Parker 75 Fp, Bp & Mp

[soapytwist]

Was the Parker 75 the last truly great Parker design? Perhaps, but in its original sterling silver cross-hatched pattern it was certainly one of their most recognised pens. The grid pattern allows the pen to look better as it becomes more used, and consequently forty year-old examples look as good or better than when new if they haven't be mis-treated.

 

http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd485/soapytwist/FPN/Pen%20Sets/c86f7349.jpg

 

The fountain pen is a very comfortable pen to hold thanks to the 'triangular' grip, and although it's a metal pen it is not too heavy in the hand. It is also well-balanced if the cap is posted or not. The lightness and balance are followed through to the biro and pencil. these pens are more slender than the FP, but because the barrels are also cross-hatched silver, they are very easy to grip, and comfortable for long periods of writing.

 

http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd485/soapytwist/FPN/Pen%20Sets/f188bfde.jpg

 

Of course the biro can take Parker's ballpoint or gel refills which is a bonus. The pencil has (I think) 0.5mm leads and is very easy to use for detailed work thanks to the barrel pattern. Actually, if you look at the tips of the pens, you will notice little difference between the BP and MP. They are in fact identical in manufacture; the pencil has a lead-advancing insert that is held in place with a circlip (seen on the photo below). Earlier versions of the pencil were twist activated, but this cap-activated one started life as a biro and I transplanted the pencil part into it from another pen.

 

http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd485/soapytwist/FPN/Pen%20Sets/fff89f12.jpg

 

Another thing to notice; the ballpoint is US-made, whilst the FP and pencil were made in France. On the French pens, the lines on the grid pattern are filled in, whereas on the American pen the lines are formed from tarnishing and use. This gives the US pen a slightly softer look to it.

 

http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd485/soapytwist/FPN/Pen%20Sets/f75e60a4.jpg

 

My only problem with this set is one that I alluded to in the Lamy 2000 review: the ballpoint and pencil are identical apart from the pencil's tip, and this makes it difficult to pick the right pen out of a pocket even when you can see the cap ends.

 

http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd485/soapytwist/FPN/Pen%20Sets/556389f7.jpg

[Flounder]

Ah, that's the stuff. It's no wonder the ciselle finish is so highly sought after. I always think "wow, nice design" before "wow, sterling silver" admiring these 75s (unfortunately from afar). It just complements the 75 so, so well. All 75s seem to do very well on eBay, even the roughest. I quite like the gradiated nib collar too.

 

What kind of cap does it have, out of interest? Can't imagine a clutch cap on the triangular section, but no cap ring either so...?

 

Great photos!

 

 

[jandrese]

Thanks for another interesting review. This pattern I cannot warm up to. Recently, I could have picked up two NOS fountain pens in this pattern for 200 bucks. I dipped one and it was a good enough writer but the looks and feel are not for me, although this seems a minority opinion. To me it looks I don't know...dirty.

[soapytwist]

What kind of cap does it have, out of interest? Can't imagine a clutch cap on the triangular section, but no cap ring either so...?!

The clutch of the cap works on th nib collar, which is a reason to avoid the later versions where the collar is gold plated - it flakes and wears off after a while, and if you remove it completely the cap clutch becomes slightly loose.

 

Thanks for another interesting review. This pattern I cannot warm up to. Recently, I could have picked up two NOS fountain pens in this pattern for 200 bucks. I dipped one and it was a good enough writer but the looks and feel are not for me, although this seems a minority opinion. To me it looks I don't know...dirty.

I know what you mean. You might prefer the crisper French grid lines; the US-made pens have worn-looking charm similar to a pair of well-worn Levis, and I guess you either like that look or you don't. I've also seen reviews where the grip section isn't comfortable as it doesn't allow the user to hold the pen any way they like. The ability to 'dial' the nib doesn't really increase the adaptability of the pen to the user IMHO.

[Dino71]

Thanks for another interesting review. This pattern I cannot warm up to. Recently, I could have picked up two NOS fountain pens in this pattern for 200 bucks. I dipped one and it was a good enough writer but the looks and feel are not for me, although this seems a minority opinion. To me it looks I don't know...dirty.

 

While I will probably get a Cisele 75, the ones I handled didn't quite sing to me. I know it was one of the quintessential gentlemen's pens in the 60s and 70s but the silver versions were too slim and too light for me.

 

I stumbled upon a collector who was unloading a clutch of 75s and the lacquer versions had slightly more heft. I got three of these. One in black, one in Jasper Red and another in what I think is Thuya. Good pens. The black I gave to my father, the Jasper is now my wife's and the Thuya is sitting in my desk drawer, waiting to be inked.

[MaxFrank]

I envy this set, so beautiful. I am on the verge of purchasing my first 75 cisele, but this set looks truly superb. Is that the original box by the way?

[soapytwist]

Is that the original box by the way?

It's an original 70s box, but I built the set up and bought the box later. I only have the pencil's original box, which is a not-very-exciting 1980s Parker box and sleeve.

[breaker]

nice review and pics thanks!