Parker 51 Comeback 2020?

[Estycollector]

When I moved, everything was carefully packed in the POD and shipped to the new town. After unpacking six weeks later, the 1942 Parker 51 wrote as if I had been using it everyday. 

[inkstainedruth]

1 hour ago, Checklist said:

Parker missed an opportunity here.  It would have been great to see a piston-fill 51 with a nib designed around the hood; I would certainly be interested in that.  (Imagine, new 51 vs. Lamy 2000 street fights on this site.  Well worth the price of admission).  

If they had done that (make a "51" piston filler) I would be banging on their door going "TAKE MY MONEY!" 

As it is, not so much....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[inkstainedruth]

1 hour ago, Hanamizu said:

On the other hand, maybe Parker is aiming for customers who have heard great things about the original, but have never actually seen or used one and have no idea how to acquire one. 

I never had problems "acquiring" a 51....  

The first few were from eBay (thanks to coaching from FPN's OcalaFlGuy, who scoped out various ones and told me what he thought they should go for, and also gave me a heads up on the right questions to ask sellers).  I've also bought some at pen shows (hopefully there will be some in 2021) and found some in the wild at antiques stores (including the two sumgai's with the wrong caps on them and prices to match ) and estate sales.  And last year, right before the lockdown, my husband and I went to an antiques show, and he picked up a couple (plus some Waterman pen) for $4 US each (what he's done with the pens since then, I haven't a clue, but I remember one being a Demi in either Teal or Midnight Blue and want to do a side by side so I can figure out what he got -- and of course sit on him about getting them flushed out and working).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[FarmBoy]

13 hours ago, Estycollector said:

This thread has changed directions several times. From my perspective,  this pen was released because new there is a demand from consumers that want the look, but do not want to be bothered by bottled ink. 

 

Anyone wanting a well made Parker 51 type original fill system would be encouraged to consider the Wing Sung 601 in plastic or metal versions for $20. 

Why not buy one of the Wing Sung 601 copies?  They typically say Parker on the. 
 

This thread is still a great read. 

[FarmBoy]

13 hours ago, Estycollector said:

This thread has changed directions several times. From my perspective,  this pen was released because new there is a demand from consumers that want the look, but do not want to be bothered by bottled ink. 

 

Anyone wanting a well made Parker 51 type original fill system would be encouraged to consider the Wing Sung 601 in plastic or metal versions for $20. 

Why not buy one of the Wing Sung 601 copies?  They typically say Parker on the. 
 

This thread is still a great read. 

[Estycollector]

1 hour ago, FarmBoy said:

Why not buy one of the Wing Sung 601 copies?  They typically say Parker on the. 
 

This thread is still a great read. 

I've bought four of them and kept the flighter. They do not have Parker imprinted. 

[ajcoleman]

So I pre-ordered one of the "next generation" Parker 51's -- midnight blue with a fine steel nib. I have a few real 51's, a couple of which I consider favorites. When I heard they were coming out with a new one,  I promised myself one if they were reasonably priced, and at $80, it didn't seem too bad. I realize it won't be the same as the original, but it is still a nice looking pen. As long as it writes reasonably well and doesn't feel too cheap, I think I will be happy with it.  I also feel I should support them. Why after all would they bother to introduce a new fountain pen, styled like a 51, and call it a 51, if not to appeal directly to pen geeks like us who at least know what a Parker 51 is? I figure I owe them at least giving it a try, if only for all those times I said to myself, "if only they made pens today like they used to..." 🙂 

[FarmBoy]

1 hour ago, Estycollector said:

I've bought four of them and kept the flighter. They do not have Parker imprinted. 

Clearly not a copy of a Wing Sung then. . 

[peroride]

1 hour ago, ajcoleman said:

So I pre-ordered one of the "next generation" Parker 51's -- midnight blue with a fine steel nib

Thank you for taking one for the team so to speak 🥳 I hope you can share your impressions for good or ill.

I'm on the fence as I just pre-ordered the vintage Lamy Safaris but favorable impressions might tip me over 🤫

My sense is that it will be a decent pen; surely someone in R&D has done homework and played around with the clones!

[corniche]

Hi all,

 

I am also taking one for team in that I pre-purchased a teal/lustlaroy (sp) 51-Phase II with a medium nib.  I almost bought a Plum Deluxe, but I want to see how.the overall quality/writing experience is with these new pens.

 

I have several of the originals - and enjoy them - but I'm not so much of a close-minded bigot... ...to shun and reject the new one, sight unseen. Granted, it would have been nice to keep the original clutch/slip cap, but threaded caps are more maintenance free and give a more air-tight closure. And I love the ease of cleaning with the C/C system, so I have no gripes there, either. 

My primary concerns are overall build quality and the writing experience - if its wet and smooth and not choppy/skippy - I'll wager I'll end up owning one or two of each... just like I did with the Estie. 

 

- Sean 

[Estycollector]

4 hours ago, corniche said:

Hi all,

 

I am also taking one for team in that I pre-purchased a teal/lustlaroy (sp) 51-Phase II with a medium nib.  I almost bought a Plum Deluxe, but I want to see how.the overall quality/writing experience is with these new pens.

 

I have several of the originals - and enjoy them - but I'm not so much of a close-minded bigot... ...to shun and reject the new one, sight unseen. Granted, it would have been nice to keep the original clutch/slip cap, but threaded caps are more maintenance free and give a more air-tight closure. And I love the ease of cleaning with the C/C system, so I have no gripes there, either. 

My primary concerns are overall build quality and the writing experience - if its wet and smooth and not choppy/skippy - I'll wager I'll end up owning one or two of each... just like I did with the Estie. 

 

- Sean 

That's a bit harsh brother man. It is not so much that I am closed minded. I am more frugal than biggoted...LOL. 😎

[corniche]

1 hour ago, Estycollector said:

That's a bit harsh brother man. It is not so much that I am closed minded. I am more frugal than biggoted...LOL. 😎

 

 

Hi Esty,

 

I'm a little frugal myself... or I would have gone straight for one of the gold-capped/nibbed Custom models.

 

But I want to see how well these pens stack up before I pull the golden trigger.

 

- Sean 

[Estycollector]

16 minutes ago, corniche said:

 

 

Hi Esty,

 

I'm a little frugal myself... or I would have gone straight for one of the gold-capped/nibbed Custom models.

 

But I want to see how well these pens stack up before I pull the golden trigger.

 

- Sean 

Actually, I am just happy to hear from you again. Enjoy your new Parker!!!

[Ferocity]

HOLY COW! NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER!?!?! WOW!!!

[Estycollector]

1 minute ago, Ferocity said:

HOLY COW! NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER!?!?! WOW!!!

Yes, if you've got the $ they have the time...oh my!!

[corniche]

2 hours ago, Estycollector said:

Actually, I am just happy to hear from you again. Enjoy your new Parker!!!

 

Hi Esty,

 

Thank you, much... x 2.

 

Actually, I'm looking forward to getting mine... in fact, I got a great deal. I got the fp fp from Pen Chalet and with my 10% coupon and $20 ink drop bonus, i got it for $58. 👍

 

i also picked up the matching ballpoint from Pen Boutique for about the same price using a $5 coupon for being a first time customer. 👍

 

So, I'm looking forward to getting them... I just hope the fp is a decent writer... which is a gamble with modern Parkers,... but I'm hoping.

 

- Sean 

[Estycollector]

1 hour ago, corniche said:

 

Hi Esty,

 

Thank you, much... x 2.

 

Actually, I'm looking forward to getting mine... in fact, I got a great deal. I got the fp fp from Pen Chalet and with my 10% coupon and $20 ink drop bonus, i got it for $58. 👍

 

i also picked up the matching ballpoint from Pen Boutique for about the same price using a $5 coupon for being a first time customer. 👍

 

So, I'm looking forward to getting them... I just hope the fp is a decent writer... which is a gamble with modern Parkers,... but I'm hoping.

 

- Sean 

You "wheeler dealer" you.....lol!! You might as well broke into the factory and stole them...Ha! Again, congratulations and enjoy. 

[TheRedBeard]

16 hours ago, ajcoleman said:

....  I also feel I should support them. Why after all would they bother to introduce a new fountain pen, styled like a 51, and call it a 51, if not to appeal directly to pen geeks like us who at least know what a Parker 51 is? I figure I owe them at least giving it a try, if only for all those times I said to myself, "if only they made pens today like they used to..." 🙂 

Brilliant words! I absolutely agree.

As I already mentioned before on this thread, I'm very sceptical about new 51, but I think every true  Parker fan and long-time user should feel the same as said in the quote.

I will certainly try to but it once it is available.

[inkstainedruth]

23 hours ago, ajcoleman said:

So I pre-ordered one of the "next generation" Parker 51's -- midnight blue with a fine steel nib. I have a few real 51's, a couple of which I consider favorites. When I heard they were coming out with a new one,  I promised myself one if they were reasonably priced, and at $80, it didn't seem too bad. I realize it won't be the same as the original, but it is still a nice looking pen. As long as it writes reasonably well and doesn't feel too cheap, I think I will be happy with it.  I also feel I should support them. Why after all would they bother to introduce a new fountain pen, styled like a 51, and call it a 51, if not to appeal directly to pen geeks like us who at least know what a Parker 51 is? I figure I owe them at least giving it a try, if only for all those times I said to myself, "if only they made pens today like they used to..." 🙂 

Well, let us know when you get it what you think.  But I paid $80 US a few years ago for a REAL Midnight Blue 51, and less than that for the Plum Demi (although I lucked out on that one).  Both of those have medium nibs; most of the rest have fine nibs, except for a smattering of EFs, and the OB nib on the English made Navy Grey Aero (which is also the only one I paid more than $80 for....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[TheRedBeard]

Just an observation: if I'm not wrong, this "new" Parker 51 will be a first significant "new" Parker pen introduced to the market after Sonnet (I do not consider IM and Urban significant, sorry)...

 

It will be also a first significant Parker model made under Newell Rubbermaid  (or "Rubbishmade" depending on your attitude :) ...) ownership and management.

 

So, for me it brings even more excitement to see what we will have ...