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Review: Parker Vacumatic circa WWII Gray Pearl


oracle202

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I did this review by hand this time. Next time, I don't think I will do it by hand as my handwriting is horrific and I hate displaying it. Its fine for my eyes to read, but I know its chicken scratch to others. Anyways, enjoy! This is my first review.

 

 

http://dishculinary.com/images/review.jpg

 

http://dishculinary.com/images/review2.jpg

 

http://dishculinary.com/images/review3.jpg

 

Beautiful 14kt Nib for 70 yrs of use!!!

http://dishculinary.com/images/review4.jpg

 

Thanks for reading.

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Anthony Rocco

Twitter: @applianceguide

Website: Appliance Buyers Guide

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Was yours from Mike McConnell, by chance? I bought the cousin of this pen in December on eBay for about what you paid - it is a very nice pen - writes well as restored, and I love the nickel finish trim.

<i>"Most people go through life using up half their energy trying to protect a dignity they never had."</i><br>-Marlowe, in <i>The Long Goodbye</i>

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Was yours from Mike McConnell, by chance? I bought the cousin of this pen in December on eBay for about what you paid - it is a very nice pen - writes well as restored, and I love the nickel finish trim.

 

No, I don't know that name. The guy who sold to me was named Thomas. He was very helpful. And this was by far the cheapest restored Vac I'd seen on ebay in a few months.

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Anthony Rocco

Twitter: @applianceguide

Website: Appliance Buyers Guide

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ah, a fellow vacumatic fan ;) nice pen and price.... don't worry about buying even cheaper vacs unrestored; danny fudge (my restorer) will put in a new diaphragm and clean up the vac for $20, so even with postage, $40-$50 vacs look like good buys (and ebay has quite a few of them in that range, especially 3rd-generation majors like this one).

Check out my blog and my pens

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ah, a fellow vacumatic fan ;) nice pen and price.... don't worry about buying even cheaper vacs unrestored; danny fudge (my restorer) will put in a new diaphragm and clean up the vac for $20, so even with postage, $40-$50 vacs look like good buys (and ebay has quite a few of them in that range, especially 3rd-generation majors like this one).

 

very true, and there are some very good restorers selling nice vacs at honest prices, but its seems there are even more people who seem to think some of their pens are worth more than they truly are. Then again, everything is in the eye of the beholder.

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Anthony Rocco

Twitter: @applianceguide

Website: Appliance Buyers Guide

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True. I think to get 3G ones that have been restored in the $60-70 range we got is pretty good, based on prices I have seen.

<i>"Most people go through life using up half their energy trying to protect a dignity they never had."</i><br>-Marlowe, in <i>The Long Goodbye</i>

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Great review, I have clone of that same vac of yours, a classic pen.

"Life moves pretty fast, if you do not stop and look around once and a while you might just miss it."

Ferris Bueller

 

 

 

Bill Smith's Photography

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  • 2 weeks later...

How do you find the size? I'd like a Vac but I'm wondering if I should look for an Oversize/Maxima because I have big hands.

http://twitter.com/pawcelot

Vancouver Pen Club

 

Currently inked:

 

Montegrappa NeroUno Linea - J. Herbin Poussière de Lune //. Aurora Optima Demonstrator - Aurora Black // Varuna Rajan - Kaweco Green // TWSBI Vac 700R - Visconti Purple

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How do you find the size? I'd like a Vac but I'm wondering if I should look for an Oversize/Maxima because I have big hands.

 

It is a small pen. No question. I have big hands and its small in my hands, much smaller than my Cross Verve. But size doesn't bother me much, so I don't have an opinion one way or another. However, if "size matters" to you or your woman... you may want to look for something a bit more, shall we say, manly.

 

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Anthony Rocco

Twitter: @applianceguide

Website: Appliance Buyers Guide

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I wouldn't say the Vac is terribly small, but a bit smallish compared to average. With the cap posted, the pen grows to be quite a bit larger than what it is capped. What I love about Vacs, though, is their balance. In my entire collection pen collection, only the first-generation Vacs are more balanced than the third-generation ones, and then only slightly.

 

I suppose I'm trying to say that you shouldn't let the size prevent you from buying one- at least for the Vac, I would say. I think you will enjoy it.

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I don't want to hijack this thread, but can someone share what the hallmarks are for a 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation Vac? Thanks. I have a handful of them and I haven't a clue what generation they are.

Kudzu

 

"I am a galley slave to pen and ink." ~Honore de Balzac

 

Happy Pan Pacific Pen Club Member!
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I don't want to hijack this thread, but can someone share what the hallmarks are for a 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation Vac? Thanks. I have a handful of them and I haven't a clue what generation they are.

 

i believe first gen vacs had a metal plunger that locked down when not in use. second gen vacs had a metal plunger that did NOT lock down, and third gen vacs had a plastic plunger.

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Anthony Rocco

Twitter: @applianceguide

Website: Appliance Buyers Guide

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I recently got a blue 3rd Gen Vac from PhilM (thnks Phil!) that is a very pleasant writer, and one of the prettiest pens ever made IMO. I think the striations really make this pen.

The moment we want to believe something, we suddenly see all the arguments for it, and become blind to the arguments against it.

 

~ Bernard Shaw.

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Thanks, Anthony! That helps alot.

Kudzu

 

"I am a galley slave to pen and ink." ~Honore de Balzac

 

Happy Pan Pacific Pen Club Member!
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