Parker 61 (Mark II) - Fine Nib

[Checklist]

Here is my next "under-rated" pen: the Parker 61.  This pen was, as I understand, intended to be the successor to the popular 51 and was released in 1956, just as ballpoints were starting their long conquest of quality writing.  Due in part to this unfortunate timing, it never reached the popularity of its older brother.  In my mind, the 61 has been unjustly overshadowed by "the world's most sought-after pen"; maybe this will get some more people interested in this nice, but relatively unusual, pen.

 

 

Appearance and Construction: 8.5/10

There are two parts to this: Appearance (4/5) and Construction (4.5/5).  This is a very classy pen.  It is well-polished, and the jewels on the ends make the pen feel finished and balanced.  The arrow is also a nice touch, but it is infamous for falling out.  It isn't hard to find an example with the arrow intact, if that is a concern for you.  The pen also feels solid and tight, very much like the 51.  The cap slides on almost softly, to the point that there is no distinct feeling when it sets.  It will post, but it will probably mar the finish.  I just can't bring myself to that yet. 

 

 

Size and Weight: 10/10

This is a smaller pen, but it is very comfortable.  The plastic construction keeps it light and suitable for long writing sessions.  It is just fun to hold; when I'm in meetings, I'll keep it in hand just for the feel.  It's odd to say, but it's the opposite of the 51 in that it is larger than it looks, even in person.  (I've always thought that the 51 looks bigger than it is in pictures.) 

 

Size comparison with a 51:

 

 

 

Nib and Writing: 8/10

The 14k fine nib is a smooth writer, even if it is a little dry.  There is a bit of a sweet spot, but it's easy to find.  There is a little feedback, but it's still smooth.  Comparable to moving your hand over sanded wood: a little noise and sensation, but not at all scratchy.  I would like it to be a little wetter, but it works well for me.  Each time I ink it up, it reminds me why it's a favorite.

 

Filling and Misc.: 6/10

Now, this is what makes the 61 special.  As ballpoints became more popular, fountain pen companies tried to address some of the complaints against fountain pens, one of which is how messy filling can be.  Shaeffer came up with the complex Snorkel system, while Parker went in the opposite direction with the 61's capillary filler.  There are no moving parts; just stick the end of the filler into the ink and wait for a few minutes (at most).  The pen fills itself!  This was a major part of Parker's marketing, too.  Unfortunately, it tended to clog if it was not regularly cleaned, and most probably weren't.  Cleaning out the filler can be difficult, but using a bulb syringe cut to fit over the filler makes it almost as easy as a normal converter pen.  Just don't try to take the filler out; that is best done by a professional.

 

 

 

Getting a 61 not expensive; I picked up this one NOS, with the box, for something like $60 from That Worldwide Garage Sale a year or so ago.  Most pen I've ever gotten for that money.

 

Final Score: 32.5/40

This is a beautiful pen that takes a little more care but is more than worth it.  Definitely my favorite vintage pen, yes, even over the 51.  Like I said, every time I write with it, it reminds me why I bought it in the first place.  It's a shame that it is so often overlooked, but, hey, the obscurity makes it that much easier to get.

[Mike B]

That sixty-some year old pen looks like new. 
And what a spectacular price.

Thank you for showing this. What ink are you using?

[IThinkIHaveAProblem]

Nice thorough review. 

great looking pen

Thank you.

 

I have two of these now. a grey and a black. 

 

I think a few things should be kept in mind when buying one of these:

1) this is a good pen for people who like one ink, and want to keep one pen always inked up with it. because changing the ink is, in my experience, even more aggravating than in a vacumatic "51"  

2) the nibs are great, i have two pens and three nibs, one of which is being put in a franken pen 51 i'm building from parts. if you like 51 nibs, you'll like 61 nibs.

3) this is the unfortunate one. the plastic used in 61s is not good. it shrinks and cracks. my grey one is fine, my black one has multiple splits all around the lip of the barrel (likely from shrinking around the metal threads) and the shell/hood has started to get that shrink shape that many of them get. This is unfortunate since the pen otherwise writes GREAT.

 

 

I'm hoping someone will make LUCITE replacement parts for them. If they do, count me in. Until then, for myself, i'll stick to buying 51s 😕

 

Here's hoping yours keeps lookin and writing this good for decades to come!

 

 

[readytotalk]

Thanks a lot for nice review!

As for me, I prefer 61 MKIII, with more convenient cartridge/converter filling system.

But the nib is great, maybe even better than my 51`s, although it is not the same shape.

 

[AL01]

 

 How does the plastic on the 61 compare to a Super 21?

 

 I find those pens much more comfortable to use than a 51/21; I would love to have the pleasure of owning one someday...

[readytotalk]

6 minutes ago, AL01 said:

 How does the plastic on the 61 compare to a Super 21?

 I find those pens much more comfortable to use than a 51/21; I would love to have the pleasure of owning one someday...

I don`t know about "51/21", these are very different, although outwardly similar pens. 51 was outstanding, flawlessly engineered instrument, that's why it was so popular. 21 is different)

Plastic in 61 is obviously better than 21, although not so sturdy and scratch resistant as lucite in 51.

As for the nibs - only 21 "Super" (2nd gen with conical nib, similar with 51 "Special") can be compared to 51/61. The nib of 21 MK1 is not so pleasant to use.

[IThinkIHaveAProblem]

3 hours ago, AL01 said:

 

 How does the plastic on the 61 compare to a Super 21?

 

 I find those pens much more comfortable to use than a 51/21; I would love to have the pleasure of owning one someday...

I think i would describe the plastic on a 61 as "softer" than a 21. It's prone to shrinkage and subsequent cracking/splitting.

but i guess it "feels" nicer, at least to me, than a 21 Super

21 Super plastic feels harder... hollower (if that makes any sense) and brittle and very prone to spontaneous cracks

 

 

[Checklist]

Thanks everyone for your compliments.  I'm just glad to see the 61 get some attention.

 

11 hours ago, readytotalk said:

As for me, I prefer 61 MKIII, with more convenient cartridge/converter filling system.

 

I'll agree to disagree on this one.  The capillary filler is what makes the 61 unique, and, since I rarely change inks, it works well for me.

 

22 hours ago, Mike B said:

What ink are you using?

 

KWZ Iron Gall Blue #3.  It's my go-to ink for all my pens, though I'll switch back and forth with Diamine Denim, too, as the bottles run out.

 

22 hours ago, IThinkIHaveAProblem said:

...

I think a few things should be kept in mind when buying one of these:

1) this is a good pen for people who like one ink, and want to keep one pen always inked up with it. because changing the ink is, in my experience, even more aggravating than in a vacumatic "51"  

2) the nibs are great, i have two pens and three nibs, one of which is being put in a franken pen 51 i'm building from parts. if you like 51 nibs, you'll like 61 nibs.

3) this is the unfortunate one. the plastic used in 61s is not good. it shrinks and cracks. my grey one is fine, my black one has multiple splits all around the lip of the barrel (likely from shrinking around the metal threads) and the shell/hood has started to get that shrink shape that many of them get. This is unfortunate since the pen otherwise writes GREAT.

Thanks, I had forgotten to mention the cracking problem, though I have yet to run into that.  As for your first point, yes, I am a one-ink guy, and that really helps my opinion of the filler.  After all, that was how people were when this was designed.

[IThinkIHaveAProblem]

39 minutes ago, Checklist said:

Thanks, I had forgotten to mention the cracking problem, though I have yet to run into that.  As for your first point, yes, I am a one-ink guy, and that really helps my opinion of the filler.  After all, that was how people were when this was designed.

I hope you never have to experience the cracking. It sucks and renders an otherwise great pen, pretty much useless. 
i agree 100% the filing mech is the coolest part of the 61, and you’re absolutely right about people just using the same ink over and over back in the day, but i do understand why most people would want c/c. 
 

 

[TheRedBeard]

Thank you for the useful review. 

Capillary P61 is definitely a great pen, and it is shame it was made of lower quality plastic...

[AL01]

On 5/14/2021 at 1:27 PM, IThinkIHaveAProblem said:

I think i would describe the plastic on a 61 as "softer" than a 21. It's prone to shrinkage and subsequent cracking/splitting.

but i guess it "feels" nicer, at least to me, than a 21 Super

21 Super plastic feels harder... hollower (if that makes any sense) and brittle and very prone to spontaneous cracks

 

 

 

 Perfect. I love 'softer plastics'.

 

 Wish some modern pens used them.

 

 I have owned 3 21 Supers, and one of them cracked. Their plastic isn't as bad as the regular 21, but my experiences have been inconsistent.

 

 The last Super 21 I owned had its hood fall off due to the thread sealant failing, and that pen was very durable. It gave me no plastic problems, even with a full service.

[lehi53]

Nice review thank you.

[readytotalk]

10 hours ago, AL01 said:

I have owned 3 21 Supers, and one of them cracked. Their plastic isn't as bad as the regular 21, but my experiences have been inconsistent.

 

 The last Super 21 I owned had its hood fall off due to the thread sealant failing, and that pen was very durable. It gave me no plastic problems, even with a full service.

And what color are your 21`s?

I have some suspicion that the fragility of the plastic is different for pens with different colors.

For example, my red 21 had some tiny cracks and delamination of plastic. But there was no such problem with the blue pen.

[AL01]

 

 I owned two black Super 21s and a blue one.

 

The blue one cracked spontaneously; the black ones were just fine. 

[IThinkIHaveAProblem]

i've had two greys, one cracked, one didn't (so far...)

(21's that is)

[readytotalk]

On 5/17/2021 at 10:24 AM, readytotalk said:

For example, my red 21 had some tiny cracks and delamination of plastic. But there was no such problem with the blue pen.

 

6 hours ago, AL01 said:

The blue one cracked spontaneously; the black ones were just fine. 

 

3 hours ago, IThinkIHaveAProblem said:

i've had two greys, one cracked, one didn't (so far...)

Hmm, no statistical confirmation...

looks like the hypothesis was wrong, or there is not enough data yet))