Hi All,

OK, the usual tiresome disclaimer: I'm not a Parker person, so I'm apt, sometimes, to ask a silly question or two.

I have the feeling that this particular question would fall, in lawyer terminology, into the category of "asked and answered." (That is to say: we've heard this one before.) But here goes.

I recently picked up a little lot of pens and pencils, including a 3rd-quarter 1942 Parker "51" with a lined sterling cap. As I usually do, I dipped the pen (the filling system needs attention) to check the nib. Well, this nib felt different from my other "51" nibs. After a moment or two of scribbling, I could tell that I had a fine stub on my hands, and a peek through the loupe confirmed that fact.

A wonderful surprise...but the nib configuration alone didn't seem to explain this nib's different "feel." After a bit more writing, I identified the sensation. This was definitely a semi-flex nib. With moderate pressure, I was able to achieve modest, but noticeable line variation (please see the attached photo).

The top writing sample shows the effect of writing with zero pressure. Below it: a sample produced with moderate pressure. At the bottom, a series of side-by-side downstrokes: five without pressure, and five with. As I hope you'll be able to see, the application of pressure does change the width of the downstrokes. There's more ink being put down in the "moderate presure" sample, but I don't think that fact alone would account for the differences. Besides, it's possible to see (but not to photograph, at least not with my skills) a definite spreading of the nib tines under pressure.

Let me be perfectly clear: this isn't vintage Waterman or Wahl flex, by any stretch of the imagination. The sensation and the line variation are consistent with the semi-flex softness of, say, my Pelikan 1000, or maybe my Densho. Nothing dramatic, but still an appreciable amount of flex.

Now, this runs counter to everything I've learned about the "51." I've read that the "51" nibs were purposely designed and manufactured to be smooth-writing "manifolds" capable of making multiple carbon copies. Beyond nib design, I also remember reading - if I'm not mistaken - that the pen was constructed in a way that precluded nib flex. And certainly none of my other "51"s behaves this way.

So what do I have here? Is the nib damaged or misaligned in some way? (It doesn't look it.) Are there, in fact, some semi-flex "51" nibs? Or is there some other explanation?

Thanks a million for your help!

Cheers,

Jon

early 51 vacs sometimes might give you this pleasant surprise. There's some 51 nibs that are... uhmmm... "backless", meaning they have less gold, so to say, they're not the full "pipe" design that you'll see almost everytime you disassemble one. It's a half pipe way up to 2/3rds except for the heel area where it should enter the collector. Those nibs are flexy! and a joy to write with. Pictures soon!

The significant difference between a "51" nib that has no flex at all and one that has a little bit of life is whether the slit is cut all the way to the breather hole or not. if it is, the nib is just that little bit livelier. I don't yet have enough date to start pinning years to "cut all the way" or " not cut all the way," but it's clear that there was design change at some point because the nibs with slits that are cut only part of the way are marked with an imprint that includes a circle to mark how far the slit should go.

I don't know what I want more... the pen or your writing ability. Pretty script!

Hi All,

telltime, I thank you for the kind words. In view of the spectacular calligraphy the folks around here are capable of, I felt silly posting this little example. You've made me feel much better about it.

And thanks, jicaino and Richard, for the interesting information. I guess, in light of the date code, this qualifies as an "early" pen - so maybe it belongs to the group you describe, jicaino. Richard, am I right in inferring that there was a definite changeover to the pure manifold style at some point, rather than a twin-track approach: side-by-side availability of "soft" and "firm" nibs? Fascinating. I'd love to know more.

Cheers,

Jon

while we're at it, I might ask you, Richard, if you have ever seen a partially slitted "debacked" 51 nib. I have never seen one of those.
As far as flex is concerned (getting back on topic) I find that the "normal" ones are less flexier than the debacked ones. (That is, talking about nibs with full slith on them)

No problem. And if you do decide to sell the pen, please remember me. Maybe my post could be considered the first "I want it."

Congrats on such a great find.

- Devin