I did a search for the last year and found some references to the sonnet but no
in-depth likes or dislikes of the pen.

One of the Sonnet's speaks to me but being the type of person I am, I need to make a objective decision rather than a purchase based on
"emotion"

Can anyone help me out?
thanks

Beautiful pen. Right size for my small hands. Balances very well. Unfortunately it is let down by poor consistency in the writing ability of its gold nib.

I had one for three days, but the flow was poor and scratchy. I am sure it was a quality control issue and not a design issue. However, before I let the shop order me another I spied the lacquered Aurora, eye candy won out.

I have two and they are both very wet and smooth writers. Mine are both medium points.

-Bruce

I guess to aid your objectivity, you require comments from people with hands-on experience with sonnets, of which I haven't got. But I too am interested in trying one out (having a soft spot for Parkers, though more on the vintage side). When I do, and if you still haven't got yours, I'll let you know.

For now:

Likes - it's a parker, it has a nice simple design, there's one with silver/chrome trims.

Dislikes - could be too thin even for my smallish hands, given my current preference for slightly fatter (not necessarily huge) pens.


G.

Hi,

While you are all talking about "thin," I will say that it was too thick for me. Anyway, the one I reground didn't seem to have any issues.

Dillon

I've got a Sonnet (Fougere) which I quite like, but it doesn't get much use -- I guess because there's nothing very distinctive about it as a writer.

I think Sonnets have provoked a lot of discussion over the years -- some people liking them a lot, others not. I get the impression that the nature of the nib has changed -- originally they seem to have been quite flexy.

Currently, Sonnets come in a range of finishes, from quite utilitarian to the gorgeous red Chinese lacquer, and they have either steel or gold nibs. The gold nibs still seem to be available in a decent variety of sizes.

Physically they are a good sensible size, very classic, and my silver pen is light, partly because it's a thinnish silver overlay on a plastic barrel.

Sorry I can't be more decisive. Perhaps it's because the Sonnet is a good middle-of-the-road pen? But it is one of the few modern pens to have been faked, so that has to tell you something.

Best

Michael

One other thing to watch out for is that - after the Montblanc - it's becoming the most popular pen to fake. I'm not talking here about cheaper pens it inspires, but fake/replica pens being passed off as the real thing. Some of the replicas are almost indistinguishable from the real thing.

Consequently, if you're buying on eBay, only buy from a trusted source, like Jean-Michel Lewertowski, who always has plenty of Sonnets for sale:

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/PEN-SELLER-FROM-FRANCE

No connection, no commission, just a very happy customer.

Ray

Just bought him a new Frontier M-Nib that will be my horseworker (along with my Senator). Still waiting for it since I won it Thursday and paid yesterday, thus he'll be probably shipping it by Monday. Looking forward to it. Still have got to think of a color ink. Can't decide, I'm helpless
After this one, I'll look in for a Sonnet. The Duofold is way to classy for me <_< . He seems a great seller, hope everything turns out ok

Hi,

I love my Fougère.



I would use it more often if it had a stub nib. This one has a medium nib that writes on the fine and wet side of the spectrum.

When I saw the article about forged Sonnets I ran, checked mine, and it is OK.

The finish is superb. It is a hefty pen, but I would not say it is heavy. I use it unposted, and it is very well balanced.

Incidentally, this is one of my few "Celebration Pens", those that I bought to commemorate a special date. I am very fond of it.

There's an interesting article on the fake Sonnets here:

http://www.penhero.com/PenGallery/Parker/P...onnetClones.htm

Ray

Ray - thanks for pointing to my article
Actually there maybe a 3rd generation of clones
So please be careful where you are buying from.

I love Sonnets. I have had a Sonnet in my rotation for ever.

I find the new nibs more reliable but unexpressive. They have been redesigned to match the heavy pressure characteristics of the modern writers. I usually adjust them to get more flow under less pressure. I love the older ones that come in the thin band pens. They were soft and expressive but delicate and occationally scratchy.

Perhaps it is best to try them in person, rather to e-order.

I have five Sonnets, two are newer models with steel nibs, and three are the older thin band pens with gold nibs. I really like my Sonnets. I typically prefer a larger pen, but the Sonnet is very comfortable to use. The older version with the gold nib has a springier feel to it, but the newer ones write very well, even with the stiffer nibs. I haven't tried a later version with a gold nib.

Larry

Undoubtedly a beautiful pen - I have an narrow band version in "moonglow" (I think thats what it's called) which is a sort of mottled blue. Almost looks Waterman-ish in it's finish (no coincidence). I think the size is nice though perhaps a bit on the small side and I like the consistencey and shape of the famous Parker arrow clip. The only downside for me is the nib. I have a fine and I find the ink flow to be a little too sparce. The main problem I have with the nib though is that I think it's too flexible for me. Mine's been out of my rotation for a while now. Every once in a while I try it again, but it hasn't won me back yet. Perhaps it's time to try it again. I think I'll go fill it up now.....

Although the only Sonnet I had was a ballpoint, it had a nice weight and looked gorgeous in Chisled Tarten.

Ray/Maia: I second those comments about J M Lewertowski. For anything from Sandford Corp in Europe, he has it, and at such a good price for new.

Guess I'm quoting myself...didn't see this post until now. Here's how I responded to a question regarding a Parker 100 vs. the Sonnet:
-------------------------------------
I cannot speak to the 100 but I do own the Sonnet Laque (black). I give the pen a rating of "okay." I find it to be a bit of a slow starter (Noodlers Legal Lapis) and the nib is **stiff** (in this case: an 18 kt. gold white medium). There's also a tendency for the filler to exhibit some ink adhesion (not really a big concern) but I noticed this occurence since I have to occasionally "tweak" the filler knob to get the pen started.

I know I'll like get a few PMs telling me that a general cleaning is in order: yep, done that several times to no avail. Again, it writes fine when I'm constantly using the pen but I certainly can't leave it uncapped on my desk for any length of time.

Just what I've observed with mine.....it's presently clean-out and sitting in my pen box

My best,

Paul

I have one of the stainless steel sonnets with a steel nib --- it had some trouble initially, so I sent to Parker Service UK. They fixed the nib (an XF writing like an M with poor starting characteristics became a "broad-ish" XF that starts every time), and now I'm happy as a clam. It's managed to become the pen I use most often.

--joey

I have a Sonnet, M nib, matte black with wide cap band, so I believe it has steel nib. Is a great writer but extremely sensitive to certain inks, performing better with Parker and Waterman inks, skipping (sometimes a lot) with others.
The nib has a little springy feel but no line variation (wide/thin). Wet writer.
I have been reading the great article written by antoniosz and published at penhero.com and what intrigues me the most is the feed, as the one in my pen is completely different from the feeds you can see in that essay, maybe because mine is made in France and they use different parts.....
It is difficult for me to take pictures of my Sonnet's feed as the pen is almost always inked!!!!! Fake or not, is an splendid writer.

I've two Sonnets & love both. Nothing of course takes the place of a 51 but they are up there among what I consider the decent solid good quality pens.
I'm surprised at you Giovanni having probs with the nib - when I last took your advice on nib probs (wet centennial) the problems just vanished - thanks.
BTW still bouncing up & down over the 88 & Kika. Sheila loves the hummingbird. Thanks.

Wow, that is a gorggeous Sonnet

How do you go about doing that? Do you run a brace or acetate sheet through the tines? Do you use your fingers to push the tines away from the feed? Or do you actually enlrage the feed channel?

I have one Sonnet that I bought only for the Cisele pattern (I know, how shallow ). It is one of my few FPs that has a fine nib. I find the flow really stingy so I haven't been using it much. I just inked it with Aurora black and the line the nib lays down doesn't even come close to the saturated black it should be with Aurora.

For the later models (thick ring) I use ... finger power

I have two (authentic) Sonnets that were purchased new in B&M stores:

Early 1990's black narrow-band medium point -- has not seen much use. Slow starter at times. Has never been tuned. Consumers Reports had rated it highly if I remember (might be interesting to re-read the comparo in light of my increased knowledge of FP's).

Early 2005 thick-band satin stainless fine point -- reliable and smooth, nearly always inked with some alternative color ink, so it gets used but not daily.

I find them comfortable and balanced but probably too thin for extended use with larger hands. Fit and finish is good.

I may eventually buy a Cisele version to match the Parker 75 grid I bought in 1990.

Bill