So just wondering which filling mechanism do you like better on your Parker 51 the Vacumatic or the Aerometric ?

For me its the Vacumatic.

I think a fountain pens is much sexier and more romantic f the filling mechanism is from the bottom of the pen like a piston,botton filler,Vacumatic...etc
And the Vacumatic is a real Parker invension while the Aerometric press bar is in my eyes another stage of a lever filler.

Yes the Aerometric is more reliable but I just like the Vacumatic better.

Hmmm...I have 2 aeros & 1 vac. I tend to lean toward the aeros just for simplicity & durability, but I love the vac, too. Tough choice!

I accept and appreciate a vacumatic for what it is but if I were presented with a choice of being able to pick only one of two 51s and all other things being equal, I'd probably pick the aerometric because, most of the time, the aeromatic will be ready to use and the vacumatic will usually need some work done before it will be functional.

So, question (I had actually going to pose this one but to extend it). I have trouble with (forgive me for being untechnical) what I *think* is the aeromatic type (squeeze that bag) for telling how much ink I get into the pen. Is it easier to tell with a vac?

Also, what is an average price for either for a clean (does not have to be mint) Parker 51 of either type (I think aeros are less usually?).

I have a yen for one of these since people RAVE about them, and I can probably only get ONE pen this year. I am thinking it is going to be a medium or broad nibbed Parker 51 if I can find a decent one.

I too lean towards the aerometrics for the same reasons as Bill - simplicity and durability. It might just be in my head, but most of the vac fillers I've used feel a bit fragile. And for me that was all the more noticeable since flushing the pen can take quite a few fills.

Chupie, the aerometrics are in general less expensive, and you're right that it's the filling filling mechanism with the ink sac and a pressure bar that you press "four times" and access by screwing off the body of the pen. There's also an even more affordable special "51" that has a steel instead of gold nib, and a squeeze version of the aerometric filler. The special "51 I bought, which has a medium steel nib, was about $40 from an FPNer and it's a wonderful writer.

So how about the "how much ink" issue. The only aeromatic I have is a Pilot G78 but I sure can't tell how much ink I have in it and it makes me a bit nuts.

I would kind of like a gold nib, because none of my pens are gold nibbed, but mostly I want the famous "butter" smooth experience

You're right that seeing the ink level isn't all that convenient on an aero filler. You have to unscrew the body and look at the ink sac. Of course they also hold a lot of ink. I try to look at my aero special running out of ink as a unique experience. A sort of, "Well I'll be damned! It actually ran out of ink!" But seriously, I do agree with you. I like to know before I leave with a pen for the day that it's got enough to get me through. And this isn't a feature where the aerometric shines ...

I've put my money where my mouth is. I have 2 Aeros and no Vacs. And, at the moment, that's where I'm stopping.

I like the simplicity of the Aero, and the smaller number of parts. If there is less there, there's less to go wrong. Well, apart from corrosion in a little silver tube.

Regards

Richard.

I like Vac fill 51s.... in fact I think I only own 1 Aero filler and that one is a pen I made with a Kullock body and hood from parts I had...
I just like the filling system and the amount of ink they hold...
Of course being a restorer it makes it easier for me to work on them and that does cut the cost...
I guess that is also why I really like Vacumatics also...

I am hedging my position, I have equal numbers of Vac and Aero 51's and I like them both because they are 51s. The fillers show the evolution of the species.

Bill

I only have 2 Vac versions, one works the other doesn't but the rest of the pen is a bit of a state so not worthy of repair.

I have at least 10 Aerometrics and in some ways I prefer those, as you can see condition of the filler before you buy. I know people say they almost always need work, but I have only bought one 51 that didn't work fine after a good clean and that is the Vac.

Andy

I like the vacumatic filler 51s, hands down. They feel more substantial in my hand, and I love the DJ styling. I think it is a matter of the vac era 51s being made from milled lucite rod stock as opposed to the aeros being made of injection molded plastic.
Plus I prefer the Cedar Blue, Mustard and Nassau Green colors, which you cannot get in the Aero.
I don't get this fear of the vac filling system. It's the easiest thing in the world to work, and that slurping sound the pen makes after you withdraw it from the ink and release the plunger is kind of cool.

Well after you said you carry a Parker Vacumatic on you to trials I didnt expect any other vote from you.And its nice to see you like the same filling mechanism like me (who said great mind think alike ? -just kidding).

The wider variety of collectable pens leads me to favor vac fill pens, though i have couple nice aeros too.




regards

david

Aeros. Easier to use.

Aero. It just keeps going and going and going and will probably outlast me.

Haha, just like the Energizer Bunny, hey Romeo?

Have Two "51" Vacs and 12 Aeros (7 of those Demis). One of the Vacs is a XF/F that is the most enjoyable for me to write with. The other Vac is from a dear friend and I love it because of her (writes like a typical "51" so it's great). Couple of the Aeros need nib work. The others are just boring, great "51" writers with various nibs. I adore the one Vac because of the nib; if the nib was on an Aero that would be my favorite. The filling system is not a draw for me one way or the other. Now if I had a special color, cap, and nib that would be my favorite, but not because of the filling system.

... Now I do love a Snorkel! Think it's neat and probably most of all because the Sheaffer Snorkel was what my Dad used. A good, fond memory, childhood thing.

I love vacs, i have one vac and one aero. I find the vac's body is more substantial, the pen when writing feels different between a vac and an aero. But i like using both the vac and the aero. In fact, following vacs, i have 4 parker vacs (non 51s) in my collection. The vac actually made me buy the tools so i can service them and fix them myself.