The Parker “51” (2018)(richardspens.com)
richardspens.com
The Parker “51” (2018)
http://www.richardspens.com/ref/profiles/51.htm
72 comments
I can see the appeal of these. Just holding one makes you feel you can soak in attention to detail and beautiful handwriting through your fingertips. But the reality is different. I don't have the patience to wait for the ink to dry when I want to turn the page, nor to muck about with blotting paper. Everything just ends up smudged.
But it seems I'm not alone here in being a pen geek, so maybe it's a good place to share a discovery that has been revolutionary for me: Erasable gel and ballpoint pens!
Bright colours, no sharpening, easy and effective erasing of my mistakes. Yayyy. I've tried quite a few, my favourite at the moment are Pilot Kleer.
Now I'm no longer afraid to write in a new moleskin!
But it seems I'm not alone here in being a pen geek, so maybe it's a good place to share a discovery that has been revolutionary for me: Erasable gel and ballpoint pens!
Bright colours, no sharpening, easy and effective erasing of my mistakes. Yayyy. I've tried quite a few, my favourite at the moment are Pilot Kleer.
Now I'm no longer afraid to write in a new moleskin!
At the higher end there is also Ariel Kullock's "Fantasy" 51's [1]. I believe that he's no longer making them, but it's not uncommon to see his pen parts for sale (e.g. [2]).
[1]: http://www.penhero.com/PenGallery/Parker/Parker51FantasyPart...
[2]: https://www.ebay.com/str/arielkullockpens/Parker-51/_i.html?...
[1]: http://www.penhero.com/PenGallery/Parker/Parker51FantasyPart...
[2]: https://www.ebay.com/str/arielkullockpens/Parker-51/_i.html?...
I love my Parker 51s. All of them older than I am (of course) but the ones that still work (aren't cracked, etc) work wonderfully (filled with Noodler's inks).
I’m fond of my 61s as well, with their capillary reservoir, and being one of the first commercial uses of Teflon.
They’re a pain to clean thoroughly, though, so they’re best used as a pen for someone who doesn’t change inks very often. That person is not me :)
They’re a pain to clean thoroughly, though, so they’re best used as a pen for someone who doesn’t change inks very often. That person is not me :)
Protip: cheap ultrasonic jewelry cleaner.
You wouldn't believe some of the gunk i've gotten out of pens that sat in a drawer for 20 years....
You wouldn't believe some of the gunk i've gotten out of pens that sat in a drawer for 20 years....
Of course! I've got a couple actually, they're useful in my other hobbies.
The capillary filler is still a beast to clean, though. It's not so much a matter of it getting crusty with dried ink as it is that it's designed to hold the ink inside.
I've built two things to address this: the first is a rubber bulb with a length of clear medical tubing that just fits over the back of the reservoir. This lets me force water and cleaning solution through the reservoir with a modest amount of pressure, flushing it out. The second is a felt-lined holder with a spot for a rag or paper towel in the end. I can chuck that in my lathe, put the pen in it with the nib facing away from the chuck, and turn it on low for a few minutes. Centripetal force forces the ink (or water) out of the reservoir, through the feed, and into the paper towel - aided by capillary action, of course.
The capillary filler is still a beast to clean, though. It's not so much a matter of it getting crusty with dried ink as it is that it's designed to hold the ink inside.
I've built two things to address this: the first is a rubber bulb with a length of clear medical tubing that just fits over the back of the reservoir. This lets me force water and cleaning solution through the reservoir with a modest amount of pressure, flushing it out. The second is a felt-lined holder with a spot for a rag or paper towel in the end. I can chuck that in my lathe, put the pen in it with the nib facing away from the chuck, and turn it on low for a few minutes. Centripetal force forces the ink (or water) out of the reservoir, through the feed, and into the paper towel - aided by capillary action, of course.
Completely tangent question: Does anyone know how a website such as this is created? It has that "old" vibe to it. Perhaps, I am guessing it was created using one of those software in a box that you buy a physical copy of it, and it allows a non-techy person to create a website. I am curious because I see this similar type of web-design in old websites.
After 23,000 Bootstrap single page sites, it has a refreshing vibe to it. Reminds me when the web was useful rather than marketing. (Only partly tongue in cheek). :)
Oh, don't worry, there's a Bootstrap theme for that:
http://code.divshot.com/geo-bootstrap/
http://code.divshot.com/geo-bootstrap/
lol. That is equal parts awful, and marvellous. :)
The "#bbinclude" in the source suggests it was made using BBEdit.
Guessing BBEdit and a thick book on HTML...I made quite a few that way myself.
Quick edit: One thing that's oddly enjoyable is going back in and adding media queries, so the sites still _look_ the same and seem a bit more elaborate than more modern sites in their way, but mysteriously adapt well to different screen sizes.
Quick edit: One thing that's oddly enjoyable is going back in and adding media queries, so the sites still _look_ the same and seem a bit more elaborate than more modern sites in their way, but mysteriously adapt well to different screen sizes.
I was really hoping Matt Parker made another amusing-yet-educational mistake somewhere, like his famous square.
I wonder how much this post will drive up the price of Parker 51s on eBay (or spur the market for modern knock-offs, if one exists), and for how long.
Likely not. There are so many modern Parker 51 inspired pens already.
The vintage P51s are priced all over the place from $60-7500 depending on the features of that pen....$7500 was a pen that Cartier commisioned to sell in their stores.
Their past popularity makes supplies of low to mid ranged models pretty plentiful.
P51 is "out of print." I find reliable P51-inspired writers for $2-4 a pen so I have no desire to try and buy a vintage one that might not work.
The vintage P51s are priced all over the place from $60-7500 depending on the features of that pen....$7500 was a pen that Cartier commisioned to sell in their stores.
Their past popularity makes supplies of low to mid ranged models pretty plentiful.
P51 is "out of print." I find reliable P51-inspired writers for $2-4 a pen so I have no desire to try and buy a vintage one that might not work.
Should have bought the fountain pen dip.
They were non trivially higher a little over a year ago, so I'd argue they could do with some propping up....
I bought 30 for $0.29 each, minor nib adjustment and they're good to go.
Crazy to see Richard Binder here. He's one of the big fish in the fountain pen community (though now mostly retired as a restoration expert.)
For anyone who is interested in seeing what these are like, I can heartily recommend the Wing Sung 601 - it's a very respectable $15 Chinese homage to the P51. You'll need some bottled ink as well. I use Parker Quink plain black (<$10 on Amazon).
eBay link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wing-Sung-601-Steel-Cap-Vacumatic-F...
For anyone who is interested in seeing what these are like, I can heartily recommend the Wing Sung 601 - it's a very respectable $15 Chinese homage to the P51. You'll need some bottled ink as well. I use Parker Quink plain black (<$10 on Amazon).
eBay link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wing-Sung-601-Steel-Cap-Vacumatic-F...
My favorite P51 homage is the Jinhao 51A. I love all the colors/finishes they come in and have demonstrator versions, hooded and unhooded. They are like $2-5 a pop.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Jinhao-51A-Acrylic-Wood-Fountain-Pe...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Jinhao-51A-Acrylic-Wood-Fountain-Pe...
Thanks for the recommendation. I don't have that Wing Sung model yet, but as a beginner in the hobby I have had a blast buying Chinese fountain pens over the last year. To the degree that I'm annoyed that my local big box office supply store has such a sub-par (for the price) selection. About all I buy there is Quink, which has been really great writing and drawing ink.
Have you tried the Moonman M2 yet?
I haven't. That looks like a really nice pen, do you like it?
Quite a bit. It scratches and stumbles on nice paper, but for everyday printer paper, it gives a reasonably smooth glide and looks much more impressive than its price merits.
Thanks for the recommendation - ordered one, will see how it works out!
I recommend trying the noodlers inks, I'm quite fond of them.
I recommend trying the noodlers inks, I'm quite fond of them.
Went to school in 90s, we used the Chinese version of Parker 51 exclusively, it was too big and tiresome for me. Nowaday, I use and like the Lamy safari pen much more, because it fits and is so convenient to holding and writing.
Slightly off topic, but I want to share this.
I've recently started using fountain pens again, after a... long break (secondary school, I think).
The way they glide on the paper and the pleasure of holding such a beautiful (well, arguably, but I love both how nibs look and how they work) device made me improve my handwriting, and I started to take more notes just to use the pens.
I highly recommend the experience, if you're not familiar with them. Some good modern ones are also pretty cheap.
Like with vinyl records, there is a certain satisfaction in taking care of the pen, cleaning it when switching to ink or a different color, and so on; and it's a mechanical object that helps me detach from the digital world. Unlike vinyl, it is actually a practical thing to use everyday :)
I've recently started using fountain pens again, after a... long break (secondary school, I think).
The way they glide on the paper and the pleasure of holding such a beautiful (well, arguably, but I love both how nibs look and how they work) device made me improve my handwriting, and I started to take more notes just to use the pens.
I highly recommend the experience, if you're not familiar with them. Some good modern ones are also pretty cheap.
Like with vinyl records, there is a certain satisfaction in taking care of the pen, cleaning it when switching to ink or a different color, and so on; and it's a mechanical object that helps me detach from the digital world. Unlike vinyl, it is actually a practical thing to use everyday :)
They glide on the paper?
I have a Lamy 2000, Pilot Vanishing Point and some other highly recommended pen (can't remember the name, it was a few years ago) and they are all scratchy as hell. Absolutely not as nice as even a cheap ball point...
I have a Lamy 2000, Pilot Vanishing Point and some other highly recommended pen (can't remember the name, it was a few years ago) and they are all scratchy as hell. Absolutely not as nice as even a cheap ball point...
Which size nib are you using? If it is Extra Fine (EF) or Fine (F), then it can be scratchy. Moreover, Japanese EF and F are generally smaller than other EF and F.
I have a Lamy Safari F, which is super smooth and glides. My Pilot Metropolitan also has F, but not only is it thinner/smaller but it is not as smooth. I won't call it scratchy but it could be construed as such.
Also, paper matters. Fountain pens generally prefer a smoother paper, especially one that doesn't absorb much ink.
You will also need to see how you are holding the pen and the angle the nib strikes the paper. You may want to search online for some advises on that since that can make a world of difference.
Edit: Almost forgot, the more you write the better a fountain pen gets since the nib adjusts to your writing habit. I had an old Waterman when I was in high-school, which I don't have anymore, and so far no pen has come close to it in smoothness.
I have a Lamy Safari F, which is super smooth and glides. My Pilot Metropolitan also has F, but not only is it thinner/smaller but it is not as smooth. I won't call it scratchy but it could be construed as such.
Also, paper matters. Fountain pens generally prefer a smoother paper, especially one that doesn't absorb much ink.
You will also need to see how you are holding the pen and the angle the nib strikes the paper. You may want to search online for some advises on that since that can make a world of difference.
Edit: Almost forgot, the more you write the better a fountain pen gets since the nib adjusts to your writing habit. I had an old Waterman when I was in high-school, which I don't have anymore, and so far no pen has come close to it in smoothness.
Then something is wrong with your pen, or you're trying to write on paper towels or something.
If you look into fountain pen communities you'll find the VP in particular is popular because of its quality at an approachable price point. It's the equal of many more expensive pens in my collection -- and nobody would confuse any of them with the experience of using a disposable ball-fed pen.
If you look into fountain pen communities you'll find the VP in particular is popular because of its quality at an approachable price point. It's the equal of many more expensive pens in my collection -- and nobody would confuse any of them with the experience of using a disposable ball-fed pen.
Both of those should be good.
In general, there's three reasons why a fountain pen would be scratchy: it's got a very fine point (European EF or Asian F or EF), it's a broad stub or italic with a sharp corner that requires changes to your writing style, or there's something wrong with it.
The short answer is that there's probably something wrong with them. If you want to make the effort, YouTube has some instructional videos on improving them; you'll need some very fine abrasives such as very fine micromesh. I recommend SBREBrown.
In general, there's three reasons why a fountain pen would be scratchy: it's got a very fine point (European EF or Asian F or EF), it's a broad stub or italic with a sharp corner that requires changes to your writing style, or there's something wrong with it.
The short answer is that there's probably something wrong with them. If you want to make the effort, YouTube has some instructional videos on improving them; you'll need some very fine abrasives such as very fine micromesh. I recommend SBREBrown.
I also have a Lamy 2000 and a Vanishing Point. For a long time I didn't use the Lamy very much as it was scratchy compared to the VP. At some point I decided to stick with it and now it gets used most days for work notes and the like. With use it has got much smoother -- it might be worth persisting. (The VP is still more practical for everyday use but just doesn't hold much ink -- and so tends to run out at inconvenient times.)
I've had a good and a bad Lamy. The good one was amazing, the bad one replaced it when I lost it and was scratchy as hell. YMMV.
Are you left- or right-handed?
Sorry to hear that, it's horribly frustrating! I know it can happen, I had the same experience with my first pen. It did improve after I re-bent the two halves of the nib and used the bottom of a ceramic mug to smooth the tip of the nib. But getting a new pen was the only solution that really worked.
If you're sure you're holding them correctly, so the problem is not the posture, try to buy either pens with a guarantee from the manufacturer (so you can get it fixed), or a pen in a shop that will let you try it first. Not all nibs are manufactured equal...
A good pen should glide much better than a gel ballpoint.
If you're sure you're holding them correctly, so the problem is not the posture, try to buy either pens with a guarantee from the manufacturer (so you can get it fixed), or a pen in a shop that will let you try it first. Not all nibs are manufactured equal...
A good pen should glide much better than a gel ballpoint.
That depends a lot on the nib, plus how it has been finished. And perhaps more importantly, and easier to change, paper and ink.
My vintage 146 M nib is incredibly smooth on some heavy papers with Iroshizuku Konpeki ink. So smooth I was tempted to look into details. It turns out Konpeki ink has tons of lubricants. Even different ink colors from the same manufacturer make a difference. And some alternatives make the setup not smooth at all, quite scratchy indeed.
Try changing inks and paper. Worst case, you might need to send your nibs for adjustment if you want different behavior. If they are small, particularly the VP, you may not be able to get a really smooth experience.
My vintage 146 M nib is incredibly smooth on some heavy papers with Iroshizuku Konpeki ink. So smooth I was tempted to look into details. It turns out Konpeki ink has tons of lubricants. Even different ink colors from the same manufacturer make a difference. And some alternatives make the setup not smooth at all, quite scratchy indeed.
Try changing inks and paper. Worst case, you might need to send your nibs for adjustment if you want different behavior. If they are small, particularly the VP, you may not be able to get a really smooth experience.
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That depends on the nib and ink. I use a KaWeCo pocket fountain pen with an extra fine nib, and Montblanc ink, and it writes as well or better than the nicest Japanese ball pens I have tried.
I also like the pocket-pen format. I seldom lose a pen since it lives with my keys and wallet. That pen, plus a thin crosshatch notebook I keep in my back pocket means I can take notes much faster than on my smartphone. Then I photograph my notes. Google Lens is getting scary-good at recognizing my idiosyncratic writing.
I also like the pocket-pen format. I seldom lose a pen since it lives with my keys and wallet. That pen, plus a thin crosshatch notebook I keep in my back pocket means I can take notes much faster than on my smartphone. Then I photograph my notes. Google Lens is getting scary-good at recognizing my idiosyncratic writing.
I can second your experience, but you are also using some very "affordable" pens as far as nibs go. The Lamy entry level pens are great design, but their steel nibs are painful to write with. The VP is a wonderful engineering feat, but the nibs are smaller than their equivalently named European versions (I found writing much nicer with a Euro F and a Japanese M, for example).
Ink and paper do make a difference; coated papers make things glide but the ink may run. Some papers soak too much ink making globs. Some inks tend to dry out in the nib or flow poorly.
So, I've had bad experience with each of the above, but I also have now set my expectations to a better level. And sometimes you do get surprised (I got a Pelikan Stola III somewhere in Europe for around $40 and it was really nice; some info at this random site: https://www.penchalet.com/fine_pens/fountain_pens/pelikan_st...).
So, yeah, low end stuff varies. But worth experimenting because when you find a good one, it makes writing fun again.
Ink and paper do make a difference; coated papers make things glide but the ink may run. Some papers soak too much ink making globs. Some inks tend to dry out in the nib or flow poorly.
So, I've had bad experience with each of the above, but I also have now set my expectations to a better level. And sometimes you do get surprised (I got a Pelikan Stola III somewhere in Europe for around $40 and it was really nice; some info at this random site: https://www.penchalet.com/fine_pens/fountain_pens/pelikan_st...).
So, yeah, low end stuff varies. But worth experimenting because when you find a good one, it makes writing fun again.
>Like with vinyl records, there is a certain satisfaction in taking care of the pen, cleaning it when switching to ink or a different color, and so on; and it's a mechanical object that helps me detach from the digital world. Unlike vinyl, it is actually a practical thing to use everyday :)
Not to mention that carrying around piles of splotchy papers and notebooks and having perpetually ink-stained hands really helps to sell the "eccentric professor" aesthetic I have going. Which is key to making my lack of charisma seem charming and idiosyncratic rather than lame and boring.
Not to mention that carrying around piles of splotchy papers and notebooks and having perpetually ink-stained hands really helps to sell the "eccentric professor" aesthetic I have going. Which is key to making my lack of charisma seem charming and idiosyncratic rather than lame and boring.
And some of the Chinese manufacturers like Boaer and Jin Hao has been turning out solidly build fountain pens at a fraction of the price of western prestige brands.
Check out penbbs!! (https://www.etsy.com/shop/PENBBSOfficialStore) they've been coming out with really nice materials and all sorts of filling systems.
Also, a plug for Wingsung! They'll look very similar to twsbi or parker 51 at times, but imo they've added some little touches that improve on the twsbi.
Yes, definitely! I just bought a few Wingsung 3008s from eBay (a few dollars each, I think) and they're super-smooth. Couldn't believe I got a TWSBI-like piston filler for that cheap. Only downside to the cheap eBay pens is the shipping time...
Where do you buy them and are there any models in particular that you would recommend?
You'll find these on ebay or etsy a lot. Aliexpress too. I would recommend also Wingsung 601 (for the parker 51 vacumatic experience), the Wingsung 698 with a gold nib for a nice piston, Hero 100 for an aerometric parker 51... or if you want more modern designs, look for Moonman, Penbbs, Live In You brands.
I have a Pilot Metropolitan and it's okay. Are these Chinese pens significantly better?
Jin Hao 159 and X450 seems good choice.
You can get a Pilot Varsity or a Platinum Preppy for just a couple bucks, and they write pretty dang good. It's a great entry point in to fountain pens.
Having nice pens makes me want to use them more, and writing more has helped me organize my thoughts better, especially when writing code. I'd highly recommend it to everyone.
Having nice pens makes me want to use them more, and writing more has helped me organize my thoughts better, especially when writing code. I'd highly recommend it to everyone.
Anyone looking into this should consider the TWSBI ECO and Pilot MR as well. They're more expensive than the varsity or preppy but still very affordable.
The TWSBI Eco is an excellent introduction pen. Nice and smooth, the triangle grip means you hold it correct without thinking.
Only downside is no cartridges (not that I find this a downside)
Only downside is no cartridges (not that I find this a downside)
I will second this as someone who really likes these two pens and was disappointed in the Preppy.
I had a 51 many years ago. Much as I liked mine, it never occurred to me that people would write articles about them.
I've always preferred writing with a fountain pen, but can't see myself having one again (or at least a good one). I have the same problem with them as I do with sunglasses: they always get lost or broken.
I've always preferred writing with a fountain pen, but can't see myself having one again (or at least a good one). I have the same problem with them as I do with sunglasses: they always get lost or broken.
Disposable fountain pens are a thing now, and shockingly good writers. You can have all of the writing with none of the guilt.
Yeah I see that reading through posts here. I've ordered myself a couple to try out. I hate disposable things but seem to have no choice with pens or sunglasses.
Quick guide - Really affordable stuff to start with - Jinhao 992, Jinhao X450, Jinhao X750, Platinum Preppy (all of them range between $5 - $8)
I've progressed to the slightly pricier Lamy Safari now. Excellent experience and good to see my handwriting improve, while being a soothing, gratifying experience.
I've progressed to the slightly pricier Lamy Safari now. Excellent experience and good to see my handwriting improve, while being a soothing, gratifying experience.
My favorite cheap garbage pen is the moonman m2. It’s joined the lamy safari as my daily driver.
In case you are, or want to become, a fountain pen addict... I mean, afficionado! — the fountain pens subreddit is a great community & time sink: https://reddit.com/r/fountainpens
And, if you're feeling acquisitive, there's also the Pen Swap subreddit:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Pen_Swap/new/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Pen_Swap/new/
I used to enjoy using fountain pens, but now use almost exclusively "Uniball Eye" pens, they look like this: http://i.ebayimg.com/images/i/251258168346-0-1/s-l1000.jpg
They write just as smoothly as any fountain pen I've used, and are much more robust.
They're not refillable, but a pack of 12 costs less than £10 and lasts (me) for years.
They write just as smoothly as any fountain pen I've used, and are much more robust.
They're not refillable, but a pack of 12 costs less than £10 and lasts (me) for years.
I'm something of a pen fetishist, and swear by the Mitsubishi Uni-ball. I've tried Pilot and other brands, but nothing beats the Mitsu. Other pen obsessives might want to check this site: https://www.penaddict.com/top-5-pens
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I personally find the Pentel EnerGels to be great value, write smooth as the Uniballs, and the Pilot V5/V7s but dries a lot faster, and is much cheaper too.
The 'Hero' fountain pen was extremely popular in India during the 90's, it is a copy of Parker51 by Shanghai Hero Pen Company[1].
I was using those for few grades, I have some hand deformities so writing was hard & I didn't like the pen much.
Then by 10th grade my sister gifted me a Parker. It was a new experience, smooth & helped me write much better. 10th grade has board (public) exams in India, I spent a year before the exams in bed rest due to surgeries. So, writing the crucial board exams with the Parker pen was a remarkable experience; I scored good.
[1]:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghai_Hero_Pen_Company
I was using those for few grades, I have some hand deformities so writing was hard & I didn't like the pen much.
Then by 10th grade my sister gifted me a Parker. It was a new experience, smooth & helped me write much better. 10th grade has board (public) exams in India, I spent a year before the exams in bed rest due to surgeries. So, writing the crucial board exams with the Parker pen was a remarkable experience; I scored good.
[1]:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghai_Hero_Pen_Company
I remember how coveted these were. They were all called "Chinese pens".
This was before ball pens, and eventually, gel pens became the norm.
This was before ball pens, and eventually, gel pens became the norm.
Common middle class birthday gift for children for grades 6 & above.
Hero still makes these pens, they're such an outstanding value that these knockoffs have generated knockoffs of their own.
Yes it was, in-fact Hero was coveted in India as spending 30-50 INR (~.40$ -0.70$) is a careful decision to a middle class family of 90s & was not an option for the poor.
I recently reviewed some of my old notebooks (Moleskin, graph) for information for a blog post. Noticed how bad my handwriting had become. Have since rediscovered fountain pens. Writing is now much improved, I put this down to the necessity to write more slowly or at least more smoothly with a proper pen.
Richard for a while sold printed copies of his "Anatomy of a fountain pen" pages; I've got them framed. :-) He also has (what I believe to be) the best current book on pen repair and restoration.
The "51" is a loose successor to the most beautiful and pleasant to use pen ever made, the Parker Vacumatic. Unlike the Vacumatic (and the vacumatic-filler "51"s), the aerometric filler 51s (screw it) have latex (?) sacs, which last much longer than rubber sacs common in other pens; quite often an unrestored vintage 51 will work fine once cleaned. When Parker closed down their Chinese factory, which made 51s, they left the machinery in place---leading to the initial pens from Chinese pen companies to be 51 clones.
This concludes today's random pen facts.