Parker 51 Comeback 2020?

[Ferocity]

Sweeeeeeeeet~!

THIS thing is nice!

I'm so happy this thing came with a converter! Good thing I did an unboxing video too because the converter's lip is a little unusual looking to say the least. I hope it doesn't leak ink out of its converter or I'm going to have some choice words hahahaha

 

this is my plan:

 

1.) Dip test it before anything

2.) enjoy writing a little bit

3.) flush it out with water and clean it as much as possible

4.) put in some Montblanc royal blue into its unique little converter

5.) enjoyyyyyy it for liiiiiiiiiiiiiife

 

updates and unboxing video to come 👍

[JCC123]

Are you sure that's not damaged? I've never seen a converter like that...

[corniche]

  On 3/19/2021 at 2:37 AM, JCC123 said:

Are you sure that's not damaged? I've never seen a converter like that...

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Yeah, it looks like the flange has a piece broken out; it may not be so severe as to affect its performance, though. 

 

- Sean 

[corniche]

  On 3/19/2021 at 12:21 AM, Ferocity said:

Sweeeeeeeeet~!

THIS thing is nice!

I'm so happy this thing came with a converter! Good thing I did an unboxing video too because the converter's lip is a little unusual looking to say the least. I hope it doesn't leak ink out of its converter or I'm going to have some choice words hahahaha

 

this is my plan:

 

1.) Dip test it before anything

2.) enjoy writing a little bit

3.) flush it out with water and clean it as much as possible

4.) put in some Montblanc royal blue into its unique little converter

5.) enjoyyyyyy it for liiiiiiiiiiiiiife

 

updates and unboxing video to come 👍

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That's great, Ferocity. 👍

 

What nib did you order? (If you opted for Medium - is it a stub?).

 

- Sean 

[Ferocity]

Hi Sean I got the medium. I wish it was a stub! So happy it came with a converter too PLUS two disposable cartridges (one blue & one black). The folks over at Parker actually did go all out! Thank you for your kind words. I hope you're enjoying yours as much as possible!

 

  On 3/19/2021 at 2:37 AM, JCC123 said:

Are you sure that's not damaged? I've never seen a converter like that...

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I'm not the most brilliant human on Earth, but in my opinion it's definitely not supposed to be like that hahaha. I think the sunk in part is a tiny bit of an imperfection, but it looks like it didn't go down enough to compromise the seal. Haven't tested it yet. I'll find out after I put some ink into it. I think it was just manufactured that way on accident; like a beauty mark or something  Compared to it being damaged or "broken," it looks nice, unsymmetrical and somewhat smooth 👍

👍

 

[corniche]

  On 3/19/2021 at 4:08 AM, Ferocity said:

Hi Sean I got the medium. I wish it was a stub! So happy it came with a converter too PLUS two disposable cartridges (one blue & one black). The folks over at Parker actually did go all out! Thank you for your kind words. I hope you're enjoying yours as much as possible!

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Hi Ferocity, 

 

I'm glad to hear you're so happy with yours. 👍

 

Yes, I'm enjoying all of my NG51s. Surprisingly, even the Deluxe model, which I initially perceived to be way overpriced, is a nice pen in it's own right and not a bad deal when compared to other modern offerings fitted with GOLD nibs. 

 

That said, though; if you're shelling out $180 and up, one has to ask, why not an excellent specimen of the original for the same money?

 

Its 2 am here, so I don't want to bother now, but later on today I'll post more pics of the writing style of mine; along with the best pics I can get of the nib.

 

I'm sure my plum NG51 Medium is a stub and I can only assume I hit the NG51 lottery and got one of a handful of experimental stub nibs.  I've got an email off to Parker, but it's too soon to expect a response. 

 

Enjoy yours - I'm really glad you are. 🥳

 

 

- Sean 

 

[Ferocity]

oh my 

I've got to see that nib ~!

not that I doubt you or anything brother Sean but you know technically those don't exist so it's like a unicorn and I want to see it hahahahh

What amazing luck you have! I've attached some photos of my plum 51's nib. anything is possible but I don't think mine is a stub version...though I wish it was. 

 

A vintage Parker 51 is the way to go (for me). At least R.M. Parker went all out by including a converter this time. Since they included a converter, they're not disqualified. So if it's compelling enough I might just consider buying a new pen directly from one of Parker's official distributors like Pen Chalet (in the very distant Future) 🤷🏻‍♂️

[corniche]

I hope these are clear enough; it's the best I could get out of my phone:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Its subtle, but you can see how the tip on the plum one is squarish in the top view and the tipping on the blue one is definitely a round blob in the side view.  And the writing  samples also show a distinct difference. 

 

 

- Sean 

[es9]

That converter definitely looks off.  IIRC Parker's cartridge fit was universal, so the connector part on one should look identical to another (except for the VP, of course).  I have not seen anything like what you have.  For the money you spent, you should get a correctly manufactured part.  I'd contact the retailer and/or Parker.  I also personally think it's important for companies to know when their QC misses something, and they can't know unless someone says something.  

[TheRedBeard]

Looking at the "new" P51 Deluxe  I have realised that I like its gold-plated decorative "clutch" ring... and then tried to remember if any of the original P51s with RG caps have (had) a gold-plated clutch rings at all?

Personally I have never seen gold-plated clutch rings on original P51s...

Did/do they exist?

[ele]

  On 3/19/2021 at 8:20 PM, TheRedBeard said:

Looking at the "new" P51 Deluxe  I have realised that I like its gold-plated decorative "clutch" ring... and then tried to remember if any of the original P51s with RG caps have (had) a gold-plated clutch rings at all?

Personally I have never seen gold-plated clutch rings on original P51s...

Did/do they exist?

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They do, sorta. Just the recessed inner part of the ring was plated though, not the two outer ridges which actually engage.

[TheRedBeard]

  On 3/19/2021 at 8:30 PM, ele said:

They do, sorta. Just the recessed inner part of the ring was plated though, not the two outer ridges which actually engage.

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Thanks, I see... interesting...

What sub-models are those: year, country, etc?

[Ferocity]

  On 3/19/2021 at 8:30 PM, ele said:

They do, sorta. Just the recessed inner part of the ring was plated though, not the two outer ridges which actually engage.

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Right; I've never seen a full on gold one before. 

 

 

  On 3/19/2021 at 8:41 PM, TheRedBeard said:

Thanks, I see... interesting...

What sub-models are those: year, country, etc?

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Mine is a third quarter 1946 Parker 51 made in U.S.A.
Sub-model... I don't know = ) 
 

 

 

 

  On 3/19/2021 at 12:21 PM, corniche said:

I hope these are clear enough; it's the best I could get out of my phone: Its subtle, but you can see how the tip on the plum one is squarish in the top view and the tipping on the blue one is definitely a round blob in the side view.  And the writing  samples also show a distinct difference. 

 

 

- Sean 

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Hi Sean,

 

Oh man I can't wait to write with mine! After I finish filming the "close up," video (like the parker 105 one) I am going to definitely hurry up and dip it in ink!!! Where the nib makes contact with the paper, mine has a nice flat spot too. I am looking at it in real life right now and it is not round; IT IS SUPER FLAT. You can see it in one of my photos too that the shiny part on the bottom is flat. I genuinely don't know if this makes it an actual "stub," since the very distal part of the tip is rounded off though brother. Yours clearly writes like a stub. Since the nib is flat right there... does that mean this is technically a stub nib too? 
I genuinely do not know.  

 

~ This guy = ) 

 

 

  On 3/19/2021 at 1:22 PM, es9 said:

 they can't know unless someone says something.  

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I know brother. I just don't want some sweet kind soul apologizing to me over the phone you know? I can pretty much put money on how it's going to go down: some hard-working person who works as a representative for parker or pen-chalet is going to go and pick up the phone on the other end and after I explain what's up he/she is going to apologize for something they didn't do... like as if they personally did something to my converter or something. It's awful; and at the end of the day I don't think anyone in power to do something about this really truly cares. I now that the people who buy parker products DO care, and so I need to be honest and not care about scaring anyone off... because if I do then I'm being deceiptful to them. and I might sugar coat it here and there BUT i AM VERY clear and I do not mislead and I am honest. This is what happened, but don't hate Parker or pen-chalet for it, because I don't think they did this on purpose.  
Either way if anyone in power cared, they would make an account here at the fountain pen network and they would reach out to us with some suggestions as to how they're planning on making sure this doesn't happen to any other little Joe somewhere else. Luckily I filmed it. 
I don't think the rules allow me to post a link to my videos... I will post it here if it's okay
Tomorrow I'll post the "part 1 video," where you can actually see the converter as it came, but today I am posting the second part of the unboxing video WHICH Does include a few scenes featuring the actual converter it came with = )  

You can find it on youtube.
My account name is "true real," and the video title is " Unboxing New 2020 Parker 51 Deluxe Plum Edition Medium 14k Gold Nib 2021 Next Generation Reissue Pen ." 

 

 

Again: I will post a link directly to both of my videos that exclusively feature the parker 51 deluxe fountain pen, if it's within the rules = ) 

 

[corniche]

  On 3/19/2021 at 9:40 PM, Ferocity said:

Hi Sean,

 

Oh man I can't wait to write with mine! After I finish filming the "close up," video (like the parker 105 one) I am going to definitely hurry up and dip it in ink!!! Where the nib makes contact with the paper, mine has a nice flat spot too. I am looking at it in real life right now and it is not round; IT IS SUPER FLAT. You can see it in one of my photos too that the shiny part on the bottom is flat. I genuinely don't know if this makes it an actual "stub," since the very distal part of the tip is rounded off though brother. Yours clearly writes like a stub. Since the nib is flat right there... does that mean this is technically a stub nib too? 
I genuinely do not know.  

 

~ This guy = ) 

 

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Hi Tony,

 

I cant wait to see your writing samples, too. I know my feed is stamped with an "M," but it CLEARLY writes like a stub.  That's why I wondered if mine had been an experimental or pre-production type of deal. Maybe what they're doing is giving the Mediums a "stubbish" grind. 

 

- Sean 

[corniche]

Hi all,

 

If I'm not mistaken, the Custom models, (the ones with the gold filled caps); came with the gold trimmed clutch rings. 

 

The problem is, after so many years, and so many pens being altered by repairers and restorers; some pens, caps and clutch rings got intermixed.   So, you have people with gold clutch rings and Lustraloy caps, etc. 

 

But originally, I think the gold trimmed clutch rings were only found on the Customs. 

 

My second theory is it's a feature that was only on the earlier models.

 

- Sean 

[ele]

  On 3/19/2021 at 8:41 PM, TheRedBeard said:

Thanks, I see... interesting...

What sub-models are those: year, country, etc?

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The stainless steel Flighter model came with this plating, among some other upper-tier aerometric and vacumatic models. As for specifics, I'm not really sure. 

[corniche]

Hi all,

 

I just went through all of my 51's; both the Customs and the standard models with the Lustraloy caps. 

 

The only ones that have the gold-center clutch rings are the Custom Vacumatics.  All of my Aerometrics have the plain rings; even the Customs - and a couple of mine were NOS, so theres no chance of parts being intermixed from repairs.

 

So, I'm thinking it was limited to Vacumatics and maybe EARLY Aerometrics.

 

- Sean 

[MisterSheaffer]

  On 3/20/2021 at 1:00 AM, corniche said:

Hi all,

 

I just went through all of my 51's; both the Customs and the standard models with the Lustraloy caps. 

 

The only ones that have the gold-center clutch rings are the Custom Vacumatics.  All of my Aerometrics have the plain rings; even the Customs - and a couple of mine were NOS, so theres no chance of parts being intermixed from repairs.

 

So, I'm thinking it was limited to Vacumatics and maybe EARLY Aerometrics.

 

- Sean 

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Hi Corniche,

 

May you explain the Parker 51 Custom to me? I think I may have one.

 

I once bought a bunch of pens that contained a broken Parker 51. It had a dinged up gold rolled cap. It measures the same size as a demi cap I found out. It is missing the clip and jewel cap. The clutch ring has the gold center. The barrel says it's 1946.

 

I decided to try to disassemble the pen to see if I could restore it. I was able to do it without damaging anything. The nib was stamped with 1946 as well.

 

After cleaning out the old diaphragm that was shattered to pieces and stuck to the barrel I was able to install a new diaphragm and breather tube. It was cheaper to buy a gold rolled 1947 demi cap than to buy the replacement parts for the cap that came with it. And I couldn't use one of my Wing Sung 601 caps as a replacement.

 

So now I have a smooth writing Parker 51. Not too bad for a first time restoration. 

[corniche]

  On 3/20/2021 at 1:58 AM, MisterSheaffer said:

Hi Corniche,

 

May you explain the Parker 51 Custom to me? I think I may have one.

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Hi Mr. Sheaffer, 

 

A Custom is any P21 or P51 that has a gold-filled (rolled) cap.

 

  11 minutes ago, MisterSheaffer said:

I once bought a bunch of pens that contained a broken Parker 51. It had a dinged up gold rolled cap. It measures the same size as a demi cap I found out. It is missing the clip and jewel cap. The clutch ring has the gold center. The barrel says it's 1946.

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If it measures the same as a Demi cap then it is a Debutante (Demi) cap. The Standard, (full-size), cap is about a 1/2" taller. The diameters are basically the same.  This is just what I was referring to in regards to the intermingling of parts.

 

  11 minutes ago, MisterSheaffer said:

I decided to try to disassemble the pen to see if I could restore it. I was able to do it without damaging anything. The nib was stamped with 1946 as well.

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That's great! 👍

 

  11 minutes ago, MisterSheaffer said:

After cleaning out the old diaphragm that was shattered to pieces and stuck to the barrel I was able to install a new diaphragm and breather tube. It was cheaper to buy a gold rolled 1947 demi cap than to buy the replacement parts for the cap that came with it.

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That's even greater. 👍

 

  11 minutes ago, MisterSheaffer said:

So now I have a smooth writing Parker 51. Not too bad for a first time restoration. 

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I envy your mechanical skills; I find myself resorting to restorers to do anything beyond changing an Estie sack- and I have all the tools and books. My rotator cuff problems don't help, though, they make it impossible to pull, twist or yank stubborn parts. 

 

Congratulations on your successful restoration  - I'm proud of you.  👍

 

- Sean 

[MisterSheaffer]

  On 3/20/2021 at 2:28 AM, corniche said:

 

Hi Mr. Sheaffer, 

 

A Custom is any P21 or P51 that has a gold-filled (rolled) cap.

 

 

If it measures the same as a Demi cap then it is a Debutante (Demi) cap. The Standard, (full-size), cap is about a 1/2" taller. The diameters are basically the same.  This is just what I was referring to in regards to the intermingling of parts.

 

 

That's great! 👍

 

 

That's even greater. 👍

 

 

I envy your mechanical skills; I find myself resorting to restorers to do anything beyond changing an Estie sack- and I have all the tools and books. My rotator cuff problems don't help, though, they make it impossible to pull, twist or yank stubborn parts. 

 

Congratulations on your successful restoration  - I'm proud of you.  👍

 

- Sean 

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Thank you. Believe me my handy dandy skills are very minimal. I never have luck and run into obstacles when in need of something that needs to be fixed. It was a miracle this went so smoothly. Considering how bad the pen was, successfully removing and cleaning all parts into working order with ease shocked me.

 

I love how smooth and juicy the pen writes. The lucite Parker used was so robust. I could totally see why so many love this pen. But it is a pain to fill and clean.