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Ode to the lowly Parker 21

ToasterPastry

By ToasterPastry
in Fountain Pen Reviews

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Estycollector Collectors Item

Estycollector

Posted
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This came to mind and maybe you already know, try squeezing the sac and when putting into the ink. On the last pump, keep the squeezed until removing from the ink. Apparently this applies to the vacumatic models. I just do it because I read it was written somewhere.

"Moral goodness is not a hardy plant, nor one that easily propagates itself" Dallas Willard, PhD

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NumberSix Vintage

NumberSix

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Thanks for tips, y'all.

 

Great news this morning: I wrote a bunch with the pen last night and some this morning. Cap on and off a lot - even intentionally removing it quickly to try to create some air suction.

 

No leaks! So maybe it really was residual ink in the cap. :unsure:

 

Either way, she's writing beautifully with no mess. I will keep my fingers crossed as I use this pen as my primary FP for the week to give it a good extended test. I already love it.

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NumberSix Vintage

NumberSix

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It's interesting how few turns it takes to reconnect the barrel to the section. I wasn't expecting that. I can see how people might over-tighten without even realizing because you definitely feel like you didn't screw it on enough.

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Beechwood Donor Pen

Beechwood

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Whatever limited skills I have were learned with Parker 21s, About 20 years ago I bought a great many, 21s usually around $4 each and more often than not the pen was the early model with an open steel niib, the shell was no more than a cover to the nib, a very poor thing with a conventional feed.

 

The nib was typically unservicable, bent or broken, rusty or missing completely, my goal was to simply have a working pen and any nib that I could find was fitted as part of my education and to produce a working pen.

 

Whilst I have some affection for the Parker 21 I would not like another, the 51 was like chalk and cheese by comparison.

Edited by Beechwood
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AL01 Vintage

AL01

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Thanks for tips, y'all.

 

Great news this morning: I wrote a bunch with the pen last night and some this morning. Cap on and off a lot - even intentionally removing it quickly to try to create some air suction.

 

No leaks! So maybe it really was residual ink in the cap. :unsure:

 

Either way, she's writing beautifully with no mess. I will keep my fingers crossed as I use this pen as my primary FP for the week to give it a good extended test. I already love it.

 

That's good to hear.

 

The 21s made for surprisingly nice daily drivers.

 

(I do prefer the 51 though...)

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Estycollector Collectors Item

Estycollector

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Fact is for me, there are a surprising number of inexpensive FP's out there just waiting to be found, restored, and put back into service. The hooded Venus and 14k gold Eberhard Faber are two examples.

"Moral goodness is not a hardy plant, nor one that easily propagates itself" Dallas Willard, PhD

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basterma Vintage

basterma

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I am more into new pens. Lots of nice student pens if you are willing to risk them. There was a time ten years ago in the Middle East when many stores were not wise to ebay, and you could find NOS pens in the bottom of drawers, or strike up a conversation with an old owner about the days when people paid for workhorse pens... Often they would get a glint in their eye and dust off an old box and you could find a pen like a Parker 21. I got some neat little pens that way.

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NumberSix Vintage

NumberSix

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My 21 has an almost pencil-like feedback and even sounds like a pencil, a bit, when I write. It's especially obvious when coming immediately from a smooth gold nib.

 

I find I really enjoy it. I might enjoy it more than the smooth gold nib feel.

 

I'm already looking for more 21s on ebay.

 

(OT reflection: hmm, maybe I am one of those people who would like a feedbacky Sailor nib, after all.)

 

 

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Estycollector Collectors Item

Estycollector

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The 21 I gave to a friend had more feed back that the NOS one I kept. I won't suggest that means anything, but if you do find more I'd like to know if they are the same or similar feedback.

"Moral goodness is not a hardy plant, nor one that easily propagates itself" Dallas Willard, PhD

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NumberSix Vintage

NumberSix

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The 21 I gave to a friend had more feed back that the NOS one I kept. I won't suggest that means anything, but if you do find more I'd like to know if they are the same or similar feedback.

I just ordered two more, from the same seller. Put in minimum bids and won both. One is a grey Super 21 described as NOS - and definitely looks unused in the pic. The other is a red set w/ pencil - based on cap looks like a Mk 1 and definitely has been used. Hopefully one or both write as nicely as mine.

 

That'll be one of each model (Mk 1, Mk 2, and Super) for me. Plenty for now.

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Estycollector Collectors Item

Estycollector

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I just ordered two more, from the same seller. Put in minimum bids and won both. One is a grey Super 21 described as NOS - and definitely looks unused in the pic. The other is a red set w/ pencil - based on cap looks like a Mk 1 and definitely has been used. Hopefully one or both write as nicely as mine.

 

That'll be one of each model (Mk 1, Mk 2, and Super) for me. Plenty for now.

Congratulations!!:)

"Moral goodness is not a hardy plant, nor one that easily propagates itself" Dallas Willard, PhD

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NumberSix Vintage

NumberSix

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Congratulations!! :)

 

Even at this bargain price, my bank account disagrees. ;)

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  • 2 months later...
NumberSix Vintage

NumberSix

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Of my three 21s (two more on the way), this one is my favorite. It has a terrific medium nib. I originally was running Waterman Mysterious Blue in it, to match the navy blue barrel. But it turns out that it's an especially delightful match with lowly Quink Washable Blue - it's slightly smoother than the Waterman, and I think I have found my soulmate ink for this pen. [it will not be participating in my upcoming Superchrome experiment]

 

I was trying to identify the model using http://www.richardspens.com/ref/profiles/21.htm. The trough cap matches Mark II. But I am not sure about the nib and feed. It's a little unclear on the Binder site. The filler text reads 'Parker "21"', so I don't think it's a Super? The Custom and Deluxe have gold trim or gold-filled caps?

 

Any thoughts?

 

I was fiddling with the photo editor on my phone to try and get a better color match, as it usually comes out looking black in my poor light. But it's now looking too blue - it's a nice dark navy blue IRL.

 

 

 

 

156885939_img_0590.jpg 156885941_img_0591.jpg 156885952_img_0592.jpg

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Estycollector Collectors Item

Estycollector

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Sorry to be repetitive. but I found a new old stock "21" NOS that performs beautifully. These are wonderful pens that used to be affordable...LOL!

"Moral goodness is not a hardy plant, nor one that easily propagates itself" Dallas Willard, PhD

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NumberSix Vintage

NumberSix

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Sorry to be repetitive. but I found a new old stock "21" NOS that performs beautifully. These are wonderful pens that used to be affordable...LOL!

 

Right on both counts!

 

The green NOS 21 I just received is terrific. After letting it sit inked overnight, the Quink Black is flowing through the fine nib to something more like F/M, which I am enjoying. (hehe, except on Rhodia, where it's still quite fine)

 

It was so purty and pristine that I didn't want to ink it at first. . .

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AL01 Vintage

AL01

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Sorry to be repetitive. but I found a new old stock "21" NOS that performs beautifully. These are wonderful pens that used to be affordable...LOL!

 

Are they Super 21s or jus' regular 'ole 21s?

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Estycollector Collectors Item

Estycollector

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Are they Super 21s or jus' regular 'ole 21s?

The NOS I found has a cedar blue plastic section, a silver cap with gold clip. Here is more information on the various generations and styles. https://parkerpens.net/parker21.html

"Moral goodness is not a hardy plant, nor one that easily propagates itself" Dallas Willard, PhD

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AL01 Vintage

AL01

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Ah, so that would be a somewhat uncommon 21 "De-luxe".

 

I'll be honest, I'd prefer a 21 Super any day over a Parker 51, (regardless of variation.)

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Estycollector Collectors Item

Estycollector

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Ah, so that would be a somewhat uncommon 21 "De-luxe".

 

I'll be honest, I'd prefer a 21 Super any day over a Parker 51, (regardless of variation.)

 

Perhaps, I just really like contrasting metal caps.

fpn_1596391070__parker_21_deluxe.jpg

"Moral goodness is not a hardy plant, nor one that easily propagates itself" Dallas Willard, PhD

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  • 4 weeks later...
PDW Vintage

PDW

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One more reason to love the 21 - the lovely low click as you take the cap off, especially on the ealier models.

 

My favourite FP sound.

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