The 51 Returns!

[Parker51]

Yeah, sadly prejudiced with my old aerometrics and new 601s, both of which are stellar workhorses

 

plus who's gonna fix these newbies if they break?

And being new, no spare parts?

[jchch1950]

I like the pen not as a Parker 51 original but as a new pen from Parker. Maybe it should have a different name but the design is Parker 51 inspire.They are many copies of the Parker 51 in the market so why not one made by the original company. Also the price is not so bad.I will wait to see the quality of the materials .

[Carguy]

Like many others, I won’t be spending my money to buy something new from Parker when the “ old” is just fine and not needing to be replaced.

[Matlock]

I don't need any new pens (when has that had any relevance? ) but I will wait to see what the new 51 looks like. I might get one to complete the line. Or I might not.

[JotterAddict62]

I'll pass. I'll buy my P51's at an estate auction. [ when is the next one in Parkerland ? ]

[MuddyWaters]

Can I ask what is the appeal for a remake. Is the hero 100 not an exact copy?

[welch]

Can I ask what is the appeal for a remake. Is the hero 100 not an exact copy?

 

No. The Hero 100 is not an exact copy. Not even close. The Wing Sung is a lot like a P-51 vacumatic designed to be worked on by an owner. That's good, since Parker, and the industry, began to close down service centers 50 years ago.

 

I am curious about the renewed P-51, and might buy one. The steel-nibbed version might be close to a Special. I have two-dozen full-fleged 51's, so I am not eager to spend $200 on the 18KT version.

 

Still, I hope Parker sells many of them.

[corgicoupe]

Can I ask what is the appeal for a remake. Is the hero 100 not an exact copy?

Did you mean the Hero 616?

Edited August 8, 2020 by corgicoupe

[Kenlowe]

Gillette did something similar. The took a 1930s razor design, had it made in China but in cheaper materials than the originals, had a vintage looking box made and the recreation sold out very quickly, mainly on Amazon.

 

Plenty of DE shavers were buying two or more at a time, one to use the other to collect. As with this 51 Evo, the Gillette was not as good as the original nor as good as more modern designs but people like nostalgia.

 

If Parker make the box to look like it was made in 1950 then they will have a success, people buy with their eyes.

[eharriett]

Can I ask what is the appeal for a remake. Is the hero 100 not an exact copy?

In a way, I get the idea for a remake for a number of reasons:

 

1. Wing Sungs are not easy to get unless you know where to look. But I can pick up a Parker pens in Staples. Or, if I want a higher end one, there's plenty of other places to get it. While this pen is clearly out of impulse purchase price, unlike the 601/618, it is easier for the masses to get, and Parker can't possibly be making this for just the FP enthusiast. Not to mention Parker is a trusted brand in American consciousness. No one knows it isn't the same owners.

 

2. A C/C filling system is appealing to some, including, in some but not all instances, me.

 

3. One of my first purchases in FP's was a set of 2 51's, one vacumatic and one aero. Both were among the worst writers I ever had (and supposedly recently restored before purchase). Since it was among my first, I had no idea what the problem was or even if there were problems, and if it wasn't for the fact I had already gotten a vintage Waterman and an Esterbrook which wrote beautifully, I could see myself as having given up. I would not expect the new pens to have these issues and be passable writers right out of the box. I know an FP pro could find fault, but I'd be surprised if the mainstream purchaser would be as finicky as we can be.

 

3A. As an aside, this thread has caused me to pull both 51's back out and try them again for the first time now that I have half a decade of experience writing with fountain pens. They are both, in fact, in need of repair. The aero has ink flow issues and is a hard starter. The vac has a similar problem plus scratchiness, but the filling system is also not functioning correctly, not expelling ink when you press down on the plunger. I know now that both need work. But my point is, inexperienced me didn't know this and pretty much wrote the P51 off as a (bleep) pen (I think there's even a few posts on FPN early on where I said I thought it was a terrible experience). I can easily see someone not interested in FP's as a real hobby giving up and writing the whole hobby off if they were handed these pens. I understand the appeal of a new P51 for some instead of a vintage one for this reason alone.

 

Anyway, those are my thoughts. How's about a couple solutions:

1. Parker needs to get the price down.

 

2. Wing Sungs need to be available in stationary stores in the U.S. If I can get a Pilot Metropolitan at my supermarket, I need to be able to get a Wing Sung.

 

My 2 cents

[hari317]

Can I ask what is the appeal for a remake. Is the hero 100 not an exact copy?

Hi, neither the hero 100 nor the 616 are exact copies of the 51. No parts will interchange. Not even the nib. A perfectly functional 51 is head and shoulders above any copies of it, they just dont come close. I have several 51s, also a nice hero 100 and several 616s.

[pajaro]

I have often read posts asking for Parker to reissue the 51. So, I get that Parker finally did it. It was previously expressed in posts that a reissued 51 would be expensive. So it is, even if the reissue is more along the lines of a current technology pen instead of an exact copy of the old 51. So, for all those who expressed a desire for a reissued 51, here it is, as it could be practically built now. It seems pricey, but it should be no surprise. I looked at the Fahrney's ad, and I was intrigued at the offering of plum. If I were disposed to buy a pricey pen I would probably try the plum, to see what it looks like and compare it to my vintage plum.

 

These days, though, I am only really open to bargains that beat me over the head and say "buy me" like the eighty cent Sheaffer Snorkel set I got from an estate sale.

Edited August 8, 2020 by pajaro

[Mr.Rene]

I have often read posts asking for Parker to reissue the 51. So, I get that Parker finally did it. It was previously expressed in posts that a reissued 51 would be expensive.

In fact..second time that Parker reissue Parker 51..around 2002 year or so...was first intend..

[thx1138]

I see a gold nibbed new 51 plum in my future.

[mitto]

I'll pass. I'll buy my P51's at an estate auction. [ when is the next one in Parkerland ? ]

I will stick to my supply line from antique dealers. Or is there any chance for a third round with you?

Edited August 9, 2020 by mitto

[Estycollector]

I have often read posts asking for Parker to reissue the 51. So, I get that Parker finally did it. It was previously expressed in posts that a reissued 51 would be expensive. So it is, even if the reissue is more along the lines of a current technology pen instead of an exact copy of the old 51. So, for all those who expressed a desire for a reissued 51, here it is, as it could be practically built now. It seems pricey, but it should be no surprise. I looked at the Fahrney's ad, and I was intrigued at the offering of plum. If I were disposed to buy a pricey pen I would probably try the plum, to see what it looks like and compare it to my vintage plum.

 

These days, though, I am only really open to bargains that beat me over the head and say "buy me" like the eighty cent Sheaffer Snorkel set I got from an estate sale.

 

I truly doubt if those asking for a reissue wanted this offering. I'd bet most were thinking of a Parker 51 Aerometric and perhaps a nod toward the early blue diamond clip. Had they done this right they may have lured those willing to pay several hundreds for an FP.

 

Bargins are good up to a point, but where it just becomes a preoccuption with acquisitions or more, I don't see it as a positive.

[Glenn-SC]

I am morally opposed to and will never buy a knockoff no mater how cheap. Irregardless of country of manufacture.

 

I find the new 51 interesting and appealing and am considering a gold nibbled plum when they truly become available.

[inkstainedruth]

Unless they've already sold out, Fahrney's website isn't showing "Plum" -- just Black, Burgundy, Midnight Blue and Teal.

So, since I have all those colors (plus the Plum Demi) in vintage 51s, once again I'll say "Pass...."

Ruth Morrisson aka instainedruth

[pajaro]

 

I truly doubt if those asking for a reissue wanted this offering. I'd bet most were thinking of a Parker 51 Aerometric and perhaps a nod toward the early blue diamond clip. Had they done this right they may have lured those willing to pay several hundreds for an FP.

 

Bargins are good up to a point, but where it just becomes a preoccuption with acquisitions or more, I don't see it as a positive.

 

You are right that discussions centered around Parker making again the aerometric 51. Exactly as it had been produced. The cost was thought to be possibly prohibitive. The existence of the machinery or remaking the machinery I think came up. Yes, posters who were for a remake wanted an exact remake of the aerometric model 51. I don't think anybody wanted a 2002 type remake. The possibility of cartridge/converter was discussed. That there are lots of vintage 51s in the market was discussed. I think the possibilityof an exact remake of the aerometric 51 was considered to be unlikely. If this current pen is any good, and if it is reliable and if it has the right look, people might like it to some extent. Really not me, because I am too attached to the vintage 51 aerometric and that's what I want. Too used to putting the pen under good light and looking for the date code. Too used to the squeeze filler as a permanent part of the pen (in spite of the fact that I converted a 51 aero to C/C with a brass gadget from India). I like Lucite and Lustraloy. I like the 51 I have that is exactly like my father's 51 that he let me use sometimes. And there you have it.

 

I have always looked first for bargains as a way to make my money go farther. At 71 I am no longer in the "build a collection" mode. I am just appreciating what I have collected and at a different part of my life than when I was 20 to 60. So bargains that cannot be ignore are OK, but no point in big buck purchases any more. Crikey, now it is more about meds.

Edited August 9, 2020 by pajaro

[pensuponpens]

The Parker 100 was an homage to the 51, too. It is one of the worst pens I ever bought and will not write most of the time, so I'll be skeptical of these until they've been out for a while.