Thanks for the detailed and thoughtful review. Most Parkers are made in China. They have their distribution centre in France. A recent 'investigation' by a serious pen fiend yielded: Parker claim that some parts for some pens are still made in the U.K. but they were unwilling to give a location. The main European distribution centre is in France, but as spare parts are not available from them it's thought that the pens arrive there already complete. He had a conversation with the centre in France and found them to be most guarded. Most of their pens are manufactured in China. You mention 'knock offs'. Add to those Parker pens are possibly the most knocked off pens with fraudulently manufactured pens sold on as Parkers. So much so Parker have a full time investigation team in China tracking down the numerous factories and getting them closed. One was so big it was the main employer for a small town. It's a little sad really. I must have lovingly worn out at least three Parker 45's in my adolescence.
There are very few companies (not just the pen world) who wouldn’t get at least some of their manufacturing done in parts of Asia. Printing or plastics… it’s just ‘good business’… I can’t imagine why Parker would be guarded about that? Haha
I wondered how pens made in France , with their labour rates, could be so competitive. And then there are the nibs. I can not believe that nibs are made in France. France will do anything to bolster its image ; one can not blame them for that. Perhaps I will write to Parker requesting a visit to their factory, in France.
@@johnbunyan5834 "Made In" and "Manufactured In" are two totally different things. Some companies even use "Assembled In." Very few companies have all components manufactured in the country they do business out of. Many have none of the components sourced locally.
@@theoffstageme Please feel my pure envy! :) I keep thinking I should buy another. Even though I had the cheaper ones with the poor plastic barrel and section. Stainless steel cap though.
1. It IS kind of a knock-off of itself, isn't it? Well put. 2. I heard the nib was borrowed from a different, non-hooded Parker, and they just threw a hood over it, whereas the original has a smaller, different nib, designed in concert with the hood. I wonder if/how this affects the performance/results.
I got this pen with the gold nib in fine and absolutely love it, no problem whatsoever. So I decided to get the medium nib as well (still in gold) and that was a disaster. I don't think it was the nib, but more an issue with the feed, it was skipping all the time, no matter if you used a cartridge, the converter, and whatever ink. I got it exchanged for another one, and ended up having exactly the same issue. So I returned that one for a refund. I'm really sad about it, I really love the F one I have, and I would have loved another one.
Its a pen very well distributed (here in italy) so it will be a gift pen for students who have achieved something and they will not use it, understand it or live it. So, Parker thought it doesn't have to write
I have bought similar looking pens from other manufacturers. Considering the price point, I would be disappointed with the manufacturing. It should write smoothly. I have a Parker 25 that works wonderfully with its steel nib. I also have a Parker "180" that is incredibly smooth. I have not tried a Sonnet but have read and heard it it a great writer. The question remains why would you release a pen that performs not as well as other competitors or even what was made previously? It should be the same if not better performance. Why would I spend this kind of money when I can get a pen that is 4X less in price and performs better. Great review, but I am a little sad that it is not the pen most of us had hoped it would be.
Are all Parker converters compatible with all models? I mean, are for instance old Parker converters from the 90's (i.e. Parker Sonnet) compatible with current 2021 Parker 51? I'm asking because I tried to fit a converter from a 90's Sonnet into a modern 2021's 51 and it looks like I need to push hard (slimmer body on the 51? / thicker diameter on the old converter?), but I didn't to avoid damaging any of both.
Totally agree on the Hard start and sweet spot bit. It’s not really a classic that original is known to be. This seems like Parker released this just for the sake of it. It’s about $180 NZ here .
My teal version of this lovely pen came in the mail last Wednesday. it is a nice writer and it is beautiful. I love it. I agree with others about the screw-off cap. Everything else is just fine. Thanks for a great video.
I've been pretty satisfied with my Parker Jotters. Solid metal construction with a nice enamel finish and the convenience of a slip-on cap. This reincarnation of the 51 seems to offer few advantages at a much higher price point. If there are issues with hard starts then the hooded nib may just be a cosmetic addition.
Parker are nowadays pens Sellers . They use to be pen Makers. Now all that count is how much money goes into their bank accounts. I'll stick with the vintage Parkers... Thanks for the video.
Thanks for the detailed and thoughtful review.
Most Parkers are made in China. They have their distribution centre in France. A recent 'investigation' by a serious pen fiend yielded:
Parker claim that some parts for some pens are still made in the U.K. but they were unwilling to give a location.
The main European distribution centre is in France, but as spare parts are not available from them it's thought that the pens arrive there already complete. He had a conversation with the centre in France and found them to be most guarded.
Most of their pens are manufactured in China.
You mention 'knock offs'. Add to those Parker pens are possibly the most knocked off pens with fraudulently manufactured pens sold on as Parkers. So much so Parker have a full time investigation team in China tracking down the numerous factories and getting them closed. One was so big it was the main employer for a small town.
It's a little sad really. I must have lovingly worn out at least three Parker 45's in my adolescence.
There are very few companies (not just the pen world) who wouldn’t get at least some of their manufacturing done in parts of Asia. Printing or plastics… it’s just ‘good business’… I can’t imagine why Parker would be guarded about that? Haha
I wondered how pens made in France , with their labour rates, could be so competitive.
And then there are the nibs. I can not believe that nibs are made in France.
France will do anything to bolster its image ; one can not blame them for that.
Perhaps I will write to Parker requesting a visit to their factory, in France.
By the way… Kevin… my 1960s Parker 45 is one of my favourite pens. Great writer!
@@johnbunyan5834 "Made In" and "Manufactured In" are two totally different things. Some companies even use "Assembled In." Very few companies have all components manufactured in the country they do business out of. Many have none of the components sourced locally.
@@theoffstageme Please feel my pure envy! :) I keep thinking I should buy another. Even though I had the cheaper ones with the poor plastic barrel and section. Stainless steel cap though.
1. It IS kind of a knock-off of itself, isn't it? Well put.
2. I heard the nib was borrowed from a different, non-hooded Parker, and they just threw a hood over it, whereas the original has a smaller, different nib, designed in concert with the hood. I wonder if/how this affects the performance/results.
The 2021 "51" is a Jotter in disguise.
I got this pen with the gold nib in fine and absolutely love it, no problem whatsoever. So I decided to get the medium nib as well (still in gold) and that was a disaster. I don't think it was the nib, but more an issue with the feed, it was skipping all the time, no matter if you used a cartridge, the converter, and whatever ink. I got it exchanged for another one, and ended up having exactly the same issue. So I returned that one for a refund. I'm really sad about it, I really love the F one I have, and I would have loved another one.
Its a pen very well distributed (here in italy) so it will be a gift pen for students who have achieved something and they will not use it, understand it or live it. So, Parker thought it doesn't have to write
I have bought similar looking pens from other manufacturers. Considering the price point, I would be disappointed with the manufacturing. It should write smoothly. I have a Parker 25 that works wonderfully with its steel nib. I also have a Parker "180" that is incredibly smooth. I have not tried a Sonnet but have read and heard it it a great writer.
The question remains why would you release a pen that performs not as well as other competitors or even what was made previously? It should be the same if not better performance. Why would I spend this kind of money when I can get a pen that is 4X less in price and performs better. Great review, but I am a little sad that it is not the pen most of us had hoped it would be.
Are all Parker converters compatible with all models?
I mean, are for instance old Parker converters from the 90's (i.e. Parker Sonnet) compatible with current 2021 Parker 51?
I'm asking because I tried to fit a converter from a 90's Sonnet into a modern 2021's 51 and it looks like I need to push hard (slimmer body on the 51? / thicker diameter on the old converter?), but I didn't to avoid damaging any of both.
Totally agree on the Hard start and sweet spot bit. It’s not really a classic that original is known to be. This seems like Parker released this just for the sake of it. It’s about $180 NZ here .
My teal version of this lovely pen came in the mail last Wednesday. it is a nice writer and it is beautiful. I love it. I agree with others about the screw-off cap. Everything else is just fine. Thanks for a great video.
I've been pretty satisfied with my Parker Jotters. Solid metal construction with a nice enamel finish and the convenience of a slip-on cap. This reincarnation of the 51 seems to offer few advantages at a much higher price point. If there are issues with hard starts then the hooded nib may just be a cosmetic addition.
To be perfectly honest, I would take my Jotter over this any day.
Last year I purchased similar 51 with fine steel nib. That is an excellent writer.
Your fast writing is more beautiful and interesting than the slow
The Jinhao 51a is a better version and a fraction of the Parker’s price.
The Jinhao 51a is a very good pen at it’s price, and some of those finishes are beautiful
@@theoffstageme My favourites are the Wing Sungs, though. Both the 601 and and the 618.
Parker are nowadays pens Sellers . They use to be pen Makers. Now all that count is how much money goes into their bank accounts. I'll stick with the vintage Parkers... Thanks for the video.
Where do you buy it from?
This was purchased from Cult Pens in the UK
Its a jotter in a fancy dress
Too expensive to pull the trigger...