Parker Sonnet 95/97

[HCD]

I've come acorss a very nice deal on a Parker Sonnet with 18k gold nib all black with gold trim

What do you think about this pen?
Is it a solid wirter?

Thanks

[mana]

Yeah, one of my favorite pens aesthetics/design wise. Few model specific problems: first one is the cap, it has somewhat excessive ventilation holes that lead to the nib drying out if the pen is left unused for a period of time. There are ways to deal with that including using paraffin/candle wax to block the holes. The second is the trim ring on the section, if left in contact with certain kinds of inks for prolonged periods it can start corroding (the base seems to be some sort of zinc alloy, I got gifted one with the trim already corroded). Other than that, with a Parker converter it is a lovely writer. The nibs on my 18k Sonnets are all nice, smooth & soft/responsive, great pens if cared for properly.

[HCD]

Yeah, one of my favorite pens aesthetics/design wise. Few model specific problems: first one is the cap, it has somewhat excessive ventilation holes that lead to the nib drying out if the pen is left unused for a period of time. There are ways to deal with that including using paraffin/candle wax to block the holes. The second is the trim ring on the section, if left in contact with certain kinds of inks for prolonged periods it can start corroding (the base seems to be some sort of zinc alloy, I got gifted one with the trim already corroded). Other than that, with a Parker converter it is a lovely writer. The nibs on my 18k Sonnets are all nice, smooth & soft/responsive, great pens if cared for properly.

Thanks,

About the drying problems, 1,2 weeks will it be enough for it to dry?

[mana]

From what I recall yeah (haven't used mine in ages), that did go away when I treated the cap though.

 

There are a bunch of reviews over at > https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/81758-review-index/?p=1742342 (under Sonnet).

 

Also, one thing to look out for, there are plenty of fake Sonnets out there.

[HCD]

Thanks
The pen seems the real deal, at least from the pics

[pajaro]

If a Sonnet dries out, I have found that parking it overnight in a desk pen base, like one for a Parker 51 or Parker 21 or even a desk base for a Sheaffer inlaid nib Imperial, will keep it writable overnight, and then you can cap it and use it all day.

 

Then you don't have to be concerned with trying to seal the cap yourself with epoxy, etc.

 

Even better solution is to avoid Sonnets. I have found this cap ventilation issue to cause about all my modern C/C pens except Montblanc 144s to dry up. They are good for a day, then dry up. Just fill them with ink if it happens. It's a pain, so I have reverted to older pens from the 1940s and 1950s. My MB 144s from the 80s work well, though.

[HCD]

I have a Sheaffer Intensity and never gets dry, in fact all of my pens are from the 90 forward and none of them drys not even if not used for 2 to 3 weeks I keep them in a "box" closed

[pajaro]

My pens from the 90s forward dry up from overnight to about two days. Must be the soggy Michigan climate.

[shea2812]

I live close to the Equator with relative humidity up there in the sky. I think that fact contribute to no dry up in my FPs. Have no issue with either Sonnets or Waterman Kultur.

[HCD]

The seller as not replied to me so a guess the deal is of
To bad, for a gold nib fp it was in a very nice price range and the pen was like new

[anakayub]

Not necessarily shea2812... My Dark Grey Lacquer always dries up if left unused, sometimes after half a day.

I do find the cap more "vented" compared to my other Parkers (Duofold Centennial/International/Frontier/Vector)...

 

And to keep the ink from drying up in the pen and making the writing darker than intended, I have my own formula on how many drops of water to add to the pens when left unused, and the Sonnet & Frontier need the most water (you can really see the ink levels go down after a few days)

 

But it is a really nice writer... More springy than the Duofolds (though it doesn't add much in line variation, the tactile feedback of the springing is nice)

[shea2812]

I have to issue with my 2003 Flighter GT with M steel nib. Inked with GVFC Black. I get rivers of black everytime the nib touches paper.

[mitto]

I have to issue with my 2003 Flighter GT with M steel nib. Inked with GVFC Black. I get rivers of black everytime the nib touches paper.

 

Is it really a Sonnet? Lol.

[anakayub]

Hahaha

Now what if your greens/greys/blues also turn black? Cheers

[shea2812]

Is it really a Sonnet? Lol.

It is a Sonnet. If I remember correctly I did have a bit of issue with hard start when I first used Lamy Black, but no more of those now that I am using GVFC Black. I also have Pelikan Brilliant Black and I can attest that Pelikan Brilliant and GVFC Black are not the same as some posts on this forum suggested. GVFC cost double what Pelikan is though and it is not that widely available where I am.

 

As to the OP original query, I have no idea how Sonnet 95/97 nibs behave so I would not buy a FP of Sonnet reputation online. I bought all three of mine from shops where at the very least I can try some dry scribe on a piece of paper to gauge the nib. Misaligned tines I can adjust easily. Anything more complicated is beyond me for I have not the tool to fix those. I am quite sure that Sonnets have no issue with build quality, feed and inking system, its them tines and nib tipping finish that is of concern to me. In a fountain pen, that is the business end that matter most, the rest are just trimmings.

Edited April 3, 2016 by shea2812

[HCD]

The next time that I'll be in a store that have parker pens I'll try the sonet to see what I've missed out .

[shea2812]

If you get to try one and find that you like it, take the one that yoy have tried and not a new one from their stock. Others may not be the same. Come to think of it no two pens are the same even from the same model and make.

[mitto]

If you get to try one and find that you like it, take the one that yoy have tried and not a new one from their stock. Others may not be the same. Come to think of it no two pens are the same even from the same model and make.

Except the 51 and especially the aeros as I haven't come across one that doesn't write as it should after flushing and cleaning it properly of the old dried ink.