Parker Red (Burgundy) Duofold Maxima

[amin]

Received my Duofold Maxima in the mail yesterday, and I am impressed! Here's a brief review.

 

First a few size comparisons. From left to right: Edson, M800, Maxima, aero "51," vac "51," 75:

http://i.pbase.com/o4/13/473213/1/57090344.IMG_4268.jpg

 

Posted:

http://i.pbase.com/o4/13/473213/1/57090345.IMG_4270.jpg

 

Top to bottom: M800, Maxima, Polished Raw Ebonite Densho, Optima

http://i.pbase.com/o4/13/473213/1/57090347.IMG_4274.jpg

 

http://i.pbase.com/o4/13/473213/1/57090349.IMG_4277.jpg

 

http://i.pbase.com/o4/13/473213/1/57090348.IMG_4276.jpg

 

The pen is a nice girth for my hand, slightly less than the M800. It feels well-balanced unposted, a bit top-heavy posted. It is lighter than the M800, but substantial enough to feel solid.

 

Nib size is comparable to these others, from left to right Optima, Dani Densho, Maxima, M800:

http://i.pbase.com/o4/13/473213/1/57090346.IMG_4271.jpg

 

Pardon the ink on the nib here (it's not rust ):

http://i.pbase.com/o4/13/473213/1/57090355.IMG_4286.jpg

 

http://i.pbase.com/o4/13/473213/1/57090357.IMG_4296.jpg

 

My writing sample doesn't do the least bit of justice to this nib. It is really springier than nearly all of my modern pens, and can produce much greater line variation than is evident in my handwriting. Definitely one of my favorite nibs ever. There is a ton of iridium on this broad nib. Here are a couple more shots - I didn't take these two, they were provided by the individual who sold me the pen:

 

http://i.pbase.com/o4/13/473213/1/56839794.maximanib.jpg

 

http://i.pbase.com/o4/13/473213/1/56839795.maximatipping.jpg

 

Couple pics of cap and jewel:

http://i.pbase.com/o4/13/473213/1/57090350.IMG_4278.jpg

 

The cap take 1.25 turns to unscrew.

 

http://i.pbase.com/o4/13/473213/1/57090354.IMG_4284.jpg

 

You can just make out the imprint on mine:

http://i.pbase.com/o4/13/473213/1/57090351.IMG_4279.jpg

 

I really like the understated look of the solid color and clean lines.

http://i.pbase.com/o4/13/473213/1/57090352.IMG_4280.jpg

 

http://i.pbase.com/o4/13/473213/1/57090353.IMG_4283.jpg

 

http://i.pbase.com/o4/13/473213/1/57090356.IMG_4288.jpg

 

I forgot to take pics of the aerometric filling system on this pen, but many if not most of you are familiar with this system from the aerometric "51"s. The pliglass sac takes up the majority of the inside space in the pen, so the pen holds quite a bit of ink. I was surprised to see that the pliglass is totally clear on my well-used Maxima.

 

Overall, I think this pen is going to knock the blue M605 out of my pocket for a while, taking it's place next to to my trusty Parker 75.

 

I'm surprised this isn't a more discussed/sought after pen. I simply posted on the Green Board that I was looking for one, and I got 2-3 offers ranging $100 - $150 in price. I've definitely seen them go for even lower on Ebay, as is I suppose the case for all pens.

 

At any rate, I encourage those of you who were thinking about this pen to go for it. It is a great value and has surpassed my high expectations.

Edited March 11, 2006 by amin

[grasshopper]

Excellent stuff, Amin!

 

An English Duofold is also on my latest wants list, and your review here has probably bumped it up few spots.

 

Big difference in girth between this Maxima and that 75 though...

 

 

G.

[amin]

Thanks G! Somehow the 75 fits my grip well despite it's girth being somewhat lesser compared to other pens I find comfortable. Sometimes I grip the narrower triangular portion of the section, others I choke up a bit higher on the wider portion.

 

I forgot to mention, for those who haven't already seen this, Rick Conner has an excellent article on the English Duofolds here. He has a nice pic of the aerometric filling mechanism there, something I forgot to include above.

 

One more thing to potential Ebay shoppers. Most of the pens I have seen billed there as Duofold Maximas have been other pens entirely. Some of these pens are much smaller. Others have very small nibs. Still others are vacs or button fillers. Of course nothing wrong with any of those models, so long as you know what you're getting. I guess all of that applies to any pen one might buy on Ebay.

Edited March 11, 2006 by amin

[RonB]

Thanks for the review. This looks like a great pen. I'll have to add it to my list.

 

Ron

[randyholhut]

The standard size (5 inch) English (or New) Duofolds are a good alternative if you either want a smaller pen or can't swing the extra cost of the Maxima.

 

I've got a Danish version of the New Duofold and it's a great pen. The nibs have a fair amount of flex and the size just right -- not too fat, not too skinny.

 

The English Duofolds from the 1950s are stylish and well-made. It makes you wonder why Parker never sold them on this side of the Atlantic.

[philm]

Thank you Amin -

 

I always enjoy seeing comparisons and your size photos were excellent. Enjoy the pen and thank for sharing with us.

 

philm

[amin]

Philm and Ron, thanks for the kind words.

 

Randy, thanks for sharing the information about the standard size UK Duofold. I'm very interested in eventually picking up one of those as well. I guess the popular models in the US were doing well enough as to not warrant bring over these great pens. One of the thing about the UK Parkers is that they seem to more often have these great broads and stubs. Were folks in the US just not into that?

 

One correction to my review: The filling mechanism, while similar to the "51" aeros, is a bit different. It is the same as the "51" Special. I actually prefer the filling system of the latter, as it facilitates the viewing of the ink. There's a good comparison of the two filling systems just over half way down this page.

Edited March 11, 2006 by amin

[wimg]

Hi Amin,

 

Excellent review with great pics! I like the size comparison with all those different pens too!

 

Warm regards, Wim

[Blorgy]

Your nib has the number "50", which is the correct number for the Duofold Maxima's nib.

[Apollo]

Amin, that Duofold Maxima is to die for! Beautiful pen and superb pics!

 

Now, please excuse me while I go wipe my chin.

[amin]

Hi Amin,

 

Excellent review with great pics! I like the size comparison with all those different pens too!

 

Warm regards, Wim

Wim, thanks! I'm always a fan of comparison pics in reviews.

 

Your nib has the number "50", which is the correct number for the Duofold Maxima's nib.

Thanks Blorgy. This is definitely one of my favorite nibs. Very soft feel to it - probably more soft than springy now that I have been using it more. I'm glad you pointed this out. Do you know of a good resource that identifies correct nibs for other British Duofolds or Parker pens in general?

 

Hi Amin,

 

Amin, that Duofold Maxima is to die for! Beautiful pen and superb pics!

 

Now, please excuse me while I go wipe my chin.

 

Hi Apollo, thanks! I'm working on getting better pics. I think my next step is getting some better lighting.

Edited March 12, 2006 by amin

[Blorgy]

Do you know of a good resource that identifies correct nibs for other British Duofolds or Parker pens in general?

At http://www.thewritingdesk.co.uk/duofolds.html , there are photos of 7 english aerometric duofolds, which are the Lady, Slimfold, Junior, Demi-Duofold, Duofold, Senior, Maxima. Martin is twdpens at FPN.

 

At http://www.vintagepens.com/Parker_UK_Duofolds.shtml , there is more about the english aerometric duofolds, including the numbers on the nibs:

Lady 4; Slimfold 5; Junior 10; Demi 15; Senior 35; and Maxima 50.

David is vintagepens at FPN.

 

I think that the number 25 is on the Duofold nib.

[davyr]

thanks for the wonderful review and pics amin. good looking, strong lines your pen has there, and it looks to be a great writer. enjoy that beaut!

[amin]

Thanks Dave!

[Michael Wright]

Amin called the English Duofold "understated"; that's dead right, and probably why they haven't got much of a following. They're so understated as to be self-effacing, and they Just Work ; which is why they still go for less than Conways, though in their time they were a rung above the CS line.

 

Best

 

Michael

 

who has nothing against Conways, and wishes he could get really excited about Aerometric Duofolds

[rroossinck]

Dragging this one back up from the deep...

 

Amin, thanks for your excellent review. Truly, this one is a beautiful pen. I'm looking forward to the day when one comes home to MY house.

[georges zaslavsky]

nice classic pen I like it.

[hatherton_wood]

I've picked up several of these over the past few months and they are really fantastic pens to use. Very well made and highly recommended.