Parker 51 Comeback 2020?

[Estycollector]

The Wing Sung is a new offering and made as well as any Parker in my collecton or use. 

[jchch1950]

The 2021 Parker 51 with steel nib will have a competitive street price. The only positive advantage over the traditional 51 in my opinion is the possibility to use cartridges.

[OCArt]

From a vendors website new P51:

Jinhao 85:

 

 

[peroride]

1 hour ago, OCArt said:

Jinhao 85

Whoa! or Jinhaoa! 🧐

 

That is a new marketing cycle.

 

Wait, let's say a new pen buyer doesn't know the Parker 51 history, sees the Jinhao 85 available then sees the new Parker 51 later next month at 27 times the price and similar form factor. 

 

Which one is the homage/clone?! 😰

 

All that is left is to test the two and see if the price difference is meaningful.

[OCArt]

I wonder if Parker will use the same (tubular) diameter nib as Jinhao? If so I'd love to get a B or BB nib replacement part.  (As you all probably know, the current Chinese pens use a smaller tube nib than a P51/21.)

[catbert]

9 hours ago, OCArt said:

I wonder if Parker will use the same (tubular) diameter nib as Jinhao? If so I'd love to get a B or BB nib replacement part.  (As you all probably know, the current Chinese pens use a smaller tube nib than a P51/21.)

 

According to the description here: https://appelboom.com/parker-pens/parker-51/:

'The nib is not tube shaped but has a traditional pen blade, of course this nib is completely hidden in the front part of the pen.'

Sounds a bit like the new Aurora Duo-Cart.

[Estycollector]

16 hours ago, peroride said:

Whoa! or Jinhaoa! 🧐

 

That is a new marketing cycle.

 

Wait, let's say a new pen buyer doesn't know the Parker 51 history, sees the Jinhao 85 available then sees the new Parker 51 later next month at 27 times the price and similar form factor. 

 

Which one is the homage/clone?! 😰

 

All that is left is to test the two and see if the price difference is meaningful.

 

I agree and would be surprized to hear if they knew a Wing Sung "flighter" or metal and plastic Wing Sung 601 were also available if they would not be disappointed in their purchase of a pen that cost them $80 USD more. 

[AL01]

 

 Wella...

 

 At least the 51 has plastic threads?

 

 (Is that an advantage?)

[Estycollector]

Well, vinage Jotter Parkers with brass threads are more sought after.....!!

[welch]

Fahrney's catalog lists the 2021 P-51. Two models: a "CT" with steel nib for about $80 and a "Deluxe" with gold nib and gold cap for about $248. Deatils are about what we already know: c/c filling system, for instance. Deluxe has two colors, one of them "plum". CT has the expected blue, black, something else.

 

I had though about getting one, but, since I have about two-dozen "real" Parker 51s and only use one at a time, and only ink up the same two or three, it seems pointless to buy another pen.

[dparker999]

I really like the idea that Parker is doing something creative.   Parker and Waterman are both owned by Newall Brands.   I assume the same pressure is on them to drive profits.   Waterman hasn't done a thing in 10-15 years while Parker is trying and I like the new 51.    Love the colors, the design, and I assume I will like writing with it as I do enjoy most Parkers.   

 

With all that being said, I would probably buy the Aurora Duo first!

[Flounder]

I don't think buying a new production 51 model is necessarily precluded by comparisons with/ having an original (or many originals in my case, I love the vacs and aeros and really enjoy my three WS 601's).

 

I do have mixed feelings about this launch though... It's a pity this looks so much less ambitious than the early Noughties attempt; despite its weaknesses the 2002 SE had such a spectacular cap. In going with that Empire cap, someone obviously put a lot of thought into making a pen folks who appreciated the older 51s would find visually appealing.

 

It *is* a nice surprise that they're making a ballpoint 51 too, but this initial line up is playing it very safe indeed.

 

Would anyone else like to see a few sleek cap patterns - not necessarily in a finish Parker would have to spend much money on. Perhaps steel with a windowpane etch, or even just polished steel/chrome with a chevron band etched at the bottom, in a nod to various vac caps? The recent-ish 'Skyblue' Jotter is a good example of a fresh design affordably realised.

[Jerome Tarshis]

On 1/3/2021 at 7:27 AM, Estycollector said:

 

I agree and would be surprized to hear if they knew a Wing Sung "flighter" or metal and plastic Wing Sung 601 were also available if they would not be disappointed in their purchase of a pen that cost them $80 USD more. 

 

Speaking for myself, comparatively few of the more expensive modern pens people discuss on FPN would be worth the price. But I doubt whether very many purchasers of a Montblanc 149 are disappointed because they didn't buy a Chinese look-alike or a fake and save even more than 80 USD.

[Estycollector]

54 minutes ago, Jerome Tarshis said:

 

Speaking for myself, comparatively few of the more expensive modern pens people discuss on FPN would be worth the price. But I doubt whether very many purchasers of a Montblanc 149 are disappointed because they didn't buy a Chinese look-alike or a fake and save even more than 80 USD.

Having  purchased a MB 149 circa 1993, I can say with confidence they just might.  I bought the MB because it looked great in my suit coat breast pocket. 

 

That said, the Wing Sung 601 has a vintage fill system and not a plastic cartridge. I think Parker could have at least been true to their own design. 

[peroride]

3 hours ago, Jerome Tarshis said:

But I doubt whether very many purchasers of a Montblanc 149 are disappointed because they didn't buy a Chinese look-alike or a fake and save even more than 80 USD.

I think this is a good point. If I had a MB 149 and a Penlux or Jinhao x750, I'd still enjoy the well-built MB even with its precious resin 🤫 and wonder, 'did i really need the copies?'

 

It's hard not to be prejudiced with so many good pen offerings, past and present.

 

If I have a good ol' 51 would I need this? Probably not, unless it was in Plum😄 Now with new technology, they could have made it ombre or multicolored, oh wait, Jinhao already does that. 🤐 

 

I really want Parker to succeed, my Newell Centennial is good quality and as is the Newhaven which i prefer and the Janesville P51s are cherished too. I even think the Parker converter is the right move for maintenance and interchangeability with other Parkers. So it seems like the relaunch is right up my alley... except...I wish Newell consulted/surveyed more folks, seeming a bit short from competing clones.. This looks more like a riding on the brand nostalgia than using new precious resin. Maybe they just need to switch two numbers from 2020 to 2002 and reissue Empire at half price and we'd have a winnah!👋

 

That said, I look forward to the reviews in Feb/March.

[kazoolaw]

On 1/3/2021 at 1:14 PM, AL01 said:

 

 Wella...

 

 At least the 51 has plastic threads?

 

 (Is that an advantage?)

 

Threads?  On a 51?  

 

Not a tubular nib. No Vac or Aero filler.

 

Not a 51.  Rename it.

[AL01]

 

 

 Fine.

 

 Den call it a 'Tweny Whon.

 

 😄

 

 In all seriousness, it looks like the pen will be in stock at some retailers next month.

 

[Beechwood]

I have a bit of a dealer mentality on this one.

 

Spend $200 on this new pen with a Parker badge and it is anyone's guess what it will be worth in 5 years time, probably less than you have paid.

 

The same $200 should buy you a restored Parker 51, in as new condition and probably with an interesting cap. It is my guess that this pen will, at least, have kept pace with inflation and be worth more than you pay in 2021.

 

It will also have been  a much nicer pen to use and own over the five years.

[inkstainedruth]

24 minutes ago, Beechwood said:

The same $200 should buy you a restored Parker 51, in as new condition and probably with an interesting cap. It is my guess that this pen will, at least, have kept pace with inflation and be worth more than you pay in 2021.

I've never paid anything as much as $200 for a vintage 51 -- even after paying for restoration on the 51 Vacs.  Most have been in the $55-$80 range.  Even the Plum Demi.  Additionally, I'm willing to bet that the nibs on the "reissues" will not be as nice.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[usk15]

I would try the ballpoint...