Italix 'parsons' Essential' Fountain Pen.

[Harlequin]

We were thrilled to have been sent a wonderful review featured on YouTube by Stephen Brown. Thank you Stephen and heres a link:

http://www.youtube.c...=1&feature=plcp Regards Peter Ford at MrPen.

 

I saw this and it was the review that made me decide that I wanted a Parson's Essential. What with just starting out in the FP universe though, I can't get one yet b/c it' still a little bit out of my range. I think I'm stuck with my Sheaffer Nononsense for a while. Since I live in the States, the cost is just prohibitive for me to order one, especially having to add in then the shipping as well (btw, what IS VAT exactly?). I have no doubt the pen is worth every dollar though, I haven't heard anything (heard, read, lol) but wonderful things. Maybe I can "finagle" it as a gift from someone in the coming year... I had also noticed though that it doesn't get much word of mouth, so I'm glad to see it being talked up here!

[UK Mike]

I am the newly proud owner of an Amber Parsons Essential.

 

What is remarkable is that I ordered the pen one afternoon at about 2.30pm and it arrived by the following mornings post. You can't get better service than that.

 

The pen itself writes every bit as well as anticipated. Nice and wet using the converter and Diamine Onyx Black ink with silky smoothness and it leaves a superb line on the paper. (I use a standard medium nib)

 

There are no shortcuts in the pen and it would be hard to criticise at any price - for the actual list price it is therefore beyond reproach. Mr Ford's prompt service makes the purchase doubly pleasurable. I hope to get one or two more with alternative nibs so I'm hoping that stock levels will keep up with demand. It is definitely a keeper.

[Ernst Bitterman]

Please excuse me for piling onto an old thread, but.....

Parsons Essential: "made in the Far East & finished in England"

 

Where in the Far East?

 

For me, the place of manufacture of pens (in fact anything) is important.

I love Japanese pens,...but not all things manufactured elsewhere in the "East".

Before I try to get one, please let me know.

 

Thanks; Istvan

 

I can somewhat understand the desire to know; one would be upset to discover it comes from a political labour camp in Burma, for example. However, I don't think we're apt to get a direct answer, since it would be somewhat giving away a supplier and I wouldn't wish that on Italix. The fit and finish of mine is such that one doesn't get a sense of grim labour practices attached to it, nor of corners cut in the name of profit. Comparing it to pens of known nationality, I would think China or Taiwan before I thought India, and Japan isn't entirely out of the question (although extremely low probablility), but wherever it's from, it's jolly good stuff.

Edited December 18, 2012 by Ernst Bitterman

[m0rr1s]

This pen is now on my list of pens to get soon. when does the next pay packet arrive?

[Harlequin]

I just checked the MrPen website and am contemplating ordering an amber Parson's Essential. But I noticed there isn't an option for a fine, regular nib. I see the fine CI stub, that's probably the closest option. Does anyone know if other nibs fit in the Parson's Essential? Is that even a common thing among FPs? I know a big allure of the Parson's is the butter smooth writing, but just in case, has anyone had any luck finding a regular fine nib (that wasn't custom ground by a nibmeister) for use in one?

[mrul]

I have this pen (Medium non italic nib) and I have to say that my pen :

• 
   
  
• is good writer (better on cheap paper)
  
• is well balanced
  
• dislike Diamine Royal Blue ink (but loves Diamine Asa Blue or Diamine WES Kensington Blue)
  
• has clip which is very, very tight
  
• I can recommend it as daily worker
   
  

 

Michal

Edited January 13, 2013 by mrul

[adamedwards]

I stumbled across this pen when browsing FPN reviews and decided to order it. I have just taken delivery of it and I think this is a superb pen. I love the way it looks and feels. I have just noticed Michal's comment above (after I had filled mine with Diamine Royal Blue!) but so far it is working well. I shall certainly be getting another one, perhaps with an italic nib

[Polanova]

Hello!

 

Does anyone here has any experiences with the Fine Italic & Fine Cursive Stub Nibs for the Italix Parson`s?

Based on what I`ve read so far, the Medium Non Italic seems to be quite fine...

[sunballer]

Hello!

 

Does anyone here has any experiences with the Fine Italic & Fine Cursive Stub Nibs for the Italix Parson`s?

Based on what I`ve read so far, the Medium Non Italic seems to be quite fine...

 

I just ordered a parons essential with a fine cursive stub nib as a gift for someone a few days ago. I can't give the gift for about another month, but when he tests it out I'll let you know what it's like!

[papabear16]

I would love to see some good writing samples of the various stub sizes. I'm thinking of asking for one of these for Father's Day, but am not sure which nib I'd prefer. I'd probably choose to use this for my journal, and may later get a Churchman's Prescriptor with a larger nib.

[Harlequin]

One thing that does seem to pop up repeatedly is that the nibs tend to write on the larger side of their size designation- so a medium is a wide medium, a broad is a wide broad, etc. I don't know if the CI/stub nibs or straight italics behave the same way, but a good piece of info to have in mind when ordering.

[papabear16]

Yes, it is. Thank you for that. This is all hard for me because I mostly use Lamys at the moment, and they do the same thing. So, for example, there is a huge difference between a Lamy 1.1 italic and a Goulet 1.1 stub. At least it seems that Mr. Pen will swap nibs for 30 days (probably just cost me shipping), so if something proved too bulky, I could go remedy it. I'm mostly looking for it for journal writing, but would enjoy the line variation of a stub, I think.

[Harlequin]

I believe it's been mentioned already, but MrPen does offer a fine CI/stub, so maybe shooting him an email asking what "fine" approximates to would be helpful as well.

[papabear16]

He wrote me today (very prompt!) and suggested that if I thought a Lamy 1.1 was a good size that I should try the medium italic. He also recommended an italic over a stub because the italics are smooth enough for most people. I think that's what I'll do, and switch to a stub or different size if necessary.

 

I also want a Churchman's, but that will be later, and either have a broad italic or stub on it.

[Harlequin]

Yeah, MrPen offers a 30 day warranty/switch period for your nib, so if you find that the crisp italic is too sharp, then you could very easily switch to a stub.

[Axial]

Does anyone here has any experiences with the Fine Italic & Fine Cursive Stub Nibs for the Italix Parson`s?

Based on what I`ve read so far, the Medium Non Italic seems to be quite fine...

 

I have Fine Italic - while it writes very nicely and smoothly, the line variation you get is disappointing i.e. barely visible. The problem is the thin stroke direction which is not as thin as it should be for a true fine.

 

I have an older Italix original with fine italic nib - the nib + section on that pen come from inexpensive Leonardt calligraphy line and as such are not meant to last long. However, the line variation you get with that particular cheap fine italic nib is absolutely superb.

[pjford]

Thought might like to know we have commisioned standard fine and standard broad nibs to the range offered in the Italix range. the nib range will now consist of Standard fine, medium and broad, fine italic, med italic, broad italic, standard obliques both left and right, italic obliques both left and right, cursive stub in fine med and broad. We are also introducing an additional model, the 'Captain's Commission' but more of that later. additional nibs available in about four weeks.

[XiaoMG]

Just got my fine italic amber PE and loaded it with Ancient Copper. I must have been using Japanese pens too long since it's hard to get used to what folks call "fine" in the other hemisphere. Still, it seems to write well and it isn't scratchy or scuffy at all. Never quite noticed what was so hard about using italics like these; I struggle much much more with pointy untipped dip pens than I ever do with italic FP nibs.

 

Kinda wished the pen were a bit lighter, but it's obvious most folks like a hefty pen. Looks good.

[papabear16]

Just got my fine italic amber PE and loaded it with Ancient Copper. I must have been using Japanese pens too long since it's hard to get used to what folks call "fine" in the other hemisphere. Still, it seems to write well and it isn't scratchy or scuffy at all. Never quite noticed what was so hard about using italics like these; I struggle much much more with pointy untipped dip pens than I ever do with italic FP nibs.

 

Kinda wished the pen were a bit lighter, but it's obvious most folks like a hefty pen. Looks good.

 

I'd love to see a writing sample of the fine italic.

[Harlequin]

Thought might like to know we have commisioned standard fine and standard broad nibs to the range offered in the Italix range. the nib range will now consist of Standard fine, medium and broad, fine italic, med italic, broad italic, standard obliques both left and right, italic obliques both left and right, cursive stub in fine med and broad. We are also introducing an additional model, the 'Captain's Commission' but more of that later. additional nibs available in about four weeks.

That is GREAT news! Can't wait to find out more about the Captain's Commission!