Parker 45-Which Is Better, New Or Old?

[ChickenScratch]

Hi all,

 

I am thinking of getting a Parker 45 or 45 Flighter because it was the model of FP my grandparents used and its shape reminds me of them. So I looked around on eBay and found that there are a lot of these for sale. Also did some research online and learned that this model was being made for a very long time, from the 1960's to the 2000's. Is there a difference in performance or materials or quality between the older models and the newer ones? They also seem to have been made in different countries. I've seen listings for Made in the USA, France, UK or Argentina. Any difference between the pens made in the various countries, i.e. varying levels of quality control or customization for the local market? Also, what do you think is a reasonable price to bid?

 

Thanks in advance!

[Ernst Bitterman]

My only complaints with 45s (apart from a pretty universal dislike they have of ANY roll; small sweet spots) lie with those made in the last five or perhaps ten years of production. The late ones are more likely to have poor points. There are some oddities of anatomy in the Argentine ones, as they have 61-style clips, but apart from that the "where" of production seems to matter far less than the "when".

[Captivelight]

Personally I prefer the earlier Flighters, the ones with either the black plastic tip or the chrome tip. I have a modern one with the cabachon jewel and it just doesn't feel as solid as the older ones that I have. I agree that the where doesn't seem to matter, I have models from UK, USA and France and all are much the same. Nibs can vary a great deal, I cherry pick the ones I use so my writers are all really nice to use although some of the ones on my collectors pens are not as good to write with.

 

Have a look at http://www.pencollect.co.uk/parker45.htm

 

Prices for 45 Flighters are cheap for how much pen you get ... here in the UK you can pick up a mint one for between £20 to £25 on Ebay, with not so pristine ones costing less. Personally I would go for a good clean old one ... after all that's the one your Grandparents would have used!

[Joe in Seattle]

I had one of the Flighters, too. Sweetest writing Parker I ever had. I gave it to my best and oldest friend.

[J English Smith]

The old ones are best. They all have the potential for some plastic warps on the section piece. But many original ones are just fine. Great pens! My latest one is another turquoise blue. That color just brings me back to 1960 in a flash. Price? All of mine acquired from the 'bay for between $10 and $22. Be patient, you can nab a good one for not much. The flighters would be a bit more.

Edited March 4, 2014 by J English Smith

[Runnin_Ute]

I recently paid $15.50 for a 45 Flighter from the late 60's with 14k medium nib on ebay. The guy who I bought it from had forgotten it was a 14k and was thinking it was plated steel. In great shape. It doesn't have the cabachon/final on the bottom, but so what?

[OcalaFlGuy]

The last rendition also had a hideous vent on the cap under the clip to meet EU child choking laws.

 

The rounded cabachon on the same cap helped round out the pile of hideousness.

 

Plus they only had plated nib, no gold ones. (If as stock)

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

[Captivelight]

So I take it you also prefer the earlier ones Bruce!

 

 

.... I always wondered what the vent was for, I assumed it had some deep scientific purpose!

[ChickenScratch]

Thank you all for the advice. I will be checking out eBay for an older 45. Will post again when I've got one!

 

Captivelight: Thanks for that link. It was very informative!