Have several Parkers and no 51 yet. Since you did not reject it from the very start, you were able to let the pen speak for itself. Thank you very much!
That is exactly the Parker 51 I will get. I agree that it should come with a converter. I’m happy that it is girthier than the previous version. I would prefer a slip on cap though the new screw on cap doesn’t appear to have too many turns.
I also think this is neat pen that I might get. I actually prefer screw caps, so even better for me. That it is a bit girthier than the older models is also something I‘ll enjoy. :)
@@fountainpenfanatic Thanks for the review. I had to buy the new 2021 Parker 51 so I could finally have the experience of buying a Parker 51 brand new(The NOS P51s are way too expensive ; sometimes half a grand on ebay). 😂 Coming from someone who also EDCs vintage Parker pens, there is no fair comparison to the quality of the 1940s "Blue Diamond" gold forged Parker 51s. But solely as a pen, the new parker 51 is a good pen. To also give the Hero 616 credit, the Hero 616 Jumbo is a good pen for the value. For a few dollars more than the regular Hero 616, you can get a gold plated Hero 616 Jumbo "Premium" model with a gold plated cap and a quite smoothe gold plated nib. Hero 616s typically receive a bad rap because they are made at MULTIPLE DIFFERENT FACTORIES. Some Hero 616 factories make their Hero 616s almost as good of quality as the vintage Parker Super 21. Cheers!
Best Parker 51 2021 review I've seen. I appreciated the comparison to the older classic model and the clones. Thank you for the effort. I do own a Hero, and yes it's cheap, but I still like it for some reason. It's also nice to see someone else who uses cheap paper :). I buy much of my pads at the dollar store, although I use a slip sheet between the pages to reduce the bleed through. I don't know why but I like the bleed effect as long as it doesn't get out of hand. I bought some thank you cards at the Hallmark Store which were like blotting paper to write on :( . There are definitely limits.
Since you have both a vintage Parker 51and a new one I was wondering if the vintage cap would work on the new Parker 51? I really don't like the screw on cap when they already had a perfect cap solution 70+ years ago. My dad's 71 year old cap works perfectly to this day. Can they no longer manufacture the cap mechanism? Thanks again for all of your great videos.
The vintage cap does not work on the modern pen. With the screw step down and no cap seal rings, the cap will not seat on the new pen. I did give it a try. I guess that some design engineer either thought this was a better design or it was a cost benefit analysis decision.
My dad has a Parker 51 from 1949 with gold nib and cap in teal. When I heard about the new one I thought great I could buy a matching one. Nope, Parker is not selling the teal with gold nib (and I think price is too high for the gold version) . So I was thinking get the steel nib in teal and swap the nib later maybe. Thanks for the great review and the comparison to the vintage ones. Everyone stay safe. 😀😀
Thanks for the video! I encourage you to check out the Wing Sung 601, another Parker 51 copy made in China but certainly higher quality than the "cheap garbage" put out by Hero. I was very pleasantly surprised by the Wing Sung given the sub $20 price, dare I say almost rivaling the original.
Great review. I see they have a 51 version in a ballpoint now, I wonder how that is? Wonder if they'll make improvements to the fountain pen after a couple of years?
It isn’t a fake as it is not marked as a Parker. Parker had started to do business in China (several pen makers including Waterman)have made their pens in China at various times. When Parker decided to not continue to do business in China they left the equipment and tooling behind for the Chinese to use c
I myself have a parker 51 2021, in the version with an 18K gold nib, and as a pen not only it can not be compared to the original Parker 51, (I have an aerometric one from 1953) but it can't even be compared to the clone produced by Hero, i.e. Hero 616. Hero 616 already without doing anything, directly from the package writes better than Parker 51 2021. My parker 51 2021fountain pen, wrote horribly straight out of the package and I had to adjust the nib and it took quite a bit of work to get it to write well.
I have the opposite problem. I am old and ugly, so I typically pay double the going rate. :) Great review sir. Thanks for the video. Keep an eye out on your mailbox. :)
Thank you for this review and comparison. I do wonder why Parker made some of their design decisions for the new pen. The change from push-fit to screw-on will please some and dismay others but three things that I personally find a bit off-putting are: 1) The lettering on the band around the base of the cap which, ironically, makes it look like a cheap Chinese knock off - the Hero 616. 2) The band between the body and the section - what is it there for? If it's for decoration and a nod towards the original, OK, but personally I find it too wide and therefore somewhat obtrusive. 3) The yawning gap between the hood and the nib. This changes the original purpose of the hood, which was to keep the nib from drying, to being merely a decorative feature. The steel nib version seems reasonably priced but the gold nib version is eyewatering - at that price you can buy an original in great condition.
I was surprised by amount of scratches on the barrel and the wear and tear seen on the cap above the France imprint with only a couple of days use. Not to be a smooth writer on high quality paper and over wet on cheaper paper is another disadvantage compared to your vintage vac. Nice review and thanks for sharing.
Hey, Troy. Nice video. It's the first new Parker 51 review I've seen so far. I think I won't get one those... Too pricey and the aesthetics isn't my cup of tea...
Well that Hero 616 it's not a real Hero 616 it's a fake I have one of those it has a slightly longer gripping section it's awful finished all over the place and costs about 1 $ the real Hero 616 it's a good writer it's well buildet, it has the grip section with the same dimensions like the Parker 51, and it has written hero on the clip and costs about 5 $.
Have several Parkers and no 51 yet. Since you did not reject it from the very start, you were able to let the pen speak for itself.
Thank you very much!
Thanks Troy for taking the time to make this video and clarifying the difference between the vintage and modern Parker 51.
Great to see you back Troy. Thanks for your videos we all appreciate them.
That is exactly the Parker 51 I will get. I agree that it should come with a converter. I’m happy that it is girthier than the previous version. I would prefer a slip on cap though the new screw on cap doesn’t appear to have too many turns.
I also think this is neat pen that I might get. I actually prefer screw caps, so even better for me. That it is a bit girthier than the older models is also something I‘ll enjoy. :)
agree about the availability, sucks right now but got my in black but planing on getting other colors as well. One of the best pen i have. worth it.
Ya, I’d rather get me a nice vintage one :)
Nothing wrong with that at all.
@@fountainpenfanatic Thanks for the review. I had to buy the new 2021 Parker 51 so I could finally have the experience of buying a Parker 51 brand new(The NOS P51s are way too expensive ; sometimes half a grand on ebay). 😂
Coming from someone who also EDCs vintage Parker pens, there is no fair comparison to the quality of the 1940s "Blue Diamond" gold forged Parker 51s. But solely as a pen, the new parker 51 is a good pen. To also give the Hero 616 credit, the Hero 616 Jumbo is a good pen for the value. For a few dollars more than the regular Hero 616, you can get a gold plated Hero 616 Jumbo "Premium" model with a gold plated cap and a quite smoothe gold plated nib. Hero 616s typically receive a bad rap because they are made at MULTIPLE DIFFERENT FACTORIES. Some Hero 616 factories make their Hero 616s almost as good of quality as the vintage Parker Super 21. Cheers!
...4 AM, I‘m feeling that. Sometimes the night is the only time when there is nothing else going on so that one finally get something done.
And if you want a better built Chinese pen very similar try the Jinhao 51 or 51a. You can get them hooded or with a number 5 nib for under $5
Great video.
I have two Parker 51s that my father used for years. Probably purchased them in the 50s or 60s. I need to get them refurbished.
Try antiquedigger.com/collections/fountain-pen-restoration-service. He has done a lot of work for me.
@@fountainpenfanatic Thanks!
If you use that online purchase option, try using discount code TROY and see if it applied to repair work. I know it works for pen purchases.
@@fountainpenfanatic Thanks, will do!
Best Parker 51 2021 review I've seen. I appreciated the comparison to the older classic model and the clones. Thank you for the effort. I do own a Hero, and yes it's cheap, but I still like it for some reason. It's also nice to see someone else who uses cheap paper :). I buy much of my pads at the dollar store, although I use a slip sheet between the pages to reduce the bleed through. I don't know why but I like the bleed effect as long as it doesn't get out of hand. I bought some thank you cards at the Hallmark Store which were like blotting paper to write on :( . There are definitely limits.
I do the same with putting a sheet of paper in between pages on a normal notepad. I just move the sheet in between successive pages as I write.
How come the Parker 51 fountain pen is not advertised on the Parker's official website(s)?
I wish I had an answer for you on that. One would think that with a big product launch, it would be on your corporate web site.
@@fountainpenfanatic Very strange. Anyway, I have ordered a 'de luxe' model of 51 to Appleboom.
Since you have both a vintage Parker 51and a new one I was wondering if the vintage cap would work on the new Parker 51?
I really don't like the screw on cap when they already had a perfect cap solution 70+ years ago.
My dad's 71 year old cap works perfectly to this day. Can they no longer manufacture the cap mechanism?
Thanks again for all of your great videos.
The vintage cap does not work on the modern pen. With the screw step down and no cap seal rings, the cap will not seat on the new pen. I did give it a try. I guess that some design engineer either thought this was a better design or it was a cost benefit analysis decision.
@@fountainpenfanatic probably about the money. Thanks for your quick response. 😀😀
My dad has a Parker 51 from 1949 with gold nib and cap in teal. When I heard about the new one I thought great I could buy a matching one. Nope, Parker is not selling the teal with gold nib (and I think price is too high for the gold version) . So I was thinking get the steel nib in teal and swap the nib later maybe.
Thanks for the great review and the comparison to the vintage ones.
Everyone stay safe. 😀😀
Thanks for the video! I encourage you to check out the Wing Sung 601, another Parker 51 copy made in China but certainly higher quality than the "cheap garbage" put out by Hero. I was very pleasantly surprised by the Wing Sung given the sub $20 price, dare I say almost rivaling the original.
Modern 51 looks slighter thicker... did you notice and difference in the hand (vintage ones are a little thin for my taste)?
It is actually a little girthier and slightly heavier than the vintage version. Both old and new work well for me personally.
Thanks!
Actually the cap on the new Parker 51 it's just like the one on Parker Sonnet !
Great review. I see they have a 51 version in a ballpoint now, I wonder how that is? Wonder if they'll make improvements to the fountain pen after a couple of years?
It isn’t a fake as it is not marked as a Parker. Parker had started to do business in China (several pen makers including Waterman)have made their pens in China at various times. When Parker decided to not continue to do business in China they left the equipment and tooling behind for the Chinese to use c
I myself have a parker 51 2021, in the version with an 18K gold nib, and as a pen not only it can not be compared to the original Parker 51, (I have an aerometric one from 1953) but it can't even be compared to the clone produced by Hero, i.e. Hero 616. Hero 616 already without doing anything, directly from the package writes better than Parker 51 2021. My parker 51 2021fountain pen, wrote horribly straight out of the package and I had to adjust the nib and it took quite a bit of work to get it to write well.
Nice pens! I enjoyed this video....
I have the opposite problem. I am old and ugly, so I typically pay double the going rate. :) Great review sir. Thanks for the video. Keep an eye out on your mailbox. :)
Thank you for this review and comparison. I do wonder why Parker made some of their design decisions for the new pen. The change from push-fit to screw-on will please some and dismay others but three things that I personally find a bit off-putting are:
1) The lettering on the band around the base of the cap which, ironically, makes it look like a cheap Chinese knock off - the Hero 616.
2) The band between the body and the section - what is it there for? If it's for decoration and a nod towards the original, OK, but personally I find it too wide and therefore somewhat obtrusive.
3) The yawning gap between the hood and the nib. This changes the original purpose of the hood, which was to keep the nib from drying, to being merely a decorative feature.
The steel nib version seems reasonably priced but the gold nib version is eyewatering - at that price you can buy an original in great condition.
A very expensive parker jotter
I was surprised by amount of scratches on the barrel and the wear and tear seen on the cap above the France imprint with only a couple of days use. Not to be a smooth writer on high quality paper and over wet on cheaper paper is another disadvantage compared to your vintage vac. Nice review and thanks for sharing.
Saw you on Larry's Zoom last night. Thought I'd check out your TH-cam channel.
Hey, Troy. Nice video. It's the first new Parker 51 review I've seen so far. I think I won't get one those... Too pricey and the aesthetics isn't my cup of tea...
Well that Hero 616 it's not a real Hero 616 it's a fake I have one of those it has a slightly longer gripping section it's awful finished all over the place and costs about 1 $ the real Hero 616 it's a good writer it's well buildet, it has the grip section with the same dimensions like the Parker 51, and it has written hero on the clip and costs about 5 $.
Not even close to the original. Cheap imitation
The nib on the new Parker 51 is actually the nib from the old Parker 45!