Italix 'parsons' Essential' Fountain Pen.

[papabear16]

I'm having a bad day, and yet in the middle of it, the replacement nib for my Churchman's Prescriptor finally arrived!

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3711/10141602855_12e3fbe7d3_c.jpg

Untitled by papabear163, on Flickr

 

It took very little effort to swap the nib units and get the ink to flow into the new nib. It wrote great almost immediately. As you'll see in the next image, it took a few tries to find the ink I most preferred in this larger nib, but I think I've settled on Diamine Oxblood. Here are some further writing samples:

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3729/10141718713_1191802395_c.jpg

Untitled by papabear163, on Flickr

 

A final note: I couldn't be more pleased with Mr. Ford and his company. The first Churchman's medium stub I received wrote very little, if at all. With very few questions asked, Mr. Ford tested a new unit for me and sent it on its way. It took a bit of time to get here—I'm sure the U.S. government shutdown didn't help matters at the border—but it got here in great shape, and worked right away. I couldn't ask for more. I will definitely be purchasing more pens from Mr. Pen in the future.

[mrchan]

I love this old fashioned video. So many good comments about this pen especially the nib that I am actually looking forward to giving it a go.

[Keyless Works]

I have been using my Parsons for a couple of days now and I am pretty disappointed. I got a 1.3mm broad italic and even after a couple of thorough cleanings the nib skips. I have only been using Diamine Oxblood...maybe a Pilot Iroshizuku ink would work better. The nib also has what I will call "snake tongue" where the beginning and ending parts of a line have a split fork. The nib is smooth but it feels a bit off me, I am sure this is a personal thing but it doesn't have much character...not sure if this is because it doesn't have any tipping material. Also I notice that when I both cap and post the pen I hear a creaking sound.

 

I suppose all the praise I have been about this pen gave me unreasonably high hopes and perhaps if I keep writing with it these issues will improve.

Edited November 3, 2013 by Keyless Works

[cbaytan]

I have been using my Parsons for a couple of days now and I am pretty disappointed. I got a 1.3mm broad italic and even after a couple of thorough cleanings the nib skips. I have only been using Diamine Oxblood...maybe a Pilot Iroshizuku ink would work better.

 

I've got 3 of'them without any issues, I would like to point out a few aspects here,

 

1-Italix has a warranty period and your pen might be faulty, you can send it back for a fix after a chat mrpen's web site. Maybe they'll suggest a few things before sending it back.

2-There is no such a thing like every ink flows well on every pen/feed. So, have you tried adding 1 drop of dishwasher detergent to 3*4 ml of ink to see how it works out for you? Or maybe a good flowing ink like Noodler's Eel series?

3-I had the creaking sound lasted for coupla days intermittently too, it disappeared later, I think it came from tine friction on the tip, feels weird but not an issue.

[Keyless Works]

Thanks for the reply cbaytan.

 

I will try another ink and if that doesn't work I can try adding a tiny bit of dish soap. Good to know that the creaking sound should go away with use.

[cbaytan]

Thanks for the reply cbaytan.

 

I will try another ink and if that doesn't work I can try adding a tiny bit of dish soap. Good to know that the creaking sound should go away with use.

 

You are welcome, for information, I separated almost 20ml of Noodler's Ottoman Rose, in a VAC 700 ink bottle and added only 2 drops of manual dishwasher detergent. Both batches works well but when I want thicker, juicier lines I use the the ink from VAC 700 bottle, flow difference is dramatic. Actually for better and pure chemical properties Kodak's Photo-Flo is recommended for increasing flow, but I couldn't find it yet. Brian Goulet Pen Co. owner I talked to is suspicious about dishwasher detergent effects for very long term durability & color shift issues, but it's just a guess noone knows for sure yet AFAIK.

[Harlequin]

Keyless Works, even though you are trying a different ink, I recommend that you still contact Mr. Pen with your concerns and experience thus far-you may need to contact him (Peter Ford) anyway. Plus, I'm sure he would want to know about it regardless.

[Benpiggy]

Would anybody has any writing sample of Parson's Essential: non-italic broad nib and Crusive broad nib that would be kind enough to share? I just wonder how broad is the standard broad nibs write? I have been looking at the internet, but seems to find only writing samples on italic nibs.

 

many thanks and happy holidays,

 

benpiggy

[Harlequin]

I have heard from many people who have the PE that they tend to write a smidge of the wider side. I don't know if that trend also applies to the italics nibs.

[PhatMan]

Keyless Works,

 

I would agree that you should get in touch with Mr Pen; my Parsons Essentials 1.3 stub writes perfectly with all of my inks ( : Diamine Oxblood is a favourite).

 

Have fun !

 

Best regards

 

Russ

[papabear16]

 

I've got 3 of'them without any issues, I would like to point out a few aspects here,

 

1-Italix has a warranty period and your pen might be faulty, you can send it back for a fix after a chat mrpen's web site. Maybe they'll suggest a few things before sending it back.

2-There is no such a thing like every ink flows well on every pen/feed. So, have you tried adding 1 drop of dishwasher detergent to 3*4 ml of ink to see how it works out for you? Or maybe a good flowing ink like Noodler's Eel series?

3-I had the creaking sound lasted for coupla days intermittently too, it disappeared later, I think it came from tine friction on the tip, feels weird but not an issue.

 

For what it's worth, when I originally had an issue with my Churchman's Prescriptor, Mr. Pen was wonderful to deal with. Peter was very responsive to emails. I think I had a replacement nib on the way less than 24 hours after inking the problem nib for the first time.

[cbaytan]

First bad news from my Italix to me, my favorite ink Sailor Sei Boku Blue Black is not flowing well with my Italix (with medium italic nib) , I've added 2 drops of diswahsher detergent to about 1 oz of ink, flow increased but not good enough as Noodler's inks, beside that ink flow is not consistent, it slows down after 2-3 lines later then I had to wait for the feed gets saturated again (I write real fast), so I had to switch the pen to a good flowing pen a Noodler's un-modded Nib Creaper, but that pen so thin I can hardly hold it, it feels like small Bic RB's, but flow is very good. Sigh, Sei-Boku was a phenomenal ink. I might switch to Blue Heron after I finish Sei-Boku

[alc3261]

I generally find the Parson's to be quite a "wet" pen. I have 6 now in various grinds.

[cbaytan]

I generally find the Parson's to be quite a "wet" pen. I have 6 now in various grinds.

 

They are indeed, thats why I couldn't believe pigmented Sei-Boku ink is problematic in Italix..

[papabear16]

I generally find the Parson's to be quite a "wet" pen. I have 6 now in various grinds.

 

I value writing samples a great deal. Would you mind posting samples from each pen? Perhaps write a line about agile foxes and napping dogs with each pen, all on the same sheet of paper for easy comparison. I know I'd appreciate it a lot.

[85AKbN]

Just got my Italix Parson's Essential today. Inked her up with Noodler's black, and got to writing. The fine nib is very smooth. Write home about it smooth. Compared to a few Lamy 2000, Safari, and Al-Star fines this lays down a finer, narrower line - I like that. Having just returned an expensive German fp that skipped, on the second day of ownership, that was worked on by a nibmeister for flow and smoothness, getting back to a great ootb writing experience restored my faith in this hobby. This pen is a just a joy to write with. The flow is perfect. I can't believe it's 35 g / 1.2 oz. Most of the weight must be in the cap, as unposted it's not an issue at all.

 

Thanks to this thread, sbrebrown's video, and KrazyIvan's review.

[Bemo]

Well you tipped me over and I placed an order. I need to stop hanging out here.

[cbaytan]

Well you tipped me over and I placed an order. I need to stop hanging out here.

 

bad news for ya, I've got 4 after coming here, and I am still here.

[milkb0at]

I bought one this week as well. I chose the black lacquer version with fine nib. I was worried that if the nib is a standard fine that it might not be as well-behaved as Mr Pen's own lovingly-ground custom italic nibs, but it isn't a problem at all. It's almost sacrilege to buy a non-italic Italix pen, but I'm not a huge fan of italics and stubs. The nib is stiff, but very pleasant to write with.

 

It's a very wet nib, but I also inked it with brand new (to me) Diamine Oxblood, so if that's a wet ink then that could add to the flow. It's good fun to have the "firehose" of ink, but it's well-controlled and no problem on Rhodia.

 

The pen is the heaviest I own (my standard pens being Lamy 2000 and Parker 51) but it's well-balanced and great. I don't post my pens, but if I did with the Parson's Essential I think it would be way too top-heavy.

 

The classic cigar shape and gold accents make the pen look great. The clip isn't too stiff at all on mine.

 

For something this good at just £39, it's a bargain that I will actively enjoy using along side my more expensive pens.

[Mags]

Bemo did you get your pen yet?

 

I had bought the trio of Parsons Essentials to try the various nibs for example left and right obliques. I also have the lovely Churchmans Prescriptor. The Parsons Essential is a great pen sold by a company that really tries to offer quality control and service.

 

The wait to ship to Canada and duty was not wonderful.

 

I rotate the pen in amongst Visconti, Mont Blanc, Conway Stewart, Pelikan and it holds its own in my estimation and opinion. It is better value than a TWSBI and is not fragile so take it and use it and enjoy the Parson's Essential.