Parker Super 21 Question

[Arstook]

Greetings,

 

I am considering buying a Parker Super 21 from Peyton Street Pens. Having never used a vintage Parker, I have a bunch of questions: I am curious how their nib sizes compare with other fountain pens. Are their mediums on par with modern Western medium nibs? Are the nibs bouncy or nails? Also, can anyone tell me what the ink flow is like? I plan to be using it as a daily writer on cheap copy paper and don't desire too much bleeding and feathering. Does anyone know the (ml) ink capacity on these things? I'm hoping to write pretty extensively with it without having to fill it too often.

 

And lastly, is it better to pick one up now or wait and save up for a Parker 51? I've heard 51s are terrific but I'm looking for a pen that can survive extensive daily use without having to be too precious with it.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

 

 

 

[mitto]

Wait and save up for a Parker 51. The hooded nibs have no bounce in them. Ink capacity is good in both 51 and 21S. But the 51 takes more ink than the 21S. The nibs are not marked for tip sizes on these pens. Since these are used vintage pens medium on one pen may be different from that on another one depending on the degree of use as well wear. But corresponding tip sizes on English 51s would be larger than those on USA made pens.

Edited December 3, 2017 by mitto

[Glenn-SC]

 

And lastly, is it better to pick one up now or wait and save up for a Parker 51? I've heard 51s are terrific but I'm looking for a pen that can survive extensive daily use without having to be too precious with it.

 

 

 

 

The "51" will hold up to every day use and minor abuse as well if not much better than just about any other FP.

The "51" is not a fragile pen. The fact that most of them are still writing 50 to 70 years after they were made is a testament to that fact.

[ENewton]

I have bought two Parker 51s from Peyton Street Pens. Both of mine have fine nibs and are smooth, wet writers. If I wanted to use them to write on copy paper, I would be careful in my choice of ink.

 

Good news is that if you buy your pen from Peyton Street Pens, you can ask the proprietor (Teri Morris) about the nib width and writing characteristics of a specific pen that interests you.

[langere]

Parker 21s are great pens - I own three of them. However, they have a tendency to crack, which the 51s do not. My 21s haven't cracked yet, but that is what other members have told me.

 

Erick

[pajaro]

I bought a 51 new in 1970, when I went in the Air Force. I used it daily through lots of stuff. Then I used it through an IT career. I never babied the pen. I used permanent inks, red ink, laundry marking white ink and Sheaffer blue black, but I always flushed the pen out. I never took special care of the pen, and it still writes perfectly, with the original sac, hood never off, and it still looks great. I have never had any regrets about buying this pen. I also have a Super 21 that I have beaten the Dickens out of, and it still works and looks OK. Its plastic does look more fragile. I don't think you can go wrong with either.

 

51s with Lustraloy caps usually lose the luster, but can be refinished. The gold and gold filled caps often have small or large dings. Care in use can keep the caps nice, though, if you get an intact cap or an NOS pen.

Edited December 3, 2017 by pajaro

[Arstook]

Thanks friends, it sounds like I just have to try both! I just got a Parker Super 21 off of Peyton Street Pens and am starting to save up for a Parker 51.

 

One of the things that attracts me to the Super 21 is the see-through sac to check ink levels. I'm worried that the Noodler's ink I'm going to be using is going to stain it though. Is this something to be concerned about? I have a Noodlers Squeateague. Is that going to be safe for the pen? How often should I be flushing the nib?

 

Thanks again for your advice!

[mitto]

Every time the pen gets empty if in case you want to use a different color ink in it. Every few months if you use the same ink. Flushing not just the nib but the pen.

[welch]

It's better not to worry about seeing through the sac. If you use the pen much, you won't be able to look at the ink level. Better just to refill every day. That's probably what users did 60 years ago.

 

Parker had DuPont create a special material for the sacs in the 51 aerometric and 51 Special. They don't wear out, no matter what sort of ink you might use. (The P51 Vac used a rubber diaphragm, which might wear out every ten or twenty years)

[mitto]

(The P51 Vac used a rubber diaphragm, which might wear out every ten or twenty years)

 

...and, hence, they introduced the arrometric line with the almost indestructible sac/filler mechanism.

[Glenn-SC]

I have a Noodlers Squeateague. Is that going to be safe for the pen?

I don't use Noodlers inks in any pens, let alone my "51"s.

[pajaro]

I don't use Noodlers inks in any pens, let alone my "51"s.

 

+1. If I had any, I would use a low end C/C pen.

[mitto]

I too have never ever used Noodlers inks in any of my pens.

[Beechwood]

I too have never ever used Noodlers inks in any of my pens.

 

 

I have only used one, and I bought that because I liked the history behind the name Monkey hanger. it looked like paint and that should have been a big clue to me.

 

Wouldnt buy another sorry to say.

[Arstook]

I just got my Parker Super 21 and inked it up with some Sheaffers. Good heavens, it's an amazing pen. Great balance with a medium nib just that surfs across the page. Did I just luck out on a Super 21? If these pens are this good, then just how good is that Parker 51 that's coming to me next week?

Edited December 7, 2017 by Arstook

[mitto]

Congrats. Also please do tell us how does it write when the 51 lands at your door steps.

[Mangrove Jack]

I use Noodlers permanent black and bad belted kingfisher (permanent blue). Never had any issues with any of them or the pens I use them in - Parker 75, Pelikan piston filler M200, Sheafer Skripsert Lady, cross solo.

[mitto]

Use them with care. Lest they eat up your feeds or sacs or section-barrel joint's glue in your Pelikans.

[Arstook]

The amount of posts for and against Noodlers is so bewildering, I'm not sure I want to chance it. One thing that attracted me to Noodlers, aside from its crazy colors, was its bang for a buck factor. Does anyone have any recommendations for less controversial inks that go for relatively cheap? Looking for a daily ink with a vintage friendly track record that's economically priced.

[Runnin_Ute]

The amount of posts for and against Noodlers is so bewildering, I'm not sure I want to chance it. One thing that attracted me to Noodlers, aside from its crazy colors, was its bang for a buck factor. Does anyone have any recommendations for less controversial inks that go for relatively cheap? Looking for a daily ink with a vintage friendly track record that's economically priced.

Diamine has a wide range of inks. They come in 80 ml bottles as well as smaller 30 ml bottles. And are priced well too. I don't hesitate to use Diamine in any of my pens. My 51 Special, my Esterbrook's, my Pelikan's (modern and vintage) among others.

Edited December 7, 2017 by Runnin_Ute