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Hi all!
I've used pens for less than a year. Early in my sojourn, I joined a pen club and someone graciously allowed me to try his battery of 51s, mostly Fines. I tried the 8 or so pens he had and while the 51 looked sleek, it didn't sing to me at the time.
A couple of days ago, I was present when one friend bought a dove gray Aerometric 51 from a mutual buddy of ours. I tried that pen and thought, "Hey, this could work." Maybe my pen hold and writing pressure have changed over the past 10 months. Whatever it is, I may be ready to give the 51 a proper try.
Having said that, where would be a good place to start? I have no experience with either Vac or Aero filling systems, so I am not fluent in their nuances. I can find Vacs in my area but these will probably need overhauling by an American nibmeister/repair expert before I can write with them, as many need new diaphragms and plungers.
Between the two systems, which would be simpler to maintain? Given that most pens come in Fine, ink capacity is not a big concern. I will probably not switch ink brands or colors in a 51 once I decide on a color.
Is there a particular era to consider in terms of durability or workmanship? 50s, 60s?
I am not after something with high cachet or collector value so user grade pens may be more up my alley.
Thanks!
Karlo
Topics I've Started
Parker 75 Cisele
17 July 2011 - 01:49 PM
I picked up a NOS Parker 75 Cisele last week. It is from a '93 French production pen, which means it was from the last batches of 75s made.
It is not my first 75 but I can understand why it became the iconic pattern for this Parker model. The lacquer versions are nice but are a bit heavy for their diameter. The balance of the plated versions is more to my liking but the plating can wear down over (a rather admittedly long) time.
The sterling silver Cisele is probably the most durable finish available for this series, and the crosshatched pattern hides any and all posting marks better than stainless flighters or lacquers. It is also a breeze to maintain as a silver polishing cloth is often all that is required. Its balance is identical to the plated 75s and I have no difficulty using this pen over long stretches of writing work.
The nib is a French hallmarked 14k Medium. I had to narrow the gap between tines in order to get the pen to write, but it now lays down a Medium-Broad line and is wetter than any of the Parkers I own. Feedback is very slight and it plays well the the Aurora Blue ink I received as a gift from a friend yesterday.
I personally like the Mk III thick-stem sections better than the older Mk I/Mk II versions, so the pen was really a great match to my hand.
All in all, a nice find. Price out the door was about $85. With current prices for silver going between $38-$39 per Troy ounce as of this posting, I think it was a sound buy.
Here are a few shots. If the pen seems shiny, it's because I dunked the cap and barrel into a baking soda polishing dip. If this was an early 60s American flat-tassie crosshatch with metal section threads, I probably would have just wiped her down. (Or maybe not. I like having patina develop from my own usage of the pen. I'm weird that way.)
It is not my first 75 but I can understand why it became the iconic pattern for this Parker model. The lacquer versions are nice but are a bit heavy for their diameter. The balance of the plated versions is more to my liking but the plating can wear down over (a rather admittedly long) time.
The sterling silver Cisele is probably the most durable finish available for this series, and the crosshatched pattern hides any and all posting marks better than stainless flighters or lacquers. It is also a breeze to maintain as a silver polishing cloth is often all that is required. Its balance is identical to the plated 75s and I have no difficulty using this pen over long stretches of writing work.
The nib is a French hallmarked 14k Medium. I had to narrow the gap between tines in order to get the pen to write, but it now lays down a Medium-Broad line and is wetter than any of the Parkers I own. Feedback is very slight and it plays well the the Aurora Blue ink I received as a gift from a friend yesterday.
I personally like the Mk III thick-stem sections better than the older Mk I/Mk II versions, so the pen was really a great match to my hand.
All in all, a nice find. Price out the door was about $85. With current prices for silver going between $38-$39 per Troy ounce as of this posting, I think it was a sound buy.
Here are a few shots. If the pen seems shiny, it's because I dunked the cap and barrel into a baking soda polishing dip. If this was an early 60s American flat-tassie crosshatch with metal section threads, I probably would have just wiped her down. (Or maybe not. I like having patina develop from my own usage of the pen. I'm weird that way.)
