Modern Duofold Centennial questions

[InkyProf]

One pen I'm considering pursuing next year is a modern Duofold Centennial of some kind, probably a flattop / Mk. I, although I am also drawn to a couple of the colors and patterns that I think only appeared in the second version. But I hesitate, for three reasons, each of which comes with a question for folks who have these pens or have been in the hobby/business for a while.

 

1. I've read the threads about dryout due to the placement of the vent hole on the cap. It seems like some pens (or some users) suffer from this and others don't. I know it's probably hard for a single user to gauge this, but: how common is this problem?

 

2. I've also read about problems with the feeds that were originally used with (some or all of) the banner nibs. Same question: how ubiquitous is this issue? Should I assume that I'll need to replace the feed (or have the feed replaced) on any pen with a banner nib that hasn't already been serviced by Parker?

 

3. For those of you who like and collect these pens: what's the appeal? I don't mean that skeptically, but I'm curious whether there's something about the way these pens write that is distinctive and appealing, or whether it's something else -- the visual aesthetics of the pens, the way they feel in the hand, the way they look all together in a case, general love of the brand, etc. None of which I discount; but I'm struck that when I went to read about the Waterman Man 100, there was a lot of discussion of how fabulous the nibs are (and so far I agree!) whereas the reviews and discussions I've seen of the Modern Duofolds generally just say that the nibs are smooth. Given what I'm learning about my own priorities, that might not be enough for me, unless I stumble across a sumgai find.