Pen-Fi (FPs, RBs, BPs, etc...) [56k Warning]

[milkpowder]

Originally Posted by SonicDawg

Wow, I knew I was onto something good, just didn't know it's SO GREAT THanks! now I need to secure a nice velvet box to store it

Very nice! The 51 is a classic and they go for more than that nowadays depending on condition. Click here [Vintage Pens -> Parker -> Parker 51].

How do those fill up? Do you just press down on the bit in the middle with the nib in ink and then let go?

Oh FYI, rolled gold doesn't mean solid gold. It is merely another method of "gold plating" onto a metallic base. Rolled gold lasts longer than normal gold plate because the layer of gold is normally thicker than that of normal gold plating. Hence, a rolled gold cap is worth more than a gold plated one.

[stevesurf]

Originally Posted by SonicDawg

Wow, I knew I was onto something good, just didn't know it's SO GREAT THanks! now I need to secure a nice velvet box to store it

heh MB charges 15X that amount for a solid gold capped FP!

[milkpowder]

The 925 sterling silver body, 750 gold plated MB Solitaire (145/6-size) cost $900 when my dad got it at a sale! Plus, the nib wasn't writing as smooth as my Lamy Safari and MB had to re-nib it... Talk about overcharging their customers. I can't complain much because my MB writes very nicely.

[lionel marechal]

And I just blow slowly on the snowy tip to send cold air to my dared
As a note, in case you guys do not know (sorry if it is obvious), but the tip represent the snowy top of the Mont Blanc mountain, the highest french mountain at 4807m in the french alpes.I have skied in chamonix (I am a basic skier) and you go down slopes with the mont blanc in front of you. Quite an experience. Anyway ... therefore the pen.
Lionel

[milkpowder]

Originally Posted by lionel marechal

And I just blow slowly on the snowy tip to send cold air to my dared
As a note, in case you guys do not know (sorry if it is obvious), but the tip represent the snowy top of the Mont Blanc mountain, the highest french mountain at 4807m in the french alpes.I have skied in chamonix (I am a basic skier) and you go down slopes with the mont blanc in front of you. Quite an experience. Anyway ... therefore the pen.
Lionel

I used to live in Geneva so Chamonix was only an hours drive away! I've never skied down Mont Blanc because apparently, it takes days to get up there and a solid half day of continuous, hardcore skiing to get down! You probably have to be pretty pro to even attempt it.

I can just about get down most of the easy-intermediate black runs. The really narrow, steep, mogul-infested runs are real killers. I've never even dared to go down them! Chamonix is great fun during the summer too and the off-piste isn't too difficult depending on where you go. It's best if you go with a ski guide who will be able to take you on off-piste routes you feel comfortable with. ANYWAY!

So it's 4807m high then... on my MB nib, it says 4810 I guess MB got it completely wrong. 3m is a lot btw. 3m of Valhalla costs a fortune

Nice MB. That's a Classique PT ballpoint right? I don't really like BP even though the MB ones write pretty well. Try the MB rollerball. It's probably the smoothest writing pen you'll ever use! Also, I think that PT looks much nicer than GT. At the shop, they look about the same, but when you actually own one, you begin to appreciate the beauty of it.

[Vertigo-1]

Originally Posted by SonicDawg

Thanks to this thread I have just secured a Parker 51 from the 'bay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ayphotohosting
What do you guys think?

A nice find, but just keep in mind it may potentially need to be restored, since the seller doesn't mention it being a restored pen, and he himself states he doesn't have a clue about pens. When buying vintage pens, it's best to locate sellers that sell restored pens. A common problem is for the sacs to be dried up and cracked (the part that you depress and release to draw ink up the nib, there's a rubber bladder under that), and thus not be able to hold any ink. Parker 51s also have easily scratched bodies, a pen restorer would already have polished the pen back up to look practically like new.

[mrarroyo]

The mention above of the Parker 51 reminded me I had this sucker laying around.

Click on the thumbpic to view full size:

[lionel marechal]

Originally Posted by milkpowder

I used to live in Geneva so Chamonix was only an hours drive away! I've never skied down Mont Blanc because apparently, it takes days to get up there and a solid half day of continuous, hardcore skiing to get down! You probably have to be pretty pro to even attempt it.

I can just about get down most of the easy-intermediate black runs. The really narrow, steep, mogul-infested runs are real killers. I've never even dared to go down them! Chamonix is great fun during the summer too and the off-piste isn't too difficult depending on where you go. It's best if you go with a ski guide who will be able to take you on off-piste routes you feel comfortable with. ANYWAY!

So it's 4807m high then... on my MB nib, it says 4810 I guess MB got it completely wrong. 3m is a lot btw. 3m of Valhalla costs a fortune

Nice MB. That's a Classique PT ballpoint right? I don't really like BP even though the MB ones write pretty well. Try the MB rollerball. It's probably the smoothest writing pen you'll ever use! Also, I think that PT looks much nicer than GT. At the shop, they look about the same, but when you actually own one, you begin to appreciate the beauty of it.

The chamonix slope across the mont blanc is a 'red' one I think, I am pretty basic in term of skiing , not very elegant.
I have been contemplating the MB rollerball .. might do the jump at some point. WHen I got this one, I took the basic because I was not sure I would be able 'not to lost it'. At the office, I think in 5 years, somebody brought it back to the receptionist 3 times :-(
But the rollerball .. I am pretty sure i would like, basic again. I do not feel confortable carrying something more than 200 or 300$.
In french school, I always learned 4807 m , it has to be the truth ;-)
Take care
Lionel

[SonicDawg]

Originally Posted by Vertigo-1

A nice find, but just keep in mind it may potentially need to be restored, since the seller doesn't mention it being a restored pen, and he himself states he doesn't have a clue about pens. When buying vintage pens, it's best to locate sellers that sell restored pens. A common problem is for the sacs to be dried up and cracked (the part that you depress and release to draw ink up the nib, there's a rubber bladder under that), and thus not be able to hold any ink. Parker 51s also have easily scratched bodies, a pen restorer would already have polished the pen back up to look practically like new.

Thanks for the advice. This is my very first vintage pen, even though I have no knowledge of maintenance and special care needed by their age. In seeing the pictures, I think the pen should be free of cracks, and that the dried ink on the tip makes me believe that it was recently written, perhaps prior to its auction. Regardless, where may I find sources for pen storing when I might end up needing so?

[milkpowder]

Originally Posted by Vertigo-1

A nice find, but just keep in mind it may potentially need to be restored, since the seller doesn't mention it being a restored pen, and he himself states he doesn't have a clue about pens. When buying vintage pens, it's best to locate sellers that sell restored pens. A common problem is for the sacs to be dried up and cracked (the part that you depress and release to draw ink up the nib, there's a rubber bladder under that), and thus not be able to hold any ink. Parker 51s also have easily scratched bodies, a pen restorer would already have polished the pen back up to look practically like new.

This guy's an absolutely genius with pens. Plus, he's got a passion for the 51s. I'm sure he'll be willing to do a full "tune-up" for a reasonable price.
http://www.richardspens.com/

A UK alternative would be this one: http://www.penhome.co.uk/index.htm