Parker 45

[The Classicist]

"This wonderful fountain pen was awarded to my uncle in 1976 for volunteer work for the Singapore government. What a gift it was! It hearkens back to a day when a prize/award was useful and didn't just sit on a shelf like a trophy. I found it in my basement along with the rest of my older pens and this one was in the worst condition of the bunch. That's really not saying much, seeing as it still has the tag on the clip!"

 

More on my blog at pennedhouse.blogspot.com

 

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-270euSR9_sw/TZMkCOhoSuI/AAAAAAAAAKk/Ca89LkgzALU/s1600/IMG_20110329_203938.jpg

 

Questions and comments always welcomed!

[WontonST]

Indeed, I agree that P45s tend to be very smooth writers.

 

You could always cannibalize the barrel of another P45 when you're using it write; they sell quite cheaply, especially the ones with broken nibs.

[piembi]

Nice review!

 

The Parker 45 had been the companion of my school years. Smooth nib, easily replaceable, flighter body built like a tank. Still have the pen.

 

After many years in the drawer I inked it and liked it. Finally I replaced the steel nib with a 14K nib and even got a second one off ebay. Now I am using one of them frequently and am happy that I did not sell my old school pen.

[The Classicist]

Nice review!

 

The Parker 45 had been the companion of my school years. Smooth nib, easily replaceable, flighter body built like a tank. Still have the pen.

 

After many years in the drawer I inked it and liked it. Finally I replaced the steel nib with a 14K nib and even got a second one off ebay. Now I am using one of them frequently and am happy that I did not sell my old school pen.

 

Apparently this pen seems to be reasonably easy to find parts for. Did you see a nibmeister to have it replaced with the 14k nib?

[knitknitfrog]

Nice review!

 

The Parker 45 had been the companion of my school years. Smooth nib, easily replaceable, flighter body built like a tank. Still have the pen.

 

After many years in the drawer I inked it and liked it. Finally I replaced the steel nib with a 14K nib and even got a second one off ebay. Now I am using one of them frequently and am happy that I did not sell my old school pen.

 

Apparently this pen seems to be reasonably easy to find parts for. Did you see a nibmeister to have it replaced with the 14k nib?

 

Not sure about others but I bought a nib from the Pen Museum, and changed them myself, when I bought my 45 way back in the 1980's I ordered it a gold italic nib in M, and since misplaced the original M non-italic nib, so a few months ago I found a replacement and now I switch between the two. If the pen is working and the nib nicely set up in the unit, it just screws on and off - very user friendly !

[piembi]

My 14K replacement nib came with an ebay parts pen. The parts pen had a cracked barrel but a perfect nib. Paid less than 10 Euros for it. Guess, I was lucky

[Dino71]

My 14K replacement nib came with an ebay parts pen. The parts pen had a cracked barrel but a perfect nib. Paid less than 10 Euros for it. Guess, I was lucky

 

Now that IS lucky! Congrats!

 

How does it write compared to the stock plated steel nib? The steel one is already mighty smooth but am on the hunt for a gold nib.

[piembi]

Sorry for the delayed answer.

 

No, there is no significant difference between a steel nib and the 14K nib. I got the 14K nib mainly for aesthetics because my pen was fitted with a gold plated nib that had lost part of the plating. Thought the 14K nib would solve this problem once and for all.

[rahulg]

A wonderful review, and what a lovely story behind your P45!

IMHO, keep the pen as is. Thanks for sharing.

 

Rahul

[bk123]

Thanks for sharing!

I always wish to add a parker 45 in my small collection.

 

 

Cheers,

Binod

[Inkwisitor]

Great little pens that come in a variety of styles and always perform reliably. Steel nibs are excellent and amazingly smooth. Thanks for this review.

[jslallar]

I have three 45s. 2 fighters with gold trimings and a black plastic, the former 2 have 14K broad nibs and the plastic one has broad steel nib. Despite the reviews saying that there is no difference at least I feel that the golden nibs are more responsive and have a better feel to them. A great pen I must agree, especially the fighter versions. The plastic ones feel light and cheap, but write well nevertheless.

[Robert Hughes]

A fellow FPN'er in St Paul gave me a 45 the other day. I've cleaned it up, put a converter in it, and have it running just fine. I appreciate the 60's streamlined look and the fine 14k point. I've already owned a British 45 with a wide nib, but this week's one is even nicer.

Edited May 22, 2011 by Robert Hughes

[MSA]

I have several 45's and about two spare nibs. My older brother gave me a 45 Coronet that belonged to my father. Has to be from the sixties with a broad gold nib. I have two flighters with chrome fittings, one with Harlequin shield pattern and one with blue plastic body. A few months back I was looking at the small wooden attache that used to belong to my grand father and later my father, to my surprise, I found a few extra nibs - one for 61, one for 51 and one for 45. All gold. I replaced the gold 45 nib on my plastic bodied 45. It works like a dream. Extra fine. I do note that gold nibs tend to write better than the Octanium nibs on the 45. The only complain that I have with the 45's is that they tend to have a smaller ink capacity when compared to 51's and 21's.

[Federalist Pens]

Can never go wrong with a P45!

The Perfect pen- A classic right from the start!

Perfect if you want to carry a vintage pen that looks like a modern writer!

 

Frank

[M@rtin]

Very nice pen,one of my favourite models!. Here, in Argentina, it is VERY successful, and since was produced on our country, is relatively easy to find them.