Do you use a fountain pen?

[Robbo 27]

Celtic Dragon said:

Dad came down yesterday so a few pens also turned up

I knew there was a Lady Sheaffer fountain pen, but it turns out it has its corresponding ball point too.

The complete surprise was the 2 Parkers, which I think are 45's, certainly the shape fits, both with metal cages squeeze fill sacks. One all stainless case and one stainless, with what looks like a black plastic end cap.

Lady Sheaffers can be difficult to identify, this chart may help.

[Robbo 27]

ClockworkCupcake said:

Parker refer to their all-stainless models as a "Flighter".

The Parker 45 Flighter went through several iterations, some of which had plastic end caps.

Using the top one on the chart today, Parker 45 pens are so easy to take apart and clean. I went to the pen show in London and bought some Diamine Shimmer ink, that was a big mistake. Tried it in a 45 and the shimmer stuff in the ink blocked the flow completely. Had to strip the pen, cleaned it and its ok now.

Letting the gold bits in the ink settle out and then pour the ink into a seperate bottle.

[ClockworkCupcake]

Robbo 27 said:

Using the top one on the chart today

I have the bottom two, both from new. So far I have resisted the temptation to buy the other two.

(Have come close several times)

[Celtic Dragon]

ClockworkCupcake said:

Parker refer to their all-stainless models as a "Flighter".

The Parker 45 Flighter went through several iterations, some of which had plastic end caps.

The top one is almost identical to mine except the arrow, jewel and ring are silver.

The other one is all silver, and a visible end cap.

I'll get photos soon.

[Celtic Dragon]

Robbo 27 said:

Lady Sheaffers can be difficult to identify, this chart may help.

Is this one, but with a black barrel.

[Robbo 27]

It is called Lady Sheaffer Model 923 Bright Chrome Chevron

[C&C]

ClockworkCupcake said:

I have the bottom two, both from new. So far I have resisted the temptation to buy the other two.

(Have come close several times)

... and I have the middle 2 - neither from new. One looks very good after a clean up (the 70-79 model), the other only arrived the other day and is in need of some attention. Both are flighters without the gold trim.

[Robbo 27]

Some people get a bit snobby about the Parker 45, but the bottom line is that they are well made, seldom go wrong, you can strip the nib in 2 minutes, they dont crack and they write well, especially if you can find a medium or a broad nib.

[Justayellowbadge]

In Dubai for a few days at the Palm.

The hotel's business centre is branded and run by Montegrappa and includes a boutique.

The holder of purse strings has banned me from even entering the floor.

[Robbo 27]

Justayellowbadge said:

In Dubai for a few days at the Palm.

The hotel's business centre is branded and run by Montegrappa and includes a boutique.

The holder of purse strings has banned me from even entering the floor.

Their inks are also excellent, perhaps the purse strings could be loosened just a little?

[Justayellowbadge]

Robbo 27 said:

Their inks are also excellent, perhaps the purse strings could be loosened just a little?

I had not considered that. My lad's prep obliges all pupils to use a fountain pen so it would be a perfectly valid education procurement exercise to take him there for supplies.

[Celtic Dragon]

sorry for the crappy pic, I'll get some better ones when I've charged the dslr.

The slimline Parker in the middle is a mechanical pencil



Can anyone advise on how to remove the nibs on the Parkers safely? Also the all stainless 45 has a rather stubborn converter in it. As you can see they need a good clean, having sat in a drawer for the better part of 40 years!

Edited by Celtic Dragon on Tuesday 17th October 22:23

Edited by Celtic Dragon on Tuesday 17th October 22:30

[ClockworkCupcake]

Justayellowbadge said:

The holder of purse strings has banned me from even entering the floor.

[Robbo 27]

The nibs on these Parkers can be removed very simply. The last one centimetre of the nib section unscrews. I would put them in a gass of water for a day and just let the old dried ink soak away, You can strip the nib unit down further, their are youtube vids to show you how to do this but a thorough soak should do the job.

To clean the pens, with this particular model of pen a simple wash in a bowl with washing up water, nothing more. Dont use Metal polish, it is too abrasive.

The converter should come away ok, perhaps after a soak. If it is broken then any Parker converter (only Parker) will do or Parker cartridges.


These are a nice find, they have lasted well for 40 years, they will still be working well in another 40 years.

Edited by Robbo 27 on Wednesday 18th October 02:43

[Celtic Dragon]

Thanks for the information Rob I'll have a look on youtube tomorrow. I'll be setting them up to soak tonight.

I mentioned earlier in the thread I wanted a pen from 1976, looks like I've now got 2 from that decade.

Sorry for another question. Would I be able to get away with my Mont Blanc inks, or would I need to get another brand stocked in?

[Robbo 27]

Celtic Dragon said:

Thanks for the information Rob I'll have a look on youtube tomorrow. I'll be setting them up to soak tonight.

I mentioned earlier in the thread I wanted a pen from 1976, looks like I've now got 2 from that decade.

Sorry for another question. Would I be able to get away with my Mont Blanc inks, or would I need to get another brand stocked in?

Montblanc inks are perfect, they are not the cheapest but you will not be disappointed. If you want a good ink for less money then look at Parker and Waterman.

If you are buying cartridges then only Parker will fit.

The Sheaffer will only take older Sheaffer cartridges with the squared ends




It will help you to flush out the Sheaffer if it still has a converter fitted.

If there is anything else you need to know, happy to help.

Come back and tell us what you think about the pens when they are up and running

[Celtic Dragon]

Well that should be next week hopefully, for the 45's to match the Parker ball point a client gave me 2 years ago.

I have Mont Blanc Lavender purple and Burgundy red sat on my desk already as that's what I use in my X450's currently, also have the MB black at home.

Then the X450's can go to a new home on here for anyone that wants to try pens again.

The Esterbrooks I think I'll retire, they look nice, but being bakerlite haven't held up to time well.

[Fitz666]

Just got treated to a Cross Peerless 125 for my birthday from my better half.

It is stunning. Platinum plated body, solid gold nib and chunky.

Well chuffed.

[Robbo 27]

Celtic Dragon said:

Well that should be next week hopefully, for the 45's to match the Parker ball point a client gave me 2 years ago.

I have Mont Blanc Lavender purple and Burgundy red sat on my desk already as that's what I use in my X450's currently, also have the MB black at home.

Then the X450's can go to a new home on here for anyone that wants to try pens again.

The Esterbrooks I think I'll retire, they look nice, but being bakerlite haven't held up to time well.

If you wanted a pen case for the Parkers they are around for £6, I suspect that they are not geneuine parker but still look attractive

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PARKER-Double-Leather-Pe...

If you are putting the esterbrooks away I would unscrew the nibs and wash them out, the pens will be good to go for the next person.

Edited by Robbo 27 on Tuesday 31st October 13:24

[Robbo 27]

Fitz666 said:

Just got treated to a Cross Peerless 125 for my birthday from my better half.

It is stunning. Platinum plated body, solid gold nib and chunky.

Well chuffed.

Thats a very nice gift, I have had the cheaper Cross pens and been very pleased, but the Cross Peerless is something special.