What Are Your Opinions On The Modern Parker Duofold?

[ArchiMark]

One thing I've been thinking about the modern Duofolds: I am so glad to have acquired some in beautiful colours during the 1990s and early 2000s because today the line seems to be reduced to "any colour as long as it's black" and the odd unattainable LE. Love the colours in both the late '80s and early '90s series and the post '96 series as well and, with the sections interchangeble, it's possible to use any nib with any colour at will. My favourite colour is Mandarin yellow.

 

Several of the unique and colorful Duofolds have been released for the Asian market....so, not very common outside of there...but you can find places to buy them online as I have....with no problems....would be nice if Parker sent more of these nice LE's to the Western markets as well as expand the range of Duofolds as well.

 

Have found these Asian market Duofolds such as the Senior Striped LE's shown below to be of very high quality materials and fit and finish....although they are also more expensive than the standard Duofolds.

 

Here's the blue, red, and brown Duofold Sr Striped LE's that I've had....

 

http://i473.photobucket.com/albums/rr100/ArchiMark/Parker%20Centennials/P1030277.jpg

http://i473.photobucket.com/albums/rr100/ArchiMark/P1060116_zps0011e9a2.jpg

[Paul80]

The Best Modern Parker Duofold has to be this one at only £22 including shipping, what a bargain

 

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/KG09-Kaigelu-316-Fountain-Pen-Century-stars-Tiger-Eye-Color-Celluloid-Pen-M-nib-/00/s/ODIyWDg1MA==/z/m4YAAOxy4jxSHs0V/$(KGrHqZ,!ngFH5gcW3hpBSHs0U)V1!~~60_57.JPG

 

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/KG09-Kaigelu-316-Fountain-Pen-Century-stars-Tiger-Eye-Color-Celluloid-Pen-M-nib-/00/s/NzExWDg1MA==/z/HB0AAOxyOFRSHs0k/$T2eC16V,!)UFIbvfkFiVBSHs0kHoZw~~60_57.JPG

Edited December 8, 2013 by Paul80

[Joane]

Several of the unique and colorful Duofolds have been released for the Asian market....so, not very common outside of there...but you can find places to buy them online as I have....with no problems....would be nice if Parker sent more of these nice LE's to the Western markets as well as expand the range of Duofolds as well.

 

Have found these Asian market Duofolds such as the Senior Striped LE's shown below to be of very high quality materials and fit and finish....although they are also more expensive than the standard Duofolds.

 

Here's the blue, red, and brown Duofold Sr Striped LE's that I've had....

 

http://i473.photobucket.com/albums/rr100/ArchiMark/Parker%20Centennials/P1030277.jpg

http://i473.photobucket.com/albums/rr100/ArchiMark/P1060116_zps0011e9a2.jpg

That Duofold Sr. Is gorgeous. There was a red-striped one available locally. Out of my range, alas. What I find particularly beautiful about the Senior is the section is the same striped acrylic as the rest of the pen, a very elegant touch. Enjoy them in the best of health!

[Gerd W]

ArchiMark, those Senior Striped LE's are stunning IMHO, thanks for sharing!

[ArchiMark]

That Duofold Sr. Is gorgeous. There was a red-striped one available locally. Out of my range, alas. What I find particularly beautiful about the Senior is the section is the same striped acrylic as the rest of the pen, a very elegant touch. Enjoy them in the best of health!

 

Agree that the attention to detail on these pens is evident in the section material....as well as the cap ends.....

http://i473.photobucket.com/albums/rr100/ArchiMark/Parker%20Centennials/P1030264.jpg

http://i473.photobucket.com/albums/rr100/ArchiMark/P1060109_zps18012af1.jpg

 

 

ArchiMark, those Senior Striped LE's are stunning IMHO, thanks for sharing!

 

Thank you, Gerd!...they are stunning indeed.....

[pajaro]

 

Agree that the attention to detail on these pens is evident in the section material....as well as the cap ends.....

http://i473.photobucket.com/albums/rr100/ArchiMark/Parker%20Centennials/P1030264.jpg

http://i473.photobucket.com/albums/rr100/ArchiMark/P1060109_zps18012af1.jpg

 

 

 

Thank you, Gerd!...they are stunning indeed.....

The follow through to keeping the color through the section and cap jewel is beautiful and luxurious.

[richardandtracy]

The Best Modern Parker Duofold has to be this one at only £22 including shipping, what a bargain

 

 

 

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/KG09-Kaigelu-316-Fountain-Pen-Century-stars-Tiger-Eye-Color-Celluloid-Pen-M-nib-/00/s/NzExWDg1MA==/z/HB0AAOxyOFRSHs0k/$T2eC16V,!)UFIbvfkFiVBSHs0kHoZw~~60_57.JPG

To my great disappointment, I think this is the only type I'll be able to afford in the future. The price of the Duofold has skyrocketed since Newhaven closed, far far ahead of inflation, which is a terrible shame.

 

Regards,

 

Richard

[Dougal]

That's just one of many reasons why Newhaven's closure was very sad. Parker lost a lot with this closure.

 

I'd only use a Newhaven-made Duofold, because I reckon the quality is significantly higher than anything newer.

[penmanila]

i have duofolds and parkers from a range of periods and makers (in various countries), and frankly i don't see any significant variation in quality. the modern duofolds from 1988 to the present seem to me to be pretty robust and well-finished, although their nibs will typically be on the firm side. if i want a wet, springy nib, i'll reach for one of my other pens (pelikan, CS, MB, F-C).

Edited January 7, 2014 by penmanila

[WaskiSquirrel]

I'm jumping in late.

 

For years, the Duofold was my "grail pen". I used my Vector and my Cross pen for many years. I eventually added a Parker Insignia and was happy.

 

But, since I was a kid and bought my first fountain pen, I lusted after a fountain pen with a built-in filling mechanism. I think that was my biggest issue with the Duofold. It does not have a built-in filling mechanism. I still like the looks of the pen, but no longer have any interest in purchasing one. When I bought my first Noodler's pen, it cured me. Noodler's had a piston and, as I filled it the first time, I realized that I had realized a decades-old dream.

 

A year on, I no longer own a single Parker or the Cross. I really struggled with ordering my latest pen: a Pilot Justus. I love it, but it's a converter. Luckily it has other benefits. Most of my pens have built-in fillers of various types.

[penmanila]

I must be one of the minority who actually likes converters--which are, after all, just smaller internal pistons. My daily user (an Agatha Christie) is a piston filler and I love it and I have the usual bunch of Mxx Pelikans, but I've always appreciated the converters in my Duofolds. There's just less to break in them, and if they do, well, grab another one.

[Joane]

I must be one of the minority who actually likes converters--which are, after all, just smaller internal pistons. My daily user (an Agatha Christie) is a piston filler and I love it and I have the usual bunch of Mxx Pelikans, but I've always appreciated the converters in my Duofolds. There's just less to break in them, and if they do, well, grab another one.

I have also come to prefer convertors. For those who do not do their own repairs, they make the user one step more independent from having to send pens around the world to be repaired. My faves are screw-in convertors. The Parkers don't have them, alas, but at least the Parker convertors, especially the older ones, are of sturdy quality,

[richardandtracy]

I agree about liking convertors.

They make the pen into a self filler (not quite sure why Waski_the_Squirrel thinks otherwise). They are cheap to repair (replace the c/c as the filler is the most likely element to fail). The ink capacity is OK for a day's use, and colours can be changed quickly. Furthermore, they are lightweight, and the weight there is, is low down, unlike piston fillers that tend to have a mechanism higher up.

 

Regards,

 

Richard

[YesIamnotiamnit]

I've had some seriously poor Parkers but not the Duofold. My last one was an excellent pen in fit and finish and an excellent writer. Unfortunately, the USPS apparently ate it as it never arrived at its destination a few years ago. I haven't bought another but only because I prefer snap on caps which is part of the reason it was going to someone else..

[Tancred]

yes or no?

 

http://www.sequoiaventures.com/iPenStore/Parker/Duofold/DuofoldIntlBlackCT600.jpg

 

btw will i be stuck with parker inks with this pen? i don't mind at all but just asking..

 

I like the modern Duofold but Newell Rubbermaid seems to have lost interest in the model. Shame, because it's an iconic pen and could have been developed into something great.

[OcalaFlGuy]

 

Several of the unique and colorful Duofolds have been released for the Asian market....so, not very common outside of there...but you can find places to buy them online as I have....with no problems....would be nice if Parker sent more of these nice LE's to the Western markets as well as expand the range of Duofolds as well.

 

Have found these Asian market Duofolds such as the Senior Striped LE's shown below to be of very high quality materials and fit and finish....although they are also more expensive than the standard Duofolds.

 

Here's the blue, red, and brown Duofold Sr Striped LE's that I've had....

 

http://i473.photobucket.com/albums/rr100/ArchiMark/Parker%20Centennials/P1030277.jpg

http://i473.photobucket.com/albums/rr100/ArchiMark/P1060116_zps0011e9a2.jpg

 

There's not a lot of modern pens that would stop me in my tracks to want to fondle and write with but this Blue Striped above sure would. I'd probably have to toss the "Parker Vac material" Visconti Wall Street LE in there too.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

[Alex2014]

A have a Centenial Pearl&Blake with a fine nib. It runs well. Unfortunately it is not my daily writer. I do not now exactly why.

[georges zaslavsky]

it is too expensive for what it is worth