I don't know why, but I feel the FP that I ultimately want is a Parker "51" due to the reports of how reliable they are and how they write. This is probably not shocking to those of you viewing this forum.

My question is the size nib if I have a choice.

I currently have a Waterman Phileas and Rotring Newton (yes, I'm an engineer) both in F nib. My writing style tends to be small so I sought FPs with a slightly smaller nib. Wanting a "51", I ordered a Hero 100 in F nib. This size is about perfect, but is not a "51" and just does not have the consistent flow I desire especially if I write fast. From my reading, I think a "51" would put down a much more consistent line.

So the question is should I look for an F or EF nib if I have a choice? Also, how does a "51" F compare to any of the three F nibbed pens I currently have.

Currently, I use the Rotring as my everyday, go-to-work pen. The Phileas is a pleasure to write with and I currently use it for paying bills. However, both of these are just a little big for my writing style. In the future, I plan on working up a combination of parchment type paper and a "brown" ink for the Phileas and use it for correspondence. The Hero is used for my journal and taking notes at church in my journal. My primary ink is Noodler's Black.

When, not if, I get a "51", it will become my journaling pen. I will also use it to take notes at church and mark in books. The Hero will probably be outfitted with a bright red ink for marking in books and grading.

So, based on the above, I'd love to here your comments regarding a recommended nib size for a "51".

Thanks,
Dadof8

I'm sure you'll get a better answer from someone else, but I'll give you my opinion, for what its worth.

Did Parker make EF nibs for the "51"? I don't recall seeing them, but that doesn't mean they didn't. In my limited experience, they usually come with a fine nib, with a few having medium-fine nibs. Once in a rare while, you will find a broad nib, and I've heard these are usually from the UK.

I find the Parker "51" fine nibs that you usually see to be more than fine enough for me. Perfect for taking notes, etc. Unfortunately, I don't have experience with your other pens, but I would guess a Parker "51" fine nib would be at least as fine as those pens. I do have a Hero 616 which has a fine nib almost exactly the same as my fine nib "51"s. I'm not sure if the Hero 100 has the same nib as the Hero 616. If it does, it will be very similar to the Parker "51" fine nib.

You could pick up a fine nib "51" on ebay for a reasonable sum (usually $30 - $50 for a used one in good condition), and see if you like it.

Good luck with your search.

Ron

Dadof8,

Parker made a great variety of nibs for the "51", but by far the most common was the Fine, for the simple reason that they were great nibs for most uses.

This link from Ernesto Soller's "51" site tells you a lot more:

http://d705538.u37.hosting-advantage.com/images/51nibs.jpg

The "51" site is here in case you don't know:

http://www.parker51.com/index.html

You need to be aware that if you buy a US pen with a Fine nib, that would be about an EF on an English pen. An English Fine would almost equate to a Medium on a US pen. I have had a US pen with an EF nib and it is really EF! In fact I traded the nib for an English, medium, which is almost a US Broad.

My best guess would be to tell you to go for a US Fine nib on a "51", that will be easy to find and should not cost you too much of a premium. I spent the whole of Thursday afternoon filling in banking forms with a "51" Vac with a F nib and took pages of notes at the same time, great all round pen/nib combination. However if I was writing you a note, I would probably have reached for another "51" with an Engish Medium nib.

Hope this helps,

Jim

Yeah, what Jim said.

I want to thank all of you for the advice. I will look for an F nibbed "51" made in the USA.

It may take a while, but I'll check back in when I make a deal.

Thanks again,

Dadof8

One piece of advice - the average "51" in the "wild" may not write that well without some work. Sure, the aeros are pretty much bulletproof, so they will work, but that doesn't mean they will write all that well. I bet your Hero 100 writes more consistently and smoothly than >95% of Ebay "51"s. Of the first five "51"s I bought, only the two I bought from reputable folks [one I bought from TMann, the other from Wet Inc (no affiliation, just a satisfied customer)] really wrote well.

I have to agree with Amin, "51"s in the wild may well need some work, most "51" Vacs I have come across have needed a new filler diaphragm, whilst the Aeros normally need a good flushing over a period of days usually.

Whilst the nibs are normally quite robust, I do find that flushing alone does not always restore them to my preference. I use a bit of 35mm film to floss the nibs and that always seems to remove some crud that flushing alone won't budge.

So if you can get a restored one, they are about if you are patient, you can always write to somebody like Denis Bowden who appears on the board or Mike Mconnell at Wet Inc and ask. They will often find you something decent that you can afford and you can buy knowing it will write well.

Best of luck,

Jim

I agree on 51s found out in the wild. There are many good sellers on this and other boards who regularly offer 51s for sale. I recommend Joel Hamilton at www.ink-pen.com and Roger Cromwell at www.penopoly.com. Both tend to have lots of 51s available. Another good choice is the Penguin--Rick Propas. Another good guy.

Most 51s you'll find have fine nibs because that is what sold the most. The Hero you have is really an extra fine by my standards. You might try to get a 51 from one of those vendors with a fine nib and have them adjust it to wry a little "dry" and you'll get close to the effect I think you're seeking.

Please note, some pen repair folks will not warrant their work if you use Noodlers ink. I've never had trouble with Noodlers but several prominent repair folks will not warrant pens that have had Noodlers or Private Reserve in them. Among those are Joel and Rick. You might want to consider using Parker Quink Black in that instance. A very trouble free ink that I've used in lots of pens. Aurora Black is another one to look at as well.

Anyway, good luck hunting down that 51 you seek. They are great pens--just too reliable and fuss-free for me ...

Richard

I'm wondering, is it better to get a Parker 51 from the vacuumatic period or aeromatic? That is if both are stored, say same condition, and aren't rare.

And, I find it weird that wetinc has a bunch of fine/medium nib parkers and only a few fine nib parkers. Is that just because he likes to collect fine/medium nibs more?

If you are going for a first "51" then I would say go for an Aerometric as they are certainly easier to live with intially. However, the US production tends to be more fine nibs, whereas in the UK the main production was medium nibs and the Newhaven M nibs would be almost a broad in the US. My current avatar is a UK M nib.

I think the situation with Wet Inc is just the swings and roundabouts fluctuation. A few months ago all he had was fine and extra fine. I suppose he is limited to whatever pops up. IMHO getting a fine nib in the US should be a no-brainer, getting anything else is normally the problem If you want a big wet nib the the UK is the place, which is why I shop both sides of the Atlantic for my "51"s

Jim