Parker 51 Comeback 2020?

[Glenn-SC]

3 minutes ago, TheRedBeard said:

Personally, I would not complain if Newell made a brilliant high-quality perfectly-designed new pen (not average stuff under nostalgic look with cheap clip and lousy-looking jewel) looking just slightly like genuine original 51 and name it "51" and attached $500 price tag - I would buy it.

With a $500 price point I am confident that the potential market would be less than 10% of the current potential.

But if rare collectables are your thing ....

[TheRedBeard]

6 minutes ago, Glenn-SC said:

With a $500 price point I am confident that the potential market would be less than 10% of the current potential.

But if rare collectables are your thing ....

Glenn, you are absolutely right about potential market share, and this is the answer to anyone's question "Why this new 51 is as it is and not better?"

 

[Estycollector]

3 hours ago, Glenn-SC said:

The amount of drama about "new" versus "genuine" pens and the "glorious" old versus "in name only" new Parker Pen Company is comedic.

Only in yoiur opinion, 

[jann3]

20 hours ago, jchch1950 said:

The Parker 51 is already in the Parker web site.

Thanks for the info. IMO, this significantly increases the credibility of the product. 

[Gary1952]

The much maligned Parker 51 special edition with the empire cap had some issues but it was much closer/faithful to the original 51 than the "new" Parker 51.

 

It is a beautiful looking pen.  I have two of them and they are also excellent writers.

[Man O War]

On 1/31/2021 at 11:32 PM, inkstainedruth said:

The problem isn't that they're "new" pens so much as that they're rehashing the old classic models (possibly not even in a good way at that, since the "new" 51s are apparently just one more c/c pen) and living off their former reputation.  The company isn't even being innovative: it's "Let's make yet another cartridge pen but make it look sort of like like vintage model".  

For new pens?  I don't tend to buy Parker (other than Vectors -- which are cheap fun pens) because the quality isn't there.  OTOH, I've paid MORE than the price of the "new" 51 for Pelikan without blinking an eye because the quality *is* still there.  And just plunked down a good chunk of my second round stimulus checks on a couple of Japanese pens -- the Sailor 1911S Wicked Witch and Loch Ness Monster pens.  And part of the first stimulus check went to a Pilot Falcon with a soft fine nib.  

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

Great minds, Ruth!  I got the "4am" version!

 

Ryan

[ajcoleman]

A follow-up after a few days use.

 

It is a nice pen that I generally like. I have been using it with Waterman Serenity Blue in an old cartridge I refilled. My biggest disappointment with the pen is that the Parker 45 squeeze converters I have DO NOT fit. The section of the pen has a threaded metal joint that the body screws onto. The original 45 squeeze converter with the "shoulder" and Parker logo is too large to fit into this tube, but just barely. The tapered squeeze converter I have is a really snug fit, but I didn't want to force it in far enough for the body to screw all the way down. It is a disappointment, but not a big deal. I have a twist converter I may use, but will probably stick with cartridges for the most part. I detest the slide converters.

 

The blue plastic body is very sharp looking, with a nice glossy finish and no signs that posting will scratch it, at least so far. It is a really sharp looking pen. I have caught myself a few times trying to pull the cap off rather than unscrewing it, but I don't mind the screw cap. I just have to break my habits since I have been using Parker 45s primarily the last several months.

 

I am happy with how the pen writes. It is a nice fine line, a bit drier than some I have, but it has been reliable and consistent. I have no complaints.  It does not have the magic that makes an original 51 so special, but It is a solid writer that is very comfortable to use and looks sharp. I consider it a good pen for the money. I won't be springing for one of the gold nib models, but in fairness, that is more than I have EVER spent on a pen. My pain threshold seems to be about $150. 

 

Adam

[WJM]

On 2/18/2021 at 11:48 AM, Gary1952 said:

The much maligned Parker 51 special edition with the empire cap had some issues but it was much closer/faithful to the original 51 than the "new" Parker 51.

 

It is a beautiful looking pen.  I have two of them and they are also excellent writers.

 

 

I'd agree on that one - 2002 SE Parker 51 was probably a much better remake of the "51". At least it looked way more like the original 51 (double-jeweled one to that). Shame the prices of it are so crazy nowadays, I'd love to have one - real 51 or not, 2002 "51" was just a gorgeous pen. 

 

The problem is, the 2002 "51" was a limited, special edition, aimed at collectors and expensive already at release. The 2021 "51" in standard version is relatively affordable and that's a good thing (whether you get a good value for the money is another thing). Long before this new "51" was even announced I thought that if Parker ever decided to make "51" remake (because why wouldn't they - remaking historical models is a common thing in this business) they would again make it a limited, overpriced special edition. It was a pleasant surprise to see that they didn't do that. 

 

[Glenn-SC]

I have 3 of the 2002 "51" SEs; one black and two blue ones. 
I don't recall spending anywhere near the $350 price for them, even though Parker51.com claims that "authorized dealers were not allowed to discount."

I know that I got the second blue one for less than $150 just because the price was so good.

[corniche]

7 hours ago, ajcoleman said:

A follow-up after a few days use.

 

It is a nice pen that I generally like. I have been using it with Waterman Serenity Blue in an old cartridge I refilled. My biggest disappointment with the pen is that the Parker 45 squeeze converters I have DO NOT fit. The section of the pen has a threaded metal joint that the body screws onto. The original 45 squeeze converter with the "shoulder" and Parker logo is too large to fit into this tube, but just barely. The tapered squeeze converter I have is a really snug fit, but I didn't want to force it in far enough for the body to screw all the way down. It is a disappointment, but not a big deal. I have a twist converter I may use, but will probably stick with cartridges for the most part. I detest the slide converters.

 

The blue plastic body is very sharp looking, with a nice glossy finish and no signs that posting will scratch it, at least so far. It is a really sharp looking pen. I have caught myself a few times trying to pull the cap off rather than unscrewing it, but I don't mind the screw cap. I just have to break my habits since I have been using Parker 45s primarily the last several months.

 

I am happy with how the pen writes. It is a nice fine line, a bit drier than some I have, but it has been reliable and consistent. I have no complaints.  It does not have the magic that makes an original 51 so special, but It is a solid writer that is very comfortable to use and looks sharp. I consider it a good pen for the money. I won't be springing for one of the gold nib models, but in fairness, that is more than I have EVER spent on a pen. My pain threshold seems to be about $150. 

 

Adam

 

Hi Adam,

 

I feel bad for you; I'm not sure what went wrong, but as you can see, I have early 45s, (with the black end finial), and my early 45 Aerometric converters fit just fine in my new 51.

 

 

 

- Sean 

 

[corniche]

1 hour ago, Glenn-SC said:

I have 3 of the 2002 "51" SEs; one black and two blue ones. 
I don't recall spending anywhere near the $350 price for them, even though Parker51.com claims that "authorized dealers were not allowed to discount."

I know that I got the second blue one for less than $150 just because the price was so good.

 

Hi Glenn, everyone, 

 

I've avoided the millennium 51s because I've read the sections are prone to cracking.

 

- Sean 

[Estycollector]

1 hour ago, corniche said:

 

Hi Glenn, everyone, 

 

I've avoided the millennium 51s because I've read the sections are prone to cracking.

 

- Sean 

I got the same advice for the vintage Parker 21. Mine is perfect, but I am not the clumsey sort...LOL!!

[corniche]

55 minutes ago, Estycollector said:

I got the same advice for the vintage Parker 21. Mine is perfect, but I am not the clumsey sort...LOL!!

 

Hi Chuck, 

 

I've also heard theres a difference between the 21 and the 21 Super; with the latter being far less prone to cracking.

 

Wat r u going 2 do thez daze?? 

 

- Sean 

[Heinkle]

Now on Amazon

 

Parker 51 Fountain Pen | Burgundy Barrel with Chrome Trim | Medium Nib with Black Ink Cartridge | Gift Box https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08LDLRGZ8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_VGJNR2G5FWVMD6V93RZV

[corniche]

32 minutes ago, Heinkle said:

Now on Amazon

 

Parker 51 Fountain Pen | Burgundy Barrel with Chrome Trim | Medium Nib with Black Ink Cartridge | Gift Box https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08LDLRGZ8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_VGJNR2G5FWVMD6V93RZV

 

And here, only 30 minutes later and it's already sold out.

 

- Sean 

 

[ele]

We have an explanation for the threaded cap on Parker's website: "A screw fitted cap and durable shell connector replaces (sic) the original clutch mechanism, ensuring a reliable capping and tighter seal around the nib." 

 

 

[ajcoleman]

7 hours ago, corniche said:

 

Hi Adam,

 

I feel bad for you; I'm not sure what went wrong, but as you can see, I have early 45s, (with the black end finial), and my early 45 Aerometric converters fit just fine in my new 51.

 

 

 

- Sean 

 

No worries!  I am not sure what the difference is either.  The converters were really close to fitting, so it wouldn't take much difference in either the new pen or perhaps more likely the old converter for it not to work. I should try some others when I get the chance. 

 

Thanks!  

Adam

[Mr.Rene]

The new Parker 51's nib point looks like a Parker Vector point with a hood...😆 🤣

[corniche]

4 hours ago, Mr.Rene said:

The new Parker 51's nib point looks like a Parker Vector point with a hood...😆 🤣

 

Hi Mr.Rene, Everyone, 

 

Somewhere in this sub forum, I provided writing samples using the same ink and all medium nibs; using a random Vector, Jotter and the new 51.

 

I said in that post, that I believe all 3 pens share the same nib and feed; but the writing samples showed that the NG51s nib was the wettest (and smoothest) of the lot. 

 

Pens can share the same nib and feed and still be different- Lamy is proof of that. The Studio uses the same Safari feed/nib, but Studios tend to be smoother because they're tuned by hand instead of a machine, (like the Safari) - I think the same is true of the NG51.

 

That said, I think the street price of $87 for the NG51 is too high, but if you can get one for $60-75; I don't think you would have made a bad deal - I've had pens (from Visconti, Conklin, Kaweco & others) that cost more and performed much worse - actually, mine isn't a bad writer, at all. (I have not seen or used a Deluxe yet).

 

Now, a legit question might be, "why not just get a Jotter for $15/20, (since Vectors look and feel cheap)?" I'd say, well, you could; while the NG51 was smoother and wetter than the 3 Jotters I had inked up, I'm not sure if the better writing experience was worth $60 more; at least to people on a tight budget, who can get a smooth writing experience from a FC Loom (& others) for under $40.

 

But, the Jotters do dry out quickly if you're not using them; with the hooded nib, I was able to let the NG51 sit open for 15/20 minutes and start writing again - that's good for meetings, lectures, etc.

 

Like I said, I don't think it's a bad pen at all, if you can get a deal on it. I think its biggest problem is the (well merited) huge shadow the original has cast over it.  I think Parker would have been a lot better off if they had introduced this pen as a 48 instead of a 51.

 

 

- Sean  

[corniche]

4 hours ago, ajcoleman said:

No worries!  I am not sure what the difference is either.  The converters were really close to fitting, so it wouldn't take much difference in either the new pen or perhaps more likely the old converter for it not to work. I should try some others when I get the chance. 

 

Thanks!  

Adam

 

No problem, Adam; just remember Parker does use a proprietary fitting - so only Parker or Aurora converters will fit. (I tried one of those Chinese slide converters, [the Parker knockoffs], and they don't fly).

 

- Sean