Parker "51" Aero-metric Mark I (Handwritten with pics)

[bardharlock]

First Impressions (9)

For many a fountain pen fanatic the Parker "51" is a grail pen. Certainly, the distinct hooded nib and trademark arrow clip are very attractive. That said, the section can be a little too thin for many. My "51" came with a number 165 box made of cardboard. If I gave decimal ratings this would be about a 9.7 on a scale of ten. I frankly fell in love with the Parker "51" at first sight due to its sleek look and yet still vintage feel. I may never give a ten on first impression. A pen and packaging would have to knock my socks off for that to happen.

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb163/Bard_Harlock/100_2122.jpg

 

 

Appearance (10)

What can I say? This pen is as much industrial sculpture to me as it is a fountain pen. Either you really dig the hooded nib or you don't. I feel like there is probably not a lot of in between. The overall design is so simple; black barrel and section, stainless clutch ring and cap, plastic jewel, gold nib. To my eye, this pen still looks incredibly sleek even though it was designed in the late 1930s. When any art can do that, I consider it in the upper echelons of design.

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb163/Bard_Harlock/100_2121.jpg

 

 

Design/Size/Weight (9)

I find the "51" too light without the cap posted and then just a tad too top heavy when I do post the cap. This is a common problem for me with most pens. The posted size is great and overall, irrespective of balance, the pen's weight is about ideal for me. Again, I feel the need to mention that when industrial design looks and operates so very well, it is art unto itself. I would go so far as to say the Parker "51" is sleek and sexy.

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb163/Bard_Harlock/100_2115.jpg

 

 

Nib (10)

Easiest rating I have given so far. I am not sure what I can say about this nib that hasn't been said by countless others before me. So, I'll just review it on its own merits as I would any other nib. Firstly, the nib is just the right amount of smoothness but with enough feedback to make me happy. The flow of ink in generous. It is one of the wettest writers I own. It appears to my eye that I received a fine nib on my Parker "51". Perhaps it is slightly wider than my normal preference, but I got used to it very quickly, especially because I could hardly put the pen down when I first got it, and still pick it up more often than my other pens combined. Also, there is no flex to the nib, which I view as a plus, given the kind of work I mostly do with my pens.

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb163/Bard_Harlock/100_2116.jpg

 

 

Filling System (8)

I really like the ink capacity of Parker "51" Aero-Metric filler. I also think it is dead easy to fill. I just feel (and obviously this is only my personal opinion, I can hear "51" die-hards yelling at me already) that squeeze fillers are sort of, well, cheap. Go ahead, boo me. I very well may acquire a "51" vacumatic and meet my perfect ten, but that does not change the fact that I am still absolutely adoring this pen and its superb functionality.

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb163/Bard_Harlock/100_2118.jpg

 

 

Cost and Value (10)

Mine was a NOS (new old stock) purchase from eBay for far less than the current prices the top restorers charge for a refurbished Mark 1 Aero-Metric in a common color. I note that I did watch eBay daily for several weeks, but obviously being patient can pay off. "User grade" Parker "51"s can be found on eBay, restoration sites and the Fountain Pen Network for prices ranging from $35 - 175 depending on the condition of the pen. I think that even at the high end of the range, this pen is a great deal considering the cost of many modern fountain pens that cannot compete with the "51" in terms of reliability and how well it writes.

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb163/Bard_Harlock/100_2124.jpg

 

 

Conclusion (56)

93% out of 100%. If Parker had used better boxes, if the cap weighed slightly less, and if my pen had a neater filling system, this individual pen would have easily been a 100% perfect pen for me. That said, despite the few very minor complaints I have about this pen it is without a doubt my favorite pen in my stable and the one I feel the most joy in just picking up, admiring a second and then writing with at length. Thanks for reading.

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb163/Bard_Harlock/51review0001.jpg

[Breck]

Good review and photos!

 

The balance of the "51" threw put me off at first, too - enough so that I sold my first one and never expected to get another. Now I have around 10 of them, after deciding only a couple of months ago that I needed the sheer functionality and reliability of this deservedly oft-praised pen.

 

Since then, I've grown accustomed to the balance of the full-size pen unposted, and really like it, but then I prefer light pens. Today I received my first "51" Demi,* and the balance is really just about perfect with the cap posted, as I hoped and expected it would be. This model will join the WW II era Sheaffer Triumph and the MYU pocket pen as the few I write with posted.

 

The Aero is just about dead perfect in terms of functionality. Like you, I disliked the filling system at first, too. It seemed too much like a cheap captive converter system. The Aerometric enjoys real advantages over the Vacumatic system in terms of flow control, however. I've experienced blobbing while writing at both extremes of fullness/emptiness with the Vacumatics, but never with the Areometrics. Both styles are definitely worth having, though, and the Vac's ink capacity is prodigious. Make sure you *know* what kind of ink you want to keep in a Vac filler - flushing them is kind of a nightmare.

 

 

 

 

*There are no reviews of this model in the index, shockingly. I'll try to add one soon-ish (read: by mid-August, realistically)

[rhodes]

Funnily enough, I've always found the "51" a little to thick and heavy for my taste (DJ Vacumatic Slender is perfect for my taste); that's why I prefer the 61 to it. I still managed to end up with 3 "51"'s: a late Mark 1 Areo in Black, a teal Special, and a first year Flighter . I will have to get a Demi one of these days... Great review of a classic!

[bphollin]

I've got my first Aero "51" on the way. This just builds the anticipation. Thanks for posting a new review of a classic pen.

[brianw06]

Excellent review for probably one of the Best ever produced. Everyone should own a "51" to gauge all others against. For the price beats the Lamy 2000 in all respects IMHO

[sera0516]

Thank you for the excellent review and photos.

[Arts11]

Very nice review. What ink were you using? And is that Staples' bagasse brand paper?

[gyrosan]

A great review. You mentioned that the pen is a tad light. Have you considered vintage Aurora 88? I have a 88P with a rigid EF nib and it suits me well. Aurora 88 is evidently based on a Parker "51", but Aurora may have improved the design. I do not yet own a "51" but will in the near future

 

Kind regards,

gyrosan

[bardharlock]

Thanks for all of the kind words, everyone. The review was written with Noodler's Black (Bulletproof) on Staples Bagasse paper. It might be difficult to read, but the top of the review has the ink and then bottom right hand corner has the paper.

[breaker]

nice review and pics

[ScottieDarin]

Well said! Very cool pictures and a fair sense of humor.

I own two of these hotties and I too can't get enough of them haha.

[bardharlock]

Imagine my surprise to see this on the first page of reviews after nearly four years! Very glad you enjoyed the review. It reminds me that I should review some other pens I enjoy. Thanks for the kind comments.

[TheLacOperon]

Great review,

 

I understood why people set the bar at the 51. It is hard to mess up a 51- though I have seen some in pretty sad conditions on the bay.

[six3oo]

Waiting on a "51" Vac. I'm beside myself.

[Mishka5050]

Thanks guys for all the input!

I am watching a few on ebay