I wish "legacy" pen companies like Parker, Cross, Sheaffer, etc. would realize that fountain pens are going through a bit of a revival. I believe that if they made well done modern pens that made homages to vintage classics, they would find an eager market.
@@cebukitty Yes, most of my pens are Jinhao, really like them. I do have a higher end pen also, Pilot Custom 823. This may sound crazy, but I use my Jinhao's more then the Pilot.
Incidentally, i spent the weekend cleaning up my dads old parkers, papermates and sheaffers :) i inked some of them and was surprised at how smooth they still wrote. Some of them are 20 years at least :) the converters were missing in most of them but there were some old cartridges still attached and i just used a syringe to fill up the plastic cartridges with pilot iroshizuku inks and they worked just fine.
Sorry to hear about your experience with the Parker Sonnet. I absolutely adore mine. I have both a medium and fine nib. Seeing your review, I think I will rather get a Parker Duofold instead of a Montblanc 146 or 149. I picked up some Mont Blancs at one of their stores the other day and I was immediately disappointed with how cheap their standard lines felt. This Parker looks more substantive.
I bought this pen, and managed to find it for under $300, because of this video, and have since acquired some other Duofolds in different sizes and materials. All three sizes (there is also a Demi that was produced in the Mk II era) are excellent pens, well worth owning. Thank you for turning me on to this series of Parker pens.
Ah, I too adore vintage Parkers but have zero interest in their modern offerings! Your review has inspired me to want to ink my own Parker Duofold... Centennial, I think. Thank you for the look at your lovely pens!
I agree with Eric. With the hand lettering craze and modern collectors, I think that pen makers are missing a great chance to supply pens to a ready market. Thanks for the review. I have a pen from Platinum that I am really trying to love.
Thanks for the nice and informative review of this beautiful pen! I am thinking of buying my first Parker and this would be the perfect addition to my collection that only consists of Montblanc fountain pens, I just love the way this looks and the history behind it!
Thank you very much for another great video. I have been on the fence about this pen for over a year now and you have delivered the last proof why I should pick this pen up. I just placed my order and can’t wait to get my hands on this pen and see if this make it into my very select few forever pens. Thank you again and keep up the great content.
Great review. I recently became smitten with the Duofold Ivorine. I wanted a broad nib but could find no broad nibs in stock among my trusted sellers. I remembered hearing about their nib exchange and emailed Newell Brands (Parker/Waterman holding company) requesting information. I received a reply the next day even though it was over a holiday weekend. They assured me that the nib exchange was still in effect (unfortunately only broad, medium, fine, or extra fine). I ordered the medium Duofold from my seller and requested the mailing label from Newell. I packaged the pen and returned it to France expecting a long wait. In less than two weeks the pen was returned with a superbly tuned broad nib. The entire process was free of charge. This is effective and efficient service befitting a tier one fountain pen company. The French shop and the American repair service both followed up asking about my satisfaction. Highly recommended.
I just purchased the Jinhao knock-off of this Parker Duo Big Red. I held my breath and expected the worst. To my great and pleasurable surprise, the pen really is an amazing replica. The color is exact and all the handiwork is top-notch. It writes really well. The price? It was $20, in comparison to the actual price of $350-$800.
Thanks the the review. Parker Centennial is my favourite of my (not very extensive) collection. Mine is a 2008 UK made version (I think the UK factory shut in 2009) and have use it almost every day for 12 years. Great pen.
Thank you David . I have to say i do like Parker pens , one of my first fountain pens was a Parker a long time ago now. I like 'The Big Red' its a modern take on a classic pen, i particularly like the cap band, which on older models was three or even two individual rings, on this model they have kind of fused them together and i think that's a nice design feature .
Nice pen but after the 11:30 mark, I couldn't focus anymore. :-) The Hitchcock was all I could think about! I'm looking forward to hearing more about that beauty!
After a 33 year wait, I finally got my own Duofold. Like you, I waited to find one at that low price end. And I agree, it was totally worth it. I love using this pen! Good for you shrinking your selection. I like to see pens used. I'm considering the same thing, so I'll be curious to see how you sell off your selection.
The Parker Duofold is truly a beautiful fountain pen, especially considering the era in which it was originally manufactured. I love its ingenious original ink filling system, far superior to several current systems.
In the novels and short stories, the real Holmes commented quite sparingly about pen style in his investigations. You are quite correct in your opinion as to limitations on what can be ascertained about a pen based on some handwriting.
Is this pen just another color from other Duofold Centennials or are they all equal? My local store has them for about $440 and I am considering if they are worth the dosh.
My first fountain pen bought in 1992 is a Parker Premier in the Chinese Laque finish. This version cost about $220 then, and was more expensive than the sterling silver version. It's still the best and smoothest writing fountain pen I have (it has a fine nib). Better even than my Omas Paragon in the famous Arco finish that cost four times as much. Sadly, that's really the only version of what was offered in the Premier that ever grabbed me, and the details that make it so appealing like the faceted cap rings and tassie haven't been repeated in later releases of the Premier. I also really dislike fat bands across the center of a Parker pen like on this Duofold and their Sonnet pens. The quality is great, but there's very little to get excited about anymore about a Parker pen.
Thank you for very objective reviews on pens. I enjoy them very much. I am a collector of Parker pens. My main collection consists of Duofold ballpoint pens mainly. Now newer models with trim options I am in the dilemma of the traditional gold (yellow) and platinum trims. I know it’s a personal thing but what is your take on it? I am starting to collect and using fountain pens more and more. I value your reviews greatly. Thank you.
Thank you very much indeed for this great review. I have been expecting it since the survey was posted. I also like the bit about Sherlock Holmes :D By the way, I thought the International version is also shorter than the Centennial one. I am not so sure.
I've had a parker sonnet cisele for quite awhile now, I'm curious about the differences since the duofold does use a uniquely made nib, even though they are both 18kt
Very nice review, I will definitely put this pen in my list! But what is your criteria for inking up your pens for review, do you generally try to match ink color with pen color? I really like that ink comparison! Also, I got very curious about that Montblanc you showed! Looking forward to hear that history!
Good to know that Parker can at least make a Duofold. I have a Sonnet and it's been quite a let down. These days they try to sell some Sonnets for what a Sailor 1911L goes for. And the Sonnet is tiny. I also own a "51" and a Vacumatic and they're awesome. Really wish Parker would make more awesome pens again and not overcharge for them.
Back when I was a student I had mostly Sheaffers but ended up getting a Parker at some point. Just hated it and this bad memory of it stuck until this day. This one looks really cool and might change my view over the brand if I have the chance to put my fingers on it. This may be off topic but here in France some stores sell Otto Hutt pens, a brand I didnt know of and that I haven't found any reviews about. These are german made bahaus-style fountain pens and they do look pretty cool. Are you aware of these? Any chance you make a review on of those?
May I ask for your advice? Do you know any other pen that has a similar nib to Duofold? This pen is curiously suited for Chinese, better than many asian brands.
How about a review of the original duofold, you had mentioned the ones that you had tried and not liked, all modern, but to understand why they are famous you should try their raisin de etra
@@FigbootonPens Your review really helped! I got mine yesterday and it's just great. I got mine in a different box, a little smaller, but still the Centennial, not the international. Do you think I got a newer model? Should I worry? The ink I'm using is montblanc red fox and it matches quite nice! Thanks again!
The parker Vector was my first pen that started the FP hobby and use for me. Did you ever explain why gift pens don't make good pens ? It seemed like you were going somewhere with it but then just started mentioning sherlock holmes
At least then you have caliber size etc to narrow it down.. “irridium tip” in a Parker pen that has a nail nib.. That could be any trash dollar store pen and look 100% the same
Nice review, as usual! I really love this pen (but I was already a fan of Duofold) and I am happy I bought it. This Centennial is one of my favourites and I already reviewed it on my channel. Keep on the good work, showing these brands still make very nice pens like this!
Actually what Sherlock does is not deduction (using an existing theory/law to either predict or explain a certain outcome) but rather induction; arriving a (general) conclusion/insight/theory through (recurring) observations of reality...
Love the Duofold. Have both a normal one, black kn resin, and a metal prestige international. The black one medium nib, is gewt for drawing, the prestige is better for my writing as it is quite heavy. These pens give you an awesome, royal like feeling.
Actually, it has nothing to do with the colour accuracy of the video. "Big Red" is, at least in my eyes, somewhere between orange and red (or maybe leaning more towards orange than red). So it looks orange in a brighter environment, and red if the light is not so powerful.
I'm with you re: Parkers. Earlier in my collecting days, I had the Parker bug (mostly vintage), buying various Vacumatics, 51's etc and some modern Sonnets, and finally Duofold, both International and Centennial sizes ("Greenwich" model). Despite the # of Parkers available to me, they're rarely in use rotation -- with the exception of the two modern Duofolds (especially the Centennial).
@@peterpuleo2904 I hear you! I almost traded mine off once or twice but before pulling the trigger I used it again and suddenly remembered what a nice pen it is.
Hello sir ,great video as always. Is there any chance for you to do reviw od jinghao x450 and x750? they bout are 7$ on e bay with free shipping.I am so interested in your reviw of those pens that I am willing to buy those pens and send it to you ,if you are interested? ps. I found your video about Inks ,thanks for replying to my coment about that ,and it was another great and informative video ,I ordered 4 inks from your picks. :) Kind regards Enis
I wish "legacy" pen companies like Parker, Cross, Sheaffer, etc. would realize that fountain pens are going through a bit of a revival. I believe that if they made well done modern pens that made homages to vintage classics, they would find an eager market.
Eric Arevalo : yep, you’re right. the chinese fountain pen makers are making a killing with their cheap and increasingly good quality offerings.
@@cebukitty Yes, most of my pens are Jinhao, really like them. I do have a higher end pen also, Pilot Custom 823. This may sound crazy, but I use my Jinhao's more then the Pilot.
I think Rubbermaid is more focused on selling tons of plastic kitchen storage stuff. There is much more money in that :(
Now THIS is how you make reviews! Wow! You present so clearly and show the details so well! I really enjoyed watching this video! Thanks!
Incidentally, i spent the weekend cleaning up my dads old parkers, papermates and sheaffers :) i inked some of them and was surprised at how smooth they still wrote. Some of them are 20 years at least :) the converters were missing in most of them but there were some old cartridges still attached and i just used a syringe to fill up the plastic cartridges with pilot iroshizuku inks and they worked just fine.
Arthur Conan Doyle used a Parker Duofold so I suspect the writers of the Sherlock show were offering a fun reference for fans. 👍
Sorry to hear about your experience with the Parker Sonnet. I absolutely adore mine. I have both a medium and fine nib. Seeing your review, I think I will rather get a Parker Duofold instead of a Montblanc 146 or 149. I picked up some Mont Blancs at one of their stores the other day and I was immediately disappointed with how cheap their standard lines felt. This Parker looks more substantive.
I bought this pen, and managed to find it for under $300, because of this video, and have since acquired some other Duofolds in different sizes and materials. All three sizes (there is also a Demi that was produced in the Mk II era) are excellent pens, well worth owning. Thank you for turning me on to this series of Parker pens.
@user-xy4jz9ct8v It was over 5 years ago, new, and I bought it on and from Amazon.
Ah, I too adore vintage Parkers but have zero interest in their modern offerings! Your review has inspired me to want to ink my own Parker Duofold... Centennial, I think. Thank you for the look at your lovely pens!
I have my Duofold Centennial in a blue marble and it is a fantastic pen that is Parker at its best!!
I agree with Eric. With the hand lettering craze and modern collectors, I think that pen makers are missing a great chance to supply pens to a ready market. Thanks for the review. I have a pen from Platinum that I am really trying to love.
I picked up what I think is a Parker Arrow Flighter from an antique store. I got it today and I’m super excited to ink it up!
Thanks for the nice and informative review of this beautiful pen! I am thinking of buying my first Parker and this would be the perfect addition to my collection that only consists of Montblanc fountain pens, I just love the way this looks and the history behind it!
Thank you very much for another great video. I have been on the fence about this pen for over a year now and you have delivered the last proof why I should pick this pen up. I just placed my order and can’t wait to get my hands on this pen and see if this make it into my very select few forever pens. Thank you again and keep up the great content.
I don't think you'll be disappointed. It's a great pen.
Great review. I recently became smitten with the Duofold Ivorine. I wanted a broad nib but could find no broad nibs in stock among my trusted sellers. I remembered hearing about their nib exchange and emailed Newell Brands (Parker/Waterman holding company) requesting information. I received a reply the next day even though it was over a holiday weekend. They assured me that the nib exchange was still in effect (unfortunately only broad, medium, fine, or extra fine). I ordered the medium Duofold from my seller and requested the mailing label from Newell. I packaged the pen and returned it to France expecting a long wait. In less than two weeks the pen was returned with a superbly tuned broad nib. The entire process was free of charge. This is effective and efficient service befitting a tier one fountain pen company. The French shop and the American repair service both followed up asking about my satisfaction. Highly recommended.
Excellent review. One of my favorites actually. I love the Sherlock Holmes clip and your comments. Thank you David...
Looking forward to the review of the Hitchcock. (I don't know if it is just the camera, but the effect of the pattern reminds me of "Vertigo")
The fine nib version is $270 on Amazon right now. Picked one up last week and have been extremely impressed.
I just purchased the Jinhao knock-off of this Parker Duo Big Red. I held my breath and expected the worst. To my great and pleasurable surprise, the pen really is an amazing replica. The color is exact and all the handiwork is top-notch. It writes really well. The price? It was $20, in comparison to the actual price of $350-$800.
Thanks the the review. Parker Centennial is my favourite of my (not very extensive) collection. Mine is a 2008 UK made version (I think the UK factory shut in 2009) and have use it almost every day for 12 years. Great pen.
The MB Hitchcock must have cost a tidy sum. Pockets must be much much lighter. I love that pen. Wish I could buy one.
Thank you David . I have to say i do like Parker pens , one of my first fountain pens was a Parker a long time ago now. I like 'The Big Red' its a modern take on a classic pen, i particularly like the cap band, which on older models was three or even two individual rings, on this model they have kind of fused them together and i think that's a nice design feature .
When I was in grade school, I used a Parker 51, damn I wish I still had that pen.
I don’t know what it is, but the nuance of the feedback in the current duofold feels really good.
Nice pen but after the 11:30 mark, I couldn't focus anymore. :-) The Hitchcock was all I could think about! I'm looking forward to hearing more about that beauty!
Thank you for teaching us about fountain pens.
After a 33 year wait, I finally got my own Duofold. Like you, I waited to find one at that low price end. And I agree, it was totally worth it. I love using this pen!
Good for you shrinking your selection. I like to see pens used. I'm considering the same thing, so I'll be curious to see how you sell off your selection.
The Parker Duofold is truly a beautiful fountain pen, especially considering the era in which it was originally manufactured.
I love its ingenious original ink filling system, far superior to several current systems.
In the novels and short stories, the real Holmes commented quite sparingly about pen style in his investigations. You are quite correct in your opinion as to limitations on what can be ascertained about a pen based on some handwriting.
Is this pen just another color from other Duofold Centennials or are they all equal? My local store has them for about $440 and I am considering if they are worth the dosh.
My first fountain pen bought in 1992 is a Parker Premier in the Chinese Laque finish. This version cost about $220 then, and was more expensive than the sterling silver version. It's still the best and smoothest writing fountain pen I have (it has a fine nib). Better even than my Omas Paragon in the famous Arco finish that cost four times as much. Sadly, that's really the only version of what was offered in the Premier that ever grabbed me, and the details that make it so appealing like the faceted cap rings and tassie haven't been repeated in later releases of the Premier. I also really dislike fat bands across the center of a Parker pen like on this Duofold and their Sonnet pens. The quality is great, but there's very little to get excited about anymore about a Parker pen.
Great video! It's nice to see a classic pen get a good review. - I wonder what color ink was used in that Sherlock episode. BEAUTIFUL color!
David- question- is your zduofold FP the same as the one places like Cult Pens calls a "Parker Duofold Classic"?
Thank you for very objective reviews on pens. I enjoy them very much. I am a collector of Parker pens. My main collection consists of Duofold ballpoint pens mainly. Now newer models with trim options I am in the dilemma of the traditional gold (yellow) and platinum trims. I know it’s a personal thing but what is your take on it? I am starting to collect and using fountain pens more and more. I value your reviews greatly. Thank you.
Congrats on finally finding your namesake pen.
Thank you very much indeed for this great review. I have been expecting it since the survey was posted. I also like the bit about Sherlock Holmes :D By the way, I thought the International version is also shorter than the Centennial one. I am not so sure.
I've had a parker sonnet cisele for quite awhile now, I'm curious about the differences since the duofold does use a uniquely made nib, even though they are both 18kt
I am between this, and the Pelikan m800. Any thoughts?
So glad you got the ‘Hitchcock’ David.. know that was a grail pen for you! 👍
Very nice review, I will definitely put this pen in my list! But what is your criteria for inking up your pens for review, do you generally try to match ink color with pen color? I really like that ink comparison! Also, I got very curious about that Montblanc you showed! Looking forward to hear that history!
This was a great presentation
Good to know that Parker can at least make a Duofold. I have a Sonnet and it's been quite a let down. These days they try to sell some Sonnets for what a Sailor 1911L goes for. And the Sonnet is tiny. I also own a "51" and a Vacumatic and they're awesome. Really wish Parker would make more awesome pens again and not overcharge for them.
Back when I was a student I had mostly Sheaffers but ended up getting a Parker at some point. Just hated it and this bad memory of it stuck until this day. This one looks really cool and might change my view over the brand if I have the chance to put my fingers on it.
This may be off topic but here in France some stores sell Otto Hutt pens, a brand I didnt know of and that I haven't found any reviews about. These are german made bahaus-style fountain pens and they do look pretty cool. Are you aware of these? Any chance you make a review on of those?
Excellent review! My next big purchase.
May I ask for your advice? Do you know any other pen that has a similar nib to Duofold? This pen is curiously suited for Chinese, better than many asian brands.
I’m only 14 and my vintage 45 is one of the best pens I have
Studyin’Me : when I graduated 8th grade back in 1965 I received a brand new Parker 45. Still have it, still writes well.
Gino Pagnani mine is from c. 1970
Why did you have to say your age? It doesn't matter, does it?
Chromosome Police I don’t know
Studyin’Me sorry if I came off a little harsh, nothing personal.
Pen looks great, I just wish the barrel carving would align with the cap clip. For such an iconic pen this seems to be an oversight.
Well, now I want a Duofold.
How about a review of the original duofold, you had mentioned the ones that you had tried and not liked, all modern, but to understand why they are famous you should try their raisin de etra
Hello, do you still recommend this pen? I found a great deal for under $300.
I do.
@@FigbootonPens Your review really helped! I got mine yesterday and it's just great. I got mine in a different box, a little smaller, but still the Centennial, not the international. Do you think I got a newer model? Should I worry? The ink I'm using is montblanc red fox and it matches quite nice! Thanks again!
Ppl pay over 350 every single day for ur pen. U got a great deal bud.
Do all of the Duofold Centennial pens have the etching on the barrel?
The parker Vector was my first pen that started the FP hobby and use for me.
Did you ever explain why gift pens don't make good pens ? It seemed like you were going somewhere with it but then just started mentioning sherlock holmes
Congrats on getting your grail pen.
That Sherlock scene is equivalents of if he could from fired bullet determine which weapon fired it just by a glance.
At least then you have caliber size etc to narrow it down.. “irridium tip” in a Parker pen that has a nail nib..
That could be any trash dollar store pen and look 100% the same
I got a Parker Vector XL in medium and was very disappointed after it didn't work properly and felt bad to write with...the converter fell apart.
Proud to own the original
Definitely a quality pen. Great review.
How similar to Pilot custom Urushi!?
Nice review, as usual! I really love this pen (but I was already a fan of Duofold) and I am happy I bought it. This Centennial is one of my favourites and I already reviewed it on my channel.
Keep on the good work, showing these brands still make very nice pens like this!
I'm calling it early
PEN REVIEW FOR MONTBLANC ALFRED HITCHCOCK~!
CONGRATS ON GETTING YOUR GRAIL PEN :)
Thanks! The MB will definitely be reviewed. Might be a while, though.
The Alfred Hitchcock looks quiet interesting! I look forward to its story
Actually what Sherlock does is not deduction (using an existing theory/law to either predict or explain a certain outcome) but rather induction; arriving a (general) conclusion/insight/theory through (recurring) observations of reality...
What Sherlock does there is the magic of bad writing.
If a collection is based on "use", why would anyone need more than perhaps 10 pens, a number that would provide almost any nib variety and color ?
Thank you, Chris.
Would you buy this in a fine nib?
What does the Parker Penman Sapphire go for on the second market nowadays?
A lot!
@@FigbootonPens I mean, don’t get me wrong the sheen is nice BUT I feel diamine can compete well. Or even the BSB from Noodler’s Ink.
Nice pen! Nice review!
Have to get one! Thanks
Fun fact. The Big Red was one of the pens General Douglas McArthur used to sign the surrender of Japan at the end of World War II.
Yes, the Parker was his wifes pen.
Sadly the International model was discontinued in 2020
I want to purchase
Update- they don’t use the nice peekaboo box anymore. They just use a generic box. 😑
Love the Duofold. Have both a normal one, black kn resin, and a metal prestige international. The black one medium nib, is gewt for drawing, the prestige is better for my writing as it is quite heavy. These pens give you an awesome, royal like feeling.
May be the video, but the “Big Red” is actually looking orange 🍊
Actually, it has nothing to do with the colour accuracy of the video. "Big Red" is, at least in my eyes, somewhere between orange and red (or maybe leaning more towards orange than red). So it looks orange in a brighter environment, and red if the light is not so powerful.
Nice delta dolce
I'm with you re: Parkers. Earlier in my collecting days, I had the Parker bug (mostly vintage), buying various Vacumatics, 51's etc and some modern Sonnets, and finally Duofold, both International and Centennial sizes ("Greenwich" model). Despite the # of Parkers available to me, they're rarely in use rotation -- with the exception of the two modern Duofolds (especially the Centennial).
I had a Greenwich Centennial model that I traded off years ago, which I regret.
@@peterpuleo2904 I hear you! I almost traded mine off once or twice but before pulling the trigger I used it again and suddenly remembered what a nice pen it is.
You made the right decision. I could KICK myself every time I think of what I did.
Amazon now is below us$200
Hello sir ,great video as always.
Is there any chance for you to do reviw od jinghao x450 and x750? they bout are 7$ on e bay with free shipping.I am so interested in your reviw of those pens that I am willing to buy those pens and send it to you ,if you are interested?
ps.
I found your video about Inks ,thanks for replying to my coment about that ,and it was another great and informative video ,I ordered 4 inks from your picks. :)
Kind regards
Enis
Check out at www.thepenempire.com for more Parker pens
I would say Parker, waterman montblanc for non fountainpen people
I got mine for 400 on Amazon
Lip smak
So scratch 😂
Made in Africa.
Sherlock is so smart, I wonder how he can recognize my wingsung nib by looking at my handwriting