Parker 51 and Vacumatic

[andromeda160]

I have a Parker 51 set and a Parker Vacumatic I just found at a flea market, I found quite a bit of info about the vacumatic, but haven't been able to date the 51 set. I posted some pics if any of you could help me out. The Vacumatic was the reason I bought them, I used to have a fountain pen, but sold it in highschool and the cool texture immediately drew me to this pen. the 51 is a pretty cool looking fountain pen as well, but it appears to be NOS so I don't know if I should use it or not.

[SUBversive]

Nos?

[andromeda160]

Originally Posted by SUBversive

Nos?

New old stock, it has the sticker advertising the nib still on the fountain pen. Pretty sure the pencil has been used lightly though as the eraser was used a bit, but it looks like a ballpoint pen which has me a little confused

[Jamiewabbit]

NOS or not please consider that Due to its age, the rubber sac may not be strong enough to contain ink. Rubber is organic.
I have both pens and a snorkel too. I had to replace the rubber sacs for them before using them. Or another alternative is don't ink them. Just dip them in a bottle of ink and write with it. Once you introduce ink to the rubber sac, I was advised by an old pensmith and salespeople at mount blanc to rinse the insides with water once every month or so.

Hope that helps.

[andromeda160]

Originally Posted by Jamiewabbit

NOS or not please consider that Due to its age, the rubber sac may not be strong enough to contain ink. Rubber is organic.
I have both pens and a snorkel too. I had to replace the rubber sacs for them before using them. Or another alternative is don't ink them. Just dip them in a bottle of ink and write with it. Once you introduce ink to the rubber sac, I was advised by an old pensmith and salespeople at mount blanc to rinse the insides with water once every month or so.

Hope that helps.

Thanks for the advice, I haven't inked them up yet because I don't want to ruin them, but plan on sending a vacumatic to a specialist to get restored. I went back to the guy this week, he had another parker 51 pen/pencil set but he broke the pen by dropping it right before I got there -.-

[TexasJohnny]

I've got a forest green Parker 51 set as well. This site should help answer your questions...

www.parker51.com

I use the pen all the time and love it!

[Jamiewabbit]

No worries, have fun! Enjoy the pens! I didn't ink them eventually, I dipped the nibs in ink write. My fav model is still the snorkel. But ironically I don't use the snorkel function as I don't ink them.

[Lion]

Originally Posted by Jamiewabbit

No worries, have fun! Enjoy the pens! I didn't ink them eventually, I dipped the nibs in ink write. My fav model is still the snorkel. But ironically I don't use the snorkel function as I don't ink them.

What the heck…go ahead and ink that Nib and use it. I'm sure you will enjoy writing with it but as suggested above…get the sac replaced first before you use it!!!

Take care…..Leo

[Jamiewabbit]

Hahaha Leo I can't bear to do so.... Can't find a guy to fix pens here in Singapore. Last old guy I knew who could and fixed my snorkel passed on. That guy is a legend, he has NOS 51s, snorkels from that era he stashed away when he was younger.

Now I am using the new 146 90th anniversary fountain pen. Lovely nib!

I dip and write with my vintage pens!

[westsiderkg]

I agree, stick with the originals.

[Bisquitlips]

The Parker 51 is an icon in the pen community.

Yours looks like a very nice set. You can get the pen serviced many places. I take all mine to Sherril Tyree here in the KCMO are. She is also an icon in the pen world.

Nice find! Congratulations!