Parker Duofold Lucky 8 Review

[usnavydoc]

Today UPS dropped off a large box. Once I signed the slip, I looked at the sender's address label, and realized that my Parker Duofold Lucky 8 had arrived. I ran back inside, and ripped through the shipping box and bubble wrap. Once done, it was obvious that the pen had a lot more packaging to go through. I took some pictures with a point and shoot instead of my DSLR because I forgot to turn it off since last use and the battery was dead. Will post better pictures when I can.

 

The Duofold Lucky 8 is a limited edition pen released by Parker in 2008 to celebrate their 120th Anniversary (1888-2008). As noted in the booklet that came with the pen, Parker Pen was founded in 1888, and the number 8 is considered a lucky number in the Chinese culture, which also coincided with the name Lucky curve feed.

 

There are 3 layers of cardboard packaging to go through before you get to the main box itself, which is wrapped in cloth.

 

Layer 1

 

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c322/navydoc414/Pens/IMG_0077.jpg

 

Layer 2

 

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c322/navydoc414/Pens/IMG_0078.jpg

 

Layer 3

 

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c322/navydoc414/Pens/IMG_0079.jpg

 

Cloth

 

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c322/navydoc414/Pens/IMG_0080.jpg

 

And finally, the main box. The box is solid and nicely made - it is coated in a glossy piano black finish, and shaped like a semi-octagon, with 8 sides in theme of the number "8." It if fitted with what appears to be brass hinges and accents.

 

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c322/navydoc414/Pens/IMG_0081.jpg

 

Once you open the box, you see royal seals of HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH the Prince of Wales on the inside of the lid. There is also the Parker logo and "Duofold Lucky 8 limited edition" inscribed.

 

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c322/navydoc414/Pens/IMG_0084.jpg

 

Once you remove the final layer, you finally get to see and touch the pen. The pen comes with a bottle of black Quink ink, which has it's own Lucky 8 label. Oddly enough, it does not fit in the ink slot designated for it in the box.

 

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c322/navydoc414/Pens/IMG_0086.jpg

 

 

The pen is finished in a charcoal gray acrylic material. It has a gold plated arrow clip and a unique single gold plated band, unlike the 2 bands normally found in today's Duofold. The pen is a large, not as wide as a MB149, but much longer. The top of the cap has a gold plated button inscribed with Parker Duofold Lucky 8, and the numbers 1888-2008. The end cap has the pen's serial number engraved.

 

Picture of the pen

 

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c322/navydoc414/Pens/IMG_0088.jpg

 

Top of cap

 

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c322/navydoc414/Pens/Lucky%208/DSC00327.jpg

 

Cap posted

 

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c322/navydoc414/Pens/Lucky%208/DSC00320.jpg

 

 

The nib is a single tone 18kt yellow gold "Arrow" nib. The nib definitely celebrates the heritage of Parker, as many of it's most popular vintage pens were fit with such a nib. Picture a larger Vacumatic nib and you will get the idea.

 

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c322/navydoc414/Pens/Lucky%208/DSC00329.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c322/navydoc414/Pens/Lucky%208/DSC00328.jpg

 

Here is a comparison of the nib next to other pens (from left to right - Duofold Big Red Senior, Vacumatic, Lucky 8, and MB 149):

 

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c322/navydoc414/Pens/Lucky%208/DSC00357.jpg

 

 

I filled the pen with blue black Quink. Yes, I know it is a limited edition, but it is a pen and it will fulfill it's function - otherwise it is just an expensive stick made of plastic and gold. The pen uses a cc (cartridge/converter) system like other Duofolds. The only thing that is different with the Lucky 8 is that the metal accents of the converter is plated with a gold color, rather than silver. The nib was very smooth, and reminded me of the vintage Duofolds I have. It gave wet line, and was stiff like current Duofolds. Still, putting pressure on the nib gives a little bit of line variation.

 

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c322/navydoc414/Pens/Lucky%208/IMG_0100.jpg

 

The pen is well balanced, whether the cap is posted or not. The one thing that made the writing experience different was that had an octagon shaped barrel, rather than just a cylinder. It reminded me of holding a Omas Paragon, or more recently, a Montegrappa Nero Uno.

 

Next to a similar multifaceted barrel pen, a Montegrappa Nero Uno

 

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c322/navydoc414/Pens/Lucky%208/DSC00307.jpg

 

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c322/navydoc414/Pens/Lucky%208/DSC00317.jpg

 

Unlike the Nero Uno, the Lucky 8's barrel isn't multifaceted from the top of the cap to the end of barrel, rather, it tapers to a cylindrical shape as it nears end of the cap and the end of the barrel

 

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c322/navydoc414/Pens/Lucky%208/DSC00318.jpg

 

 

I appreciate the multifaceted barrel design, as it is harder for the pen to roll off of my desk. It is also different from any other pen Parker made, which should enhance it's collector value. The pen is fairly light, about the same weight as a 149, but because it's barrel isn't as fat, it's easier to hold. As expected with any high end Parker pen, it is a great performer and looks great. In all, I am very pleased with the pen.

 

On a side note, if it was up to me, I would have made the Lucky 8's barrel the same shape, but colored it in red/orange a la big red. I have a feeling Parker picked the color they did because their first pens were available in any color as long as it was black. Maybe an idea for their 130th Anniversary pen. They could make it 7 sided and call it a Lucky 7.

 

My favorite Duofold, and it looks pretty good with the Lucky 8 box :ltcapd:

 

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c322/navydoc414/Pens/Lucky%208/DSC00306.jpg

 

 

 

So if I had to give a score:

 

Packaging/presentation: 10/10

Appearance of pen: 10/10

Writing experience/performance: 10/10

Value: 10/10 (I got a great deal on eBay for it, otherwise if I paid retail it would be (7/10)

 

 

Hope you enjoyed my first review in this forum.

Edited September 3, 2010 by usnavydoc

[Brian]

Congratulations Dr. You have a great looking pen.

 

 

[Guest Pjay]

Thanks for the review - any chance of a writing sample? The ink bottle will fit into the designated space,

it just takes a fair bit of 'persuasion'. Given the risk of leakage on that lovely fabric, I leave mine partially wedged in

so that the label can be seen from in front of the box.

[777]

Great review and sounds like a great pen! I love the modern duofold styling. They look very nice!

 

Hope you greatly enjoy your new pen

 

Regards,

777

[goodguy]

Thank you for the review.

This pen cought my interest when it came out but the lack of self filling mechanism kept me away simply because I couldnt justefy this pen while also running after my WEs

 

I would love to see more pictures of the pen without the cap and of the nib.

 

Enjoy

[akrishna59]

ahhh, what to say about duofolds. they have held (maybe riveted is a better word) the interest of pen enthusiasts for a long time.

 

congrats. on your wonderful pen and pls. post some more pics, especially of the nib.

 

tks.

 

krishna.

[usnavydoc]

As requested, I have amended the review and added additional pictures. Thanks for reading

[goodguy]

As requested, I have amended the review and added additional pictures. Thanks for reading

Thank you

Now I like the pen even better

Its really attractive

[mannyr27]

Beautiful!

[bossy]

Good review. Your UPS box looks pristine.

[usnavydoc]

UPS box? Where do you see a UPS box?

[Inked]

Wow, I'm impressed.

 

Great packaging and a very regal looking pen.

 

The writing samples look fantastic.

 

Congratulations on the new pen Doc!!!

 

And of course, thank-you for sharing.

 

Inked

 

 

[breaker]

a very nice pen and a nice review

[ganzonomy]

That pen is truly beautiful. That 8-sided look is truly function meets form, and the duofold in its various guises are all beautiful. How does the presentation box and everything else look build-wise? Does it match parker's best?

 

On a more serious note, i noticed a lot of companies do 888 models (MB) and lucky 8 model (Parker). Is there really that big of a fine pen presence in the Chinese market? Same with 333 and 33 models.

[brumxi]

Thanks for bringing this wonderful pen to our attention. I am tempted ... but also by so many other pens ;-)

[vcftsai]

Thank you for good sharing.

[SHK]

I think you are the lucky one

 

Sascha

[ArchiMark]

Great review of a very handsome pen!

 

Thanks for sharing.

 

[lewis]

I have two Duofolds, including a True Blue which came in equally stunning packaging.

 

Great pics, I'd love to try one to try out those edges!

 

Enjoy.

 

L

[clrfarm]

Why yes! been using mine for ten years now, it has never known another hand. And writes beautifully, so the form definitely follows function.