Thanks for the comprehensive review. I have owned both of these guys, and just bought another 21 today. I keep coming back to the 21 because it is, in my eyes, such an honest pen. They always write without drama, no skipping, no waiting for ink flow. You put your nib to paper and put down your thoughts, without interruption. I also enjoy the fact that 21's are much lower cost than the 51's, 51's have a cultish status and pull a much higher price. When I started with fountain pens, I was drawn to the high end models and brands, and have had new DuoFolds, Montegrappas, and a 149 Mont Blanc along with the M1000 Pelikan. They were all lovely pens, but somewhat ostentatious. With these pens I began to feel like I should be signing important legislation, not writing a grocery list. The 21 in particular captures the practical side of fountains to me. It is an extremely well made every day item that was never meant to impress or convey status to its owner, I admire that aspect of this pen. Thanks for taking the time to present both of these wonderful pens.
And I just noticed you appear to be a fan of vintage razors as well. I use a 1965 Gillette Slim on a daily basis, daily objects from the past fascinate me. There is an inherent quality and durability that seems to be lacking in there present day contemporaries.
As you assert, both are equally fine writing instruments, Lowkster. I have both of them - tho' mine have matching coloured caps, not lustraloy; one is a Medium & the other an Oblique Broad; admittedly, the Medium writes slightly smoother, but you're always going to notice the difference with a straight-cut nib, vis-a-vis an oblique. True, there are qualitative construction differences ~ cap jewel, clip feathers refinement, but ultimately, they're excellent performers. You are right to note that for those who like a fully exposed nib, then this would not necessarily be a scribe for you. The first time I laid eyes upon a '51 was when my Mother was given one as a retirement gift after many years of service with the same company. I was bequested the pen after her death, & it has pride of place in my collection. I think everyone who watches this video would agree that to write with (any) fountain pen is a completely different (& joyous) experience - something a ballpoint/rollerball can never offer. If I may make one suggestion - that corrosion on the clutch ring of the 21 - e-bay would most certainly have a vendor who sells Parker spares; if indeed you would wish to replace same; ultimately, it's merely an aesthetic issue. Great comparison - Thank you for your presentation, Andrew 🙂
Good comparison. Thank you. The focus problems show that figuring out how to set a camera to fixed focus is the only way to see details in small items like the. The board was always in good focus but that slight distance to the pen took it out of focus. If someone would holdup a board to focus then lock there then place the object at that distance is one of the only ways to deal with autofocus cameras.
Hey mate great video.terminolott earn you write with the cap attached this is called posted. Capped is when you carry it around. There were if fact 5 similar hooded nibbed parkers in this era 6 if you include the 61. 1 the 51 had a 14k gold nib iridium tipped. 2 parker made a steel nib 51 called the special. 3 the demi to fit in a lady's handbag. 4 the 41 in bright colours 5 the 21 early ones with a ridge cap latter ones with the p45 style imprinted nib and 6 the early 50s parkettes which look like a 21 or 41. Sorry about my numbering system there is a 7 the hooded nibbed 61. This doesn't include the UK parker 17 hooded ones.
I also have 21's, 45's, and a handful of 51's (vac's and aero'). The steel nib 45's and 51 (special, I believe) write exactly the same to me. Likewise, I don't notice a difference in writing between the gold nibbed 45's and 51's. Honestly the Parker 45 is the most underrated pen of the bunch (or maybe the 51 is just slightly overrated). Every 21 I've had just feels 'different' compared to their more expensive siblings. Not terrible, but not nearly as enjoyable for me. I like the 21's...but I don't usually carry them because I've broken 2 over the years. I don't know if the plastic they were made of was always prone to cracking...or if they just didn't age very well. I've picked a few up that seemed swelled and the caps didn't fit well anymore. One thing the 21 is absolutely great for, is writing on carbon paper. I kept a fine nibbed 21 at my desk at work for years for that very purpose. Most fountain pens wouldn't work well on the carbon copy investigation reports we used, but that old Parker with dry ink (pilot blue/black I think) was perfect.
I own both. I can honestly say that while using, not much of a difference. One big drawback of the 21 is the nib is not gold. One of my 21's nibs are showing corrosion....
i enjoyed that. My first fountain pen, at ten years old in grade school, was a 21. i have subsequently, collected both, but mostly 51s. most pens in my collection are Parker. When i started working as a teacher, my mother bought me a Parker Harlequin design, which i still have. teri makasi. ps. what notebook were you using ?
Thanks for the comprehensive review. I have owned both of these guys, and just bought another 21 today. I keep coming back to the 21 because it is, in my eyes, such an honest pen. They always write without drama, no skipping, no waiting for ink flow. You put your nib to paper and put down your thoughts, without interruption. I also enjoy the fact that 21's are much lower cost than the 51's, 51's have a cultish status and pull a much higher price. When I started with fountain pens, I was drawn to the high end models and brands, and have had new DuoFolds, Montegrappas, and a 149 Mont Blanc along with the M1000 Pelikan. They were all lovely pens, but somewhat ostentatious. With these pens I began to feel like I should be signing important legislation, not writing a grocery list. The 21 in particular captures the practical side of fountains to me. It is an extremely well made every day item that was never meant to impress or convey status to its owner, I admire that aspect of this pen. Thanks for taking the time to present both of these wonderful pens.
Thanks Jim! I just love the way you described your 21. Really on the mark describing that pen.
And I just noticed you appear to be a fan of vintage razors as well. I use a 1965 Gillette Slim on a daily basis, daily objects from the past fascinate me. There is an inherent quality and durability that seems to be lacking in there present day contemporaries.
The good thing now is there seems to be a movement going back to manufacturing razors like the vintage ones.
As you assert, both are equally fine writing instruments, Lowkster. I have both of them - tho' mine have matching coloured caps, not lustraloy; one is a Medium & the other an Oblique Broad; admittedly, the Medium writes slightly smoother, but you're always going to notice the difference with a straight-cut nib, vis-a-vis an oblique. True, there are qualitative construction differences ~ cap jewel, clip feathers refinement, but ultimately, they're excellent performers. You are right to note that for those who like a fully exposed nib, then this would not necessarily be a scribe for you. The first time I laid eyes upon a '51 was when my Mother was given one as a retirement gift after many years of service with the same company. I was bequested the pen after her death, & it has pride of place in my collection.
I think everyone who watches this video would agree that to write with (any) fountain pen is a completely different (& joyous) experience - something a ballpoint/rollerball can never offer.
If I may make one suggestion - that corrosion on the clutch ring of the 21 - e-bay would most certainly have a vendor who sells Parker spares; if indeed you would wish to replace same; ultimately, it's merely an aesthetic issue.
Great comparison - Thank you for your presentation,
Andrew 🙂
Congrats Andrew to inherit a piece of your mother’s legacy. Happy for you.
Thank you, Lowkster - of all such reminders, my Mother's fountain pen remains in perpetuity 🙂.
Good comparison. Thank you.
The focus problems show that figuring out how to set a camera to fixed focus is the only way to see details in small items like the. The board was always in good focus but that slight distance to the pen took it out of focus. If someone would holdup a board to focus then lock there then place the object at that distance is one of the only ways to deal with autofocus cameras.
Thanks for this comparison. These pens are easy to find. Great writers. Reliable. These are writer's pen. Not fancy but great for every day writing.
Hey mate great video.terminolott earn you write with the cap attached this is called posted. Capped is when you carry it around. There were if fact 5 similar hooded nibbed parkers in this era 6 if you include the 61. 1 the 51 had a 14k gold nib iridium tipped. 2 parker made a steel nib 51 called the special. 3 the demi to fit in a lady's handbag. 4 the 41 in bright colours 5 the 21 early ones with a ridge cap latter ones with the p45 style imprinted nib and 6 the early 50s parkettes which look like a 21 or 41. Sorry about my numbering system there is a 7 the hooded nibbed 61. This doesn't include the UK parker 17 hooded ones.
Terminology posted v capped
Nice comparison video. Thank you for your impressions.
Thanks ! Getting a comment from you is extra nice !
Cool. Thanks for sharing. Didn't even know there was a 21.
I also have 21's, 45's, and a handful of 51's (vac's and aero'). The steel nib 45's and 51 (special, I believe) write exactly the same to me. Likewise, I don't notice a difference in writing between the gold nibbed 45's and 51's. Honestly the Parker 45 is the most underrated pen of the bunch (or maybe the 51 is just slightly overrated).
Every 21 I've had just feels 'different' compared to their more expensive siblings. Not terrible, but not nearly as enjoyable for me.
I like the 21's...but I don't usually carry them because I've broken 2 over the years. I don't know if the plastic they were made of was always prone to cracking...or if they just didn't age very well. I've picked a few up that seemed swelled and the caps didn't fit well anymore.
One thing the 21 is absolutely great for, is writing on carbon paper. I kept a fine nibbed 21 at my desk at work for years for that very purpose. Most fountain pens wouldn't work well on the carbon copy investigation reports we used, but that old Parker with dry ink (pilot blue/black I think) was perfect.
Awesome explanation
Good job please keep making
I own both. I can honestly say that while using, not much of a difference. One big drawback of the 21 is the nib is not gold. One of my 21's nibs are showing corrosion....
Thanks for your video,it helps me thinking about buying which pen a lot.
long tin yeung glad the video helped you
Very informative video. Thanks!
I have a question: is it possible to transform a Parker 21 (rubber sac) in order to use cartridges/converter?
Not too sure about that. I don't think it will fit as is. Possibly some mods have to be done.
Great review. Shame about the poor camera quality.
Relaunch Parker 21
Awesome
Hi! Nice to see a fellow Malaysian doing FP reviews. Where do you buy your pens?
From a lot of places. Ebay, ksgill, pengallery, forums etc. Wherever I can get them at an affordable price.
Good
i enjoyed that. My first fountain pen, at ten years old in grade school, was a 21. i have subsequently, collected both, but mostly 51s. most pens in my collection are Parker. When i started working as a teacher, my mother bought me a Parker Harlequin design, which i still have. teri makasi. ps. what notebook were you using ?
marwhaan lodewyk "terima kasih" 🙂. That is a unicorn notebook / journal
PARKER 51: The best "popular and quality" pen of all time. PELIKAN SOUVERÁN: Thre best high quality pen ytasterday, today and ever an ever...
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