 1940s & 1950s British Duofolds are typically more affordable. Saying that though, they are usually well made and very reliable, particularly the later Aerometric models.

 

I agree. This price seems high for the condition of this pen. There are many great UK Duofolds out there that have been rebuilt and look great. The one you have chosen is a vac. There are also Areo models. A lot of the nibs are pretty good quality often with a bit of flex to them.

Not to disparage the seller, but that pen has had a rough life from the photos. He is asking more than it’s worth, But it could be restored and polished up and be worth every euro. Unless you are ready to get into taking this pen apart, I would suggest that there are many, many UK duofolds that are in much better shape. Same goes for the US Duofolds, but they cost a bit more.

These are not the Large size of the Modern Duofold. Most are similar in size to the Parker ‘51 with variations here and there. The problem with trying to identify a UK duofold from the Parker sites is that there was not always consistency in the making of these great pens. I think they used what they had on hand at times. Some things will match, some not. Some were also made in Denmark and they put their little twist on them. They are all good, and excellent writers. I don’t think they get the credit that they deserve. Keep looking you’ll find the right pen for you.

[hari317]

I've found this UK Parker Duofold for sale, but I'm not able to figure out which version it is (I'm having a look at https://parkerpens.net/ukduofold.html, which is great, but it's full of terms I cannot understand well, so it's difficult for me to identify what they're talking about).

 

I've attached photos of the pen which is for sale.

 

1.jpg

 

2.jpg

 

3.jpg

 

(It's difficult to tell, but the pen's supposed to be blue.)

 

The seller is asking €69, and he says the pen is in right working order. Do you think it's worth the money? I'd like to have a Duofold, but they're usually more expensive, so I don't know whether there's something which is very obviously wrong (he says there isn't). Or is this a very common version, or one which is known not to be very good for whatever reason?

 

This a Duofold AF. It's a button filler and uses a sac. Most probably it has been restored with a latex sac, even if the sac is new today, you will nee to change it down the line. Its easy to do, but you must know.

These are very sturdy pens and pens meant to serve as no fuss writers. I have several of these and they are very reliable. These are the last generation of button fillers put out by Parker, the AF design is quite sophisticated.

I would not pay the asking price since I buy only unrestored as found pens from ebay uk from non pen people and do the restoration myself. Typical price for an unrestored AF ranges from 12 to 25pounds. hope this helps.

[eachan]

 

I agree. This price seems high for the condition of this pen. There are many great UK Duofolds out there that have been rebuilt and look great. The one you have chosen is a vac. There are also Areo models. A lot of the nibs are pretty good quality often with a bit of flex to them.

Not to disparage the seller, but that pen has had a rough life from the photos. He is asking more than it’s worth, But it could be restored and polished up and be worth every euro. Unless you are ready to get into taking this pen apart, I would suggest that there are many, many UK duofolds that are in much better shape. Same goes for the US Duofolds, but they cost a bit more.

These are not the Large size of the Modern Duofold. Most are similar in size to the Parker ‘51 with variations here and there. The problem with trying to identify a UK duofold from the Parker sites is that there was not always consistency in the making of these great pens. I think they used what they had on hand at times. Some things will match, some not. Some were also made in Denmark and they put their little twist on them. They are all good, and excellent writers. I don’t think they get the credit that they deserve. Keep looking you’ll find the right pen for you.

 

It isn't a vac. It's a button filler.

[como]

The AF model is very easy to service, just button filler made of aluminium. There is not much to it, just the sac and pressure bar, which you might have to cut a little to make it fit perfectly.

[Cassotto]

Thanks a lot for your kind help, everyone. What's more important is that, from what you say, this pen isn't worth the price the seller asks for it. Moreover, the pen is for sale in an auction (though not on eBay), so its price might become even higher. Anyway, I'd be safter trying to find an aerometric mode, wouldn't I?

 

I'll carry on looking for a Duofold. I decided to look for one made in the UK simply because I'm in Europe and I thought they might be cheaper if only because of the cheaper postage. But I know almost nothing about pens (let alone restoring them), so I might better off by visiting a good seller who I know will sell me good pens at a fair price, instead of trying to find one on the internet.

 

Now that I'm at it, do you happen to know of any good shop that might have this sort of pens in London? I travel there every year, so it might be the best idea. I'll try one I know in Madrid first, though.

[como]

Ten days ago there was the Madrid Pen Show held in Hotel Miguel Ángel in Madrid. There you could have tried one Maybe next year? In any case, I think, to get one to try to restore it as a fun project, the price shouldn't go over £50 or somewhere there, if you do it yourself. It's not worth buying a pen of unknown condition and trying to send it to a restorer. Then you'd be better off buying one with mint condition. If in really good condition, I would say about £100 plus minus.

[mariom]

Thanks a lot for your kind help, everyone. What's more important is that, from what you say, this pen isn't worth the price the seller asks for it. Moreover, the pen is for sale in an auction (though not on eBay), so its price might become even higher. Anyway, I'd be safter trying to find an aerometric mode, wouldn't I?

 

I'll carry on looking for a Duofold. I decided to look for one made in the UK simply because I'm in Europe and I thought they might be cheaper if only because of the cheaper postage. But I know almost nothing about pens (let alone restoring them), so I might better off by visiting a good seller who I know will sell me good pens at a fair price, instead of trying to find one on the internet.

 

Now that I'm at it, do you happen to know of any good shop that might have this sort of pens in London? I travel there every year, so it might be the best idea. I'll try one I know in Madrid first, though.ght

 

The internals of the Aerometric models are every bit as reliable as 51s in terms of durability. I have 3, and every one still has it's original Pli-Glass (PVC) sac in fully working order. There are lots of models to choose from, from the Slimfold to the Maxima, with not a lot to differentiate them except size. The all tend to be good writers, and the nibs are invariably quite stiff.

Edited November 28, 2019 by mariom

[como]

+1. These Duofold AF (and Victory) along with Parker 51 are indeed work horses. So many survived and in good condition. Duo, having to press through double copies, aren’t too flexible )) but good writers indeed.

[Cassotto]

Ten days ago there was the Madrid Pen Show held in Hotel Miguel Ángel in Madrid. There you could have tried one Maybe next year?

 

 

Yes, I attend whenever I can (though I don't usually buy anything, since it's not often that I can afford to spend much money on this sort of thing, and I prefer to try new inks), but this year, unfortunately, I couldn't make it to the Pen Show. I usually get an invitation from Julia Gusano, although this year's didn't look like an invitation, but simply an ad. I've never known whether people without one had to pay to attend.

 

It's good to know that these nibs are stiff... I don't know how I'll like that, but I'm willing to have a go.

 

I'm unsure about my ability to restore anything, though. All my experience consists of drawing figures of eight with some nibs over a micro mesh, and inserting a metallic thin sheet between the tines to make them wetter. I would be afraid to buy a pen that clearly needs restoring only to find the process is beyond my means. But I'm so fed up with faulty new pens that I want to try vintage ones.

[Inkysloth]

Duo, having to press through double copies, arent too flexible )) .

Not all of the Duofolds have stiff, manifold nibs - Ive got a couple of UK Aerometric Duofolds with very fine, springy nibs.

[Jerome Tarshis]

Not all of the Duofolds have stiff, manifold nibs - Ive got a couple of UK Aerometric Duofolds with very fine, springy nibs.

 

Indeed yes. I don't think the identification of the word "Duofold" with manifold nibs properly applies to UK Duofolds, which were introduced much later than the Big Red and its progeny in the United States.

 

From my own experience, some have stiff if not necessarily manifold-stiff nibs, while others are springy enough to distract me from writing. With a really bouncy nib there is a lot going on, other than the choice of words. I have mixed feelings about those nibs: in some ways a delight, but to the extent that I want to do prose composition they are also a bit theatrical.

Edited November 29, 2019 by Jerome Tarshis

[TimeoDanaos]

The UK Duofolds were also produced in Denmark, and every single pen collector here has at least a handful of these. There should be people willing to let go of one of these for a fair price (absolute max would in my view be 50 unless it's a specialty nib).

[Fermata]

The AF Duofolds are less common than the aero Duofolds ( I can see Old Griz typing in bold that only the 51 is an Aerometric filler) The good thing about the AF Duofold is that maintenance is easier, when a new sac is needed it is quite an easy job.

 

The Duofold nibs, both the AF and the new style Duofolds are usually semi flexible, there is some give to them but not as much flex as a Mabie Todd or some Waterman nibs. I would suggest that they better suit the style of modern handwriting but that is just a personal opinion.

 

In terms of condition, these Duofolds are fairly bulletproof but the area where there might be an issue or questions to be asked of the seller is with regards to any cracking around the cap lip, often due to overtightening. Walk away if this is an issue because there are plenty of other pens available.

 

Due to the soft plastics on the Duofold it is easy to return the pen to almopst new condition using a metal polish paste. Firstly use a strong tape such as builders aluminium tape blanking off the Parker imprint, the threads and the gold cap band, also remove the clip and jewel to make polishing easier. You can have the pen looking like it was made yesterday for little effort and money. If you are still concerned have a look on You Tube and search for channel grandmia pens, I think he shows how to restore a Duofold on one of his vids.

 

Your pen can look like this:

Edited November 29, 2019 by Parkette

[Cassotto]

From my own experience, some have stiff if not necessarily manifold-stiff nibs, while others are springy enough to distract me from writing. With a really bouncy nib there is a lot going on, other than the choice of words. I have mixed feelings about those nibs: in some ways a delight, but to the extent that I want to do prose composition they are also a bit theatrical.

 

 

Thanks for the funniest description of nibs I've ever read!

 

 

The UK Duofolds were also produced in Denmark, and every single pen collector here has at least a handful of these. There should be people willing to let go of one of these for a fair price (absolute max would in my view be 50 unless it's a specialty nib).

 

 

Do all Duofolds made in Denmark say so in the imprint?

 

 

The AF Duofolds are less common than the aero Duofolds ( I can see Old Griz typing in bold that only the 51 is an Aerometric filler) The good thing about the AF Duofold is that maintenance is easier, when a new sac is needed it is quite an easy job.

 

The Duofold nibs, both the AF and the new style Duofolds are usually semi flexible, there is some give to them but not as much flex as a Mabie Todd or some Waterman nibs. I would suggest that they better suit the style of modern handwriting but that is just a personal opinion.

 

In terms of condition, these Duofolds are fairly bulletproof but the area where there might be an issue or questions to be asked of the seller is with regards to any cracking around the cap lip, often due to overtightening. Walk away if this is an issue because there are plenty of other pens available.

 

Due to the soft plastics on the Duofold it is easy to return the pen to almopst new condition using a metal polish paste. Firstly use a strong tape such as builders aluminium tape blanking off the Parker imprint, the threads and the gold cap band, also remove the clip and jewel to make polishing easier. You can have the pen looking like it was made yesterday for little effort and money. If you are still concerned have a look on You Tube and search for channel grandmia pens, I think he shows how to restore a Duofold on one of his vids.

 

Your pen can look like this:

 

Thanks for this very informative post. I'll beware of cracks. And knowing how to polish these pens may allow getting a cheaper one, knowing it'll look much better afterwards if cosmetics is the only issue about it.

[TimeoDanaos]

 

 

Do all Duofolds made in Denmark say so in the imprint?

I believe so. Often it will just say "m.i.d."; other pens will just have the little anchor logo that signifies a Danish Parker. Sometimes the nib will have the letter D imprinted, sometimes it will have a little crown-shaped imprint from the Danish nib manufacturer.

[Fermata]

Danish Parkers have an anchor inside a circle such as this, a USA made Vac with an overstamped anchor and CO (for the importer) inside a circle

 

 

Edited November 30, 2019 by Parkette

[Cassotto]

Thanks a lot! Great to know!