Is This A Genuine Parker Sonnet

[WJM]

Something which bugged me for years.

I have two Parker Sonnets. At least I have one Parker Sonnet - black one with golden trims and 18K gold nib, bought years ago from Mr Lewertowski on eBay - and another pen which I think is a Parker Sonnet, a blue one with silver trims, which I got second-handed, relatively cheap, on a polish auction site.

Since this is a Sonnet, one of the most counterfeited pens out there, and I got for about 25-30% of what I'd pay for a new one, I was never completely sure if the second one was genuine. I read some guides and hints on how to recognize a fake Sonnet and I compared the two pens many times (with just a magnifying glass).

They seem completely identical and parts are interchangable. No problem switching caps or barrels. Converters differ a bit but both are Parker standard. The blue one has a little bit of laquer scratched on the barrel. Both pens have pretty identical weight and feel. The nib is not magnetic (it's supposed to be 18K gold, plated with something).

There is just a one serious difference: the black one writes perfectly, while the blue one (the suspect) has some serious flow problems. Likely the tines are too tight, without putting some pressure on the nib it barely writes at all. But this, I guess, doesn't really say anything.

Personally I fail to see any sings that it's a fake, but I'm not really an expert.

Some pictures below. Any thougts?

[mitto]

Both look legit. However you did not post side by side comparison pictures of the nibs and feeds.

 

Both the converters, too, are legit. The fat one being the earlier one (from the 90s) and the smaller one with the red/pink ring currently produced and supplied with Duofolds and Sonnets.

[welch]

If you can swap the nibs, that would be even more evidence that both are genuine.

[senzen]

I'd been having problems with an old Sonnet with new feed and nib: starting problems, skips on every "t"; washing it by taking out the nib with a drop of liquid soap for a second time seems to have done wonders. Ink seems to evaporate way faster than in my other pens, keeping them stored in pouches seems to help.

[ac12]

All bets are off with any used pen. You have no idea what use or abuse the prior owner did to the nib.

Find a pen tech to adjust the nib for you, or learn to adjust the nib yourself.

[pajaro]

I'd been having problems with an old Sonnet with new feed and nib: starting problems, skips on every "t"; washing it by taking out the nib with a drop of liquid soap for a second time seems to have done wonders. Ink seems to evaporate way faster than in my other pens, keeping them stored in pouches seems to help.

 

This is a Sonnet. I have a bunch of them, and they are OK for a while after a filling, but then what you report happens to all of mine, and to a lot of other modern pens as well. They can't all just need a nib adjustment. There are old and well-known issues with the inner caps.

[aawhite]

Looks OK from the pictures.

 

Does the cap have a "breather hole" on the top? If so, then it is OK. It is too much trouble to fake the breather hole.

[WJM]

Both look legit. However you did not post side by side comparison pictures of the nibs and feeds.

 

Both the converters, too, are legit. The fat one being the earlier one (from the 90s) and the smaller one with the red/pink ring currently produced and supplied with Duofolds and Sonnets.

 

Nibs and feeds below.

 

As for the converters - I suppose the converter is older than the pen itself. The blue Sonnet has a stylized "P" Parker logo, while the converter which came with it has an older version of the bow and arrow logo. Date code says Y.I which according to this source means the pen was produced in 2006.

 

 

 

As for the writing quality - despite a medium nib, it gives very thin and inconsistent line. Skips a lot. Only under pressure, as the tines of the nib split a bit, the line starts to look decent. It's usable, but definitely not satisfying.

 

Never had any problems with the other (black GT) one.

[torstar]

If it was a $300 ciselle sonnet then I'd advise that if it works then it must be a fake.

[MrsDrG]

I zoomed in really close to your nib photo (I'm on my phone) and I think your nib needs to be adjusted. I have a Cross which had similar problems until I took to it with a brass sheet and a heavy hand on a hard surface.

[PaulS]

the nib unit on these things unscrews - so use the hair dryer to warm it up - remove the unit and soak/clean etc. - replace, and at least this will eliminate flow issues and leave you to simply adjust the tines. I believe some people use shims, and some it seems use brass sheet

One nib appears to be Rhodium over 18 ct., and the other is plain 18 ct. - whether this difference in nib make up does affect the writing I'm unsure.

Edited May 10, 2017 by PaulS

[mitto]

As I said earlier, both look ok. The nib may need adjustment / increasing gap between the tines.

[sirgilbert357]

They are NOT 100% identical. The holes in the end of the barrel are different sizes, although very slightly. The lettering "PARKER" on the cap rings are almost identical font, but the spacing of the letters on the blue one is wider than the other. Also, look at the threaded metal part of the section where the barrel screws on: there is slightly more metal extending past the threading on the blue one.

 

These are minor differences and could simply be due to minor tweaks to the production process over time. I'm not saying the blue one isn't genuine, but there are *some* differences.

[WJM]

Good points, I admit I haven't noticed those things.

 

The question is now whether it means something.

[RRE]

Try gently flossing the tines with goulet brass. Mines were very tight. Try a pen mfg ink with less dye instead of a boutique ink like Noodler's ( which I love ) for better flow. Third, store the pen horizontal to keep it better saturated. I think my Sonnet is amazing! I just needed to learn it. Enjoy! Ron

[Sasha Royale]

Both appear to be authentic. The blue Sonnet is a more recent model, has seen some use, and understandably of lesser function. Perhaps, professional adjustment would improve function.

[pajaro]

If it was a $300 ciselle sonnet then I'd advise that if it works then it must be a fake.

Truth.

 

The diamond should have P over P inside the diamond.

Edited May 22, 2017 by pajaro

[RRE]

I like the color of your blue Sonnet. Ocean type blue.

Also, at times you can pick one up for 50% off msrp plus another 10% off for return customer discount or Mother's Day.

Not all brands offer such sales. Best, Ron RRE

[mitto]

I picked up a few dozen used ones for $10 to $30. Both steel nibbed and 18k nibbed. But now stopped altogether buying modern Parkers/pens.