Parker 51 Magnum

[cjabbott]

This is my first review, so be kind to me! I've been really nervous about posting reviews. Maybe I don't feel like my pen knowledge is wide enough to warrant penning a review, but I felt that this pen is unique enough that my experience with it should be shared. Well here we go!...

 

(by the way...the little white lines in the scans are dog hairs. Having a dalmatian has its costs!)

 

First Impressions - 4/5

I was drawn to this pen for a few reasons. First, I love unusual pens. Second, while I like the Parker 51, I want to love the Parker 51. I first saw one of these at the Little Rock Pen Show a few months ago. I had never even heard of it before. Then, a few months later, I see one available on eBay straight from Ariel Kullock. There was some delay in getting the pen shipped (Jesy Kullock was very apologetic about that, and I think we all understand that life happens sometimes). The pen shipped from Buenos Aires, Argentina on June 2nd. It arrived on my doorstep via FedEx on June 4th with excellent tracking info the whole time in between! The shipping, while unimpressive, was adequate to protect the pen. It came in a simple cardboard box, wrapped in bubble wrap, and in a soft custom slip case. Also, and this last I attribute to a rush in getting ready to ship, the pen arrived inked. I was getting rather impatient with waiting (it took about 5 weeks to get shipped), so I don't really blame them for forgetting to flush the pen before shipping.

 

Appearance & Finish - 4.75/5

Upon first inspection, the metal overlay of the cap had, for lack of a better word, a rough feel to it. Not to say that it felt poorly constructed...merely that it felt like it had just been made. A little bit of simichrome polish smoothed most of the rough edges and gave it a more refined, finished feel. Also, the clip was not situated at what I felt was the appropriate place. The clip lines were already on the metal of the cap when it arrived (perhaps they will buff out). The rest of the pen felt just as smooth, shiny, and well-produced as any other Parker 51.

 

Design/Size/Weight - 5/5

The design is the same as any other aerometric Parker 51. The filling system, nib, and feed are all standard Parker parts. The innovation of this pen come from its beautiful cap and from its size. Oooh, its' size! Its capped length is 5 3/4". Its uncapped length is 5 1/4". It's posted length is 6 1/4" (all of these are 1/4" more than the standard 51). The barrel width is 1/2"(1/16" wider than the standard 51). This may not sound like much, but it is a delightfully larger alternative to the standard 51 for those of us that like big pens! While being larger, it still manages to be as light and easy on the hand as the standard and demi 51's!

Nib Design & Performance - 5/5

The eBay auction did not specify what size the nib was, and I didn't ask. While I wanted a M to B nib, I was prepared for something smaller. I prefer big nibs, and I got just what I wanted. The nib, while a standard issue gold 51 nib, is an absolute joy! Its downstroke is M, and its sidestroke is B. It's like a cursive italic turned on its side. And smooth! Now I understand what the big deal is!

 

 

The Filling System - 5/5

The filling system is a standard issue Parker 51 aerometric filler. As it came inked, I haven't had to refill it yet, but I have no reason to believe that will perform other than expected. It may not be the most exciting system around, but it's a clean and reliable one.

 

Cost/Value - 4.5/5

Given the unusual nature of this pen, it's kind of hard to gauge the value. I paid $380 for this pen, and $45 for FedEx shipping. I'm sure there are standard and demi 51's that can hold up next to this pen, or even outperform it. What you pay for here is the novelty of the custom cap and the size. Is it worth it? I think so. Does it compare in quality to similarly priced pens? I also think so. Other than the delay in shipping, I could not have asked for a better buying experience!

 

Overall Opinion/Conclusion - 28.25/30

Overall, I would recommend this pen to anyone who loves the Parker 51. I think there may be other pens for the price that I will want more, but I'm not sorry that I bought this. It may not last in my collection, but it definitely showed me what a 51 can be. If you love 51's, this is a great pen. If not, you might be better served by a finely tuned normal 51.

 

Thanks for reading!

[Maja]

Excellent review, Cory! :clap1:

That's a very cool pen.....

Do you happen to know the name of the cap design?

[cjabbott]

Thanks! It was just listed as Silver Series "Filigree". Ariel Kullock has done some neat overlays. He's recently listed a MB149, what looked like a MB164, and a Duofold Sr. inspired by the Aztec design. Sadly, no cool name was given for this one (that I know of).

[Maja]

Thanks! It was just listed as Silver Series "Filigree". Ariel Kullock has done some neat overlays. He's recently listed a MB149, what looked like a MB164, and a Duofold Sr. inspired by the Aztec design. Sadly, no cool name was given for this one (that I know of).

Well, whatever the name (or no name), it is still a stunning pen

 

(You still up at 2:30am??? Dont'cha have school tomorrow? )

Edited June 10, 2008 by Maja

[Shelley]

Wow, what an amzing pen, i wonder how he makes them wider?

 

I have a dalmation too, great dogs!

[cjabbott]

Update:

 

I liked this pen right away when I got it. After spending some quality time with it, I like it even more. This one will definitely be staying on with me. In fact, I've ordered another Magnum (which shipped the very next day) and am eyeballing a couple of standard-sized 51's with Ariel's custom caps. I'm definitely hooked!

Edited June 30, 2008 by cjabbott

[PAKMAN]

Wow Cory that is beautiful! I can't wait to see it! You need to come to the next Pen club meeting in LR! Are you going to Dallas this year?

[jniforat]

I love what Kullock does. hope to get one of these soon...

[andy1m]

Really cool design. I like the pen. Thanks for sharing!!

[arnottfigaro44]

Nice review and relay I love this pen I read some information like The shell provides the enclosure necessary for the collector and nib; in a sense, the shell is also part of the ink delivery system because it forms the outer wall of the secondary reservoir. The shell is sealed to the threaded connector by an adhesive like shellac, so that the only path for ink and air to pass between the sac and the exterior is through the nib area. (In some versions of the “51”, there is a rubber O-ring at the joint where the shell and connector meet the clutch ring. Parker did not apply an additional adhesive to pens with this arrangement, but many modern repairers seal them as a precaution.)

[opus7600]

Nice review and relay I love this pen I read some information like The shell provides the enclosure necessary for the collector and nib; in a sense, the shell is also part of the ink delivery system because it forms the outer wall of the secondary reservoir. The shell is sealed to the threaded connector by an adhesive like shellac, so that the only path for ink and air to pass between the sac and the exterior is through the nib area. (In some versions of the “51”, there is a rubber O-ring at the joint where the shell and connector meet the clutch ring. Parker did not apply an additional adhesive to pens with this arrangement, but many modern repairers seal them as a precaution.)

 

Is there a particular reason you're cutting and pasting text verbatim from Mr. Binder's site without attribution?

[jniforat]

Nice review and relay I love this pen I read some information like The shell provides the enclosure necessary for the collector and nib; in a sense, the shell is also part of the ink delivery system because it forms the outer wall of the secondary reservoir. The shell is sealed to the threaded connector by an adhesive like shellac, so that the only path for ink and air to pass between the sac and the exterior is through the nib area. (In some versions of the “51”, there is a rubber O-ring at the joint where the shell and connector meet the clutch ring. Parker did not apply an additional adhesive to pens with this arrangement, but many modern repairers seal them as a precaution.)

 

Is there a particular reason you're cutting and pasting text verbatim from Mr. Binder's site without attribution?

 

+1

 

That's taken directly from Mr. Binder's Site: http://www.richardspens.com/?page=ref/anatomy-51.htm

 

Please give the appropriate credit--plagiarism is a no-no.

 

HTH,

 

j

[breaker]

nice review on a nice pen