Parker Big Red Bp + Pilot Lucina Section

[drtomprice]

Fascinated as I am by Parker Duofolds, though can't bring myself to break the psychological $300+ FP barrier, I was drawn to a world of Duofold Look-Alikes, such as the Pilot Lucina. However, on receipt of the Lucina, I realized it is a SMALL pen. NIb is great (Steel, but very nice) but the body length just barely adequate when posted.

 

However, due to a large inventory of pens, I'm prone to experimenting. So, I tried threading the section of a Lucina into a 1970's Parker Big Red ballpoint/felt tip shell. And who'd have thunk...it actually worked out kind of nice! The extra length of the Big Red body makes it more comfortable to write with, and the step-down to the Lucina section is not that bad - and I have profound hatred of excessive step-downs (looking at you, Metropolitan!).

 

Unlike previous Frankenfolds (Pajaro's Cross Solo hybrid) this one will fit a converter, though I prefer using the Pilot cartridge. Unfortunately, the Con-70 will not fit (too wide for barrel). Hey, if Cross can use Sailor nibs why can't Parker use PIlot ones? Sailor nibs....hmm...where's my spare 1911...

 

 

Correction: Pajaro states it does fit with a Solo section/Parker Nib + green "push in" Cross converter.

Edited August 17, 2018 by drtomprice

[pajaro]

My Cross Solo-Parker hybrid with the solo section, Big red cap and barrel (and Sonnet medium 18K rhodium plated nib) uses the Cross green converter, the push-in converter.

[drtomprice]

My Cross Solo-Parker hybrid with the solo section, Big red cap and barrel (and Sonnet medium 18K rhodium plated nib) uses the Cross green converter, the push-in converter.

Good to know; the last post I saw about it said you hadn't been able to fit it. Wasn't the Solo also made by Pilot for Cross?

[pajaro]

Good to know; the last post I saw about it said you hadn't been able to fit it. Wasn't the Solo also made by Pilot for Cross?

 

I think the Solo was made by Pilot. Initially I might have run into an obstruction of some sort in the barrel that kept the section from screwing down with the converter installed. The Cross cartridge was shorter and fit and allowed the section to be screwed in fully.

 

Frankly, this has been fun, and I have left the Solo section with the rhodium plated Sonnet nib in one Big Red, but it dries up overnight and requires a startup drill next day. Even so, it's no worse than most C/C pens. The Solo is much better than most C/C pens and this conversion turns a superb pen into spare parts.