Opinion on Parker Duofold Pearl ?

[SamCapote]

Somehow, I lucked out and picked up an early version of the FP that I had wanted for a wonderful price, and in pristine condition. Not a sign of wear anywhere. There really is a huge difference in the quality between this and the new version they released.

 

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/park4.jpg

 

 

 

 

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/park7.jpg

 

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/park5.jpg

 

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/park6.jpg

Edited September 11, 2007 by SamCapote

[Stylo]

There really is a huge difference in the quality between this and the new version they released.

 

Based on your pictures, it seems like there is a little bit more of light beige swirl in the older version. The black veining also seems to be more diffuse at some places, whereas in the new one, it seems so sharply defined that it almost looks like someone drew it with a marker. The new one seems whiter overall, with more white speckles, whereas the older one has a a bit more of a swirly quality with more off white and light beige tones. Do my observations based on pictures correspond to how the pens look in person?

 

I think I prefer the shorter barrel endcap (correct word) of the newer model but I like the top of the cap of the older model better.

 

Sam, when you are referring to quality, do you just mean esthetic quality or construction quality as well?

 

Thanks for the new pictures.

 

[SamCapote]

There really is a huge difference in the quality between this and the new version they released.

 

Based on your pictures, it seems like there is a little bit more of light beige swirl in the older version. The black veining also seems to be more diffuse at some places, whereas in the new one, it seems so sharply defined that it almost looks like someone drew it with a marker. The new one seems whiter overall, with more white speckles, whereas the older one has a a bit more of a swirly quality with more off white and light beige tones. Do my observations based on pictures correspond to how the pens look in person?

 

I think I prefer the shorter barrel endcap (correct word) of the newer model but I like the top of the cap of the older model better.

 

Sam, when you are referring to quality, do you just mean esthetic quality or construction quality as well?

 

Thanks for the new pictures.

 

 

Basically, what you described is pretty accurate, although there are no beige tones, that is the camera/flash lighting. The older one has a deeper, richer looking, more 3 dimensional appearance, and a more iridescent & bright white luster, that is much more animated when you move/rotate the pen. The black lines are more subtle, and are better intermixed with the white. The gold in old model is a darker, richer karat. The top flat gold symbol of old model is a high quality filagrie type gold on black design, vs. the new one looks more like a volume stamped, less detailed/elegant piece. Both are medium nibs, but the old one writes smoother, and flows at more angles than the new one.

 

If I only had the new one, I'm sure I would be happy with it. The problem is seeing it next to my old style rolling ball model, it was just not in the same category as the older style.

[LedZepGirl]

Ooh, those are gorgeous. Now I have another pen to add to my list of wants. I already have a jade Duofold, now I need to start looking for a black and pearl one.

[SJX]

The pearl and black Duofold Centennial was one of my first luxury fountain pens and still remains one of my favourites. Size and heft are perfect, and I like the feel of the fine nib. Of all of colours available, the pearl and black still remains my favourite by a mile.

 

- SJX

[andyk]

Thanks for the photos, the older version certainly looks much better than the new version, more lustre etc, so looks like the 1980s/90s version is the one to go for at least of the modern Duofolds.

 

Andy

[Kimo]

There really is a huge difference in the quality between this and the new version they released.

 

Based on your pictures, it seems like there is a little bit more of light beige swirl in the older version. The black veining also seems to be more diffuse at some places, whereas in the new one, it seems so sharply defined that it almost looks like someone drew it with a marker. The new one seems whiter overall, with more white speckles, whereas the older one has a a bit more of a swirly quality with more off white and light beige tones. Do my observations based on pictures correspond to how the pens look in person?

 

I think I prefer the shorter barrel endcap (correct word) of the newer model but I like the top of the cap of the older model better.

 

Sam, when you are referring to quality, do you just mean esthetic quality or construction quality as well?

 

Thanks for the new pictures.

 

 

Basically, what you described is pretty accurate, although there are no beige tones, that is the camera/flash lighting. The older one has a deeper, richer looking, more 3 dimensional appearance, and a more iridescent & bright white luster, that is much more animated when you move/rotate the pen. The black lines are more subtle, and are better intermixed with the white. The gold in old model is a darker, richer karat. The top flat gold symbol of old model is a high quality filagrie type gold on black design, vs. the new one looks more like a volume stamped, less detailed/elegant piece. Both are medium nibs, but the old one writes smoother, and flows at more angles than the new one.

 

If I only had the new one, I'm sure I would be happy with it. The problem is seeing it next to my old style rolling ball model, it was just not in the same category as the older style.

 

I agree completely with Sam's excellent summary. If you have never seen one of the ones from 10 to 15 years ago before they stopped making them for a few years (by the way there are two minor variations of these - mainly they are slightly different arrangements of the decorative rings) the new ones are very impressive and worth buying. However, if you ever have a chance to hold one of each together in your hand the difference in quality is very noticeable where the previous version is of markedly higher quality to even the most casual glance. The newest ones just seem to not have the life in them that the ones from a few years ago have. It is definitely different pearl material, and the gold is not as rich looking. The detail in the cap ornament is richer and more refined in the previous version as well. And the two-tone white and yellow arrow design on the nib of the previous version just seems to tie in much more elegantly and successfully since it picks up the arrow design on the clip.

[dad23lilmen]

Hello. Nothing new on this thread for a long time, but if any of the commentors are still out there... thanks. I have a full set (fountain, ball and pencil) of the "classic" pearl and black that I received for various graduations in the late 80's and early 90's. I saw that Parker brought out a new version, but it wasn't until I found these pictures that I understood what the change in material meant.

 

I am a victim of the computer age and probably haven't used any of the 3 in the last 15 years or so (I know... I should be shot). Along with some antique Parkers handed down from family (early 1900 #15 and #16 plus a few others), I have decided to sell them off. Is E-Bay the best way to do this? I have found a few vintage pen resellers, but am getting such a broad range of responses I don't know what is the best way to do this. Any recommendations?

 

Thanks in advance.

[BrandonA]

This has been a favourite pen of pen ever since it was originally released. I don't own one yet but one day I intent to buy one.

[Kimo]

Your two best choices in my opinion are to sell here on the classified section of this forum, or on Ebay. Either should work well. If you sell here you should have an idea of how much you want. If you go with Ebay you can let the market there decide. If it were me, I would do this forum's classified section first, and if they do not sell, put them up on Ebay. I would also suggest selling them separately as not many people can afford the cost of all three together but it is up to you.

Edited June 9, 2011 by Kimo

[dad23lilmen]

Your two best choices in my opinion are to sell here on the classified section of this forum, or on Ebay. Either should work well. If you sell here you should have an idea of how much you want. If you go with Ebay you can let the market there decide. If it were me, I would do this forum's classified section first, and if they do not sell, put them up on Ebay. I would also suggest selling them separately as not many people can afford the cost of all three together but it is up to you.

 

Thanks very much, Kimo. I hate to admit it, but I wrote my request before I spent any time looking at the rest of the FPN site, so hadn't even noticed that there was a classified section. I'll follow your suggestion... anyone looking for some duofolds, stay tuned, I'll get them listed.

[elysee]

I did get the new fountain pen, and like some have said next to the older style, there is a difference in quality with the richness and whitness of the lustrous swirls and darker (more Karats) in gold used in older model. If you only got the new version, and didn't know better, it is absolutely gorgeous in and of itself. It writes like a dream. Here are some pictures I took side by side. Interestingly, the bottom is a lot closer to the old style than the top.

 

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/pearl3.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/pearl2.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/pearl1.jpg

 

I prefer the 1990's version with it variety of shadings, swirls, and luster -- that is the one that I own. The top emblem on the 1990's version is much nicer than the current one -- more distinctive with simple elegance. Actually, I own a set -- ballpoint, pencil, rollerball, and fountain pen. Absolutely gorgeous.

[SamCapote]

Dad, good luck on your sale. I wonder what your set is worth as a set vs. separately? Sometimes the set is preferred. As this thread was one of my first here on FPN, I have since acquired quite a number of other pens from other manufacturers. The old black & pearl remains in my top 5. I also got out all three pens again and looked at them with a few more years of wisdom and comparative experience. The craftsmanship and higher quality components of the older style is now immediately more obvious than my observations 3-4 years ago. As Kimo said, the new model does not have matching resin luster style between the cap and barrel. The new model's black drizzle is not melted into the white resin, appears as a thicker line, and is so distinct, it lacks the more subtle, blended accent for the white pearl as the old model accomplishes. The variation of wide/narrow twin gold bands on the old style cap, and double rings on back of old barrel give a richness and beauty with the older model. The detailed inlaid cap emblem on the old model lets you know that a master craftsman made sure this did not look like a passing gesture. I find the old model is sublimely elegant, irrespective of a smoother writing flow and nib feel.

[dad23lilmen]

Here are pics of my set. I have the boxes (they do have some external paint damage/scratches) with foam liners, but no papers.

[Russ Prechtl]

I have the International Version with a F Nib and I love mine. Interestingly, mine has a different emblem on the top of the cap than the pictures above. Mine says "Duofold" on a printed scroll.

[edorsky]

I saw the older version of the pen in an antique shop a few months ago and fell in love with it, but they were asking a lot for it. Just ordered the newer version and look forward to receiving it. This will be my fourth pen since I became captivated by fps back in January!

[edorsky]

Received the pen yesterday. Sharp looking and wrote smooth write out of the box.

[georges zaslavsky]

never like the modern duofolds and after a disasterous after sales service, I decided to stick only with vintage parkers.