Modern Parker Jotters - Not So Good?

[Jdm dc2]

Hi all,

 

My current 'thing' is the Parker jotter. Just a classic in looks and built so well.

 

I say well, my collection has a few of these, a brass threaded USA made one and a few marked England and UK.

 

Recently I acquired a 'premium' jotter and it's terrible. When I go to do a full stop, the cartridge rattles against the pen. It drives me crazy.

 

This doesn't say where the pen is made, it's just inscribed IQ.

 

Is this the norm for these newer/modern jotters?

 

I'm a little disappointed!

[Florida Blue]

The Premium Jotters are made in China, which is why I suppose there is no country of origin mark.

 

The IQ is the date code for the 4th quarter of 2010.

 

I've never tried one of the Premium Jotters, but I do have a 2011 stainless steel Jotter that was made in France and I don't have that rattling issue. It could just be the Premium Jotter. Maybe if you try a different refill in it the rattling will stop. Several companies make refills that will fit the Jotter.

Edited February 3, 2014 by Florida Blue

[Jdm dc2]

Thanks for your post.

 

I didn't know that this one was made china. It doesn't say anywhere on the packaging. The cartridge even says 'UK'.

 

I have tried a Parker Quinkflow and a generic one that I picked up from WH smith and it still rattled.

 

I wonder if it's the pen that is not too great or if Chinese jotters are all like this?

[JotterAddict62]

Just stick with the Jotters that have the brass threads, they hold up better and a better quality of ballpoint.

[Mike 59]

Hi, The rattling refill problem was 'fixed' by another writer last year on this board.

I cannot remember who it was now, but I do know they said just to wrap a couple of turns of Sellotape around the refill, and the rattling is cured.

The tape only needs to be roughly around the wide centre part of the refill, or just lower, before the taper starts.

[benay148]

came here just to say that all it takes is a little tape, nice and easy fix and you'll have a great pen!

I love my jotter and its brand new, its made in france, It's a great quick little ballpoint

[Jdm dc2]

Thank you guys. I shall give this a go!

[whitedot]

They don't have the same weight, balance and feel of older Jotters. That's for sure.

[perth]

I've got a UK Stsinless Steel Jotter and it's quite reliable, but just feels like writing with a rusty nail.

[MisterP]

Over the years, alot of quality has been engineered out of the jotter in order to reduce costs. Parker are a commercial entity like all others so it is not unreasonable, but the result is that modern jotters are lighter, and made from cheaper materials and components than their predecessors.

[Vendome]

Not tried one of the Premium Jotters, (only have a Premium Vector), but I've have several of the standard Jotters over 30 years and never had a duff one. I do prefer a flighter to the ones with a plastic barrel though.

[Jdm dc2]

Sadly I tried the tape trick. A thin slither of tape was used. The result was the tip wouldn't come out easily when pressed.

 

Shame but I think the old jotters are the best. I have a few more coming

[jacquesdubois]

I have a TON of Jotters. What got me into buying Parkers in the first place, along with Vectors! The most recent ones I have are the French made ones and they still work pretty well, but they aren't as well–made as the brass ringed ones.

 

What about those Jotter fountain pens? Worth it?

 

Is there a difference between the Premium and new "regular" Jotter?

[J English Smith]

Of course the older Jotters are great. The recent-production UK ones are also very nice. I bought several around the time of the 50th anniversary. First off, the metal-finished 50th anniversary ones are WONDERFUL if you can score one at a good price. Their other mid-00s production was good, solid, nice colors, good threads. I bet the most recent ones are of lesser quality. There are so many older ones on the 'bay and elsewhere, my advice would be to go for older ones. I even bought a 10-load of late 70s ones that are perfectly good and these were very cheap.

[Captivelight]

Jotter Fountain Pens ... again, same story, go for an older Parker 15 GT and ignore the newer versions where possible. The older GT's with the metal metal or lacque bodies are surprisingly pleasant though a little small. The newest ones are poor in comparison.

 

http://pencollect.co.uk/parker15.htm

Edited February 15, 2014 by Captivelight

[pvector]

just lost the bid on brass threads jotter on the 'bay

[Captivelight]

Plenty more fish (and Jotters!) in the sea ...

[pvector]

yeah it was a set, but id have to say 70s jotters i believe