Am I the only one who thinks the 51 doesnt really hold up aestheticly?

[FarmBoy]

7 hours ago, inkstainedruth said:

Interesting.  Does it have a date code on it?

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

No

[PAKMAN]

Personally I love the design and aesthetic of the Parker 51 pens. I feel they are timeless in design.  I love my Flighter the most. I have several of the modern ones and they are quite good writers. Recently added a Vintage Plum to my collection. 

[mitto]

10 hours ago, inkstainedruth said:

Interesting.  Does it have a date code on it?

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

No date code on the barrel. Haven't yet removed the nib to check if there is a date code on it. 

[Glenn-SC]

Not every design is for everyone.  That’s OK. 
The “51” is one of my two favorite pen designs (the other being the Sheaffer Balance).  
The design is as modern today as when first issued.

I have quite a few (though not like Mitto!) and at least one of each design. 

[FarmBoy]

36 minutes ago, mitto said:

No date code on the barrel. Haven't yet removed the nib to check if there is a date code on it. 

We both know what the nib will indicate and we both know the pen dates from 1961 or 1962.  
 

The question should be “is the barrel correct?”

 

 

[jchch1950]

The Parker 51 design was not on my favourite pens list some years ago, but after some time the Parker 51 Flighter became one of my most sought-after pens Now I'm trying to find a double broad nib.

[mitto]

1 hour ago, FarmBoy said:

We both know what the nib will indicate and we both know the pen dates from 1961 or 1962.  
 

The question should be “is the barrel correct?”

 

 

Yes, Todd. It is from productiin years when the stamping of date codes was discontinued.

 

The barrel is correct as it has no breather hole neither at the end nor at the side of the barrel.😊

[Estycollector]

Not a "51", a beautifully designed "21". I found this one unused. 

 

  

 

 

[FarmBoy]

6 hours ago, mitto said:

Yes, Todd. It is from productiin years when the stamping of date codes was discontinued.

 

The barrel is correct as it has no breather hole neither at the end nor at the side of the barrel.😊

Most excellent!

[bsenn]

There is a part currently available on ebay to convert an Aerometric 51 to cartridge/converter. I have not tried it and have no affiliation.

 

As a side note, when new at least some of the original c/c pens had four diamonds marked on the barrel in a removable crayon or paint, I assume to differentiate at a glance from Aero pens while at the store.

[Number99]

12 hours ago, bsenn said:

There is a part currently available on ebay to convert an Aerometric 51 to cartridge/converter.

Interesting.

I know many may disagree, but I have always wished something like this was available on the market.

The HERO100 fountain pen has a similar kit that I bought and tried, but some pens were easy to refit and others were difficult.

I would like to find a someone's review to see if it works properly.

 

P.S.

I forgot to express my appreciation for your sharing of information.

Thanks a lot!

Edited September 16, 2023 by Number99

[LoveBigPensAndCannotLie]

I am not in love with the aesthetic of the aerometric 51s, seems like most of the ones I see are the standard lustraloy cap. Little bit boring. I like the look of the vacumatic ones more, even the lustraloy ones have a little more visual interest because they have the gold tone clip on the "silver" color body. 

 

A good sterling Parker 51 cap though? Beautiful. I think that looks pretty timeless.

[TheRedBeard]

On 9/12/2023 at 5:28 AM, vicpen123 said:

To my eye, the size, scale and simplicity of the original Parker "51" design, both in the hand and on a desk, is elegant, sophisticated and forever timeless.

 

Oh, it also writes beautifully as well as seemingly lasting forever.

+1

Absolutely agree on all points 👍

 

And it is the most reliable FP I have ever used, too.

[TheRedBeard]

On 9/12/2023 at 9:14 PM, Sailor Kenshin said:

 

Where could I find one?  🎉

 

It is still possible to find and buy one in mint or NOS condition from private collectors here in the UK, but a lucky buyer should be prepared to pay around £350-£450 for it nowadays...

Last time I was offered that cartridge P51 for £340 about two years ago, but I was stupidly slow, so the pen was sold to a smarter guy ...  

 

[Mark from Yorkshire]

All the modern ones are c/c but definitely better with Cartridges 

[ParramattaPaul]

On 9/12/2023 at 7:09 AM, Emver said:

"Am I the only one who thinks the 51 doesnt really hold up aestheticly?"

 

Yes Thomas, I think you probably are.  But of course most people think of the 51 as the original Vacumatic or Aerometric versions, not that rather vulgar modern Chinese version.

 

I disagree.  To me, the Parker 51 is not only not attractive but plain in the worst possible connotation of the word.  It is an unimpressive, boring-looking pen.

 

That of course, is just my opinion.

[Glenn-SC]

6 hours ago, Mark from Yorkshire said:

All the modern ones are c/c but definitely better with Cartridges 

This is not the case with mine, as it works perfectly with the C/C. 

[Targa]

On 9/12/2023 at 3:14 PM, Sailor Kenshin said:

 

Where could I find one?  🎉

Fivestar Pens hgas several Mark III 561s available.  Just do a search for Parker 51 Mk. III

[Aysedasi]

I cleaned my four P51s out today.  I still think they look superb.  I weaned myself off of them a few years ago when I had a dozen or so.  But I succumbed two days ago and bought another on a whim.  I don't use them very often, but I always go back to them.  

[Targa]

3 hours ago, Targa said:

Fivestar Pens hgas several Mark III 561s available.  Just do a search for Parker 51 Mk. III

Duh sorry I was thinking about Mk III 61s