Parker Gel, What Happened?

[javyn]

Just got a 4 pack of Parker Gel refills for my TecFlex and Visconti pens.

 

What the heck happened? I'm hoping I got a bad batch, because these seem dried out right from the get-go, but someone told me they recently moved production to another country and that the Parker gels just aren't good anymore.

 

Does anyone have any info? Or, if the Parker Gel is indeed cruddy now, what is something good I can replace it with?

 

Thanks!

[usk15]

Try Inoxcrom gel refills

[javyn]

Thanks.

 

I found https://tinyurl.com/y9hefz3j on Amazon, may give it a go.

 

What do you think about the Schmidt Easyflow 9000?

[torstar]

Does that mean the Parker's won't be the greasiest thing on the planet from now on?

[javyn]

I wish it was greasy. Parker Gels have always been spotty the last 3 years I've been using them in my Visconti Van Gogh, but this latest batch was 0 for 4. Skips, scratchy and dry as if the cartridge is already running on empty, from the start. I've been scribbling all day today at work trying to "break" this last one in, to no avail.

 

I rigged a Cross Gel by putting some tape on the butt end to fit into my Mont Blanc Meister rollerball, and omg, what a difference. I wish Cross made some G2 size gels LOL.

[usk15]

Thanks.

 

I found https://tinyurl.com/y9hefz3j on Amazon, may give it a go.

 

What do you think about the Schmidt Easyflow 9000?

 

I have done a refill test a while ago, Schimdt easyFlow 9000 are my favorites!

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/316088-ballpoint-refills-test/?do=findComment&comment=3744372

 

here is the Inoxcrom refills:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Inoxcrom-Parker-Style-G2-GEL-INK-Ballpoint-Pen-Refills-BLACK-MEDIUM-/121941481589?var=&epid=1264102937&hash=item1c64475875:m:mQn47bWXxIK6WYqr5nVrE3Q

[javyn]

Thanks! Although not Inoxcrom, I found something similar on Amazon I linked in my last post. I may give them a shot as the 1.0mm broad tip is tempting.

 

 

I'm a little confused on the EasyFlow 900M....is it more like a ballpoint? Or gel?

[usk15]

It's a hybrid ballpoint refill. Somewhere in between....

[Ron Z]

It's a hybrid ballpoint refill. Somewhere in between....

 

...and equally dissatisfying. More like a ballpoint, without the clean, dense like of a rollerball.

[Flounder]

Dampen a piece of paper towel with methylated spirits, and write on it with the 'dried out' gel refill for a bit. I thought mine was 'dried out' after only a month, but the spirits seemed to clear a clog or something. It's still writing properly now!

I know it wasn't a fake or something, because I bought it from a proper stationery store.

[Flounder]

 

...and equally dissatisfying. More like a ballpoint, without the clean, dense like of a rollerball.

 

+1, did not care for that Schmidt. Mildly disappointing after using their amazing P8126/7

[javyn]

Thanks! I will try the alcohol trick. Owe it to myself though to at least try the Schmidt 9000. My preference between gel and ballpoint tends to waffle, so maybe that one will be the ticket for me.

 

edit: Thanks Flounder, I think this did the trick! Saved me 11 bucks by salvaging these 4 gel refills. I already have the Pilot G2 style and the 9000M in my wishlist when it's time to re-up.

Edited July 6, 2017 by javyn

[Joe in Seattle]

Monteverde works well for me; nice selection of colors

[Flounder]

Nive one javyn, hope it lasts!

 

Another wee tip, for Jotter users - a little silicon grease on the end of the refill has sorted my mildly vexatious clicker issues. Enough to make the castellations look wet, that's all that was needed.

 

Both my fairly new Jotters (from the large colour range, pre arrow-fletching change models) had a click action that was a bit spongy and even failed to withdraw the point sometimes.

 

After I replaced the springs with good ones from generics, it would still happen. The plastic advancing dealy in the caps for rotating the refill was unworn (obviously!) and undamaged. The grease was a 'what else do you want from me?' step I didn't expect to work!

 

[javyn]

Interesting Flounder and thanks for the info. I have 0 interest in a Parker shell (I'll stick with my Visconti and TecFlex), but that's good to throw out there for anyone who comes across this thread in the future

[Bradley]

I believe the Visconti gel refills for ballpoint pens (which are the Parker style) are the absolute best for your needs. The broad gel refill is quite lush and wet, approximating the feel of a fountain pen.

[javyn]

I wasn't too impressed with the Visconti ballpoint my Van Gogh came with, but that Visconti gel does look nice, thanks. Another added to the to-try list, but price may be a bit high for normal everyday use

[torstar]

So you got a lousy pack of Parker gels.

 

It's still a great product, buy another pack.

 

Always amusing how people jump onto a post like this to tell you how they've found something that works perfectly but you'll never be able to acquire the product. They have to tell SOMEONE, right????

 

:D

[elysee]

What the heck happened? I'm hoping I got a bad batch, because these seem dried out right from the get-go ...

 

Or, if the Parker Gel is indeed cruddy now, what is something good I can replace it with?

 

I never had any positive writing experiences with the Parker Gel Ink refills. Every Parker Gel that I purchased seemed dry and scratchy. I wasted money by trying and trying again, but I never found a Parker Gel that I could enjoy.

 

Since I like gel ink refills (I use Pilot G2 refills in my Elysee and Waterman rollerball pens and tape-fitted Cross Gel ink refills in my Montblanc rollerball pens), I kept looking and found that the broad Visconti gel ink refills and broad Monteverde gel ink refills provide a very pleasurable writing experience. During my refill search, I found other delightful broad ballpoint (non-Gel ink) pen refill options as well.

[elysee]

I believe the Visconti gel refills for ballpoint pens (which are the Parker style) are the absolute best for your needs. The broad gel refill is quite lush and wet, approximating the feel of a fountain pen.

I agree! The Visconti broad gel ink refills are smooth and nicely wet writers -- relatively fast drying too.