I have a single Parker 51. It was given to me many years ago as a gift, but it skipped and the nib stroke was too broad for my liking. I recently had the pen adjusted and the nib "taken in" by Deb Kinney and have started to give the pen a chance. I'm starting to understand what makes this pen so popular. It has a decent size and heft, has good balance, the aerometric fill gives you an easy view of how much ink is left in the pen, it writes very responsively, doesn't dry out easily, and, finally, the cap slips on and off quickly and silently. I like the looks, which are sort of 50s modernist, but it's not my favorite style pen. I also prefer large nibs to the hooded nib of the 51. Still, the more I use it the more I like it. I might even pick up another one someday.

I don't own a "51" yet, but I have one on the way from Ebay. Hope it was a good gamble.

Anyway, I have experience with three Hero hooded nib pens cloned after the "51" and I love the design. So much so that my current search has narrowed to finding a couple of excellent writers in this design before moving on and exploring other FP's.

I always seem to have a "51" or a Hero clone in my pocket, along with a Sheaffer Snorkel these days. Nothing better in my opinion.

Performance is about equal between a "51" and a snork (or a Balance with triumph nib), but the "51" is less obtrusive somehow -- just a plain working tool, no jazzy stuff to get between me and my work.

Peter

Welcome aboard to the world of the Parker 51. At first I prefered the look of conventional nibs and "traditonal" styling. I found over time I appreciate and come to love the 1950's modernist/International Style, the hooded nib and the engineering excellence that make these pens still work well today. Believe me you just can't have one:).

Bill