Fake Parker Sonnet?

[william2001]

I bought a Parker Sonnet from Staples about a week ago. I read that the sonnet is one of the most counterfeited pens. So, I compared my sonnet's nib to many photos in Google, and I realized that it's was different.

The photos in google had the word "18K" below the word "Parker."

But my nib doesn't have the word "18K" anywhere in the nib. Instead it had the letter "F" on both sides of the nib.

Possibly fake?

[OcalaFlGuy]

First,

 

No, it just indicates that yours didn't come with a gold nib, if it's gold colored, it's plated. That's perfectly normal with some Sonnets.

 

If you bought the pen new from Staples or even Amazon, odds are it's legit. Yes, they get burned now and then but they also go to efforts to vet their vendors.

 

There is info out there to help spot the fakes. It can evidence itself in poorly copied Company packaging to how the engraving and plating on the nibs is done.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

[Ted F]

Are you sure "F" is marked on both sides of the nib because usually it's marked once in a triangular area on the feed under the nib, never on the metal nib. What is the date code on the Sonnet?

[Freddy]

I bought a Parker Sonnet from Staples about a week ago. I read that the sonnet is one of the most counterfeited pens. So, I compared my sonnet's nib to many photos in Google, and I realized that it's was different.

The photos in google had the word "18K" below the word "Parker."

But my nib doesn't have the word "18K" anywhere in the nib. Instead it had the letter "F" on both sides of the nib.

Possibly fake?

Welcome Aboard! Enjoy your time here.

Anything is possible...for your consideration two articles re

counterfeit Parker Sonnet...

 

Stylophiles..Bill Riepl...

http://archive.today/Wwf5q

 

PenHero..J. Mamoulides and A. Zavaliangos...

http://www.penhero.com/PenGallery/Parker/ParkerSonnetClones.htm

 

 

Fred

Edited May 11, 2014 by Freddy

[lisadan]

I agree that a pen bought at a reputable store such as Staples is probably legitimate. However; as Ted F. wrote, the F on both sides of the nib is a little puzzling. And by the way, the articles Freddy mentioned above are extremely useful. I have used the information in them more than once to figure out if a certain claimed Sonnet was the real thing or a fake. Some tips are useful even if you do not have the pen in front of you and have limited information about it, such as when checking and interesting listing on eBay.

Edited May 12, 2014 by lisadan

[william2001]

Well, thanks all for replying. I'm buying a Parker 5th, so I guess it doesn't matter now. :-)

[lisadan]

Enjoy your new pen, although I must admit I don't really get the idea behind Parker 5th. It seems like a felt tip of some sort disguised as an expensive fountain pen.