Hi David!

No worries. Yes, I did go through your listing of 51s and the assortment of colors and caps is astounding. (Can you tell I'm even more confused now? )

Is there a difference in barrel diameter between the Vacs and the Aerometrics? Are there weight differences as well between Mks 1 to 3?

Karlo

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

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.)

Welcome to the board. Please tell us what FP's you use or collect. You know, pics are always welcome

Well, my clutch is modest. I tend to stick to C/C and piston fillers. Nib preference is medium or broad. Am not particular about gold or steel. I also have not picked up a fondness for flex...yet. I am told it will come in time.

Daily writers would be a Parker 45 Flighter, a Parker 75 Lacque Noir, and a Lamy 2000.

I also have a pre-79 Grain de Orge Parker 75 and a Rotring Initial which proved to be a delight, especially with it's $9 price tag. A Pelikan 205 Demonstrator is currently absent as it is being repaired under warranty. I found a Sheaffer Targa a couple of weeks ago, but decided to turn it into a Father's Day gift. It was a mirror chrome, stainless nibbed Classic model.

I have a couple of 75s on the way, and I'd like to add one or two more 45s to my battery. Maybe a Harlequin and another Flighter or a black barreled model with a stainless cap. I like the 45s for work since no one really gives them a second look.

A Flighter 75 and a Cisele Premiere is on my wish list too.

Eventually, I'd like to try a Sheaffer Sentinel with a Triumph gold nib. Am on the fence with the Touchdown and Snorkel systems simply because no one in my country repairs and restores these pens. We have to send them to the US for this work.

Hi!

I currently am loving the Parker 75 and another 75 fan in my pen club suggested I try a Premiere. Now I haven't seen too many of them in the wild over here. My sole exposure to them has been through pictures and some reviews.

The Cisele variant looks great but I wondered how much thicker and longer the Premiere is vis-a-vis the 75? The ability to use a common set of sections and nibs is appealing and no less than Li-Tah Wong of Parker75.com recommended the Premiere for this reason.

Anyone here have one? Does it weigh much more than a 75?

Also, the Parker 45 is one of my favored daily writers, especially at work where folks who sign my check may borrow my pen. I am also interested in acquiring a Harlequin Shield 45 down the road, if the price is good, but wanted to know if the finish holds up well to posting?

On the Flighter I have, it is easy to clean up the scratches. I'm a little O/C that way, but I only do so once the barrel tail starts to look like it was dragged through a gravel pit.

Karlo

Hi David!

Thanks for the warm welcome.

It was a friend from Manila that got me and another new member here. We'll be sure to spread the word to our local pen group. I am certain several of them are already onboard.

Karlo

Hi!

I stumbled across this forum after Penmanila posted a link to his Frankenswan post at our pen club e-groups page. Happy to be here!

Karlo