Parker 45

[Dan the man]

Spent the day shopping and purchased a mint 45. Not sure about that pen, the nib is extra fine, and it suits my editing purposes, neat, tight and dry writing, but doesn't give you the thrill that say my 51 or duofold and Pelikan give me. The latter three pens actually make you experience the writing as a sensation, it is so much fun.

 

Maybe it has something to do with the nib size, possibly?

 

Possible to change nib?

 

Regards

 

dan

Edited May 11, 2006 by Dan the man

[Phthalo]

I find the 45 is very utilitarian, quite nondescript FP, and that the small, simple nib is best used with a light touch.

My 1970's French 45 has a very soft and fine 14K nib, that writes very well, but I do find it a bit of a dull pen.

[Ruaidhri]

I've a bunch of 45s. Not as exciting, I agree, as some but a good solid reliable pen. Just sits there quietly & does it's job. Can't be bad

[hatherton_wood]

I think that is the thing - solid and very reliable - very easy to clean and repair. Plus they go on for years and years and are not that expensive. Just a good all round balance. I do think the older nibs were better though - they also seem somewhat longer.

 

John

[Richard]

The 45 is bulletproof. It's simple and straightforward, a writing instrument first and a looker second. Nibs are interchangeable, and at one time Parker offered a good variety ranging from the ordinary round nibs in XF, F, M, and B, to stubs, sharper italics, and oblique italics (both left- and right-foot versions). Construction is simple, with no oddities that will have you scratching your head when you go to repair the pen -- should it ever need it, that is.

 

Because it's made of polystyrene instead of acrylic, the 45 doesn't have the "quality" feel that we associate with the "51", but it's still a remarkable pen. It has been made in a huge variety of colors and exotic finishes, more than any other Parker pen; and it 's also the longest-lived Parker model, sort of like the Volkswagen Beetle, in that it went into production in 1960 and has been available continuously for 46 years so far.

 

I have two 45s in my collection:

 

http://www.richardspens.com/images/collection/zoomed/45.jpg

 

http://www.richardspens.com/images/collection/zoomed/45_signet.jpg

 

I like 'em!

[Dan Carmell]

It's not at all hard to find a fine, medium or bold nib to replace your EF. Contact me back channel if you'd like to arrange a trade--I prefer EFs!

 

best, Dan

[Dan the man]

It's not at all hard to find a fine, medium or bold nib to replace your EF.  Contact me back channel if you'd like to arrange a trade--I prefer EFs!

 

best, Dan

Thanks to everyone for the input on the 45, has made me more sympathetic towards it

 

Dan, would be glad to exchange nib, do you carry an oblique or italic one, I have never tried those and am very curious.

 

Thanks

 

Daniel

[Sparky]

Dan... I like the 45 because it is so, how would you say, unobtrusive, and a nice inexpensive everyday hard core writer. So I understand when you say there isn't as much excitement from it. But that's its lure... I ahve the new versions of the 45 and they are dressier than the older versions. The new versions come with only a medium steel nib, but you can get a gold one fine or medium for 10 dollars from parker and they will put it on for you.

[Dan the man]

Dan... I like the 45 because it is so, how would you say, unobtrusive, and a nice inexpensive everyday hard core writer. So I understand when you say there isn't as much excitement from it. But that's its lure... I ahve the new versions of the 45 and they are dressier than the older versions. The new versions come with only a medium steel nib, but you can get a gold one fine or medium for 10 dollars from parker and they will put it on for you.

Exchanged nibs and am very happy with it now, I use it for much of my notes and essay ideas, together with waterman's Havanna brown definitely smooth and reliable. I guess that what scared me off was the extra fine nib, now has the medium gold. I have no problem with its understated look, I seem to gravitate more towards the "conservative" looking pens at this initial and very young stage of my FP ride.

 

So definately, 45 is back in good use

 

Regards

 

Daniel

[Betty]

Brought a Parker 45 from Richard and it's an EXCELLENT writer! And it's pretty too...it's the wettest pen I own (it's very wet!)