Parker Sonnet Crocodile Vermeil

[jthole]

First Impressions (5/5)

 

The Parker Sonnet comes in a nice outer box, and a classic style inner box (only with the modern logo ). Inside the box I found two blue ink cartridges, plus a polishing cloth and an instruction booklet. Everything looks very professional.

The pen itself is stunning! Goldplated silver, with an engraved pattern where the silver shines through. The first impression is of a very well made pen.

 

Appearance (4.8/5)

 

If you don't like gold or silver, you shouldn't buy this pen. It certainly is a looker. The gold layer still looks very shiny and bright, unlike the aged gold on the vintage Parkers that I have. I actually prefer that "used look", but that just needs time The "crocodile" pattern is well executed, with horizontal and vertical lines cutting through the gold layer, and showing the silver underneath.

The nib is 18K gold, with most of it rhodium plated. It is mounted in a black plastic section, which also shows the only negative point; the gold plated section ring. I don't like them ... what is wrong with a plain section? 0.2 points subtracted from an otherwise great looking pen.

 

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2327/2219388786_8907dd2cf8.jpg

 

Design/Size/Weight (5/5)

 

The Parker Sonnet is "just right". It is small enough to be comfortable for my hand, and it is neither too light nor too heavy. I prefer to use my pens unposted, so I cannot really judge how it would feel posted. Unposted, it has a good balance, with a smooth gripping section. The snap cap works securely, but isn't too tight. Like everything on this pen, it is "just right".

 

Nib (5/5)

 

Parker knows how to make smooth nibs! This nib is a Fine, but it's more to the Medium side, compared with e.g. an Aurora Style. However, it feels much smoother than the Medium Aurora nib. Buttery smooth in fact. Probably too smooth for those who like a bit of tooth to their nibs. The ink flow is medium, maybe a bit towards the dry side (but certainly not too dry). Definitely not the wet lines as put down by vintage Pelikans and Montblancs. I gave the pen a flush with soapy water before I put it to use, but I don't know if that was really needed. Afterwards I put Pelikan 4001 blue in it, a nice neutral color.

There is no flex to the nib at all. Firm and smooth and delivering an even ink flow, that's it. Oh yes, and it looks nice too

 

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2304/2219387474_630b089b2c.jpg

 

Filling System (4.7/5)

 

The pen comes with a piston converter and two ink cartridges. Personally I like the old pressure bar converters much more than the piston converters, so that is 0.7 points subtracted. If even the cheapest Chinese Parker copy can come with an aerometric converter, why doesn't Parker fit them as well? Or am I a majority here, preferring the old style converters?

 

Cost and Value (5/5)

 

EUR 100 for a sterling silver Parker Sonnet (covered with gold, but that's a detail) is a pretty good price, in my opinion! More so because it also included expedited shipping from France. The pen was bought from J.M. Lewertowski, and it arrived at my doorstep in two days. Very good service! For the non-Europeans ... at this moment EUR 100 equates $147

 

Conclusion (29.5/30)

 

Overall, this is a very nice and well made pen, especially given the price. I only used it for an hour now, so my ratings can change in the next few days/weeks. But my initial impression is very positive!

Edited January 25, 2008 by jthole

[dare_nova]

Thank you for the review! I received my Vermeil a few days ago (also from Lewertowski!). I hope that gold layer will not wear away.

[meyerseid]

Thank you for the review! I received my Vermeil a few days ago (also from Lewertowski!). I hope that gold layer will not wear away.

 

You may fine the Parker Sonnet Chinese Laque Amberat the lnik below: http://www.montgomerypens.com/product_deta...?product_id=885

 

[dare_nova]

Thank you meyerseid.

 

Regards,

 

Dare

[arashdeepsinghmann]

I bought Parker Sonnet Vermeil from france too. I am in USA and does anyone knows how much time it will take to reach here.

[Akumar]

I bought Parker Sonnet Vermeil from france too. I am in USA and does anyone knows how much time it will take to reach here.

 

I wonder why there is no review of Parker sonnet Fougere. It is one hell of a looker and writer too! I am selling two spare ones on ebay and was hunting all over the countryside on fountainpennetwork for a review but did not find any.

 

[Pfhorrest]

The photo is broken, I would love to see the pen.

[WRob]

I bought Parker Sonnet Vermeil from france too. I am in USA and does anyone knows how much time it will take to reach here.

 

I wonder why there is no review of Parker sonnet Fougere. It is one hell of a looker and writer too! I am selling two spare ones on ebay and was hunting all over the countryside on fountainpennetwork for a review but did not find any.

 

Surely if you're selling two then YOU could be the very first to write a review of one?

[Robert Hughes]

Concerning the dry line from the Sonnet. My Sonnets write very nicely, but when I got them, a couple of them were problemsome. Parker seems to intentionally make Sonnets "tight", with less tine spacing and nib-to-feed clearance than some other pens we're used to seeing. If you find the line too dry (as I have found on some Sonnets) you (or a nibmeister) can work the nib to gain better flow.

[jips123]

Concerning the dry line from the Sonnet. My Sonnets write very nicely, but when I got them, a couple of them were problemsome. Parker seems to intentionally make Sonnets "tight", with less tine spacing and nib-to-feed clearance than some other pens we're used to seeing. If you find the line too dry (as I have found on some Sonnets) you (or a nibmeister) can work the nib to gain better flow.

In my experience it is quite easy to increase flow on the sonnet. I am a total disfunctional mechanic and even I can do it (brass sheet and a loupe).

[Akumar]

I bought Parker Sonnet Vermeil from france too. I am in USA and does anyone knows how much time it will take to reach here.

 

I wonder why there is no review of Parker sonnet Fougere. It is one hell of a looker and writer too! I am selling two spare ones on ebay and was hunting all over the countryside on fountainpennetwork for a review but did not find any.

 

Surely if you're selling two then YOU could be the very first to write a review of one?

 

 

I can do that of course since I now have almost six of them but would that be believable!

[Akumar]

First Impressions (5/5)

 

The Parker Sonnet comes in a nice outer box, and a classic style inner box (only with the modern logo ). Inside the box I found two blue ink cartridges, plus a polishing cloth and an instruction booklet. Everything looks very professional.

The pen itself is stunning! Goldplated silver, with an engraved pattern where the silver shines through. The first impression is of a very well made pen.

 

Appearance (4.8/5)

 

If you don't like gold or silver, you shouldn't buy this pen. It certainly is a looker. The gold layer still looks very shiny and bright, unlike the aged gold on the vintage Parkers that I have. I actually prefer that "used look", but that just needs time The "crocodile" pattern is well executed, with horizontal and vertical lines cutting through the gold layer, and showing the silver underneath.

The nib is 18K gold, with most of it rhodium plated. It is mounted in a black plastic section, which also shows the only negative point; the gold plated section ring. I don't like them ... what is wrong with a plain section? 0.2 points subtracted from an otherwise great looking pen.

 

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2327/2219388786_8907dd2cf8.jpg

 

Design/Size/Weight (5/5)

 

The Parker Sonnet is "just right". It is small enough to be comfortable for my hand, and it is neither too light nor too heavy. I prefer to use my pens unposted, so I cannot really judge how it would feel posted. Unposted, it has a good balance, with a smooth gripping section. The snap cap works securely, but isn't too tight. Like everything on this pen, it is "just right".

 

Nib (5/5)

 

Parker knows how to make smooth nibs! This nib is a Fine, but it's more to the Medium side, compared with e.g. an Aurora Style. However, it feels much smoother than the Medium Aurora nib. Buttery smooth in fact. Probably too smooth for those who like a bit of tooth to their nibs. The ink flow is medium, maybe a bit towards the dry side (but certainly not too dry). Definitely not the wet lines as put down by vintage Pelikans and Montblancs. I gave the pen a flush with soapy water before I put it to use, but I don't know if that was really needed. Afterwards I put Pelikan 4001 blue in it, a nice neutral color.

There is no flex to the nib at all. Firm and smooth and delivering an even ink flow, that's it. Oh yes, and it looks nice too

 

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2304/2219387474_630b089b2c.jpg

 

Filling System (4.7/5)

 

The pen comes with a piston converter and two ink cartridges. Personally I like the old pressure bar converters much more than the piston converters, so that is 0.7 points subtracted. If even the cheapest Chinese Parker copy can come with an aerometric converter, why doesn't Parker fit them as well? Or am I a majority here, preferring the old style converters?

 

Cost and Value (5/5)

 

EUR 100 for a sterling silver Parker Sonnet (covered with gold, but that's a detail) is a pretty good price, in my opinion! More so because it also included expedited shipping from France. The pen was bought from J.M. Lewertowski, and it arrived at my doorstep in two days. Very good service! For the non-Europeans ... at this moment EUR 100 equates $147

 

Conclusion (29.5/30)

 

Overall, this is a very nice and well made pen, especially given the price. I only used it for an hour now, so my ratings can change in the next few days/weeks. But my initial impression is very positive!

 

 

Even an idiot cannot but be impressed when you take out a precious metal sonnet to sign a cheque but I think Crocodile Vermeil is really something awesome and not a pen that can easily be duplicated. I am getting one soon from Mr. Lewertowski..

[breaker]

nice review