Modern Parker Duofold Broad And Italic Nibs

[Mastiff]

Hi there. Parker noobie here.

I am thinking about buying my first proper Parker pen, specifically the new Big Red.

I was wondering whether anyone could share writing samples or experience with their non-standard nibs- eg: BB, EBB, but more importantly, MI and BI.

I have experience with stubs, OBB nibs and italics from other brands and custom nibs from Mottishaw, Binder etc, but I do not know what to expect from Parker. Google search yielded a lot of images but it was not possible to find iamges pertaining to the modern duofold centennials..

Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you!

[richardandtracy]

I don't have a recent one, in that I got my Centennial in 2009 and an International in 2011. Both BI, both pearl & black. The International had a banner nib, while the centennial had an ace of spades nib.

 

Now, I cannot relate the nibs to other manufacturer's subjective sizes, only to actual real world objective units.

The Centennial nib metal is 1.4mm wide at the tip, with a perpendicular line dimension of 0.25mm. The International nib metal is 0.9mm wide, and gives a perpendicular line width of 0.2mm.

 

BOTH nibs had issues when I got them. I had to complete the grind on my Centennial because Parker had left a burr on it, and the International feed is very dry (a known fault with some of the banner nib pens).

 

I think the feel of the Centennial is better than the International. In fact I like it so much that I want to use it all the time, but the pen is dear to me and after dropping it once in the snow and only finding it again the next day, I take the second best option of carrying a Kaigelu 316 that I have modified with me instead. The feel is identical and the pen costs £20 modified. The balance of the Centennial, weight & overall size is superb to my view.

I think the International size looks better proportioned, but doesn't seem to fit my hand so well.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Richard.

[pomperopero]

I bought a Parker Duofold International, with an IF (italic fine) nib. Mine is stubish, as you can see on photos, with lillte line variation.

 

 

 

 

[gerigo]

Pomperopero

 

Although this nib unit has the right code, the nib does not look right. I do also have a fine italic, and it's definitely an italic.

 

I bought a Parker Duofold International, with an IF (italic fine) nib. Mine is stubish, as you can see on photos, with lillte line variation.

 

 

 

 

[mitto]

[Mastiff]

I don't have a recent one, in that I got my Centennial in 2009 and an International in 2011. Both BI, both pearl & black. The International had a banner nib, while the centennial had an ace of spades nib.

 

Now, I cannot relate the nibs to other manufacturer's subjective sizes, only to actual real world objective units.

The Centennial nib metal is 1.4mm wide at the tip, with a perpendicular line dimension of 0.25mm. The International nib metal is 0.9mm wide, and gives a perpendicular line width of 0.2mm.

 

BOTH nibs had issues when I got them. I had to complete the grind on my Centennial because Parker had left a burr on it, and the International feed is very dry (a known fault with some of the banner nib pens).

 

I think the feel of the Centennial is better than the International. In fact I like it so much that I want to use it all the time, but the pen is dear to me and after dropping it once in the snow and only finding it again the next day, I take the second best option of carrying a Kaigelu 316 that I have modified with me instead. The feel is identical and the pen costs £20 modified. The balance of the Centennial, weight & overall size is superb to my view.

I think the International size looks better proportioned, but doesn't seem to fit my hand so well.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Richard.

Thanks for sharing your experiences Richard. It is reassuring to hear that Parker italics perform well. 1.4mm is quite thick so I might have to consider an MI nib. Yes I was considering the bigger Centennial. Thanks again!

[Mastiff]

I bought a Parker Duofold International, with an IF (italic fine) nib. Mine is stubish, as you can see on photos, with lillte line variation.

 

 

 

 

Beautiful pictures! Thank you very much. I especially like the engravings on the body and the nib design!

My previous custom IF nibs weren't so pleasant (I had Pelikan fine ground to FI by R. Bidner)- in that I could not get enough line variation. Do you get any noticeable line variation from your IF? Are Parker stubs generally sharp/toothy or stub/cursive italic-like?

[Mastiff]

Thanks! I actually saw this video when it came out but forgot about it!

[lastmohican]

Hello,

 

I have a Duofold International with a Medium Italic nib (#94).

 

I would not call it a real italic, there is some line variation that gives "style" to my writing, but it's not at all italic like a Pilot Plumix or Parallel pen.

On the other side it is very smooth to write, as easy as with a normal medium nib.

 

Mine is a bit dry, not a problem to write at all, but as an Iroshizuku lover, I would prefer it to be a little more wet to see more shine and shades ^^

 

PS : I think the nib in the video was tuned for Akkerman.

 

 

 

[Mastiff]

Hello,

 

I have a Duofold International with a Medium Italic nib (#94).

 

I would not call it a real italic, there is some line variation that gives "style" to my writing, but it's not at all italic like a Pilot Plumix or Parallel pen.

On the other side it is very smooth to write, as easy as with a normal medium nib.

 

Mine is a bit dry, not a problem to write at all, but as an Iroshizuku lover, I would prefer it to be a little more wet to see more shine and shades ^^

 

PS : I think the nib in the video was tuned for Akkerman.

 

 

 

Thank you kindly for your writing samples. I have to say I am a little surprised by this. Whilst the tip looks like a 'stub' (rather than sharp italic) I cannot detect any line variation in your writing sample.

 

I actually ordered a Big Red Centennial Medium Italic yesterday from LCDC. I struggled between MI and BI but Richard's comment "The Centennial nib metal is 1.4mm wide at the tip, with a perpendicular line dimension of 0.25mm" influenced my decision to go for a narrower nib. I thought 1.4mm was a little too broad for my everyday writing, although knowing that the wideness of the tip does not necessarily correspond with the actual line laid down.

 

I will have to wait to see whether I can love the nib. Smoothness you described is reassuring. Hopefully it will give me some line variation and adequate flow. I shall report back.

[lastmohican]

Maybe International nibs are more stub than italic, Idk. I hope your Centennial nib will have more line variation !

[lastmohican]

Any news of your Centennial Italic nib ?

 

I'm looking for a pen with a "real" italic nib, as my International have not much,

So I think if buying a black chevron duofold with a broad italic nib... But only if there is really some line variation !

 

Otherwise I will just buy an Aurora 88, who have great stub/italic nibs too.

But I already have an Optima and I still prefer the Duofold ^^

[Inky.Fingers]

searching for a real italic nib is like searching for gold in the desert. i was never satisfied with any factory nibs. i learned to grind my own nibs. now evry nib have excellent potentials.

 

the more smooth the nib, the less line variation. also, ink and paper combo makes a very big difference.

 

if you dont grind, sent it tobe ground.

[lastmohican]

Yes I think I will try with a Centennial, and customize it if I'm not satisfied with the italic nib.

 

It's complicated because sometimes I find pictures like this, or the one Stephen tested, and that's exactly what I'm looking for

 

http://www.peytonstreet.com/pens/parker/duocen_blackmk1_94nib_8.jpg

 

And sometimes I find pictures like this,

https://i.imgur.com/4Q2cCkY.jpg

(link because the size is big)

 

which is like the "italic" nib I already have.

(I like mine, but I don't need it twice ^^)

[Inky.Fingers]

It is always deceiving, pictures they are. Don't trust them. What you can make with your own, now, that is real.

 

However, it might takes practice. Each instrument has its own.....thing.

[peekay]

This is a medium italic.