Parker 45

[lokesh4730]

What are the pros and cons of the Parker 45 arrow the chrome trim version with a gold nib does the gold nib flex is there something wrong with the pen as it is not that popular and well known

[Mercian]

I have one Parker 45 with a 14k gold nib that was made in England in the early 1970s.

That nib is slightly ‘bouncy’ - it is not a ‘flex’ nib, but it does give a bit of line-variation.

 

I have read that the gold nibs on later Parker 45s, especially ones made in the USA, were very firm.

If the nib is a gold-plated steel nib, I expect that it will be very stiff - I have two 45s with steel nibs, and both of those nibs are very stiff.

 

I am tagging @Bo Bo Olson, because he is one of the people on FPN who has the most experience of ‘flexible’ nibs, and was the person who I remember making remarks about the differences in stiffness that he has noticed between American Parker 45 nibs and some British Parker 45 nibs.

 

With respect to the ‘popularity’ of the 45, I think that it sold more pens than any other in Parker’s history.
They are well-liked pens, because they write well, and they are easy to dis-assemble if one wishes to perform a ‘deep-clean’, or to change their nibs for one of a different width/grind - and nibs for the 45 were made in many different widths/grinds.

 

That said, none of my own three 45s works at all well with my old cartridges of Parker Quink Black.
They do work really well with my other inks, including other black inks, but just don’t function with my Quink ‘Black’ 🤷‍♂️

The version of the 45 that was sold as the ‘Arrow’ was only made for a fairly short time, so that may explain why you have not seen many of them about.

 

For information about the version of the 45 (and the other models of Parker pen) that were sold under the name ‘Arrow’, read:

https://parkerpens.net/arrow.html

 

For more information about all the versions of the 45, here are two links:

https://parkerpens.net/parker45.html

https://parker45pens.com

 

Slàinte,
M.

[Penguincollector]

  The Parker 45 is an excellent pen. It’s the first fountain pen I ever wrote with, and easily one of the most collectible pens made in the mid to late twentieth century. It’s eminently customizable- with at least 16 different types of nibs in two types of metal alloys, 30+ colors or metal finishes, deluxe and student models available. It’s not from the flexible pen era, so you won’t find that aspect in this line. Finding a gold nibbed Arrow is pretty interesting, like a Lamy Safari with a Z55. 

[lokesh4730]

19 hours ago, Mercian said:

I have one Parker 45 with a 14k gold nib that was made in England in the early 1970s.

That nib is slightly ‘bouncy’ - it is not a ‘flex’ nib, but it does give a bit of line-variation.

 

I have read that the gold nibs on later Parker 45s, especially ones made in the USA, were very firm.

If the nib is a gold-plated steel nib, I expect that it will be very stiff - I have two 45s with steel nibs, and both of those nibs are very stiff.

 

I am tagging @Bo Bo Olson, because he is one of the people on FPN who has the most experience of ‘flexible’ nibs, and was the person who I remember making remarks about the differences in stiffness that he has noticed between American Parker 45 nibs and some British Parker 45 nibs.

 

With respect to the ‘popularity’ of the 45, I think that it sold more pens than any other in Parker’s history.
They are well-liked pens, because they write well, and they are easy to dis-assemble if one wishes to perform a ‘deep-clean’, or to change their nibs for one of a different width/grind - and nibs for the 45 were made in many different widths/grinds.

 

That said, none of my own three 45s works at all well with my old cartridges of Parker Quink Black.
They do work really well with my other inks, including other black inks, but just don’t function with my Quink ‘Black’ 🤷‍♂️

The version of the 45 that was sold as the ‘Arrow’ was only made for a fairly short time, so that may explain why you have not seen many of them about.

 

For information about the version of the 45 (and the other models of Parker pen) that were sold under the name ‘Arrow’, read:

https://parkerpens.net/arrow.html

 

For more information about all the versions of the 45, here are two links:

https://parkerpens.net/parker45.html

https://parker45pens.com

 

Slàinte,
M.

 

19 hours ago, Penguincollector said:

  The Parker 45 is an excellent pen. It’s the first fountain pen I ever wrote with, and easily one of the most collectible pens made in the mid to late twentieth century. It’s eminently customizable- with at least 16 different types of nibs in two types of metal alloys, 30+ colors or metal finishes, deluxe and student models available. It’s not from the flexible pen era, so you won’t find that aspect in this line. Finding a gold nibbed Arrow is pretty interesting, like a Lamy Safari with a Z55. 

Thank you for the information and there is a site called Mario art but I haven’t ordered from there before but someone said that it is trustable and reliable they have a Parker 45 arrow for sale with a gold nib

[lokesh4730]

Not Mario art sorry I meant Antikcart 

[Penguincollector]

  Oh, I know Antikart, never bought from them, but they have been around a while. If you do end up buying from them let us how it goes.

[lokesh4730]

I definitely will

On 4/14/2024 at 7:29 PM, Penguincollector said:

  Oh, I know Antikart, never bought from them, but they have been around a while. If you do end up buying from them let us how it goes.

but not soon as I am planning to get it after a few weeks I will post it here and separately 

[sandy101]

The Parker 45 is a nice pen. Not all of them have god nibs - some of the nibs are gold plated and the only way to tell is to remove the nib collar, and not all sellers know how to do this. So be careful when buying on e-bay if you want the 14K nib.

 

The fine nib I have is springy, but doesn't have a lot of flex. The medium nib is less springy. 

 

I suspect that the P45 doesn't have as much love as the P51 because it was overshadowed by the rise and rise in the ballpoint. The P45 was designed as a pen for students or people who had to use a fountain pen for their schooling or studies - but it was often sold with a P45 ballpoint or mecahnical pencil.

 

Isuspect that as a result, not many people have as many fond memories of the P45 as they might have with the P51 which was marketed as a ubiquitous, luxury writing tool for a time wn=hen ballpoints were just about to come on the market. 

 

The P45 was competing with the Parker Jotter and Bic biros. Both of which were also a underrated classic. The jotter's been in continous production since 1953. 

 

The p45 saw a generational change from fountain pens to ballpoints - which meant many people put their fountain pens down, relived that the no longer required to us them for school. college or University. Putting it down and being allowed to write with something else was as much a rite of passage as gettig a driving licence or being allowed to buy a beer. 

 

As a fountain pen fan - the P45 is a great pen whether it has a steel or gold nib. Easy to maintain, is comfortable to use and the flighters certainly still look classy and there's still refills available. he current crop of Parker convertors will fit the oldest P45. 

 

There are prettier pens out there, and ones with far nicer nibs. But if one wanted a (cheap) gold nibbed fountain pen, then the Parker 45 is a great choice. 

 

The lack of sentiment for it, and the Parker Slimfold means they are often very cheap to buy on auction sites. A 14k nib and a ballpoint/pencil for less than £30? I'll have it - and if it doesn't have a gold nib, it's too churlish to complain.  

[inkstainedruth]

When I got my first Parker 45, someone on FPN tipped me off to a video that Tyler Dahl made on how to disassemble the nib unit on them: 

http://tylerdahlpens.blogspot.com/2011/06/how-to-disassemble-parker-45.html

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[lokesh4730]

On 4/15/2024 at 7:50 PM, lokesh4730 said:

I definitely will

but not soon as I am planning to get it after a few weeks I will post it here and separately 

A fun art is selling a used 45 for 3600 rupees but there is a seller(Dhruva Jain)who is selling his gold bobbed 45 for even cheaper

[lokesh4730]

23 hours ago, sandy101 said:

The Parker 45 is a nice pen. Not all of them have god nibs - some of the nibs are gold plated and the only way to tell is to remove the nib collar, and not all sellers know how to do this. So be careful when buying on e-bay if you want the 14K nib.

 

The fine nib I have is springy, but doesn't have a lot of flex. The medium nib is less springy. 

 

I suspect that the P45 doesn't have as much love as the P51 because it was overshadowed by the rise and rise in the ballpoint. The P45 was designed as a pen for students or people who had to use a fountain pen for their schooling or studies - but it was often sold with a P45 ballpoint or mecahnical pencil.

 

Isuspect that as a result, not many people have as many fond memories of the P45 as they might have with the P51 which was marketed as a ubiquitous, luxury writing tool for a time wn=hen ballpoints were just about to come on the market. 

 

The P45 was competing with the Parker Jotter and Bic biros. Both of which were also a underrated classic. The jotter's been in continous production since 1953. 

 

The p45 saw a generational change from fountain pens to ballpoints - which meant many people put their fountain pens down, relived that the no longer required to us them for school. college or University. Putting it down and being allowed to write with something else was as much a rite of passage as gettig a driving licence or being allowed to buy a beer. 

 

As a fountain pen fan - the P45 is a great pen whether it has a steel or gold nib. Easy to maintain, is comfortable to use and the flighters certainly still look classy and there's still refills available. he current crop of Parker convertors will fit the oldest P45. 

 

There are prettier pens out there, and ones with far nicer nibs. But if one wanted a (cheap) gold nibbed fountain pen, then the Parker 45 is a great choice. 

 

The lack of sentiment for it, and the Parker Slimfold means they are often very cheap to buy on auction sites. A 14k nib and a ballpoint/pencil for less than £30? I'll have it - and if it doesn't have a gold nib, it's too churlish to complain.  

How do the gains and medium nibs feel on paper

[W Mitchell]

In my experience have found the 45 to be nice slim pen to my hand which writes well. A few months ago did a complete strip down and flush which improved the feed no end. It is a USA manufacture and a mechanical filler.

Currently loaded with Parker Black Quink ink and in daily use.

[lokesh4730]

I ordered one today