Dear All,

I'm looking to get my forst 51 - Black with a Gold Cap and fine nib. But I am thinking of the Oblique for lefties. Does anyone have a sample of handwriting I could seee prior to buying. Also are they reliable as a heavy workhorse pen as well as comfortable?


http://penhome.co.uk/Parker%2051.htm

thanks in advance

Kubalai

You don't need an oblique nib because you are left handed.... you should do just as well with a standard nib....
Workhorse would be one thing to call a 51.... I currently have about 5 in rotation and they have never failed to do their job....
I would start out with an Aero filler as my first pen.... I prefer the vacs, but have aeros in my rotation also... a great beginner 51...

I looked at the link you provided and personally find his prices to be extremely high.... almost $290 for a basic 51 Aero is way to high IMO....
I generally sell them and see them sold at pen shows in the US in the $80-90+ range for nice user pens.... obviously more for collectible ones...
You can find a 51 Aero for less than than on eBay and just need to give it a good cleaning to use it.....

Thanks for replying. I'm cetainly going to keep my eye out on ebay..

"51"s are very comfortable pens and are great for writing all day long.
The DJ I am currently using has a nice fine/medium smooth nib with great flow.
The Vacs are rugged with a medium weight.

A 51 fine or medium point will work great for a lefty (I'm speaking from experience.) As far as obliques go, a reverse oblique or a stub would make more sense if you're left handed than a regular oblique, though good luck trying to find one. Parker 51's are incredibly rugged and reliable pens- it is hard to go wrong with one. Jeff