Parker 51 Comeback 2020?

[PAKMAN]

Look more like a 21 to me!

[remus1710]

the arrow clip for me is the turn off !!!

[inkstainedruth]

Ironically, I saw a vintage 51 Aerometric in an antiques mall yesterday for $60 US (I didn't get it because I already have one) and also a black 51 Special at $50 at the same booth -- had to laugh because the tags said "ink pen with arrow holder" ). As opposed paying $109 for a "reissued" one that probably isn't made of Lucite -- and is a c/c pen to boot? No thanks.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[wspohn]

Forgive the apostasy, but Parker 51 are at the same time one of the best writing pens I have used and the most boring looking pens I own. Take a look at the available colours at http://parker51.com/index.php/education/the-parker-51-colors/ It looks like a paint chart of available colours for the 1960s GM vans!

 

The release of a replica will need more than just issuing a similar pen to get me excited about it.

 

One of my pens that I most frequently carry is a 51 Flighter with an XF nib. Great filler system and the nib suits me. But the other 51s I own, aside from a handful acquired as part of a job lot, are those customized by Ariel Kullock who turns bland but good writing pens into interesting (well, and some just odd...) pens. If any new enterprise want to sell a 51 replica, they better give some thought to aesthetics - and it better not be inferior in any way to the original 51 in writing capability.

 

And yes, I bought one of these too.

 

Edited August 8, 2020 by wspohn

[pajaro]

I agree that Ariel Kulloch's pens are more interesting than some of Parker's 51s. I am not bored by Parker 51s.

[Estycollector]

I prefer the Parker originals

[pajaro]

The history accompanying the originals is nice, but I yearned for years for more color than the original Parker choices. I don't prefer either the Parker originals over Kullocks. I appreciate all of them. The date codes, personalizations, cap types, nibs, all are interesting. Kullock's pens were made with Parker Argentina equipment, as the story goes. I have used some Kullock parts, jewels, caps, hoods and barrels Kullock made in original colors, to replace broken original parts. I couldn't tell the difference in midnight blue, navy gray, black or forest green. Of course you wouldn't have a date code on a barrel. If your barrel had cracked, or had a personalization removed by grinding a rut in a forest green barrel, etc., you might be glad Ariel Kullock were in business. I was.

[FarmBoy]

Everyone realizes there are two Kullocks that made Parker pen parts, right?

[Glenn-SC]

Kullock used to sell replacement parts as "original", then when I pressed him on it he said that they were "just like original".

There is a difference.

Replacement parts should be noted as being "replacements" and, if/when the pen is sold, it should be reported as having "non-original" parts.

That turned me off from him.

[Glenn-SC]

Claiming that the reintroduced "51" is not a "real" "51" is akin to saying that the 2020 Chevy Camaro is not a "real" Camero because it doesn't look like, have features like, nor have any interchangeable parts with the 1967 model.

 

On that basis the MkIII version is not a real "51" either. The "Red Band"? The converter version?

[Barry Gabay]

FarmBoy: "Everyone realizes there are two Kullocks that made Parker pen parts, right?"

 

Good morning, FarmBoy. Please clarify. I didn't know this. I've met Ariel several times & own some of his 51s along with one of his 149 sterling overlays. Is he really two people?

 

Thank you for the information. Have good weekend.

[Estycollector]

This all reminds me of my journey with vintage guitars. Martin claimed their HD 28 was the closest to their pre war models. The two were nothing similar except the shape.

[CS388]

Everyone realizes there are two Kullocks that made Parker pen parts, right?

 

No? I have only heard of Ariel Kullock? Who is the other?

[Jerome Tarshis]

Everyone realizes there are two Kullocks that made Parker pen parts, right?

 

I have an extremely pedestrian mind. Unless FarmBoy is referring to a Kullock in Lithuania, no relation, he is presumably referring to Ariel's sister, no es vero?

[Barry Gabay]

I've met Ariel Kullock's sister, Jessie. Several times she attended the DC Pen Show when he was unable to make the trip from Buenas Aires.

I was unaware that she made Parker parts, if that is the reference.

 

Please fill us in on the mystery, FarmBoy.

[FarmBoy]

Ariel has either an Uncle or a Cousin that made parts many years ago that had I’ve since forgotten his name. Michelle is his wife and they have several charming kids. I have not seen them for several years at a pen show.

[Barry Gabay]

Thank you, FarmBoy. I didn't know Ariel's uncle or cousin also made parts. Interesting to know.

 

I agree; they are a lovely couple. The last time I visited with them at the DC pen show, they had only one young son.

[pajaro]

So, the Kullock parts are some kind of fake parts? Midnight hood and barrel looked identical to the scored parts they replaced. I couldn't tell the difference. I still have that pen.

 

What about Argentina made Parkers? Are they all some kind of second class pens?

[Mangrove Jack]

Everything has its place and time. The Parker 51 was a great pen and as a kid growing up in the 60's it was just a dream to own one of them.

I finally own one - bought on eBay some years ago and I love it.

 

I don't think it will be wise to reintroduce it as current Parker won't be able to replicate the quality of the original P51. And its just a few of us who are interested in vintage pens that might buy it.

 

Now if only they would reintroduce the Austin Mini and the Mini Moke built exactly like they did in the 60's, that would be something.

Edited August 27, 2020 by Mangrove Jack

[wspohn]

Now if only they would reintroduce the Austin Mini and the Mini Moke built exactly like they did in the 60's, that would be something.

 

Well, not exactly. Tires for 10" wheels are a tad hard to find now and the miniscule brakes that will fit inside wheels that small aren't up to modern weights.

 

Agree that BMW making something the size of a small utility vehicle and calling it a Mini is a bit of a travesty.