Vintage Parker 51 (well-kept and maintained) + Parker Quink ink = the most successful and wanted combo in the history of fountain pens. Don’t go for less.
I have two vintage Parker’s, both with gold nibs. Both have been refurbished and both write very well. I am perfectly satisfied with them, but I have been curious about the reboot version. Thank you for this very comprehensive comparison.
I also have the parker 51 in plum and I use it with kaweco summer purple and it works perfect without any problems like sweer spot or anything , mines is Fine
That vintage P51 is shorter because it is the DEMI version. And the screw cap on the new one makes no sense since eliminating the screw cap with the sliding cap was one of the biggest innovations of the P51. The new one is just a common pen like any other, just a slight aesthetic resemblance and the name, but just one more of the bunch.
I think in general, the whole sweet spot thing is for sure an interesting topic. I’ve heard a lot of people say the same thing about vintage parker 51’s, but my vintage parker 51 does have a definite sweet spot. It might just have to do with the nib size for the vintage ones though, because mine I believe is an XF
I think this new version of the 51 definitely has a sweet spot, but I've been able to mitigate it somewhat by using a wetter ink--this ink was way too dry and made the sweet spot harder to deal with.
it is a parker Jotter ... if you want to buy one, just buy a parker hotter. The new Parker 51s are not Parker 51s but Parker jotters being marketed as Parker 51
Well, that is unfortunate. I think that it is supposed to come with one (at least that was my experience, which is consistent with other reviews I've seen). You might want to reach out to Appleboom and ask them if they can send you one.
Are all Parker converters compatible with all models? I mean, are for instance old Parker converters from the 90's (i.e. Parker Sonnet) compatible with current 2021 Parker 51? I'm asking because I tried to fit a converter from a 90's Sonnet into a modern 2021's 51 and it looks like I need to push hard (slimmer body on the 51? / thicker diameter on the old converter?), but I didn't to avoid damaging any of both.
Your 'vintage' Parker '51' is a DEMI size hence it being smaller than your new 2021 '51'. Thank you for your review. I have the new burgundy '51' with a stainless steel nib. I really like this modern 'variant' of the world's most famous pen!
Oh, I didn't know there was a demi size--thanks for letting me know. I've been really liking the plum 51--I put a wetter ink in it and it has made all the difference!
@@MysteryArts The demi version has a different sac guard to the regular version. About inefficiency of the aerometric system, I am not sure, usually I can get a full fill with around 6 presses, so it is actually quite fast and efficient. Since it is vintage, and may be you got it used, I am wondering if it is because of the breather tube inside having deteriorated or blocked? The sac on the vintage pen is actually extremely tough. The most common issues with vintage Parker 51s are clogged collector (think of it as a large feed/secondary reservoir in the section) and the sterling silver breathing tube being corroded by the extremely alkaline ink Parker used to recommend to use in the pen (e.g. Superchrome). But it was very rarely the sac. The hooded nib of the new iteration is actually a fake, in the sense that it only ascetically mimics the original design. The nib and need are standard Jotter, and it lacks a collector. Whereas the design on the original Parker 51 actually served a purpose of preventing ink drying out quickly. If you do a test by putting the two pens side by side inked and uncapped, the vintage Parker 51 will dry out much slower than the new one.
The air sac metal squeeze piece on your 51 means its either a demi ( ladys) version or its a 51 special. The demi is shorter than the standatd. The special is full size. Anyways if you 51 has a gold colored nib it is 14k demy. If it is a silver colored nib then you have the special which is a 51 but with a steel nib. Just fyi the demi is less than 5 inches the regular length is 51/4 or 5 1/8 inches. It should say wahat it is stamped on the metal squeeze mechanism.
i got it at amazon germany für like 109€ last week and therefore it is worth it. The over 250€ would be - but thats my opinion - too much for all the cons you mention (and which i second!). But I will use it for a companion of my little travel notebook.
I double checked and the aero metric filler inside says Parker “51” and there is a jewel bezel on the finial, which in my research, is another difference between the 51 and the 21 (only appears on the 51). I’m still inclined to believed it’s a 51.
I discovered that the problem was with the ink and not the pen. It writes beautifully now that I have a wetter ink in it. Fountain pens can be temperamental.
Vintage Parker 51 (well-kept and maintained) + Parker Quink ink = the most successful and wanted combo in the history of fountain pens. Don’t go for less.
I have two vintage Parker’s, both with gold nibs. Both have been refurbished and both write very well. I am perfectly satisfied with them, but I have been curious about the reboot version. Thank you for this very comprehensive comparison.
Dint buy it .... it is just a parker jotter ... being sold as a parker 51
@@deusimperator Thanks for the tip. I’m saving my money.
👍🏻
I also have the parker 51 in plum and I use it with kaweco summer purple and it works perfect without any problems like sweer spot or anything , mines is Fine
Thank you, I will definitely be looking for a vintage one instead of the reboot.
That vintage P51 is shorter because it is the DEMI version. And the screw cap on the new one makes no sense since eliminating the screw cap with the sliding cap was one of the biggest innovations of the P51. The new one is just a common pen like any other, just a slight aesthetic resemblance and the name, but just one more of the bunch.
I think in general, the whole sweet spot thing is for sure an interesting topic. I’ve heard a lot of people say the same thing about vintage parker 51’s, but my vintage parker 51 does have a definite sweet spot. It might just have to do with the nib size for the vintage ones though, because mine I believe is an XF
I think this new version of the 51 definitely has a sweet spot, but I've been able to mitigate it somewhat by using a wetter ink--this ink was way too dry and made the sweet spot harder to deal with.
Lovely pen . Thinking about ordering one with the steel nib
it is a parker Jotter ... if you want to buy one, just buy a parker hotter. The new Parker 51s are not Parker 51s but Parker jotters being marketed as Parker 51
My gold version (identical to yours) that I bought from Appleboom did NOT have a converter included, I got 2 (proprietary) cartridges but that's it.
Well, that is unfortunate. I think that it is supposed to come with one (at least that was my experience, which is consistent with other reviews I've seen). You might want to reach out to Appleboom and ask them if they can send you one.
wow... it IS supposed to come with a converter if you got the deluxe version (which you did)
mine came with one
Are all Parker converters compatible with all models?
I mean, are for instance old Parker converters from the 90's (i.e. Parker Sonnet) compatible with current 2021 Parker 51?
I'm asking because I tried to fit a converter from a 90's Sonnet into a modern 2021's 51 and it looks like I need to push hard (slimmer body on the 51? / thicker diameter on the old converter?), but I didn't to avoid damaging any of both.
I’m pretty sure the Sonnet converter would work for the new 51, but I can’t vouch for it working in all models.
Your 'vintage' Parker '51' is a DEMI size hence it being smaller than your new 2021 '51'. Thank you for your review. I have the new burgundy '51' with a stainless steel nib. I really like this modern 'variant' of the world's most famous pen!
Oh, I didn't know there was a demi size--thanks for letting me know. I've been really liking the plum 51--I put a wetter ink in it and it has made all the difference!
you could have saved all that money and just bought a parker jotter fountain pen... the New Parker 51s are rebranded Parker Jotters
@@MysteryArts The demi version has a different sac guard to the regular version. About inefficiency of the aerometric system, I am not sure, usually I can get a full fill with around 6 presses, so it is actually quite fast and efficient. Since it is vintage, and may be you got it used, I am wondering if it is because of the breather tube inside having deteriorated or blocked?
The sac on the vintage pen is actually extremely tough. The most common issues with vintage Parker 51s are clogged collector (think of it as a large feed/secondary reservoir in the section) and the sterling silver breathing tube being corroded by the extremely alkaline ink Parker used to recommend to use in the pen (e.g. Superchrome). But it was very rarely the sac.
The hooded nib of the new iteration is actually a fake, in the sense that it only ascetically mimics the original design. The nib and need are standard Jotter, and it lacks a collector. Whereas the design on the original Parker 51 actually served a purpose of preventing ink drying out quickly. If you do a test by putting the two pens side by side inked and uncapped, the vintage Parker 51 will dry out much slower than the new one.
Thank you, Madam, for showing the video.
I like parker ink its a dry ink but if you like a wet ink diamine is pretty wet. Pelikan makes good inks too then there’s also waterman and sheaffer.
I’ve been using Diamine writers blood in it and it’s been working great!
The air sac metal squeeze piece on your 51 means its either a demi ( ladys) version or its a 51 special. The demi is shorter than the standatd. The special is full size. Anyways if you 51 has a gold colored nib it is 14k demy. If it is a silver colored nib then you have the special which is a 51 but with a steel nib. Just fyi the demi is less than 5 inches the regular length is 51/4 or 5 1/8 inches. It should say wahat it is stamped on the metal squeeze mechanism.
Thanks for the info!
Excellent explanation and presentation
Still debating if I want plume or black gold nib
i got it at amazon germany für like 109€ last week and therefore it is worth it. The over 250€ would be - but thats my opinion - too much for all the cons you mention (and which i second!). But I will use it for a companion of my little travel notebook.
Out all the pens I have Lamy and Parker all the fountain pens have lasted ordinary pens no
Great video
I find the vintage 51 superior in every respect. There is a reason why these pens, some of them 60 years old, are still going very strong even today.
Plum color became visible once you put the black vintage Parker next to it.
I Like the Reboot Parker 51 pens
Didn't know that £200 for some pens 🤔 madness
If the cap has holes above, it is normal that the ink dries inside. If so, it is a bad design.
It is an elegant pen..
❤❤❤❤❤
I have this pen
Nice pen.
The vintage 51 you have looks like a 21.it was the cheaper smaller student pen
I double checked and the aero metric filler inside says Parker “51” and there is a jewel bezel on the finial, which in my research, is another difference between the 51 and the 21 (only appears on the 51). I’m still inclined to believed it’s a 51.
It was the pen of Elizabeth II..
The screw cap and taking cartridge/converter seem like pluses to me. Why would people want the sac thing?
"Second Parts Were Always Bad"
OMG, Can't belive you spend 150$ on a pen that will miss the first letter you write with it.
I discovered that the problem was with the ink and not the pen. It writes beautifully now that I have a wetter ink in it. Fountain pens can be temperamental.
I really liked the vintage one. Looking for a bargain in used market.