My wife bought me this pen in Marbled Maroon (beautiful) with a Fine (#21) 14k nib and I still love to use it. There is also a date code on the back of the cap, along with that other information; mine is PC meaning it was built in the second quarter of 1987. One thing I've noticed about older pens is that they don't seal as well as modern pens. I assume that's because they were daily use tools so drying out wasn't as much a problem as with modern useage.
An excellent pen and a great review. I managed to get a Mk.2 last year. Someone had been given it, inked it once and put it back in the box in a drawer. My good fortune. I was shocked at how well it writes. It still holds it's own against many premium pens. May I add some bits for those who do not know these things? There should be a date code on the finial. You will probably need a loop to read it. It will gives the month and year of manufacture. Just web-search Parker Date Codes to translate it into calendar dates. The word Duofold refers to the fact that it was designed to write through the first sheet of paper and onto the second sheet using carbon paper (two folds of paper). These were the days before photocopiers. This is why it has such a heavily built slightly stiff nib. Overall I find it a close match to a Pelikan Souverin 805 in writing experience and feel. The new nibs match the older models back to about 1987. Your nib seems to be on the dry side. I'm sure you know how to fix that. ;) Thanks for this excellent showcasing.
Hi Kevin, thank you so much for the info. I think the date code on mine may have been polished out. I had no idea that the name Duofold had any thing to do with carbon paper.
Man, one of the best reviews I saw about this pen. I've been seriously thinking about buying one. Do you know anything about these channelled ink feed? "The larger Centennial is fitted with a twin-channelled ink feed and collector system and the smaller International is fitted with a single channelled ink feed and collector system." Is the Centennial "better"?
@@paulopaniago5972 Hi I am sorry, I don't know about that. Except to say that the ink flow is good on the Centennial which I have. Something else I have become aware of is that the feel and writing experience of the Centennial is very close to that of a Pelikan M805. That is quite remarkable given that one is a modern pen and the other is from the 1980's.
The Duofold style fountain pen is my favorite design. The Centennial is the one I like the most. This is a nice FP. I'm sure you can figure out the skipping problem. But I must say when I have fountain pen in hand it slows me down in a good way. Good show.
Hi Dean, thank you for the comment! It is a very sharp looking pen. I use this pen all the time and under normal writing conditions there is no skipping, so as long as it keeps performing as is, I wont need to do any adjustments.
I love the design of the Duofold. Bought a U.K. black/white marble International in 1999 that is still in the presentation case. Tried a cartridge of my favourite blue ink, wrote a sentence with it and flushed it out and back in the case. Just can’t use a pen so beautiful. I think had I bought the larger Centennial version in black, I would have continued to use it to this day. Just fits my hand better. I tend to like the larger pens like the 800 series Pelikan.
Hi Richard, thanks for the comment! I too have had pens that are too beautiful or precious to use. I eventually let them go. The good news about the black Centennial is that it is relatively affordable compared to the other colors and I think makes an excellent everyday pen.
Thanks Blake - really nice overview of this classic. I was overjoyed to find this in the White Ivorine finish. You hinted at previous models so I'm curious to know more about you and your current fountain pen collection, and maybe even watch collection, if that could somehow be incorporated into an off-script video or series. I'm pretty sure most of us would find this interesting and the conversational aspect of you going through it all.
Thanks for the comment James! Ivorine is a great color and relatively rare as I think they only did that color in the MKIII. My current fountain pen collection is very eclectic and for that reason I don't think it presents well in totality. In the past I had more focused mini collections where I would have an entire series of pens or pens that fit a particular set of criteria. I will think about doing a video on my pen and watch collection.
@@BlakesBroadcast Thank you for the response and update. Yes exactly, it was the first time I'd seen that finish for sale in years of passively looking, which was why I am so happy to now have it. With much lighter pockets, of course. But as you say, the design is simply timeless and elegant. And thanks for the consideration. That's really interesting you feel that way about your collection. I fully respect how you curate possesions and present them on your channel. It's just from hearing or seeing snippets of pens and watches throughout notebook videos, for example, that I thought they deserve their own moment. And just being nosy!
I have the Mk4 Big Red, a Mk 3 Big Red international, a ‘99 black CT international and the Mk1 green marble international - all great pens. Parker has slightly lost its way with the duofolds though - less design options than in earlier years and no refresh in about 6 years. That said, worth looking up the 100th anniversary editions due later this year - though at around £850 they are really not going to be cheap at all.
Do you have a favorite? I do wish that the Doufold line would receive more attention from Parker...their whole line is pretty stale even with the new Parker 51.
Thanks for the comment! I don't have experience with the Jinhao 159 but I imagine the Parker is going to be better made than the Jinhao. There is of course a huge price difference.
The old duofolds have better quality (MK1) as compared to the modern duofolds. Yes, its more pretty in terms of design but the writing sensation is different
Beautiful pen, but honestly the performance was not good. I have a Jinhao 100 centennial that out performs this Parker Duofold with the movements you were putting the Parker pen through.. My Jinhao only cost me $15.00. Yes I know my pen is a Chinese one, but mine looks almost exactly like this pen and is a workhorse. After all, I want it to write. The Chinese have been turning out some really nice looking and great performing pens.
I agree that there are very good Chinese pens out there. I love writing with my Parker Duofold though. In normal writing conditions I have no performance problems. I also am not a huge fan of pens that are straight copies of other pens. The exception being when it is a pen that is out of production like the original Parker 51.
Hi, your Duofold has a problem, even a $5 chinese pen can write fast without skipping. There is something wrong there, reminds me of having the same problem with a similar pen, le man series fron Waterman.
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My wife bought me this pen in Marbled Maroon (beautiful) with a Fine (#21) 14k nib and I still love to use it. There is also a date code on the back of the cap, along with that other information; mine is PC meaning it was built in the second quarter of 1987. One thing I've noticed about older pens is that they don't seal as well as modern pens. I assume that's because they were daily use tools so drying out wasn't as much a problem as with modern useage.
I love this pen, it has a timeless design. Looks just as good today as it was when it was first produced.
I agree that it is definitely a timeless design.
An excellent pen and a great review.
I managed to get a Mk.2 last year. Someone had been given it, inked it once and put it back in the box in a drawer. My good fortune.
I was shocked at how well it writes. It still holds it's own against many premium pens.
May I add some bits for those who do not know these things?
There should be a date code on the finial. You will probably need a loop to read it. It will gives the month and year of manufacture. Just web-search Parker Date Codes to translate it into calendar dates.
The word Duofold refers to the fact that it was designed to write through the first sheet of paper and onto the second sheet using carbon paper (two folds of paper). These were the days before photocopiers. This is why it has such a heavily built slightly stiff nib.
Overall I find it a close match to a Pelikan Souverin 805 in writing experience and feel.
The new nibs match the older models back to about 1987.
Your nib seems to be on the dry side. I'm sure you know how to fix that. ;)
Thanks for this excellent showcasing.
Hi Kevin, thank you so much for the info. I think the date code on mine may have been polished out.
I had no idea that the name Duofold had any thing to do with carbon paper.
Man, one of the best reviews I saw about this pen. I've been seriously thinking about buying one. Do you know anything about these channelled ink feed?
"The larger Centennial is fitted with a twin-channelled ink feed and collector system and the smaller International is fitted with a single channelled ink feed and collector system."
Is the Centennial "better"?
@@paulopaniago5972 Hi I am sorry, I don't know about that. Except to say that the ink flow is good on the Centennial which I have.
Something else I have become aware of is that the feel and writing experience of the Centennial is very close to that of a Pelikan M805. That is quite remarkable given that one is a modern pen and the other is from the 1980's.
The Duofold style fountain pen is my favorite design. The Centennial is the one I like the most. This is a nice FP. I'm sure you can figure out the skipping problem. But I must say when I have fountain pen in hand it slows me down in a good way. Good show.
Hi Dean, thank you for the comment! It is a very sharp looking pen.
I use this pen all the time and under normal writing conditions there is no skipping, so as long as it keeps performing as is, I wont need to do any adjustments.
I'm glad to hear that you use this beautiful pen. I enjoy your reviews keep them coming.
I love the design of the Duofold. Bought a U.K. black/white marble International in 1999 that is still in the presentation case. Tried a cartridge of my favourite blue ink, wrote a sentence with it and flushed it out and back in the case. Just can’t use a pen so beautiful. I think had I bought the larger Centennial version in black, I would have continued to use it to this day. Just fits my hand better. I tend to like the larger pens like the 800 series Pelikan.
Hi Richard, thanks for the comment! I too have had pens that are too beautiful or precious to use. I eventually let them go. The good news about the black Centennial is that it is relatively affordable compared to the other colors and I think makes an excellent everyday pen.
Never used a Parker fountain pen yet. Thank you for the review.
You are welcome!
Thanks Blake - really nice overview of this classic. I was overjoyed to find this in the White Ivorine finish. You hinted at previous models so I'm curious to know more about you and your current fountain pen collection, and maybe even watch collection, if that could somehow be incorporated into an off-script video or series. I'm pretty sure most of us would find this interesting and the conversational aspect of you going through it all.
Thanks for the comment James! Ivorine is a great color and relatively rare as I think they only did that color in the MKIII.
My current fountain pen collection is very eclectic and for that reason I don't think it presents well in totality. In the past I had more focused mini collections where I would have an entire series of pens or pens that fit a particular set of criteria. I will think about doing a video on my pen and watch collection.
@@BlakesBroadcast Thank you for the response and update. Yes exactly, it was the first time I'd seen that finish for sale in years of passively looking, which was why I am so happy to now have it. With much lighter pockets, of course. But as you say, the design is simply timeless and elegant.
And thanks for the consideration. That's really interesting you feel that way about your collection. I fully respect how you curate possesions and present them on your channel. It's just from hearing or seeing snippets of pens and watches throughout notebook videos, for example, that I thought they deserve their own moment. And just being nosy!
I have the Mk4 Big Red, a Mk 3 Big Red international, a ‘99 black CT international and the Mk1 green marble international - all great pens. Parker has slightly lost its way with the duofolds though - less design options than in earlier years and no refresh in about 6 years. That said, worth looking up the 100th anniversary editions due later this year - though at around £850 they are really not going to be cheap at all.
Do you have a favorite? I do wish that the Doufold line would receive more attention from Parker...their whole line is pretty stale even with the new Parker 51.
I have a mark 1 since 1989. Very satisfactory except for high speed writing indeed just like you have experienced.
Wow that's awesome! Happy to hear that it has been satisfactory for 33 years!
Does it look and feel better than jinhao 159 ? Thanks.
Thanks for the comment! I don't have experience with the Jinhao 159 but I imagine the Parker is going to be better made than the Jinhao. There is of course a huge price difference.
Such a lot off good background information here. Great review thanks.
Thanks Kevin! I am glad you liked it.
Very nice video
Thank you!
I like that nib design better than the modern Centennial.
I also prefer the older nib design. I do think the current nib design is still very attractive though.
The old duofolds have better quality (MK1) as compared to the modern duofolds. Yes, its more pretty in terms of design but the writing sensation is different
Thank you for your comment! How do you find the writing sensation to be different?
Beautiful pen, but honestly the performance was not good. I have a Jinhao 100 centennial that out performs this Parker Duofold with the movements you were putting the Parker pen through.. My Jinhao only cost me $15.00. Yes I know my pen is a Chinese one, but mine looks almost exactly like this pen and is a workhorse. After all, I want it to write. The Chinese have been turning out some really nice looking and great performing pens.
I agree that there are very good Chinese pens out there. I love writing with my Parker Duofold though. In normal writing conditions I have no performance problems. I also am not a huge fan of pens that are straight copies of other pens. The exception being when it is a pen that is out of production like the original Parker 51.
Parker duofold is nice pen but very costly
Yes, I agree the price is high for sure.
I prefer international size. This one "too beeg"
The good news is that the International size is always cheaper to buy than the Centennial.
The scratchy pen sound was making me itch
The microphone can really amplify the sound of pen on paper.
A $1000 Pen!?! Wtf is happening in this world
Lots of inflation.
Hi, your Duofold has a problem, even a $5 chinese pen can write fast without skipping. There is something wrong there, reminds me of having the same problem with a similar pen, le man series fron Waterman.
Some adjustment would likely fix it but in normal use I have no problem with it.
Yuaaaa 😬😬😬 it sounds too scratchy and rigid.
It's a great writer and a nice pen but definitely a firm nib. I don't think it is particularly scratchy.