Parker 51 Nib Replacement

[Ender]

Hello all! I'm new to the fountain pen world. I just bought a parker 51 (so much better than my safari and kaweco sport!)

 

I've googled, ebayed, and searched this forum and for some reason can't find any info on buying a replacement nib (other than custom nibs like minusca's stubs) . It seems like it would be an easy thing to find, considering their popularity. So I figure the answer must be staring me in my noob face and I just can't see it! So I thought I'd post here to get some help.

 

So where can I get a new nib for my old parker 51? I'd prefer to get one that's been tuned and smoothed by a meister. Also, I think I want to go down to a fine instead of medium. The medium line was a little thick to me. I figure if i buy from a meister, I can get a fine nib that will be just a smooth as that medium is. Are all feeds the same size? I swear mines sticks out more than what i've seen fines do. I don't want to order a fine and find it doesn't fit my medium pen.

[Markthetruck]

You might try Ariel Kullock for 51's. Other than that, it's hit and miss. Google it and you can usually find some. The feeds are the same. It just depends on how it was set. There are some Youtube vids that might cover it or sometimes you can get a reprint of the original Parker service manual online.http://www.parker51.com/manual.html, http://www.parker51.com/parts.html

 

,

[Ender]

Thanks Markthetruck, I'll have to check out ariel kullock!

[TimGirdler]

So where can I get a new nib for my old parker 51? I'd prefer to get one that's been tuned and smoothed by a meister. Also, I think I want to go down to a fine instead of medium. The medium line was a little thick to me. I figure if i buy from a meister, I can get a fine nib that will be just a smooth as that medium is. Are all feeds the same size? I swear mines sticks out more than what i've seen fines do. I don't want to order a fine and find it doesn't fit my medium pen.

 

Ender,

 

The best place for a "51" nib is from Ernesto Soler at www.parker51.com. The challenge is that a worthwhile nib worker needs to install and tune the nib in your pen. Some newer pens have the option of unscrewing the nib units (Pelikan, Bexley, Levenger, Edison, etc.), but there's no such option with the "51". In order to rightly replace the nib, the pen has to be disassembled.

 

Also, the feeds on the "51" show some slight variation--some have channels, some don't. But, I've not noticed the feeds to be of greatly varried size. In fact, because of how the pen goes together the feed has to be consistent to fit into the collector at the right depth so that the nib clears the shell at a proper length.

 

The way the "51" is built facilitates nib interchangability. So, there should be no issue with a new nib fitting your existing pen.

 

Depending on whether this pen is an Aerometric or a Vacumatic, a full restoration is probably the best course of action. Once the pen is apart, an ultrasonic bath for the collector, new guts, if necessary, and a thorough inspection will ensure your pen will perform at a top level for years to come.

 

Tim

[OcalaFlGuy]

Send the pen to Ernesto, tell him how wide of a line you're looking for in the new nib and how wet on a 1-10 scale.

 

He'll install and set it up for you as it should be.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

[Ender]

Great advice! Thanks everyone!

[jakozak]

Ender, did you ever find a nib for your 51? I am also looking for an Extra Fine octanium nib for my 51. The medium nib is just too wet and thick for my writing preference. Mr. Soler didn't have any XF nibs when I emailed him a few weeks ago. How likely am I to find one at a pen show? Could my existing nib be ground down to an XF at a show? I live about 2 hours from Columbus, Ohio.

[OcalaFlGuy]

I'm sure there will be a Nib tech who could take you down to XF or finer at the show and honestly, that's what I'd suggest.

 

I do realize there May be some NOS XF Octanium nibs out there but I'm not aware of any NOS gold nibs. It is my personal experience that often

Used, especially Vintage used XF nibs have issues due to their fineness. I think you're better off having you nib ground and it's wetness set to how YOU want it. The fact that you are paying more for the grind than the nib cost isn't relevant to the discussion really. I've had gold P-45 nibs and Stainless Esterbrook nibs ground.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

[jakozak]

Thanks Ocala. Another question: when I take my 51 or any other pen to a show for nib work, should I leave them inked, or should I bring them clean and dry?

 

Jack

[OcalaFlGuy]

I take mine inked with my usual ink and test paper that I am familiar with. It is more difficult to adjust the flow on an empty pen and I'd prefer the flow testing be done with the ink *I* prefer to use not what the nib tech may or may not have available.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

[TimGirdler]

I take mine inked with my usual ink and test paper that I am familiar with. It is more difficult to adjust the flow on an empty pen and I'd prefer the flow testing be done with the ink *I* prefer to use not what the nib tech may or may not have available.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

 

+1

 

If you use a specific ink and a specific paper, it's always best to bring those items with you--and the pen must be inked to be tuned.

 

I use Waterman Blue/Black (or whatever they call it now). But, when someone brings a pen to me at a show, I use the ink they have in the pen. I use my paper, of course, but will do final testing on their paper.

 

Blessings,

 

Tim

[jakozak]

Tim, I tried clicking on the link in your signature line, but I kept getting a "page can't be displayed' notice.

 

Jack

Akron, Ohio

[TimGirdler]

Tim, I tried clicking on the link in your signature line, but I kept getting a "page can't be displayed' notice.

 

Jack

Akron, Ohio

 

Hmmmm.... Strange. It's not unprecedented, though. The ISP may have been doing something, or there might have been some glitch somewhere.

 

Please try again, and if it doesn't work. Try this: http://timgirdlerpens.com

 

Blessings,

 

Tim

 

PS. I'm in the middle of a massive website update. But, I haven't done anything as yet on the ISP's servers. So, I'd be real interested to know if you're still getting the same error message(s).

Edited April 22, 2014 by TimGirdler

[OcalaFlGuy]

Tim, both links work fine for me on an Aesus using Chrome.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

[TimGirdler]

Tim, both links work fine for me on an Aesus using Chrome.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

 

Thanks, Bruce!

 

Blessings,

 

Tim

[jakozak]

It's working now. I am on my PC. Had the problem on my Mac this morning.

 

Jack/Akron, OH

[sweilem]

Ender , can you give me the exact measure of the nib. i might have some very old stock as replacement for the 51 nib

[pajaro]

A year and a third later.