Hi

I know that there is a lot of people who love vac maximas and vac oversize models here and who also like if not love duofolds. Having written with both of them, I prefer the flat tops duofold senior single band duofolds why? It is a much bigger pen than the vac oversize or the vac maxima, the ergonomics are excellent, the nib is big and offering great feedback and also they are more interesting in terms of color schemes than the vacs. Two of my flat tops have semi flexible to flexible medium nibs and my other flat top has a very great semi flexible semi firm fine nib. I have tried many vacs and they haven't got that same unique nib feeling as has the senior flat top duofold. The flat top duo is my favorite parker alongwith the vacumatic, it is perhaps the best parker pen ever created by geo s parker in the twenties.

regards

georges

ok...

While I would love to have a Lapis or mint Jade Senior flatop duofold, I have to disagree on at least one point.

I have seen some really interesting OS and Maxima pens, especially at a certain evil doctors pen cave. Yes there are only a few colors, but the stripes man, the stripes.

I have used and owned Maxima's with stunning flex nibs, beautiful smooth stubs, and some really nice fine nibs. Actually the fine nib on my OS Silver Pearl is one of the smoothest and best flowing nibs I own, with a pile of feedback. I have seen some really nice Senior Duofold nibs as well, the last one I restored for a client almost didn't go back to him, the stub on that pen was SWEEET!.

To each his own, is one better than the other, hard to say. I do remember a certain Glock vs 1911 thread a while ago with that premise that didn't really come up with a definitive answer. (BTW, Glocks rule, just kidding). Oh, and the Vac was not produced in the 20's so you do have me there.

Cheers,
Sean

good for you

Hi Sean

The Green and Blue Maximas are among my faves but with all the qualities they have: vac filling system and great nibs, I will always prefer the big flat tops. My next Parker will be a 1925 senior Duofold flat top single band in black with a semi flex semi firm fine nib. For the note, I own a 1951 french made vacumatic an oversize model called the "French Vac Maxima" fitted with a 18cts full flexible fine nib which is a delightful writer. This model was made in France and is kinda rare. The French made vacs are scarce but worth the interest. For the note, I own a lapis and a jade green duofold.

regards

georges

In my food chain of pens, I prefer the Vac over the 51, and the Duofold over both of those. However I prefer the Sheaffer Balance to any of those Parkers. At least, this is in the 1920-45 era.

In the 50s and onward I like the Pelikan 140 and M400 for imports, and for domestic pens I like the Sheaffer Snorkels and Touchdowns.

Both my Duofold and Vac are great pens and see the most use. I do have to say I like my Duofold better but it's more of a size thing, my Vac is a Debutante size and a bit small. Another issue I have is my Vac has a re occurent stopping problem, where it will write nice for a long time then just stop for no reason.

Sean's message reminded me of this photo I took a while back, my only real composed pen photo. Since I like flat top Duofolds and 1911s, I thought I should post it here. I think of it as vintage (1911 and flat top) and modern (Kahr PM9 and mid-90s Duofold). Sorry, no Glock.

All the best,
John

Yah, there are some nice ones out there.

Let's see.

Howzabout the "dread Overmax"




Or Sr. Maxima with Vacumatic Cap-band




Or Sr. Maxima with uncatalogued so-called "Jeweler's" Cap-band




Or Sr. Maxima probably for export to South America



I did mention the Vac-Band, right?






Plain old Oversize has its charms



Late Single Jewel Sr. Maximas appeal too




And, oh, not so easy Sr.Max to find. Azure Blue must get its due.



On that note, i am way overdue for a good day's sleep.

-d