Glad you had a second pen with the first being the trial version. Consider it the prototype for restoration. It is surprising that the ink capacity is so large. The converter on the 21 resembles a few that I have seen on some Hero pens and Platinum used the same style converter for their pocket pens. I am surprised that the filler was permanently attached. I am guessing that cartridges were not introduced, yet. Thank you again for the restoration, Doug.
Never imagined those 21s or 51s had a normal nib under that hood. Thanks for sharing the resurrection video. You must have been a cool theater prof / teacher.
It's very reassuring to watch your posts and find out that I'm not the only chap who has cracked a hood. I endorse what another respondent says about the 'new Parker 51'; Wing Sung is miles ahead. Thanks for another Sunday hit.
I have a Parker 21 that was handed off to me, from an estate clean out that a friend did, and after cleaning it, I cannot get that freakin' nib realigned. Watching this to see how you do it.
Sorry, I didn't show that bit because I would have had to repeat it and didn't want to run the risk of breaking another hood. It is quite simple really. If the nib unit turns in the sleeve, AND the hood screws down without friction. You simply unscrew the hood and turn the nib unit the amount it if off line. Then screw the hood back on and check again. Repeat if necessary.
Great pen! The Parker 21s are underrated. Keep an eye out for the Parker 21 Super (the "3rd" generation of the pen), those are great pens. They completely redesigned the pen so it's very similar to a Parker 51 Special, even has a "real" hooded nib. The plastic is not quite as good as a Parker 51 but it's better than the MK1 and MK2 Parker 21s which crack if you look too hard at them.
Curiously, when Parker launched a few years ago the modern iteration of the Parker 51, after seeing the design Parker go with the 51 it reminds me of the 21 but overpriced. Thank you for the video Doug
@@jorge23483 Precisely! Jinhao is good. The Wing Sung 601 is the best! Vacumatic-style filler and great materials. My Wing Sung 601 Flighter is one of my favourite pens.
Whenever there are difficulties in alignment, I remind myself that loads were assembled every day on a production line, and there MUST have been a knack to it we don't know.
When the parts are new, it is a breeze. Screw the hood on, line up your thumb with the alignment of the hood, unscrew hood, turn nib unit, screw in hood. Repeat. Takes 30 seconds.
I have a later version of the Parker 21 with a tubular nib that I bought practically in NOS condition but after some time, about half a year of use, it developed a crack on the grip section and after about 3 years I'm still trying to find a repairman who can solve this problem, but it's a bit hard to find because in my country there aren't many craftsmen left to take care of my pen.
Fixing cracks in brittle plastic can be done with various solvents like acetone. But it isn't for the faint of heart. You basically try to melt the plastic back together again.
Thank you Doug. I recently acquired a restored 21, and was wondering how the sac protector comes off, now I know. I'm looking on Ebay for one or two to restore. To bad they didn't unscrew, so I might have my hands full . I'm not too interested in removing the hood, but want to replace sac if required. KB
Just cleaned up a 21. The cap liner was cracked so I had to remove it and glue the crack. If you’re interested in selling the cap on your parts 21, I might grab it so I have a back up cap liner in case mine doesn’t hold up
My Dad had a green 21:just like that. My parents bought me a blue one in 1953 for my birthday. Sadly the barrel cracked after I got into high school. Sadly I do not know what happened to it
I have a Parker 21 Mark I purchased at the St Louis Pen Show in June. I cleaned it up and it fills and writes very well, but when I leave in on the desk overnight, it leaks into the cap. I think you mentioned that in your video, that was a common problem with this model pen. Are you aware of any possible cure for this problem or do I just have a nice looking that pen that is unusable as a writing instrument?
I am not sure it is a Mark I. It has a gold-filled cap and no date code. So, maybe it is a Parker 21 Custom. But it looks like the one you restored in the video.
I learned that many of these pens have a hairline crack in the hood that results in leaking of ink into the cap. I think that is what is happening with mine. Just FYI.
Doug, I will buy your P21. I know they are (ahem) not Parker's finest designs, and the materials are flimsy. But I have a perverse attachment to first-year pens made in that year. Don't ask. How do I get the selling and shipping price to you? Do you accept Paypal? Thanks for making my day.
Glad you had a second pen with the first being the trial version. Consider it the prototype for restoration. It is surprising that the ink capacity is so large.
The converter on the 21 resembles a few that I have seen on some Hero pens and Platinum used the same style converter for their pocket pens.
I am surprised that the filler was permanently attached. I am guessing that cartridges were not introduced, yet.
Thank you again for the restoration, Doug.
No. The cartridge pen wasn't a thing - for Parker anyway - until 1960 with the Parker 45.
Never imagined those 21s or 51s had a normal nib under that hood. Thanks for sharing the resurrection video.
You must have been a cool theater prof / teacher.
That's what a couple of them said! LOL
It's very reassuring to watch your posts and find out that I'm not the only chap who has cracked a hood. I endorse what another respondent says about the 'new Parker 51'; Wing Sung is miles ahead. Thanks for another Sunday hit.
Thank you so much, @ibpopp!
Nicely done, sir. Nicely done.
Thanks, Oscar!
I have one! Burgundy Medium tip ! My dad gave it to me in 1964 for my High School exams. He had it before from his dad ! LOL Still works like a charm.
I have a Parker 21 that was handed off to me, from an estate clean out that a friend did, and after cleaning it, I cannot get that freakin' nib realigned. Watching this to see how you do it.
Sorry, I didn't show that bit because I would have had to repeat it and didn't want to run the risk of breaking another hood. It is quite simple really. If the nib unit turns in the sleeve, AND the hood screws down without friction. You simply unscrew the hood and turn the nib unit the amount it if off line. Then screw the hood back on and check again. Repeat if necessary.
Great pen! The Parker 21s are underrated. Keep an eye out for the Parker 21 Super (the "3rd" generation of the pen), those are great pens. They completely redesigned the pen so it's very similar to a Parker 51 Special, even has a "real" hooded nib. The plastic is not quite as good as a Parker 51 but it's better than the MK1 and MK2 Parker 21s which crack if you look too hard at them.
Yes, they addressed most of the issues with the first generation, except the cheap plastic.
Nicely done Doug. Great video 👍👏
Thank you, @bradbeth63!
Great video - and thanks for the pitch! /Tony
Curiously, when Parker launched a few years ago the modern iteration of the Parker 51, after seeing the design Parker go with the 51 it reminds me of the 21 but overpriced. Thank you for the video Doug
Yes. Except for the fact that the new Parker 51, inexplicably, has a screw cap that doesn't post well.
@@InkquiringMinds Yeah, shocking, and even more when Jinhao launched a better version later 😂
@@jorge23483 Precisely! Jinhao is good. The Wing Sung 601 is the best! Vacumatic-style filler and great materials. My Wing Sung 601 Flighter is one of my favourite pens.
Very good
Thanks
Whenever there are difficulties in alignment, I remind myself that loads were assembled every day on a production line, and there MUST have been a knack to it we don't know.
When the parts are new, it is a breeze. Screw the hood on, line up your thumb with the alignment of the hood, unscrew hood, turn nib unit, screw in hood. Repeat. Takes 30 seconds.
@@InkquiringMinds Yeah, that makes sense.
A frustrating restoration, or 'frustoration', if you will. But a very good end result.
Thank you, @archivist17!
nice old pen
I have a later version of the Parker 21 with a tubular nib that I bought practically in NOS condition but after some time, about half a year of use, it developed a crack on the grip section and after about 3 years I'm still trying to find a repairman who can solve this problem, but it's a bit hard to find because in my country there aren't many craftsmen left to take care of my pen.
Fixing cracks in brittle plastic can be done with various solvents like acetone. But it isn't for the faint of heart. You basically try to melt the plastic back together again.
Thank you Doug. I recently acquired a restored 21, and was wondering how the sac protector comes off, now I know. I'm looking on Ebay for one or two to restore. To bad they didn't unscrew, so I might have my hands full . I'm not too interested in removing the hood, but want to replace sac if required. KB
Glad to help
Just cleaned up a 21. The cap liner was cracked so I had to remove it and glue the crack. If you’re interested in selling the cap on your parts 21, I might grab it so I have a back up cap liner in case mine doesn’t hold up
Send me an email at inkquiringminds@gmail.com
My Dad had a green 21:just like that. My parents bought me a blue one in 1953 for my birthday. Sadly the barrel cracked after I got into high school. Sadly I do not know what happened to it
Thanks Doug... Informative and entertaining as always!
btw... "buy" not by. Excuse me, please. 😉
Where did I write "by" for "buy"?
Made In Cancun models must be very rare,indeed.
I've never seen one, but I have to go do some research on location.
I have a Parker 21 Mark I purchased at the St Louis Pen Show in June. I cleaned it up and it fills and writes very well, but when I leave in on the desk overnight, it leaks into the cap. I think you mentioned that in your video, that was a common problem with this model pen. Are you aware of any possible cure for this problem or do I just have a nice looking that pen that is unusable as a writing instrument?
Is the pen laying down when it leaks?
@@InkquiringMinds Yes
I am not sure it is a Mark I. It has a gold-filled cap and no date code. So, maybe it is a Parker 21 Custom. But it looks like the one you restored in the video.
I learned that many of these pens have a hairline crack in the hood that results in leaking of ink into the cap. I think that is what is happening with mine. Just FYI.
Doug, I will buy your P21. I know they are (ahem) not Parker's finest designs, and the materials are flimsy. But I have a perverse attachment to first-year pens made in that year. Don't ask. How do I get the selling and shipping price to you? Do you accept Paypal? Thanks for making my day.
Sorry, Judy! The pen sold this morning.