Why are modern Duofolds so expensive?

[penmanila]

that's what i've always thought, wondering about the aversion of some members to converters, as against piston fillers. i figured that despite their larger capacity, there's more to break in a piston filler (and something we can't usually fix ourselves), whereas a converter is easily replaceable. so a pen doesn't lose any points for me by using a converter, as pedestrian as it may seem

 

What is a C/C filler?

 

Cartridge / converter... Pens that use either a cartridge or a removable converter, instead of a fixed filling system (piston, lever, ...).

 

Giving it some thought you will see that the coverter is a piston filling mechnism within an inusulated air chamber. This give the advantage of insulating the ink and the air pocket above it, evening out the flow. Plus, one gets the convenience and portablility of Parker/Aurora cartidges.

[BrandonA]

I'd say that they are clearly not overpriced as Parker manage to shift many units each year. If they were overpriced then they would not sell and Parker would be forced to reassess their pricing strategy.

 

As for value, the value of anything is a subjective personal opinion. I peronally think that they are not expensive and the value I'd get from owning one makes it worth buying. Obviously if I could get one cheap on ebay then this would make the pen more desirable but I wouldn't have a problem getting one from the shop.

[Garageboy]

I wish it was ANY sort of self filler, but the pen is very nicely made

[josephl]

In the grand scheme of things, the Parkers are very high quality and relatively low production. No one is making a fortune from sellng these pens at the prices charged.

[fountaineer]

Last week, for €239,- I bought the Premier, €239,- is the normal price.

18K rhodium plated F-nib, heavy silver all around, beautiful black laquer that shines blue when writing if it's getting dark...

What else do we want more?

Yes - yet another Premier.

 

I looked better at the pen, and the materials are Sérénité-alike, only the Premier is €500,- cheaper.

I have an International, but now I have this one... Pffff... There was also a nice blue Duofold for 40 euros more, but I decided to go for the Premier and I will never ever regret that.

 

btw, mine is now dipped in Namiki blue

[Xag]

The weight of a Premier definitely adds to the quality feeling but I found it a bit heavy for my taste. The strange thing with a Duofold is that you expect a heavy pen and that is so very light. At first that did feel right but the styling and magnificent finish won me over quickly.

 

Xag

PS Congratulations on your new Premier!

Edited May 22, 2010 by Xag

[mr T.]

In the grand scheme of things, the Parkers are very high quality and relatively low production. No one is making a fortune from sellng these pens at the prices charged.

 

I have my doubts about the quality of most modern Parker pens. Here on FPN, I read about QC problems with the Sonnet (ink flow). One of the latest Parker fp I bought (the IM aka Profile) had also a serious quality problem (ink flow). This pen has ended in a dustbin because of it. The quality of modern Parker fp's are in my opinion inconsistent. So why pay more than € 200,- (or even the full retailprice) for a modern Duofold with a very limited warranty? Is the QC on modern Duofolds really that much better?

[jar]

In the grand scheme of things, the Parkers are very high quality and relatively low production. No one is making a fortune from sellng these pens at the prices charged.

 

I have my doubts about the quality of most modern Parker pens. Here on FPN, I read about QC problems with the Sonnet (ink flow). One of the latest Parker fp I bought (the IM aka Profile) had also a serious quality problem (ink flow). This pen has ended in a dustbin because of it. The quality of modern Parker fp's are in my opinion inconsistent. So why pay more than € 200,- (or even the full retailprice) for a modern Duofold with a very limited warranty? Is the QC on modern Duofolds really that much better?

 

If you have doubts, why buy the pen?

[Xag]

Somehow I feel that no amount of argumentation will convince mr.T to buy a Duofold...

 

Xag

[dnb]

I have a Duofold Centennial size pen. It is a great size for my larger hands. I know this is not your question, but sometimes, size matters. In addition, it is beautiful, both in terms of the acrylic and the very large nib. I paid over $700 for a NOS LE that was originally $1500 when it first came out. Even now, it was certainly not cheap, and I am happy with the purchase.

[tsunami31]

I used to own 5 modern early Duofolds and have frequently stated my belief that this was the last great pen that Parker produced. However, I emphasise early production, partially because they are the only ones that I have experience with and because I feel that Parker quality has fallen since the most recent changes in ownership.

 

I'm holding on to 2, having sold 3 in the past year on eBay for ludicrously low prices (lower than mentioned here), which makes them absolute bargains. The quality and writing ability is superb and pound for pound (or dollar for pound), they are better value for money than many other modern pens in the same category. The quality of the acrylic(?) is an important factor here - I'm a huge fan of modern Pelikans, but the early modern Duofolds are superior in the quality of barrels and caps.

 

I'm holding onto a Burgundy Marbled Centennial with an italic nib and a Mandarin LE. Now, I think the Mandarin was horribly overpriced, but then I think most LEs are massively overpriced for what they are. Nevertheless, I love the colours of both pens.

 

Perhaps I should also mention that all my Modern Duofolds were British made, as well as being early. I don't know if this is relevant.

 

 

[Guest Pjay]

In the last month I've bought a few examples each of Pelikan, Parker and Waterman. The highest price I've paid for any of them was for the one below, simply because I think it is beautiful. As always, beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

 

http://www.users.on.net/~pjmatt/duo%20red.jpg

[mr T.]

The quality of the acrylic(?) is an important factor here - I'm a huge fan of modern Pelikans, but the early modern Duofolds are superior in the quality of barrels and caps.

 

Parker has outsourced the production of barrels and caps for modern Duofolds to Carville (a company that specialises in acrylic materials).

[Xag]

Parker has outsourced the production of barrels and caps for modern Duofolds to Carville (a company that specialises in acrylic materials).

 

Interesting link. Looks like Parker, like many companies, has chosen to stick to marketing and sales as core business.

 

Xag

[Glenn-SC]

Interesting link. Looks like Parker, like many companies, has chosen to stick to marketing and sales as core business.

What does that mean "has chosen to stick to marketing and sales as core business"?

[Xag]

Somehow I got the impression this company could be producing the Duofold as a whole, but I realize my conclusion doesn't necessarily has to be correct. It could very well be that Parker still does a lot of production itself, also for the other models. It's not unusual that companies outsource production and only hang on to design, marketing and sales so my thoughts flowed that way.

 

Xag

[Joane]

In the last month I've bought a few examples each of Pelikan, Parker and Waterman. The highest price I've paid for any of them was for the one below, simply because I think it is beautiful. As always, beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

 

http://www.users.on.net/~pjmatt/duo%20red.jpg

Congrats on the acquisition! Great photo and to my eye one of the richest Duofold colours indeed.

 

I have his pen in International size, purchased on sale in around 1992. After 18 years of use it shows no signs of wear whatsoever. Fortunately I did not have to pay full price. Even back then I think the Internationals were about $325 (in Canada) and the Centennials around $375. But even if I had paid full price, by now I certainly would have gotten my money's worth. I love the acrylic on the Duofolds and I particularly like the fact that the nibs/sections can be interchanged if a different nib style and colour combo is desired. I would say the cost of Duofold today simply reflects what the market will bear and positioning in relation to other brands as Parker's top line model. It's the way the market works. Fortunately in the market there are also windows of opportunity like sales and the secondary market where bargains can be had.

[satrap]

I think people pay whatever they want for stuff they like. Like another poster said, it is part emotion. Beyond that, you really can't explain to anyone else, why you paid ______ for _______

I think golf clubs are greatly overpriced.

Edited May 30, 2010 by satrap