Different Types Of Parker Vectors

[Saintpaulia]

Parker Vectors

 

I hope someone can help me as I am completely confused regarding Parker Vector fountain pens seen for sale on-line. I hope I can explain, since what I am finding is, as I said, inherently confusing. So it’s difficult to ask the right questions when the situation is so perplexing.

 

So let me start at the beginning. This whole situation arose from my search for a white, plastic-body Vector. This is not about the metal Vector at all. I found such a white plastic Vector (used, ca. 1990) on eBay in the UK as a “Buy It Now”. The price of the pen plus the trans-Atlantic postage puts the cost to me at roughly US$ 25.00.

 

Thinking I might find a cheaper, new one elsewhere, I began a search of on-line pen sellers, such as Ipenstore, Pen Boutique, and Montgomery. Of these only Montgomery had the plastic Vector in white and the price BEFORE shipping is US$ 26.00. So no joy there.

 

I was surprised because I had thought that these plastic Vectors were fairly inexpensive, as in $16.00 not $26.00. And sure enough, when I went to Amazon looking for plastic Vectors I found some (not white) on “blister cards” for $11 and $13. But I also found side by side with these cheaper priced pens some Vectors like this one: Parker Vector Black Fine Nib Fountain Pen for $29.95! It does not say if it is made of plastic or metal. I would guess that it is metal because of the price, but then I think back to the cost of the white plastic Vectors at $26.00 and wonder.

 

So what is going on here? Why are the white colored plastic Vectors priced as high as the metal Vectors? or seemingly so? Why aren’t white Vectors offered for sale on blister cards like some others (in blue, etc.) for $11-13?

 

Many thanks in advance for helping this beginner out!

[nxn96]

I can't answer your specific question, as I don't follow Vector prices; however, I've always had the impression that Montgomery Stationery prices on the high side. As to the other price you mentioned, Buy It Now prices can often be arbitrary. Sometimes it's worth looking at how long it's been out there at that price. If it's been at that price for some extended period, that's the market's way of saying "too high".

 

I don't think (again, not really a Vector person talking here) your price point (ex-shipping) is unreasonable for what you're looking for.

 

Hope this helps.

[inkstainedruth]

When I thought I lost my Vector last winter and started researching FPs, the prices places like Amazon were ranging about $8-13 US plus shipping (I paid $9 new a couple of years ago -- I had tried to replace it at the time but was under the impression that they were no longer being made by Parker). A couple of months ago prices were more like $15-20. (I even considered ordering the pen that is sold with ESSRI, which looked a lot like a Vector, to partly spread out the overseas shipping costs from the UK).

Last night I ran across a website that had a downloadable .pdf of the 2012 Parker catalog, and to my surprise Vectors are still listed as being in production. The catalog did not list prices, but there is a chart on the last page listing what nibs are available for different models. Standard for Vectors are F and M nibs, but there is a note at the bottom saying that "calligraphy nibs" were available for "the Vector range" in F, M, B and XB (availability depending on market).

So, seeing that they were supposedly available, I went back on Amazon, and prices seemed to be be more like the $18-25 range for what I believe were new or NOS pens. Really? Even the pen on the ESS website had gone up in price (of course so had the ink and the shipping) and yesterday's exchange rate made the price a little over $22...

Go figure.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Mercian]

In my experience, all Vectors have plastic bodies except for the Stainless Steel ones.

I had a rollerball Vector at school, and its cap ended up cracking.

I've also heard of the plastic bodies cracking if they are over-tightened on the metal thread of the grip section.

 

I haven't had either of those problems with the Vector FP and Vector rollerball that I bought at Uni, but then I've treated them far less harshly than I treated my school pen.

 

Overall, I think that the Vector is a reasonably robust and cheap pen, and is a good introduction to FP's, as long as you find the narrowness of its grip-section to be comfortable.

As a large and rather furry thing, I find it to be slightly too narrow for my ape paws, and since I found fountain pens with wider grip sections I've never looked back.

If your hands are smaller than mine you may well like or even prefer the narrower grip section on the Vector.

 

Lastly, I'm not sure of the exchange rate, or whether these guys will ship to the USA, but I hope that the following link (to a set of white Vector FP and ball pen for £9.90 before shipping) may be of use to you:

 

Clicky!

 

Cheers,

M.

Edited July 10, 2012 by Mercian

[Mike 59]

Hi, In the UK the Vector and Jotter ranges are always available in the shops, have been as long as I can remember.

The most common colour barrel & cap is black plastic, then blue, and sometimes red.

I have never seen any nib other than medium in the shops, but I believe that Parker will exchange it for your choice, as long as it is unused.

Regarding the white plastic barrel, I don't know if it was ever a stock colour, but as of 11 July 2012, it is available from the popular UK stationers 'W.H. Smith' for £10.99 GBP. This is £2 more than the black or blue version, and is marked on the card 'Exclusive'.

The pen is sold with the black fabric zip up case, which adds a bit more value. ( I have several of those cases, which will hold 2 pens, good quality too.)

They are a fairly small, light pen, but reliable, and two of mine are extremely smooth to write with.

Edited July 11, 2012 by Mike 59

[penrivers]

Parker Vectors

 

I hope someone can help me as I am completely confused regarding Parker Vector fountain pens seen for sale on-line. I hope I can explain, since what I am finding is, as I said, inherently confusing. So its difficult to ask the right questions when the situation is so perplexing.

 

So let me start at the beginning. This whole situation arose from my search for a white, plastic-body Vector. This is not about the metal Vector at all. I found such a white plastic Vector (used, ca. 1990) on eBay in the UK as a Buy It Now. The price of the pen plus the trans-Atlantic postage puts the cost to me at roughly US$ 25.00.

 

Thinking I might find a cheaper, new one elsewhere, I began a search of on-line pen sellers, such as Ipenstore, Pen Boutique, and Montgomery. Of these only Montgomery had the plastic Vector in white and the price BEFORE shipping is US$ 26.00. So no joy there.

 

 

I was surprised because I had thought that these plastic Vectors were fairly inexpensive, as in $16.00 not $26.00. And sure enough, when I went to Amazon looking for plastic Vectors I found some (not white) on blister cards for $11 and $13. But I also found side by side with these cheaper priced pens some Vectors like this one: Parker Vector Black Fine Nib Fountain Pen for $29.95! It does not say if it is made of plastic or metal. I would guess that it is metal because of the price, but then I think back to the cost of the white plastic Vectors at $26.00 and wonder.

 

So what is going on here? Why are the white colored plastic Vectors priced as high as the metal Vectors? or seemingly so? Why arent white Vectors offered for sale on blister cards like some others (in blue, etc.) for $11-13?

 

Many thanks in advance for helping this beginner out!

I have all the colors in vectors I could find, five or six, even a beautiful dark blue ball point,I dont find the prices you mention highly excesives,you must take in account your desire and obsesion with this fountain pen, there is even a calygraphy set for vector, I should say dont think to much, ¡go for it¡.

Edited July 11, 2012 by penrivers

[ANM]

I have been looking at Vector prices on eBay and at sellers and have noticed that the fine nibs usually are in the higher bracket while the M nibs are in the lower price range.

[Saintpaulia]

Many thanks to all who replied. I am not sure I understand even now 'what's what' with all these different prices for what seem to be identical pen types, in the sense of being made of the same plastic material. The difference does seem to be in color and maybe nib size. In any event, I went ahead and bought my white from the best source I could find which was, as I recall, $22 with free shipping. Alas I did not get anything as nice as the black fabric zip up case! But I believe I do get a free converter with the pen. I ordered a fine point nib. This will be my 4th fountain pen, if the Lamy Safari is considered as number 2 but which I am sellling. Anyone interested? My Safari will come with a free converter and 5 free cartridges.

 

UPDATE: Nope, no free anything! I've had to order a converter and cartridges.

Edited July 12, 2012 by Saintpaulia

[Tdot]

Overall, I think that the Vector is a reasonably robust and cheap pen, and is a good introduction to FP's, as long as you find the narrowness of its grip-section to be comfortable.

 

I agree. I bought 3 (red, white, blue) Vectors, ages ago, with M nibs. At the time I thought they looked fun for a low cost pen, and they had a good reputation as a great on-the-go daily FP that wrote very well. But when got them home and opened the cap, I found them to be too skinny and I didn't like the metal section. So I never inked them and they have been hibernating in a box.

 

If Parker still makes them, are the Vectors still "Made in USA"?

[inkstainedruth]

Overall, I think that the Vector is a reasonably robust and cheap pen, and is a good introduction to FP's, as long as you find the narrowness of its grip-section to be comfortable.

 

I agree. I bought 3 (red, white, blue) Vectors, ages ago, with M nibs. At the time I thought they looked fun for a low cost pen, and they had a good reputation as a great on-the-go daily FP that wrote very well. But when got them home and opened the cap, I found them to be too skinny and I didn't like the metal section. So I never inked them and they have been hibernating in a box.

 

If Parker still makes them, are the Vectors still "Made in USA"?

 

That's a good question. Mine, which is a couple of years old at this point, was apparently made in England.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Tdot]

I wondered because of the changes Parker has gone through over the years. Relocating manufacturing from USA to UK, ...France, ...China, could have an effect on the value/pricing differences (even if it's the same pen). :hmm1:

[Saintpaulia]

I got interested in the Vector(s) specifically because of their narrow profile. I am the 'anti-Stephen Brown', i.e. small hands.

[Mike 59]

Hi all, I believe Parker produced no more pens in the UK after about 2000 (+- a year or so.)

I have a '92 Vector, UK made, in dark blue, which was and is, smooth and 100% reliable, really quite surprising how well it writes.

Also have a black '97 version, UK made, and a red 'Made in France' version bought in 2011, and I can't see any difference at all, (aside from '92 clip.)

I think the plastic barrelled Vectors have been made in France since the production stopped in the UK, the only difference I can spot, is the price has doubled in about 6 years.

As I wrote higher up in this thread, the colours seen in UK are black, blue and red, and I have heard that it is a popular pen in schools.

They are sold on the black and gold card, with one cartridge, and I have only ever seen medium nibs, and I have looked around, a lot!

There is the upmarket 'all metal' version too, but I can't tell where that is made.

The very upmarket version of Vector (in my opinion)is the 'I.M.' but it's not possible to tell where it is made, if it matters, as no country of manufacture is shown on it.

Edited July 13, 2012 by Mike 59

[ANM]

Parker made lots of colors and designs. Here are two I got in the 70's. They are rollerballs. i have one fountain pen on order with a metal body, gold plated clip and nib. I think it was made in India.

 

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii101/matthewsno/DSCN0171.jpg

[Saintpaulia]

I just received mine from Montgomery Pens. It has on the barrel, the word Parker and then the initials or letters II T or 11 T. The first two letters do not have serifs just two simple vertical lines which could be either i's or 1's. I am inking it up now. Looking at the nib's tip with a loop seems to show that the point is off center or something. It's also a Medium point as well. And white. Cost $22.95 with free shipping via eBay's Montgomery Pens store. Came with one Quink blue cartridge.

 

OK...10 mins. later...

Inked up just fine. Seems to write ok too. But I am already having trouble with it in that it is difficult for me to hold the grip section due to the metal being slippery to my fingers. This is the first pen I've had this problem with. I've had a Lamy Safari, Sheaffer Student vintage, Platinum Plaisir and a Parker I.M. and Sheaffer Prelude. None were hard to hold from the get-go.

Edited July 13, 2012 by Saintpaulia

[Tdot]

I remember that being my problem. Mine didn't come with cartridges or converter, after unpacking and dry testing, the smooth/slim/metal grip killed the deal for me and they were retired before they got out of the gate.

[Saintpaulia]

I remember that being my problem. Mine didn't come with cartridges or converter, after unpacking and dry testing, the smooth/slim/metal grip killed the deal for me and they were retired before they got out of the gate.

 

Ah! so it was not just me. Thanks.

[UK Mike]

If anyone still wants Vectors they are available in wacky finishes on Amazon UK from as little as £3.00 for the Batman version - on a blister pack with one cartridge. Medium nib only I think

[Dutchparker]

Hi,

 

Looking into the nibs and price questions, found that I still have some extra vector fountain pens.

I've got the red,blue and black one with F nibs and a red one with M nib. (€ 4,- a piece ex schipping costs)All pens made in the UK.

Edited December 8, 2012 by Dutchparker

[PeterPenPencil]

I think that the greatest variations in Vectors comes from the UK.