Sonnet Gold Plating. Is My Pen A Fake Or Just Falling Apart?

[asdf1234]

Hello all.

 

I bought this sonnet brand new in August, it arrived with full papers in beautiful condition, and I had no reason to doubt its authenticity. I note however that the date code IIIL suggests 1993, whilst I bought it new in 2014.

 

It wrote beautifully from the box give or take a few troubles with some inks interacting with insufficient cleaning, and has given no functional trouble so long as it is regularly flushed.

 

The lacquer has however started to lift in a number of areas, most notably at the base of the pen, but also at a few small places around the cap where it sits next to a pen torch in my pocket.

 

The gold plate around the cap band also seems to have worn through around the top.

 

Is this normal for nine months of reasonable use as my every day pen? I had hoped this would wear well for at least a few years, or ideally decades.

 

Is the finish restorable or should I look for a something else to be a little more hard wearing?

 

Could I be correct in smelling a rat given the date code?

 

Any thoughts gratefully recieved.

 

 

 

[daffie]

Hi,

 

Wenn the pen is genuine, Parker must solve this problem by warrenty, I think.

 

Did you buy the pen from an authorized dealer?

 

Can you post more pics of the pen? The pen in total, the cap top, the nib etc.

[mitto]

Most probably this one is fake.

[twdpens]

Parker rotates its date codes every 11th year. Date code IIIL is also indicates 1st quarter 2013 which wouldn't be unusual for a pen sold in 2014. I can't comment specifically on the authenticity but if you bought it from a reputable dealer it would be unlikely to be fake.

HTH,

Martin

Edited April 27, 2015 by twdpens

[asdf1234]

I bought it from this place. Obviously I don't want to accuse them of selling me a fake pen, but is the authenticity of the product something I should be questioning?

 

http://www.penheaven.co.uk/about-us

 

 

EDIT

 

The 11 year rotation I did not know, that makes lots of sense. Many thanks.

Edited April 27, 2015 by asdf1234

[twdpens]

I bought it from this place. Obviously I don't want to accuse them of selling me a fake pen, but is the authenticity of the product something I should be questioning?

 

http://www.penheaven.co.uk/about-us

 

No, they wouldn't sell you a fake. Just pop them an e-mail explaining the problem.

 

HTH,

 

Martin

[daffie]

What I see in your pictures looks genuine to me. Others may correct me if I am wrong.

 

I would look for garantee repair. Just where you bought it. Tell them what has happened to your pen, that is not normal by normal daily use.

[asdf1234]

Excellent, many thanks to everyone for their help.

 

One last question to avoid setting myself up for trouble. How are we defining normal daily use? It is going in and out of my pocket, cap on cap off etc for all of my working hours, plus any other writing requirements out of work. I would hope that fits within the accepted definition for a pen unless fountain pens are now expected to be less functional than I thought but I would like to check.

 

 

What I see in your pictures looks genuine to me. Others may correct me if I am wrong.

 

I would look for garantee repair. Just where you bought it. Tell them what has happened to your pen, that is not normal by normal daily use.

[Parker51]

It unfortunately is likely real. I have had similar problems with what were then current production pens from this manufactuer. One went back to the retailer who sold it to my wife. The second is going to go back soon. The reason for the involvement of the retailer is Parker has shortened their warranty period to two years. Fortunately, the retailer involved guarantees everything they sell without expiration.

[Matlock]

Very sad how the mighty have fallen. Apart from the high end (Duofold and gold nib Sonnets) models the quality of Parker pens is pretty awfull. A great shame.

[mitto]

Very sad how the mighty have fallen. Apart from the high end (Duofold and gold nib Sonnets) models the quality of Parker pens is pretty awfull. A great shame.

Well , I may be wrong but I have doubts about the authenticity of the pen. I have gold platdd Sonnets and one among them is with the same date code (IIIL) but I have no issues with the plating. It is as intact as could be and there are no signs of cheapness.

[Matlock]

Well , I may be wrong but I have doubts about the authenticity of the pen. I have gold platdd Sonnets and one among them is with the same date code (IIIL) but I have no issues with the plating. It is as intact as could be and there are no signs of cheapness.20150427_163357_LLS.jpg

If it was sold by Penhaven it is 100% authentic.

[mitto]

Right. But even then I cant imagine the French made Sonnet would be of such a low quality. I am truly perplexed.

[richardandtracy]

I was stung by Parker many years ago when I bought a black epoxy coated Parker 25. That chipped off, and I have always been wary of pens that do not have self coloured material ever since. The coating/lacquer/paint (whatever term you use, it's a coating) always has a chance of chipping off. It has done so on this pen in the area of highest wear. Not a great surprise, I'm sorry to say. After less than a year of use, I think you can reasonably ask for Parker to do something about it.

 

Regards,

 

Richard.

[pajaro]

The nibs on Sonnets, gold, gold plated or steel are all thin and they bend more easily than any other nib I have ever had. What do you think that says about Parker quality? The rest of the pen holds up, but the nibs bend too easily. In case you think this is a fluke, I have a couple of dozen Sonnets and at least a dozen nibs that have bent. Amateur straightening by me leaves the nibs with signs of crimping or something giving evidence that the nib has been bent. Sending these nibs out for professional straightening is probably not economical. I can't honestly say I remember any incident that made a nib bend. I think they are too thin. I am not inclined to mess with any more modern Parkers.

[mitto]

The nibs on Sonnets, gold, gold plated or steel are all thin and they bend more easily than any other nib I have ever had. What do you think that says about Parker quality? The rest of the pen holds up, but the nibs bend too easily. In case you think this is a fluke, I have a couple of dozen Sonnets and at least a dozen nibs that have bent. Amateur straightening by me leaves the nibs with signs of crimping or something giving evidence that the nib has been bent. Sending these nibs out for professional straightening is probably not economical. I can't honestly say I remember any incident that made a nib bend. I think they are too thin. I am not inclined to mess with any more modern Parkers.

Pajaro , didn't you notice that the gold plating on the cap band and the section ring has almost completely gone in such a short span of time - nine months only. The softness of the nib is altogether a different issue.