Parker Slimfold Nib Sizes

[Pjotr]

Hello Parkerettes (how else to describe a Parker cheer squad!),

 

I don't count myself as a Parker fan just yet. Have just started writing with a fountain pen in an as yet desperate bid to improve my handwriting. I've tried a number of pens and have ended up with a Kaweco Aluminium which lives in my trouser pocket and a Pelikan M200. The Pelikan has somewhat dimmed my desire to try a solid gold nib as I can't imagine that that would be any better than the Pelikan gold plated steel nib, but what would I know. I've been looking around for an affordable gold nib pen and have settled on the Parker Slimfold. It is one of the most affordable vintage ones out there. However, I need a broad nib and unfortunately there doesn't seem to be any information on Slimfold nib sizes that translate to fine, medium or broad. All the information given generally is just that the pen is fitted with a No 5 nib. Can any of you Parkerettes shed some light on this for me. I can't imagine that Parker would produce a pen with just one nib size.

 

Thanks

 

Pete

[pen lady]

The "5" is Parker's model designation for Slimfold, it's not a nib size per se. For more information check out

www.parkerpens.net and scroll down through the left hand menu to UK Duofold.

[Pjotr]

Thanks pen lady. Hadn't seen that site before. Unfortunately there's no mention of a nib classification other than on some Slimfold models it was imprinted or engraved on the barrel. Obviously there doesn't appear to be a marker or indication on the actual nib that tells you what size it is which what I was hoping to discover.

[Pjotr]

Well I've done some more looking around and there are different markings other than the ubiquitous No 5 on some nibs.

 

Here's one with the No 5 on one side of the nib and the No 3 (see pic No 2) on the other side:

 

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Parker-Slimfold-Fountain-Pen-Black-AE-Filler-GFT-14KT-Nib-English-/291465252353?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43dcaece01

 

And here's one with the No 4 (see pic No 6) on the other side of the nib:

 

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/c1962-Parker-Slimfold-Duofold-Medium-Fountain-Pen-Burgundy-with-Gold-Trim-/351393636609?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item51d0b16101

 

Do these indicate nib sies? It's hard to tell from the pics if one tip is bigger than the other. There must be a Parker fan in FPN land who would know. Fantastic site by the way.

Edited May 16, 2015 by Pjotr

[hood]

This is the page you need just in case you were looking at a different one:-

http://parkerpens.net/ukduofold.html

The nib codes are listed in the section before the second photo.

 

So as already mentioned, the Slimfolds have a 5 on the nib. There is no code or mark that indicates the width or style of the tip. The second number that you are seeing on some examples, like the two you've linked to, is a date code. Those two were made in 1963 and 1964 respectively, specifically 4th quarter 1963 and 1st quarter 1964 which is indicated by the dots - more on that here:-

http://parkerpens.net/codekey.html

The date code on the nib wasn't used for the whole production run so you'll see many without this second number.

[Pjotr]

Thanks Mint. Yes, I understand that the no 5 indicates the pen model rather than the nib size. In the interim it looks like I've found a Slimfold with a broad nib from Rodger Bamford, a pen dealer in New Zealand (http://www.penclassicsnz.com/). I'm sure all of the Kiwis and Aussies on here would have heard of him. Highly recommended.

[mitto]

Well I've done some more looking around and there are different markings other than the ubiquitous No 5 on some nibs.

 

Here's one with the No 5 on one side of the nib and the No 3 (see pic No 2) on the other side:

 

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Parker-Slimfold-Fountain-Pen-Black-AE-Filler-GFT-14KT-Nib-English-/291465252353?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43dcaece01

 

And here's one with the No 4 (see pic No 6) on the other side of the nib:

 

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/c1962-Parker-Slimfold-Duofold-Medium-Fountain-Pen-Burgundy-with-Gold-Trim-/351393636609?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item51d0b16101

 

Do these indicate nib sies? It's hard to tell from the pics if one tip is bigger than the other. There must be a Parker fan in FPN land who would know. Fantastic site by the way.

 

I hav such a nib that has two different numbers but not on my Slimfolds but on my Victory. It has number 10 on the right side and 4 on the left. And beneath both the numbers there are three dots. Could it be the datecode?

 

My Slimfolds nibs , however , have just 5 in the centre. But nibs on my Slimfolds differ in stamping the gold contents. Some just say "14k" while others say "14k 585". Here are some pics :

[mitto]

Forgof to mention that though all my Slimfold nibs are stamped "5" the tips are not the same size. As can bs seen in the picture above one of ths nibs is broad and the other kind of mddium. And , I can't see any info about the tip size on the barrel either.

[Sandy1]

 

Hi,

 

Like many of the other vintage pens, the Slimfold does not have the grade/width stamped on the nib. I believe the nib type was chalk-marked on the barrel, which was likely known only to the Vendor and the purchaser - none of the Slimfolds which I received 'with papers' indicate nib characteristics.

 

I have a very modest array of Slimfolds, and I think they are an excellent introduction to the variable characteristics of the not-quite-vintage nibs.

 

From my experience there is far more variation in the Slimfold nibs than other contemporary Parker England (Newhaven) nibs, both in terms of width and softness/flex.

 

I suspect the Slimfold was marketed as a pen for ladies, so nibs had more 'personality' than daily writers for those in boiled shirts with starched collars. Make no mistake, the other Parker England nibs are very nice indeed - just not as much variation or it may be the case that those who have the outliers are still using them.

 

As such, more buyer awareness is needed, and I do not hesitate to ask a Vendor for a written sample on ruled paper or photos of the nib's underside.

 

Various Slimfolds appear in some of my Ink Reviews, so provide examples of how they write in my unschooled hand, and the NIB-ism images shows width and wetness.

 

Bye,

S1

 

__ __

> Everflo™ Orchid https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/176918-gate-city-everflo-orchid/&do=findComment&comment=1775622

> Pelikan 4001 Blue-Black https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/192761-pelikan-4001-blue-black/
> Pilot Blue-Black https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/193348-pilot-blue-black/

> Lamy Blue-Black - Cartridges http://https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=196623

> Lamy Blue-Black - I-G bottle http://https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/202183-lamy-blue-black/

> Diamine Bilberry http://https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/210129-diamine-bilberry/

> kalligraphie Bordeaux-Violett http://https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/241513-%26-8195%3Bkalligraphie-bordeaux-violett-fullhalter-tinte/page__view__findpost__p__2622035

> Standardgraph himmelblau https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/247713-standardgraph%e2%80%83himmelblau/?p=2704473
> Diamine Syrah https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/248526-diamine-syrah/?p=2715662

>

Edited May 17, 2015 by Sandy1

[Pjotr]

I hav such a nib that has two different numbers but not on my Slimfolds but on my Victory. It has number 10 on the right side and 4 on the left. And beneath both the numbers there are three dots. Could it be the datecode?

 

My Slimfolds nibs , however , have just 5 in the centre. But nibs on my Slimfolds differ in stamping the gold contents. Some just say "14k" while others say "14k 585". Here are some pics :20150517_171518.jpg20150517_171912_LLS.jpg

Thanks mitto. Looks like the thread on the barrel is different too. Yes, I've noticed the 585 markings on some too. I've read (see above post from Hood) that the numbers other than the obiquitous "5" are date codes. A No 4 with three dots mean third quarter 1964 etc. However how your No 10 fits in to this system is then anybodies guess. It's all very inconsistent and confusing if you ask me. Why Parker would go through the hassle of having a year and quarter stamped on the nib but not the line width it writes with is weird.

 

It appears Slimfolds are undervalued by the collectors community. I'm not sure why as they are in the duoflod range which most definitely isn't undervalued. Maybe not enough different barrel colours and all that. Not that all this bothers me because it makes it possible to buy a pen with a solid gold nib for the price of a bottle of ink.

[Pjotr]

 

Hi,

 

Like many of the other vintage pens, the Slimfold does not have the grade/width stamped on the nib. I believe the nib type was chalk-marked on the barrel, which was likely known only to the Vendor and the purchaser - none of the Slimfolds which I received 'with papers' indicate nib characteristics.

 

I have a very modest array of Slimfolds, and I think they are an excellent introduction to the variable characteristics of the not-quite-vintage nibs.

 

From my experience there is far more variation in the Slimfold nibs than other contemporary Parker England (Newhaven) nibs, both in terms of width and softness/flex.

 

I suspect the Slimfold was marketed as a pen for ladies, so nibs had more 'personality' than daily writers for those in boiled shirts with starched collars. Make no mistake, the other Parker England nibs are very nice indeed - just not as much variation or it may be the case that those who have the outliers are still using them.

 

As such, more buyer awareness is needed, and I do not hesitate to ask a Vendor for a written sample on ruled paper or photos of the nib's underside.

 

Various Slimfolds appear in some of my Ink Reviews, so provide examples of how they write in my unschooled hand, and the NIB-ism images shows width and wetness.

 

Bye,

S1

 

__ __

> Everflo™ Orchid https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/176918-gate-city-everflo-orchid/&do=findComment&comment=1775622

> Pelikan 4001 Blue-Black https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/192761-pelikan-4001-blue-black/

> Pilot Blue-Black https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/193348-pilot-blue-black/

> Lamy Blue-Black - Cartridges http://https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=196623

> Lamy Blue-Black - I-G bottle http://https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/202183-lamy-blue-black/

> Diamine Bilberry http://https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/210129-diamine-bilberry/

> kalligraphie Bordeaux-Violett http://https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/241513-%26-8195%3Bkalligraphie-bordeaux-violett-fullhalter-tinte/page__view__findpost__p__2622035

> Standardgraph himmelblau https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/247713-standardgraph%e2%80%83himmelblau/?p=2704473

> Diamine Syrah https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/248526-diamine-syrah/?p=2715662

>

Thank you S1. Also for the buyer beware advice. I bought mine (hasn't arrived yet) from a trusted dealer who like me prefers broad nibs. Apparently it's also flexi which will challenge my equally, if not more so, unschooled hand writing.

[mitto]

Thanks mitto. Looks like the thread on the barrel is different too. Yes, I've noticed the 585 markings on some too. I've read (see above post from Hood) that the numbers other than the obiquitous "5" are date codes. A No 4 with three dots mean third quarter 1964 etc. However how your No 10 fits in to this system is then anybodies guess. It's all very inconsistent and confusing if you ask me. Why Parker would go through the hassle of having a year and quarter stamped on the nib but not the line width it writes with is weird.

 

It appears Slimfolds are undervalued by the collectors community. I'm not sure why as they are in the duoflod range which most definitely isn't undervalued. Maybe not enough different barrel colours and all that. Not that all this bothers me because it makes it possible to buy a pen with a solid gold nib for the price of a bottle of ink.

 

 

Agreed. But three dots mean first quarter and not third.For example the date-codes on a 1964 pen would be like this :

 

Q1 : 4 and three dots , Q2 : 4 and two dots , Q3 : 4 and 1 dot , Q4 : 4 with no dot.

 

Yes , it was after submitting my post that I read hood's post. He was kind enough to throw light on the date-codes on these nibs. I knew about the numbers and dots as being the date codes but didn't know Parker put these on the nibs.

 

And , the number 10 nib is not on my Slimfolds. It is actually on my Duofold Victory pen which is bigger in size than the Slimfolds and , hence , the number 10 nib.

 

Enjoy yor Slimmies.

[Effin1]

I have quite a few Slimfolds and have just sold a couple but my favourite, a burgundy, turned up with a triple b nib. Imagine my surprise when another, this time in blue, turned up in a job lot with an identical nib.

[Pjotr]

 

 

Agreed. But three dots mean first quarter and not third.For example the date-codes on a 1964 pen would be like this :

 

Q1 : 4 and three dots , Q2 : 4 and two dots , Q3 : 4 and 1 dot , Q4 : 4 with no dot.

 

Yes , it was after submitting my post that I read hood's post. He was kind enough to throw light on the date-codes on these nibs. I knew about the numbers and dots as being the date codes but didn't know Parker put these on the nibs.

 

And , the number 10 nib is not on my Slimfolds. It is actually on my Duofold Victory pen which is bigger in size than the Slimfolds and , hence , the number 10 nib.

 

Enjoy yor Slimmies.

Thanks. Slimmie! I'll happily be a Slimmie. No need to diet now.

[hood]

... However how your No 10 fits in to this system is then anybodies guess...

 

For clarification, date codes appeared on all the aerometric Duofolds for the time that Parker was using them (actually I can't say for sure about the Lady as I've not seen one with a date code, but then you don't see those nibs often). There some good pictures, as well as information, in this thread on Fountain Pen Board:-

http://fountainpenboard.com/forum/index.php?/topic/3643-parker-nib-numbering/

[mitto]

For clarification, date codes appeared on all the aerometric Duofolds for the time that Parker was using them (actually I can't say for sure about the Lady as I've not seen one with a date code, but then you don't see those nibs often). There some good pictures, as well as information, in this thread on Fountain Pen Board:-

http://fountainpenboard.com/forum/index.php?/topic/3643-parker-nib-numbering/

I read the thread as well saw the pictures of the nibs. But no where it is claimed , in the thread , that all the nibs had the date codes. Also , the pictures show nibs both with datecodes and without. So , for me , the confusion still persists.

[hood]

mitto, apologies if I was unclear, I meant that all the models in the aerometric Duofold range were made with a date code for a period of time, not that every single aerometric Duofold has a date code.

[mitto]

mitto, apologies if I was unclear, I meant that all the models in the aerometric Duofold range were made with a date code for a period of time, not that every single aerometric Duofold has a date code.

Thank you , hood. And , no need for alology. I just wanted to educate myself.