Review: Parker Victory Mk5 Nib '10'

[terminal]

Parker Victory MK5

(I was shocked that nobody has posted a Parker Victory review at all yet, much less this mark)

 

Ever since reading Mr. Ernst Bitterman's review of the Parker 17 open nib, I've kind of been on a vintage Parker kick. Of course, I started with some 17s but have accumulated a good selection since. This pen, however, has been the biggest surprise to me. I really didn't know much about it, but it was posted by one of my go-to eBay sellers (davidtna and I know absolutely nothing about him at all other than a handful of eBay purchases) and so I paid special attention. I paid all of $39 for the thing. I decided to review it because it's just such a shockingly good, understated and under-appreciated pen. This pen was made sometime between 1953 and 1960 and shares parts with the '51' (I hope my research is correct -- very open to correction).

 

Now down to brass tacks:

 

• Fit and Finish: 8/10 I'd say this is a sturdy pen. As far as I can tell, it doesn't have some of the nib-drying, cap-splitting design problems of some other models. This specimen certainly seems to have held up well.
  
• Style: 7/10 I don't love the way the pen looks really. It's understated which I like, but I don't find the clip all that attractive. It doesn't exactly feel cheap, but it is plasticy. I think the '17' is a slightly better looking pen, somehow the proportions work out better, though they are nearly identical in size. The '17' has less fussy dipped gold and doesn't have a buldge over the cap threads.
  
• C/C Design / filling: 9/10 It's hard not to appreciate the Aerometric filler. I think this one is original and look how it's held up! It's even slightly transparent still. It holds a lot of ink too... I personally still prefer some kindofa fancy pistony thing, but this is a tried and true filling system that is easy to use and extremely durable.
  
• Nib: 9/10 This is the real shocker. The unassuming nib, marked "Parker 14k, England, 10" is an absolutely wonderful, flexible conspirator to whatever you may want it to do. In a way it's very much like the open-nib '17' except it may have even more line variation. Again, not a 'wet noodle' -- as it were, but really wonderful. Smooth and easy and not even a little scratchy and dry.
  
• Price: I consider this MORE than a steal at $39. I would have easily paid twice that knowing what I know now.
  

 

Capped:

http://suramar.org/fpn/victory_full_capped.jpg

Showing the Aerometric filler:

http://suramar.org/fpn/victory_breakdown_full.jpg

 

Now, the best part, the little nib that could:

http://suramar.org/fpn/victory_nib.jpg

http://suramar.org/fpn/victory_nib_showing_aero.jpg

http://suramar.org/fpn/victory_nib_side.jpg

 

And some writing with it (imagine what it could do in the hands of someone who didn't have horrendous handwriting!)

http://suramar.org/fpn/victory_parker_written.jpg

http://suramar.org/fpn/victory_scribble_zoom.jpg

 

I've actually been carrying it and used it to take notes in meetings yesterday:

http://suramar.org/fpn/victory_meeting_notes.jpg

 

So, in summary, if you have a chance to buy one of these pens, I don't think you'll be disappointed (specially if it's the same nib!)

[terminal]

Thought I'd add some comparisons between the Parker Victory Mk5, the Parker 17 open nib, and a Parker Vac Jr.

 

http://suramar.org/fpn/victory_comp1.jpg

http://suramar.org/fpn/victory_comp2.jpg

[watch_art]

Really? I thought this was another type of Duofold. I adjusted a nib on one of these for an FPNer many moons ago and was told Duofold. Victory. Cool!

[Tdot]

Really? I thought this was another type of Duofold.

They are sort of a Duofold variation. I don't know the historical details but they share features of Duofolds in that period.

 

I have a few Victory and UK Duofold/Slimfold pens. I generally prefer a little larger size, but these pens are some of my favorites. I agree with terminal, it's a great pen, even though it's on the smaller side.

[terminal]

Really? I thought this was another type of Duofold. I adjusted a nib on one of these for an FPNer many moons ago and was told Duofold. Victory. Cool!

 

Man Sean I hope I'm right.

 

I mean, the main reason I thought it was a Victory is because that's what it was sold as and the seller has been very accurate in the past. Then when I looked it up on the Parker Penography, the description matched (one of the main features being the chevron cap band being thinner and the other feature the nib).

 

I did do some Googling just now and I found this site:

http://www.vintagepens.com.au/sale_pEngl.htm

 

 

14228 and 14145 are the ones:

http://www.vintagepens.com.au/14228.jpg

http://www.vintagepens.com.au/10243.jpg

 

But man it sure isn't a very common pen. Maybe I got luckier than I thought at first.

 

Anyways, thanks for looking

[watch_art]

Yep - Victory it is!

And they are really nice. I enjoyed the one that I had for a short while.

[terminal]

I have a few Victory and UK Duofold/Slimfold pens. I generally prefer a little larger size, but these pens are some of my favorites. I agree with terminal, it's a great pen, even though it's on the smaller side.

 

Yeah I agree about the size. It's a bit small in my hand but borderline.

[Uncle Red]

That is a sweet nib and a nice looking pen. Good score.

[terminal]

That is a sweet nib and a nice looking pen. Good score.

 

Thanks! I gotta say, I'm feeling more and more positive about it the more I use it. I really like it a lot; not only has it found a place in my primary 12 but it *might* be in the top 6 even.

[georges zaslavsky]

one of the best products ever made from Parker

[terminal]

Picked up another one of these... for $28. Just sayin'

[minislot]

I love the cap band engraving on 50's and 60's Parkers.

I love the minimalist, almost block colour of them.

[fernobre]

I have one just like your, only in black. It has an inscription on the body "PARKER VICTORY". There is also a smaller version of it, the Parker Slimfold. For what I understand, all are versions of the english Duofold (rounded ends, the american Duofold has "squared" edges).

Edited May 16, 2013 by fernobre

[terminal]

Oh very cool, I've seen a few Slimfolds and english Duofolds go for a song and a dance on eBay. Definitely worth... what? Possible under twenty bucks?!

[terminal]

So I ended up with a LOT of assorted Parkers recently, so I ended up deciding to revisit what makes a Victory a Victory.

 

Goodwriter's pen blog has an interesting entry about them, in which it says,

 

 

The Mark V is the final version of the Victory. Like the rest of the Newhaven Parkers, it’s now an Aerometric filler, and it’s insufficiently distinguished from the smaller pens in the Duofold range to attract much attention from collectors. It has a single chevroned cap band and appears in black, green, blue and burgundy.

 

 

 

I found this very interesting, so I went and got one of my Victories and compared it. Sure enough, it is VERY hard to tell the difference. The pens appear identical in every possible way, including cap, nib, length, rounded end, etc. The ONLY differences seem to be: The Victory SAYS "VICTORY" on the barrel, and sure enough, the cap band is... a TINY bit different. Victory is the red:

 

[Steffen Larsen]

I have a very similar burgundy Parker Victory Mark V.

Except the barrel says "PARKER VICTORY REG T.M. 6... M.I.D." (made in Denmark)
And the nib "PARKER 14 K D" (for Denmark, instead of N for Newhaven?)

[Amberjack]

Nice review!

 

I have your Victory's twin sister, identical in every way right down to the sweet nib. The more I write with the UK Parkers the more I like them. They are great pens and can often be had for a great price.

 

 

Jack

[mehandiratta]

I love it.

 

I am actually looking for the nib...

 

Wonderful review though....