Parker 61 Questions

[TheNobleSavage]

I just bought a Parker 61 FP with a XF nib. I filled it up last night to check it out and see how it wrote. Well I was a very very slow process! After about a couple of hours of sitting the pen nib down, I was able to get it to write. Question #1: What is the best way to get this pen primed to write? Question #2: does anyone know of a site that is dedicated to Parker 61's, or can post extensive info on these pens?

 

Thanks

[Keith with a capital K]

If the pen is a 61 capillary filler then getting it cleaned and ready for service can take a little bit of work and requires some patience.

 

I start by placing the filler in a glass of clean water and leave it there overnight or longer so that the pen will pull water into the filler and reconsitute any residual dry ink.

 

From there one can use a bulb syringe to blow the water out of the pen or simply use their own lung power to do the same. From there, wrap the end of the pen (nib and section) in soft tissue and shake out any residual ink/water.

 

Once the pen has been filled and flushed a few times and the expelled liquid is fairly clear (ie. water) then I would move on to filling the pen.

 

I would then fill the pen with an ink such as Quink washable blue or Waterman's Florida blue as they have good flow properties and will continue to dissolve any inky residue.

 

If the performance does not improve through use then I will repeat all the steps except will use a 10% ammonia solution for the fill and flush.

 

Parker 61's (cap fillers) are a pen that work wonderfully as long as they are kept in rotation or stored in a squeaky clean condition.

 

I would not use highly saturated inks in a 61 of any kind as they are not as easily serviced and cleaned as their "51" cousins and removing the hood is not practical and involves much risk.

[TheNobleSavage]

Thanks Keith, When you say place filler in water, do you place it as you were to fill it, or do you take off the capillary off of the nib assemby as you would if it were an ink cartridge or would you immerse it in water? Im not all about pulling things off If I dont know what the heck I am doing

[Keith with a capital K]

The capillary filler is permanently attached and does not need to be removed so place it in water (for cleaning) as you would place it in ink for filling.

 

I wish everyone had the same attitude of not messing with things they knew nothing about and would ask more questions.. more than one person has mistaken the cap filler on a 61 for a cartridge and caused some serios damage to their pen when they tried to remove it.

 

Patience is the key and once the pen is thoroughly cleaned it should prove to be one of the most dependable pens you have ever used.

 

It's too bad such a brilliant design never really caught on with the public.

[TheNobleSavage]

Great, thanks for all of the info:

 

It's too bad such a brilliant design never really caught on with the public.

 

I agree but with one exception, too time consuming to clean and flush, on the other hand, no more stained fingers or nib wiping!! Very convient!