I was reading a while ago a thread where many people trashed the vector (here it is). There were a couple of supporters, but I still wanted to give my two pence. Rather that resurrecting the month-old thread, here I go...

It's cheap, totally reliable, and the nib is a really interesting one.

Visually - the nib casually resembles an uncovered 45, and it's nice to see some heritage. I also like the design evolution of the clip, and the straight sided cylinder is as distinctive and recogniseable as the 51's hooded nib was when that fist came out. The colour and design variety make the choice outstanding, and having a pallette of Vectors for each ink colour (for instance) would be a snip. Oh, and the Vector Flighter looks really cool posted.

Nib - In my experience, the nib (though it's nail-hard) is very, very smooth. I've never had skipping on any of the three vectors I've used. I can get nice ink shading using it, too. Sometimes it feels like using a paintbrush next to my esterbrook 9128. Also, it is simply immune to drying! I've left that nib uncapped on my desk for an hour, then picked it up and started writing with it first stroke! Great when you alternate pens for colour contrast.

Changing a nib on one of these is really easy - they just slide out, as easy as Lamys (there's a thread on it in the repair forum somewhere - worth a search if you're interested). You can mount spare nibs on them for fun with almost no hassle. Section units are two a penny in the Parker calligraphy sets (which come with four sections, four italics nib types). Perfect for finding out how these things look, easily fiddling, and playing Mister Nibmeister.

One other thing I wanted to metnion is that it's just perfect for ink testing. Have you ever dipped one of these things? They hold half a bottle in the feed - I just wrote almost 3 A4 pages with one dip. Three pages! With that kind of capacity, why even bother buying a converter? Flushing them is as easy as stirring a glass of water.

Even if they're not as perfect as a nice 51, as historical as a Lucky curve, or as luxurious as a Ciselie, these guys are a great school pen, and make a great tool for the FP collector.

...but I guess...YMMV

I am happy for you. Indeed a wonderful Little cheap (Since I can afford now, unlike in the past) Fountain Pen...........
I will be happy to send your review to Parker. Parker needs to made pen like THIS More........

The Vector will always have a special place in my heart, if only for nostalgic reasons (it was my first-ever fountain pen).

I still like the Vector, too. And the Parker 25, its cousin, nibwise. I wish they had made them in even more colors and with some better plastic, but they are a great little pen for the money. The current British 1M/Profile fountain pen is nice too, like a Vector that's pumped up.

Woah. Perhaps if I send it to Parker, they'll send me a free Vector ...

you deserved another one. Give me your address I send you one. (used)
I have some that purchased in a lots while hunting...... as for nib tell me the size and I try to find for you. (Promised and No promise)

PS: No convertor issued

Honestly, My Parker MD have been nice to me too.

I totally support your views on the Vector. Everything you said about it is spot on! The Vector may be humble (no bling factor), but it is still one great pen.

The Vector is all the pen I need. It's the only fountain pen in my collection, and it's a reliable workhorse (and, hopefully, will remain so once I change to bottled ink and converter once my last cartridge runs out).

Spot on I totolly agreed with all your points . I've a couple of Vectors I reserved for ink testing - one dip and they go on forever, and so easy to flush out too; plus don't have to worry about damaging anything too delicate or pricey. I'm actually thinking of getting a dozen just to load them up with different inks so that I can do ink comparison quickly. Mine are from near 15 years ago; anyone know if the new ones are just as good? Thanks.

Well I've gotten one new one and one used in a Calligraphy set, from my knowledge their both pretty good, I don't Parker changed it much from the ones 15 years ago.

The Vector is a good reliable pen that also make a nice writer.
The only thing I have agains it is that it feels cheap.
I just cant stand pens that look or feel cheap even if they are good writers.
I own a Vector and it never failed me but I will not use it simply because it is what it is a cheap pen.

I quite like the feeling of having it riding alongside a nice 51...
But you're right, it is cheaply made. Do you think the same of the "flighter" version, in SS rather than plastic?

What I REALLY dislike are pens that feel cheap or ordinary even when expensive. The Vector is Honest cheap and does a darned good job too.

Stainless steel mostly cures the "cheap" feel for me, though there's something about the modern clip attachment that bugs me that wasn't part of my late 80s stainless vector. I wish I still had it to compare, but if I did I probably wouldn't have gotten another to replace it.

Hi there. I'm new here (but have a 51 and a couple of Duofolds). You wrote: "... people trashed the vector (here it is). " But I don't see any mention of it there. Was hoping for a shot too. Got another website to offer?
Thanks, Mike

I have just been given an old Vector pen from my husband's old desk clearance. He thinks he bought it when he first began college back in 1985. It has a lovely matt black finish, but is deifinately metal underneath, and much heavier than the cheap red/blue/black plastic versions we've seen in the shops for the past decade or so. They are so light and feel very tacky.

I gave it a quick rinse through, inked it (converter) with Diamine Quartz and gave it a go. Its fantastically weighted, although the medium nib writes a bit too wet for my tastes. I'm thinking about buying a calligraphy set to put a fine nib in instead. Unless anyone has one hanging about they'd be willing to part with...

Then maybe the following link could be of some interest for you. I believe it's still available:
WTT: Parker Calligraphy set

I also have one of these matte-black-over-aluminium-alloy Vectors. It really feels great comparing it to any plastic one.

With that review, you've just made me want to buy a Vector of my own. Sad thing is, I haven't got any money. Maybe I can ask for one for Christmas. xD