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Parker Vacumatic Major - Review

SammyZadgan

By SammyZadgan
in Fountain Pen Reviews

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SammyZadgan Mint

SammyZadgan

Posted
Posted

I bought this pen a few weeks ago...its about time for a review...

 

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h49/SammyZadgan/parkervac.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h49/SammyZadgan/vacrev1.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h49/SammyZadgan/vacrev2.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h49/SammyZadgan/parkervac1.jpg

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DeaconKC Vintage

DeaconKC

Posted
Posted

Very nice review. Thank you, and I love the background on your picture.

Let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose.

There is no snooze button on a cat wanting breakfast.

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/606/letterji9.png

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MYU Donor Pen

MYU

Posted
Posted (edited)

Thanks for your contribution, Sammy. We don't have a lot of Vacumatic reviews at this point (which is odd, considering their popularity), so it's nice to see a new addition. Certainly, it sounds like the nib is beautifully tuned and that the diaphragm was refreshed (should have been, for that price).

 

Maybe one day we can cajole David_i (long time Vacumatic aficionado) to do a nice comparison review of his choicest selection of Vacumatics. ;)

Edited by MYU

[MYU's Pen Review Corner] | "The Common Ground" -- Jeffrey Small

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Doug C Antique

Doug C

Posted
Posted (edited)

I am excited, in that, even though I have focused on modern pens for the last 30 years, I have started to get interested in vintage pens.

I got my first 51 this week, and I have my first Parker Vacumatic coming tomorrow (the Parker 51 is not without problems-but that is what i I'm prepared to deal with to get perfect vintage pens.).

 

 

(comments and suggestions welcome..).

Edited by Doug C

the Danitrio Fellowship

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SammyZadgan Mint

SammyZadgan

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Posted

DeaconKC...i would love to take credit for the pic...but this is the pic that was used by the seller on ebay for my pen...i would love to be able to take good pics like that one.

 

Doug C...personally i like the Vacumatic more than my other Parkers...i have 2 61's, one of which i want to sell...and i have a 51 as well. The Vac is find is much better.

 

hope you enjoy your Vac...and i would be interested to see which one you prefer more.

 

sammy

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Doug C Antique

Doug C

Posted
Posted

I don't know enough about them at this time, but mine is a silver, blue diamond, single jewel. That is all I know at this point.

 

I have enough of a gut feeling with the 51 that, if I have both of them properly restored, they will quickly become two of my favorite pens............

the Danitrio Fellowship

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david i Donor Pen

david i

Posted
Posted (edited)
Maybe one day we can cajole David_i (long time Vacumatic aficionado) to do a nice comparison review of his choicest selection of Vacumatics. ;)

 

Think this thread was one ;)

 

If not, that first pic represents a remarkable similarity in photographic style

 

http://removed.xyz/websitesalespics/pen2315sm.jpg

 

http://removed.xyz/websitesalespics/pen2305sm.jpg

 

Ahhh here it is i think. Pen 2313

 

http://removed.xyz/websitesalespics/pen2313lg.jpg

 

Well, if it is that pen, I am very pleased it meets expectations. If just one that is of same sort, I'm glad to hear it behaves as a Vac should :)

 

If an ebay seller "borrowed" my pic? Well, at least they are stealing from the best. :vbg:

 

-d

Edited by david i
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Doug C Antique

Doug C

Posted
Posted

I have a few more questions now that I have 1) lived with the 51 for a week, and 2) waiting for my Vacumatic. The 51 has had problems with being a very wet writer (it dumped ink on me the first day), and then getting a little dry or not starting up.

I noticed that the nib has a little flat spot so it might be that after 60 years of use, the person that had it wrote at a different angle than I did. Any ideas?

 

Also, how do you typically use a Vac? Do you keep one kind of ink in it, or flush them and move to another? Basically what I'm asking is, is it okay to leave ink in them for long periods of time with no ill effects (re: both the 51 and the Vac), and does it prematurely wear out the vac system to be constantly filling and cleaning.

 

I think I will send the 51 in to Main Street pens for a restoration and check up (other ideas?).

 

The jury is still out on Vacumatic, but I'm hoping it arrives today.

 

Thanks in advance for your expertise...

the Danitrio Fellowship

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david i Donor Pen

david i

Posted
Posted
I have a few more questions now that I have 1) lived with the 51 for a week, and 2) waiting for my Vacumatic. The 51 has had problems with being a very wet writer (it dumped ink on me the first day), and then getting a little dry or not starting up.

I noticed that the nib has a little flat spot so it might be that after 60 years of use, the person that had it wrote at a different angle than I did. Any ideas?

 

Also, how do you typically use a Vac? Do you keep one kind of ink in it, or flush them and move to another? Basically what I'm asking is, is it okay to leave ink in them for long periods of time with no ill effects (re: both the 51 and the Vac), and does it prematurely wear out the vac system to be constantly filling and cleaning.

 

I think I will send the 51 in to Main Street pens for a restoration and check up (other ideas?).

 

The jury is still out on Vacumatic, but I'm hoping it arrives today.

 

Thanks in advance for your expertise...

 

Ron will do wonders with your 51, no worries. He has done hundreds for me and has 125 pens in hand now to get ready for my holiday Update.

 

If pen is flooding then not writing, might have pinhole in the sac. Should be curable.

 

Flat spot often is due to ham-fisted attempts at nib smoothening as much as through use. It is possible to wear out a nib, but takes LOTS of use to do it.

 

Given the Vac diaphragm is a rubber sac subject to typical degradation, AND receives more stress than typical sac in sac pen, it faces the same threats as any sac pen. It can be used as one uses any pen, but I favor not leaving ink unused in it for weeks, to dehydrate and damage the sac. If to put pen aside for weeks, i do favor flushing it before.

 

regards

 

david

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arvadajames Rare

arvadajames

Posted
Posted

Nice review. I am waiting for my first Vacumatic to arrive, should be any day now. I have 3 51's and dearly love them, so am hopeful that the Vacumatic relationship will be as good.

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wvbeetlebug Collectors Item

wvbeetlebug

Posted
Posted

Excellent review. I have only one Vac (at this time), but I would like to add a blue one to the arsenal. Thanks for sharing!

:happycloud9:

 

Cathy L. Carter

 

Live. Love. Write.

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georges zaslavsky Museum Piece

georges zaslavsky

Posted
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I have one french made vac and I love it, I will surely add another vac someday.

Pens are like watches , once you start a collection, you can hardly go back. And pens like all fine luxury items do improve with time

 

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SammyZadgan Mint

SammyZadgan

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David_i...

 

the picture is indeed similar to yours...i bought the pen off ebay...looks like he may have used your pic as one the pics.

 

its kinda scary though...luckily in this case the pen i got was in the same condition as the picture...but how can we be sure that ebay sellers post the right picture, or do they just rip off someone else's pic?

 

thanks to everyone else for their comments...

 

sammy

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