Parker 51 - italic nib ?

I like my 51s as pieces of design, but unfortunately I'm not too keen
on writing with them. The nibs are a little too broad for my taste (my
writing tends to the unitdy and this makes it worse), and they all
write like a firehose.

I'm also trying to learn an italic hand - currently using a rather
mundane Parker Vector to do so.

Is there any option to re-nib a 51 (a cheap '70s UK made) ? I'm in
the UK - anyone who can either do this, or supply the bits so that I
can do it myself ?

I notice that Richard's pen site offers a nib regrinding service to
convert most 51s to an italic nib. Is this likely to be a practical
proposition ? Any possibility of doing this myself ? (as a
woodworker and amateur sword polisher, I'm surprisingly well equipped
for abrasives)

Thanks for any comments

--
Die Gotterspammerung - Junkmail of the Gods

Richard Binder is a master of his trade, and I think you would be quite
satisfied with the pen if he did it.
Richard (NOT Richard Binder)
"Andy Dingley" wrote in message
...
I like my 51s as pieces of design, but unfortunately I'm not too keen
on writing with them. The nibs are a little too broad for my taste (my
writing tends to the unitdy and this makes it worse), and they all
write like a firehose.

I'm also trying to learn an italic hand - currently using a rather
mundane Parker Vector to do so.

Is there any option to re-nib a 51 (a cheap '70s UK made) ? I'm in
the UK - anyone who can either do this, or supply the bits so that I
can do it myself ?

I notice that Richard's pen site offers a nib regrinding service to
convert most 51s to an italic nib. Is this likely to be a practical
proposition ? Any possibility of doing this myself ? (as a
woodworker and amateur sword polisher, I'm surprisingly well equipped
for abrasives)

Thanks for any comments

--
Die Gotterspammerung - Junkmail of the Gods

On Tue, 06 Apr 2004 23:58:03 +0100, Andy Dingley said:

Andy I like my 51s as pieces of design, but unfortunately I'm not
Andy too keen on writing with them. The nibs are a little too
Andy broad for my taste (my writing tends to the unitdy and this
Andy makes it worse), and they all write like a firehose.

hmmm... firehose? i like 'em that way, but i have to tinker with them
to get them to write that way. i don't find them particularly broad
either, but i suppose it depends on what you're used to.

Andy Is there any option to re-nib a 51 (a cheap '70s UK made) ?
Andy I'm in the UK - anyone who can either do this, or supply the
Andy bits so that I can do it myself ?

Andy I notice that Richard's pen site offers a nib regrinding
Andy service to convert most 51s to an italic nib. Is this likely
Andy to be a practical proposition ? Any possibility of doing
Andy this myself ? (as a woodworker and amateur sword polisher,
Andy I'm surprisingly well equipped for abrasives)

you could certainly do this yourself, but it would make sense to
practice on some cheaper/lesser nibs first.


have fun.

--


I have accepted Provolone into my life!

In message , Andy Dingley
writes

snip

Is there any option to re-nib a 51 (a cheap '70s UK made) ? I'm in
the UK - anyone who can either do this, or supply the bits so that I
can do it myself ?

Peter Twydle at the Pen Museum can re-nib a Parker 51 for you
Peter.Twydle@btinternetdotcom (replace the "dot"). I have been very
happy with the nib he replaced on mine - 35 quid + p&p. Not dirt cheap,
but an excellent investment as an everyday italic writer. Certainly
recommended a good step up from a steel italic - or a non-italic - nib.

I also have a Pelikan M800 italic from John Mottishaw at
http://www.nibs.com/ - my knees go weak at the thought of what I paid
for it (on a UK pension) but the nib is the smooooooothest I have ever
come across. It's like writing with a goose quill, but without the
hassle of filling and cutting. An amazing, once-in-a-lifetime buy.
Can't wait for re-incarnation and another one!

Also Hans' Pens http://www.hanspens.com/ will exchange the nib on any
P51 you buy from him, with italic medium or broad for an extra ten quid.

Tony Stanford from Bedford who used to post to this list was experienced
in grinding his own italic nibs. I suspect he restricted himself to
lesser nibs than P51s but I may be wrong.

snip

Hope this helps
--
Tom Piercy
Rothwell, Northants, UK.

Parker 51 italic nibs are excellent - perhaps the best italic nibs I
have ever used. They are certainly good enough for calligraphy, or for
everyday writers. Because of the large amount of iridium on the nibs,
you can sharpen them to increase line variation, too.

As a later poster suggested, Peter Twydle of the Pen Museum did have
some Parker 51 italic nibs. I have been very happy with the ones I have
bought from him. You can also try the Battersea Pen Hospital in the UK,
who had some. You will pay about 35 UKP, but they last forever.

Your 51 should not have such a heavy ink flow. A 51 can be set to
provide any ink flow you like, from heavy to ultra light, and will be
stable once set.

Regards

Tony Stanford


On Tue, 6 Apr 2004,23:58:03, Andy Dingley wrote

I like my 51s as pieces of design, but unfortunately I'm not too keen
on writing with them. The nibs are a little too broad for my taste (my
writing tends to the unitdy and this makes it worse), and they all
write like a firehose.

I'm also trying to learn an italic hand - currently using a rather
mundane Parker Vector to do so.

--
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