French Jotters

[MLKirk]

My company has logo Jotters made up for our sales giveaways. I've seen the evolution of the Jotter over the last 10 years through these "Business To Business" Jotters and I've just received the latest iteration, as I'd hoped. The last lot we received were 4th Quarter 2009 date codes with the script "P" on the button.

 

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j316/mikelkirk99/Jotter/Jotter4Q2009.jpg

 

 

 

Our latest shipment contains Jotters made in France with 4th Quarter 2010 and 2011 date codes, featuring a button completely devoid of any logo or marking at all. In fact, the button is somewhat flattened dome, appearing very plain.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j316/mikelkirk99/Jotter/Jotter4Q2010.jpg

 

Parker is still shipping their Logo Jotters with black ink refills but the France examples are coming with France marked refills rather than the UK refills in the 2009 Jotters. Additionally, the new French refills are "Quinkflow" cartridges; the UK's weren't. I've seen these Quinkflow refills in some stores and they certainly write much smoother than the older UK ink refills. I suspect a possible change in ballpoint ink formulation. I like the results.

 

I've hear (from dealers) rumor of Jotter production going to China but have not substatiated it as yet. I guess it's better than discontinuing the product altogether; which has also been rumored. If sales levels are an indicator of the Jotter's future, Parker needs to do a better job getting the Jotter back into the chains and big-box stores like Wal-Mart, Staples, Offices Max, etc. There will always be a market for throwaways. The Jotter seems to fill a need for a personal pen without spending too much.

 

Mike Kirk

[streeton]

Mike, you didn't comment on the engraving on the french made jotters - absolutely disgraceful. The standard french refills though (not quinkflow) are nice and smooth and to me are on the same level as the better UK refills from the Ecotime jotters from 2009.

[pvector]

French refill has exploded on me, do watch out for this. Story goes, I keep one ss jotter in my pocket, and two spares, one with the old uk refill and one with the french. Overtime laying sideways, the french one exploded. ink gushed out the little slot on the refill.

[ParkerQuink]

The French made Parker pens are all great. The "Premium" versions of all of the pens (Jotter premium, Vector Premium) are all Made in China. According to Parker, all of the less expensive lines of pens such as the Jotter and Vector will only be available in the United States as the premium version, because they are no longer going to import the standard versions...So we in the US will need to pay $20 for a Jotter Premium Made in China...I'm not too fond of the way this is going.

[Batman]

The French made Parker pens are all great. The "Premium" versions of all of the pens (Jotter premium, Vector Premium) are all Made in China. According to Parker, all of the less expensive lines of pens such as the Jotter and Vector will only be available in the United States as the premium version, because they are no longer going to import the standard versions...So we in the US will need to pay $20 for a Jotter Premium Made in China...I'm not too fond of the way this is going.

 

That's somewhat counter-intuitive, why make the premiums in China and the regulars in France?

[Mike 59]

I bought a stainless steel Jotter ballpoint this year in the UK, cost was £9, ($14 ?).

The standard plastic barrel versions are currently £7, and the Premium versions are £14.99 so that's $23.38. (cough)

My SS Jotter is made in France, date code IIIQ, refill made in UK, blue medium.

Seems well made, apart from the joint where the 2 halves meet, I smoothed the rough edge off with fine emery paper (!)

In fact my Frontier Fountain pen had the same problem, but otherwise, good pen, great writer, great value. Discontinued now I believe.

[Florida Blue]

If sales levels are an indicator of the Jotter's future, Parker needs to do a better job getting the Jotter back into the chains and big-box stores like Wal-Mart, Staples, Offices Max, etc.

 

Staples and Office Max both sell the Jotter in stainless steel and colored plastic barrels. Office Max has the Jotter Premium too. I'm not sure about Wal-Mart but at one time they did sell the Jotter.

 

I was at my local Staples last month buying some paper and they had both the Jotter SS and plastic in stock. I bought my French-made Jotter there back in May.

 

I also don't get why Parker makes the Premium version of the Jotter in China but it could be because the IM, Urban and Vector Premium pens are also made there and it is simpler to concentrate production for all the Premium models in one place.

[MLKirk]

Mike, you didn't comment on the engraving on the french made jotters - absolutely disgraceful. The standard french refills though (not quinkflow) are nice and smooth and to me are on the same level as the better UK refills from the Ecotime jotters from 2009.

I didn't comment on the engraving because it's already been posted several times by others. The engraving has degenerated into a poor example and I question the quality of the stainless (Lustralloy) Parker is now using. It's like they've skipped the passivating step (assuming that was done). The substandard engraving adds to the degradation of qualtiy. I have not had the opportunity to test drive the EcoTIme Jotters.

 

 

French refill has exploded on me, do watch out for this. Story goes, I keep one ss jotter in my pocket, and two spares, one with the old uk refill and one with the french. Overtime laying sideways, the french one exploded. ink gushed out the little slot on the refill.

Interesting news. I will be using and watching mine in the next few months. Thanks.

 

 

The French made Parker pens are all great. The "Premium" versions of all of the pens (Jotter premium, Vector Premium) are all Made in China. According to Parker, all of the less expensive lines of pens such as the Jotter and Vector will only be available in the United States as the premium version, because they are no longer going to import the standard versions...So we in the US will need to pay $20 for a Jotter Premium Made in China...I'm not too fond of the way this is going.

This is consistent with what I've heard as well, however, I question where the Business-To-Business logo Jotters will come from.

 

 

The French made Parker pens are all great. The "Premium" versions of all of the pens (Jotter premium, Vector Premium) are all Made in China. According to Parker, all of the less expensive lines of pens such as the Jotter and Vector will only be available in the United States as the premium version, because they are no longer going to import the standard versions...So we in the US will need to pay $20 for a Jotter Premium Made in China...I'm not too fond of the way this is going.

 

That's somewhat counter-intuitive, why make the premiums in China and the regulars in France?

I think the understanding is that French production is shutting down if it hasn't already. That is unconfirmed , by the way.

 

 

If sales levels are an indicator of the Jotter's future, Parker needs to do a better job getting the Jotter back into the chains and big-box stores like Wal-Mart, Staples, Offices Max, etc.

 

Staples and Office Max both sell the Jotter in stainless steel and colored plastic barrels. Office Max has the Jotter Premium too. I'm not sure about Wal-Mart but at one time they did sell the Jotter.

 

I was at my local Staples last month buying some paper and they had both the Jotter SS and plastic in stock. I bought my French-made Jotter there back in May.

 

I also don't get why Parker makes the Premium version of the Jotter in China but it could be because the IM, Urban and Vector Premium pens are also made there and it is simpler to concentrate production for all the Premium models in one place.

I know that the big box office stores are selling the stainless steel Jotters (still) but have not seen the colored barrels in quite some time. I've also not seen any Parker whatsoever in Wal-Marts since they sold two of the four Colour Addicts back in '08 and '09.

 

I did NOT know that the Premium is in Office Max. I will have to check out my local store. Thanks.

[ParkerQuink]

I'm not sure why they would make the Premium in China...A way to make is cost even less to manufacture and be able to charge even more?...Either way, I really hope that Parker doesn't close their France factory!

[79spitfire]

I wasn't happy about the last "no more Jotter" go round! I bought several to keep locked up safe so I could have my favorite BP in the future. I have seen the 'premium' in person and I just looks like the quality of the Jotter from a few years ago. (except no shiny metal point!)

 

I'm still not happy

 

Parker keeps it up I won't have any reason to by a 'newer' Parker product, I'm not into paying the same for less just based on a name that used to be great!

[Batman]

The factory which is waterman's anyways, will for sure continue to make parker pens but will probably move their jotter manufacturing to China later in the future. Does anyone have a jotter premium that they can compare, I would like to know how their engravings are. Do they still have the date codes or does it just have the parker brand on it?

 

Thanks

Brad

[rowdy]

I'm a bit of a Jotter nut myself. Heck I even bought the book:). They have been my favourite ballpoint for the past 40 years.

 

I've had lots of problems with leaking blue refills and usually email Sanford and they send me another one. I think the problem is the vent holes in the side of the refill. According to the Jotter book Parker changed the vent hole from the top as the older refills had a grease plug (follower) to hold the ink in and people kept sticking paperclips in there to check the ink supply, thereby breaking the seal and causing leaks. Don't think the current ventholes really fix anything.

 

Oddly enough I also use the IM roller ball and have been having issues with the Parker rollerball refills leaking. I suppose one should stick to Parker gel refills or fountain pens - LOL.

 

I have many Jotters in all varieties from vintage through to the new made in France ones. The France ones seems kind of cheap (but are still a good pen) and thankfully many of mine are US/Canada or UK manufacture. Apparently the machine that makes the Jotters cranks out 5000 per hour. It has only been in use since 1999, when they had to replace the machine. Developed by a German company/person - Rudi Hutt.

 

Anyhoo in regard to the Premium Jotters I've got all three and they seem to be quite nice. The crosshatch is initially kind of rough and I find on the stainless steel barrel it scracthes way too easily though the quality is good.

 

I figure with the amount of Jotters that have been produced they will always be plentiful in antique shops, thrift shops, etc, and not too pricey.

 

The book is well worth it if you are serious about Jotters. I look at it every day (and I got it in September).

 

Rowdy

[rowdy]

One more thought about Chinese made Parker pens. A few years ago Parker brought out the IM Line and I find the IM ballpoint is a pretty sturdy pen and is made in China. Looks like QC is still good. Oddly enough to refer back to the Jotter book the IM resembles one of the design drawings for the initial Jotter back in the 50's.

 

Rowdy

[uetzi]

The factory which is waterman's anyways, will for sure continue to make parker pens but will probably move their jotter manufacturing to China later in the future. Does anyone have a jotter premium that they can compare, I would like to know how their engravings are. Do they still have the date codes or does it just have the parker brand on it?

 

Thanks

Brad

 

 

The Parker I.M. ballpen (Made in China) is engraved with the Parker brand logo and Parker name and a date code: IQ

I also own a Parker Jotter Premium ballpen with the engraved logo, the Parker name and the date code: N.

 

I think the build quality of both pens is excellent!

[Batman]

The factory which is waterman's anyways, will for sure continue to make parker pens but will probably move their jotter manufacturing to China later in the future. Does anyone have a jotter premium that they can compare, I would like to know how their engravings are. Do they still have the date codes or does it just have the parker brand on it?

 

Thanks

Brad

 

 

The Parker I.M. ballpen (Made in China) is engraved with the Parker brand logo and Parker name and a date code: IQ

I also own a Parker Jotter Premium ballpen with the engraved logo, the Parker name and the date code: N.

 

I think the build quality of both pens is excellent!

 

Thank you, I saw them at my local staples maybe I'll pick one up.

 

Brad