Just received my fist 51, teal blue lustraloy, with what I think is a medium nib. I am one very happy camper and happy that I went for it. BTW, how can one tell what the nib size is?

Also, looking for a rich blue ink (not quink blue black) for the pen, any suggestions?

Kind regards

Daniel

I really like Waterman Florida Blue ink, and it is easy on the pen from what I've read here.

There is a chart of Parker "51" nibs which someone may be able to direct you to, but I don't find it very helpful because its so small.

Ron

Thanks Ron, will check it out at my store, hope they have it.

Dan,

The nib will be marked on a Teal Blue, but then you have to take it apart to see the mark and I believe that if it ain't broke don't fix it.

As the pen is an Aero I assume by the colour, then you can get away with some of the saturated inks as long as you flush it well. I also keep some Parker Quink Washable Blue around as a fill of that does wonders for cleaning a "51" out. I have used PR Supershow in an Aero "51" but would not use it in a Vac.

If you don't want to gamble on the really saturated inks, then Diamine works well in a "51" too.

The chart of nib sizes is on Parker51.Com, but it relates to the early Vacumatic nibs I think. US Nib sizes run smaller than the English nibs, so a English M is nearly a US Broad.

There is a simple answer to this, try it and get a feel for it, see how it writes for you The only "51" nib I could never get on with was a XF in a Vac that I cured by exchanging it for a M.

Enjoy the pen.

Jim

Thanks Jim,

No way I'm going to dismantle anything at this stage. I concur with what you said about the feel, I simply love the way it writes and I guess that's good enough.

I am not sure we have such a large choice of inks as you mentioned, and the truth is the only ink I have today is the quink blue black. As you can tell I'm an adventurous type

I'll start learning about inks and checking out the very few really worthwhile stores we have here in Israel.

Thanks

Dan

Dan,

Welcome to the HAPPY end of pendom
I use a 50/50 mix of Waterman's Florida Blue and Waterman's Purple.
Sounds iffy but was recommended way back by someone on PT. I tried it and haven't used anything else since. The purple takes the slightly faded look - and NO it's not all purpley (if there's such a word).
Anyhow enjoy your "51" but be warned: you will soon develop an itch for 'just one more'
Regards,
Ruaidhrí

That combination was recommended by Richard Binder. I use a 3:1 mix of Pelikan blue to Pelikan Violet, and also find it to be excellent. For a darker, more saturated blue with excellent flow characteristics and a hint of violet, I highly recommend Aurora blue.

Glad you enjoy your "51." Been writing with one all day and share your enthusiasm.

Ruaidhrí thanks,

I thought you guys only inked up on Guinness

Dan

Well - I currently have PR American Blue in one of my aero "51"s and PR Midnight Blues in the other aero "51" - American Blue in particular is a really pleasant, deep blue. But both my pens have fairly stained pli glass sacs to begin with so I'm not terribly concerned with staining and I do manage to flush them out with some regularity. I'll have to try the Quink washable blue trick!

Nice pens, those "51"s and I'm already scoping around for another one...

Nothing wrong with Quink Blue/Black, I have a Vac "51" filled with it on my desk right now. It was the ink I used right through school, college and beyond. I guess that you should be able to get EU inks easier than the US? If so could you order from The Writing Desk? I am sure that Martin would ship to you if possible. No connection, just a satisfied customer.

Jim

http://www.thewritingdesk.co.uk/index.html

Guinness for BLACK ink only. Advantage is that it's one of the few inks you can drink

What a marvelous idea Ruaidhrí !

Jrodriquez, I tried the black ink and it tastes horrible