Parker Duofold Checkered Amber (medium)

[woodworker]

On my blog you'll find also the complete text with bigger pictures.

 

Sometimes a purchased item launches a whole new area in your life. The Parker Duofold did this for me. In my younger days (school) I always wrote with fountainpens. Later on I now and then took a fountainpen and started to write with it, but it was never a keeper. I started with Parker Vector’s went on to Parker Sonnet’s (two), mostly medium and fine points.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2444/3717297688_3b3cb3f45b.jpg

One day, I think 1,5 year ago I bought for myself a really expensive (in my point of view) fountainpen, it was the Parker Duofold Amber Checkered (medium). This pen opened a new world for me in writing. I started liking writing with this pen. He was my companion on all journeys, business-meetings etc.

 

Ups and downs

We had our up’s and down’s though. I once lost it. I was really sad about it. Such an expensive pen and I lost it! I didn't dare to tell it to my wife. But when I traded in my car for a new one I found it was lying very deep away in an corner of my old car. I told my wife “ladies and gentlemen, we got him”.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2566/3717297906_f89d349446.jpg

I always had the pen in my jacket. One day I left my jacket on the couch and my doggies got my jacket (yes I still love them). But they also found my Parker. And off course it smelled after me as the leader of the pack…….. They crushed the cap, punched little holes in the barrel, they liked. Boy was I mad, mostly at myself. I went to my stationary-store and asked what I could do about it. I could buy a new cap which was hopelessly lost (new cap € 165,=) the nice lady advised me. She didn’t even blush when she mentioned the price…… A new barrel was also about that price, I decided that the cap was the only thing I replaced with a new one. The hardest part was that my Parker must been sent to Parker England to make a matching cap. Then my stationary-shop moved from one place to another and they lost my Parker somewhere, but found it again. All and all my Parker was away for almost two months.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3452/3717565838_e66b8f876a.jpg

 

Medium or fine?

So we have a nice history together. During the last year I became more and more a writer who loved fine-nibs (like my old Sonnet’s and Vector’s). I asked the nice lady again at the stationary shop if I could change my nib for a fine-nib. “Yes” she said with a smile “sure that’s possible” and again without blushing she mentioned “that would cost you € 160,=”. Aaaaaarrrrrgh #@###%%! I almost could have bought an entire new Parker Duofold for all the money I spend on it. Well I did not bought a new ‘fine’-nib. But bought several other new fountainpens with fine points. And when I am at home my Parker Duofold just lies in his nice box looking at me as if he is saying “why don’t you buy me a new fine-nib, so we could spent some more time together”.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2576/3717296932_1ecb3a9144.jpg

So after what we have gone trough I don’t think we ever can be separated. I will not sell that pen even if it was the last thing I own (figuratively speaking). So what could I say when I write this review about my Parker…….

 

History

I found that the history of this pen goes back to 1921 when the pen was released at a price of $ 7,=. For that time it was a huge amount of money for a pen. The pen was made of red rubber and became even with the high price a huge success.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2572/3717235772_c36a6bf821_o.jpg

 

Writing

The checkered collection nowadays looks great , feels great, and is not to shiny to write with. It is classy but not to classy. The ink comes in cartridges, or you can use it with a converter. The nib is 18K gold and writes wet if you have the medium nib.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3626/3716664553_64c1c34cbc.jpg

The text in the picture above says (if you can't read it):

Tuesday, july 14th, 2009

 

For my written piece in this pen-review I filled my Parker Duofold (medium-nib) with Quinck Blue Black. The paper is my dearly beloved Moleskine.

 

The pen is writing very smooth, with a great flow on this paper. Although their is slightly bleedtrough on this paper.

 

This pen is my partner!

 

Woodworker

Facts

lenght: 136mm (5,35") - with cap over the nib-side (I think you call it capped??)

lenght: 128mm (5,00") - without cap and ready to write

niblength: 23mm (0,91")

barrel: 12mm (0,47")

price: about $ 415,= to $ 445,= (€ 300,= to € 320,=)

 

Pro

I like the fact that it is a classy pen, but not a big show-off.

The pen writes great, never hesitates but always writes.

The size of the pen is great for my woodworking hands...... (haha some of my friends will laugh when they read this)

 

Con's

If I have to mention a minor, it would be the material should have been dogproof, but that's not a fair one ;-)

I also don't like the medium-nib. It is to broad for me. But that is also not fair, because maybe you like something broader to write with.

 

Conclusion

I like the pen. And I think if I saved more money the nib will be changed for a fine one. We have a history together. Anyone who likes the checkered style and wants to have a friend, just buy it! He (hmmm or she) will never let you down.

 

I hope you liked it, and I love feedback ;-)

Edited July 14, 2009 by woodworker

[Zekay]

 

I really like your review! It is obvious this pen is really special to you, and that you have been through a lot of things with it, and that makes this review a very nice read. It is also amazing that after being lost several times, being attacked by dogs (!), the pen still comes back every time, and still writes!

 

A while back I was also interested in getting a Duofold, and I still really like the checkered versions, I didn't get one then, can't remember why though. But after reading your review, I think it might be time to add it to my wishlist again!

 

Kind regards,

 

Zekay

[dandelion]

Thanks for a great review! I like the personal touch with the pen's history. It is a very beautiful pen - even with the small dog marks.

[Chris]

Great review of a real penfriend! And a stunning looker too if I may say so, even with the battle scars.

 

This is a pen that deserves a medium nib so that you can write bold, expressive things with confidence and don't need to hide teeny-weeny little words scratched into the paper with a pointy little nib that could pick out splinters from your (woodworker's) fingers. So use it lots and enjoy.

 

Chris

[Brian]

Nice review and great story. I think you have maximized your enjoyment of your Parker. I think you deserve a new one at least!

[johnr55]

Thanks for a great review! Do you only print, and not write cursive? So many people don't now.

[rokurinpapa]

Thank you for your nice review and interesting story.I love fountain pens and also love people who love fountain pens.

 

rokurinpapa

[MidnightBlue]

Usually don't like these Parker and Pelikan type things but, this one I have always loved since I saw it years ago. At the time is was way out of my price range, so I never got to own one: but it's still in the shop after all these years.

Thanks

[alvarez57]

Thanks for a great review! I like the personal touch with the pen's history. It is a very beautiful pen - even with the small dog marks.

 

Beautiful colors!

So do I agree. Have you checked out how much it will cost you to have it ground to a fine point by a "nibmeister"?

 

[georges zaslavsky]

I have a 2002 duofold but I never write with it.

[seymour]

Hi

I have the identical pen in medium and it really is a pleasure to write with it

Chaim

[MYU]

Nice review of a delicious looking pen. I especially like that checkered pattern of brown, tan, amber, and black. You seem to really appreciate the pen, except for the nib. So, do yourself a big favor and get that nib trimmed down to a nice smooth fine. It'll be worth the money!

[stevlight]

This is a C/C filler right? I wish Parker would make some doufolds piton fillers. I love the classic look of this pen but hate C/C fillers.

[woodworker]

This is a C/C filler right? I wish Parker would make some doufolds piton fillers. I love the classic look of this pen but hate C/C fillers.

 

Yes the Duofold is a C/C filler.

[robeck]

What a great story (and review). That pen has DESTINY stamped all over it - after all the trials and tribulations you've gone through with it, it can only ever be yours.

 

Use it. Enjoy it.

[MOVIESTAR]

On my blog you'll find also the complete text with bigger pictures.

 

Sometimes a purchased item launches a whole new area in your life. The Parker Duofold did this for me. In my younger days (school) I always wrote with fountainpens. Later on I now and then took a fountainpen and started to write with it, but it was never a keeper. I started with Parker Vector’s went on to Parker Sonnet’s (two), mostly medium and fine points.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2444/3717297688_3b3cb3f45b.jpg

One day, I think 1,5 year ago I bought for myself a really expensive (in my point of view) fountainpen, it was the Parker Duofold Amber Checkered (medium). This pen opened a new world for me in writing. I started liking writing with this pen. He was my companion on all journeys, business-meetings etc.

 

Ups and downs

We had our up’s and down’s though. I once lost it. I was really sad about it. Such an expensive pen and I lost it! I didn't dare to tell it to my wife. But when I traded in my car for a new one I found it was lying very deep away in an corner of my old car. I told my wife “ladies and gentlemen, we got him”.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2566/3717297906_f89d349446.jpg

I always had the pen in my jacket. One day I left my jacket on the couch and my doggies got my jacket (yes I still love them). But they also found my Parker. And off course it smelled after me as the leader of the pack…….. They crushed the cap, punched little holes in the barrel, they liked. Boy was I mad, mostly at myself. I went to my stationary-store and asked what I could do about it. I could buy a new cap which was hopelessly lost (new cap € 165,=) the nice lady advised me. She didn’t even blush when she mentioned the price…… A new barrel was also about that price, I decided that the cap was the only thing I replaced with a new one. The hardest part was that my Parker must been sent to Parker England to make a matching cap. Then my stationary-shop moved from one place to another and they lost my Parker somewhere, but found it again. All and all my Parker was away for almost two months.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3452/3717565838_e66b8f876a.jpg

 

Medium or fine?

So we have a nice history together. During the last year I became more and more a writer who loved fine-nibs (like my old Sonnet’s and Vector’s). I asked the nice lady again at the stationary shop if I could change my nib for a fine-nib. “Yes” she said with a smile “sure that’s possible” and again without blushing she mentioned “that would cost you € 160,=”. Aaaaaarrrrrgh #@###%%! I almost could have bought an entire new Parker Duofold for all the money I spend on it. Well I did not bought a new ‘fine’-nib. But bought several other new fountainpens with fine points. And when I am at home my Parker Duofold just lies in his nice box looking at me as if he is saying “why don’t you buy me a new fine-nib, so we could spent some more time together”.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2576/3717296932_1ecb3a9144.jpg

So after what we have gone trough I don’t think we ever can be separated. I will not sell that pen even if it was the last thing I own (figuratively speaking). So what could I say when I write this review about my Parker…….

 

History

I found that the history of this pen goes back to 1921 when the pen was released at a price of $ 7,=. For that time it was a huge amount of money for a pen. The pen was made of red rubber and became even with the high price a huge success.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2572/3717235772_c36a6bf821_o.jpg

 

Writing

The checkered collection nowadays looks great , feels great, and is not to shiny to write with. It is classy but not to classy. The ink comes in cartridges, or you can use it with a converter. The nib is 18K gold and writes wet if you have the medium nib.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3626/3716664553_64c1c34cbc.jpg

The text in the picture above says (if you can't read it):

Tuesday, july 14th, 2009

 

For my written piece in this pen-review I filled my Parker Duofold (medium-nib) with Quinck Blue Black. The paper is my dearly beloved Moleskine.

 

The pen is writing very smooth, with a great flow on this paper. Although their is slightly bleedtrough on this paper.

 

This pen is my partner!

 

Woodworker

Facts

lenght: 136mm (5,35") - with cap over the nib-side (I think you call it capped??)

lenght: 128mm (5,00") - without cap and ready to write

niblength: 23mm (0,91")

barrel: 12mm (0,47")

price: about $ 415,= to $ 445,= (€ 300,= to € 320,=)

 

Pro

I like the fact that it is a classy pen, but not a big show-off.

The pen writes great, never hesitates but always writes.

The size of the pen is great for my woodworking hands...... (haha some of my friends will laugh when they read this)

 

Con's

If I have to mention a minor, it would be the material should have been dogproof, but that's not a fair one ;-)

I also don't like the medium-nib. It is to broad for me. But that is also not fair, because maybe you like something broader to write with.

 

Conclusion

I like the pen. And I think if I saved more money the nib will be changed for a fine one. We have a history together. Anyone who likes the checkered style and wants to have a friend, just buy it! He (hmmm or she) will never let you down.

 

I hope you liked it, and I love feedback ;-)

 

lovely review mate. after reading this, im going to my local penshop.

 

tak care

[andyk]

Hi,

 

Nice review, keep an eye on ebay as there is a seller that sells Parker Nibs, I bought a new F & EF for my Duofolds for £32 plus postage (a lot less than I had bid and was surprised nobody drove the price up, but sometimes you do get lucky on ebay). You could probably pick up a whole new pen for the sort of money they are asking for parts.

 

This is the number of one of her auctions, so you can keep an eye on possible sales.

 

230366231357

 

Andy

 

 

[LOCHi]

Very nice this Checkered Amber model, it looks very nice in pictures. Thanks for great review .. have please someone, who write with left hand , this great pen with Fine nib?

[daclark52]

Very nice review, well done. I used fountain pens as a child and then moved on. I bought my first new upscale pen when Parker re-introduced the Duofold in the mid 80's. i received an offer from American Express and ordered the matching set, fountain and ball point (the original push style not the twist from later) in a green (American Express colors) swirl. They even came with my initials on the top instead of the Duofold name. Still have them and use the fountain almost daily. Traded the nib when I bought it for a "Needle" directly from Parker and it has been great.

 

Since then I bought the first edition of the Duofold Orange which I believe was to celebrate the 100th year of Parker. I have three of these beautiful pens and they are the only pens that I own that I have bought multiples of exactly the same pen, style color and nib.

 

Sad that Parker is no longer the company that it once was. So many great pens, memories and famous clients for this wonderful company.

[LeverFill]

Nice review - I have one in Citrine on order. I tried a fine nib on another Duofold but found it too scratchy for me. I have a pinstripe in a fine point and it didn't write quite write, er, right, until a nibmeister adjusted the ink flow and smoothed it. Duofolds are solid pens!