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OT: Parker IM Ballpoint


Nihontochicken

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Forgive me, for I have sinned. Okay, I wanted a ballpoint backup pen for my carry FPs, and since I like a thicker barrel, I bought a Parker IM "stainless" (actually chrome plated brass) to replace my years old Sheaffer. It's a thick and heavy pen, 31 grams. While substantial looking on the whole, the clip is thin. Way too thin. Ridiculously thin. It was "sprung" right out of the box, not substantial enough for even a dollar throw-away pen. Removing it for reshaping requires the separation of two press fit pieces, good luck in getting them apart without marring them. This is symptomatic of the death of big name modern pen makers. In order to cut costs, they invariably make a mistake in incorporating a fatal cheap part. Shame on Parker. With this mindset, it deserves to go out of business. See ya. :angry: My Sheaffer ballpoint is back in business, thin and only 14 grams, but with a substantial clip that has so far endured years of service.

Nihonto Chicken

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If you're looking for a nice BP, I can recommend the pelikan K400. It's noticably thicker than a parker jotter, and also looks quite stylish. It also accepts parker-style refills, so you can try out a lot of different refills (I'd recommend the schmidt superbowl, visconti gel, parker gel and itoya quick dry and advanced gell refills)

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I have a few of those ballpoints. As there are a couple labelled IM do you have the one with the Sonnet style clip and tapered section? These are the ones I have. Of the 2 black laque ones I use I notice that the finish has chipped in a couple places at the top of the barrel. As well the tip of the arrow part of the clip rubs the laque underneath down to the brass. I actually like them and these are pens that get carried around in my backpack. They are heavy but comfortable. I paid like cheap for them so it doesn't bother me, though I find the Jotter, even cheaper still a better quality pen.

Though I've always been disappointed with Parker black laque going back to a Sonnet FP/BP set I once owned.

 

I also have the IM in Silver and Gunmetal and they haven't seen much use so don't know how well they hold up. Though I have the Royal Blue IM RB and it is doing pretty well with posting the cap. Never had any problem with the clip getting sprung. Though they are heavy to carry in a shirt pocket.

 

If you want a nice Parker BP I recommend the Latitude. Pretty much made me leave the IM's on the sideline. I have the stainless steel one - made in France. Since I started carrying mine at work a couple people have remarked that it is a cool pen and where did I get it? It's a great pen but strangely reminiscent of the Inflection and Ellipse.

 

Of course FP's are my main users but circumstances at work haven't given me the opportunity to fully enjoy them, mostly when I take work home is when I use them though my trusty 49 P51 and Frontier are in my desk at work:).

 

I agree about quality these days. Even the made in China BP refills in the IM's are useless - I addressed this with Parker but remains to be seen. I'm afraid if they give up making their refills in the UK and outsource them all to China then I don't see using Parker BP's much longer. Funny though the Sheaffer made in China refills in blue are quite nice. Hmmmmm.........

 

My thoughts. Take care

 

Rowdy

 

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Thanks for the replies, I will research the suggestions.

 

As there are a couple labelled IM do you have the one with the Sonnet style clip and tapered section?

 

Yes, I believe that is the style. Overall a nice looking BP pen, though the grip section tapers down too fast for my taste, but still much better than the majority of the slim BP alternatives. Such a shame that the Parker cost cutter saddled it with such a cheap, thin clip, totally in conflict with the heavy nature of the rest of the pen.

 

Right now my favorite BP is a lowly Staples Delta Elite, with thick, rubber-coated triangular barrel at the grip, shaped somewhat like the Parker 75 FP, but wider. However, it's a bit cheapo looking for carry, but maybe I should forgo form for function. And it's got a Godzilla clip that won't self-adjust in the shipping box. Thanks again for the responses.

Nihonto Chicken

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Glad to provide some help. I agree with the clip. It really weighs down a pocket though I do find them comfortable and they are great for my field work. Other than the clip they are very sturdy, though I haven't yet had the clip issue. For some silly reason that defies me I have nine of those BP's. I have two gunmetal, two silver and five black laque - only as I paid 13.99 Cdn for most of them and found a bunch of the black laque at a local drugstore for 6.99.

 

Hey I like those Staples BP's as well. They take Parker refills:). I attend a lot of Pipeline Safety trade shows and a few companies put those pens out as giveaways some with gold coloured clip and trim. Very comfortable but as people know I have this stuff and that I go to these things they don't stay with me long:). the show where I pick them up was last week and although I attended the show the company giving them away (from Quebec) wasn't there this year - drat!

 

Look into the Latitude. the model I have is about 40 bucks CDN and checking around on the net you can get them for 30 US.

 

Take care

 

Rowdy

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