A Faux-ntain Pen For Eveyone
Parker just released their newest writing instrument called the Ingenuity
What this pen is exactly, is a spring-loaded, felt tip refill hiding under a faux nib. It comes in two sizes and six different finishes and starts at $160. I hope you weren’t taking a drink of anything when you read that last part because it’s probably now all over your monitor. Oh, and the refills
My first problem with it is the way it looks. Seeing that little nub poke out from the front of the “nib” almost makes me sick. And, the design of the “nib” itself isn’t doing it any favors. Then there’s the price. $160-190?! Who are they marketing this to? This is a pen I expect to see from a cheap, knock-off Asian producer, not Parker, a company who’s responsible for the DUOFOLD.
Don’t get me wrong. I can totally see the practicality behind it. You’re getting “the classic beauty of the fountain pen, the smoothness and precision of the rollerball, the ease and longevity of the ball point pen and the smudge-free, fluid experience of the porous point” all in a convenient, no mess refill. But it’s also pretending to be something it’s not, you’re losing the fun of using a real fountain pen (especially if equipped with a stub!), and your ink color choices are drastically limited.
Parker should have released this pen at the $50 price point and flooded all the Staples, Office Max, and Office Depots with it. Not that I’d buy one anyway. Now, excuse me while I put on my Porsche hat and jacket and get into my Honda.
NEW YORK, Oct. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ – An innovative new writing system is set to revolutionize the look and feel of putting pen to paper by creating a one-of-a kind pen that is as beautiful to use as it is to look at. The innovation consists of a cutting-edge refill tip and an engraved metallic hood that together, constitute the newest technology in pens.
By combining consumers’ favorite features of each of the four current writing modes; the classic beauty of the fountain pen, the smoothness and precision of the rollerball, the ease and longevity of the ball point pen and the smudge-free, fluid experience of the porous point, researchers have developed the cutting edge 5th Technology and created an innovative arsenal of pens dubbed the Parker Ingenuity Collection; the benefits of which include:
- A smart glide tip that immediately adjusts to your personal writing style
- Ink designed to produce a vivid, clear script and prevent hand-smudging
- A simple, clean refill process with a tip designed to maximize cap-off time and eliminate ink leaks induced by pressure, impact and temperature
The new writing system from Parker Pens is a technological breakthrough and a must-have example of contemporary accessories. The Parker Ingenuity Collection has two categories, Classic and Daring, both available in two sizes and in six different finishes for a total of twelve options to suit any personal style. The daring collection draws from the latest trends in the watch, jewelry and cosmetic industries while the classic collection continues the tradition of timeless elegance.
Jean-Charles HITA, Global President of the Parker brand says, “Parker Pens has been changing people’s lives through its innovations in the fine writing category for more than 120 years. Now we are doing it again. Combining style with technology, Parker offers a solution for those who have not yet entered the world of fine writing pens, but once tried; they will definitely become fans forever!”
From the innovative 5th Technology exclusive to the elegant Parker Ingenuity Collection emerges a form of pen that combines modern thinking with fine design. The emerging generation won’t have to choose between fashion and functionality – now they can have both.
The Parker Ingenuity Collections range from $160 -$190 and are available at fine pen shops and specialty retailers nationwide.
SOURCE Parker Pens
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Soon to be featured at 99¢ Only Stores coast to coast!
That Parker strives to be ingenious is admirable. When they try to sell their errors for 160 bucks? Shame on you, Parker. But thank you for giving us the Edsel of writing instruments.
I was trying to figure out what this was – it looks like a porous tip refill under a fountain pen nib… which doesn't make a lot of sense in my head… and.. it is?!
So where does the fountain pen part come into it? Is the grip just styled to look like one? Surely not. There must be a fountain pen ink component or something to it?
The advert had me intrigued, but it sounds like it's no different to my Mont Blanc Starwalker Fineliner (although it's refills are $13 so maybe I'll switch to parker and save $5 a pop) so I'll stick with what I love.
Thanks for the review!
You're absolutely right, this pen doesn't make a lot of sense. The only fountain pen aspect of this pen is that it has a fake nib covering the fineliner tip. Honestly, I'd stick with the Montblanc too.
This pen is a big fail by Parker!
I have used a Parker Ingenuity for the past month and it is the smoothest non fountain pen that I have used and particularly good at taking notes at speed (which I have to do in my job). If you can get over the fact that it is not a fountain pen you actually have a very good pen. If you can't then that is your loss.
I don't have anything wrong with a fine-liner. What I have a problem with is Parker putting a fake nib over it for whatever reason they chose to do so.
Some form of cowling was perhaps necessary for the spring-loaded mechanism. Why not a nib? You might interest some people in trying the real thing.
Having never seen one in person, this is entirely a wild guess, though.
And I have a problem with any pen that takes a $2-20 refill retailing for more than 20 bucks, unless it’s festooned in diamonds and gold.
I got a review model, so I was at no time seething with rage at the cost while examining it; it’s somewhat over-weight, has a slight problem with a step in the barrel, but it is as smooth as a fountain pen. Refill cost (and, if this thing sells as well as the old Liquid Lead things did, availability) is a serious concern. I suspect that people who don’t actually comprehend the difference between the various forms of pens formulated a design based on the “Expert Questionaires” Parker and Waterman utter now and then; “People will pay $100 – $200 for a pen with a fountain pen style nib. So now we have a price point and a design element!”
I think it’s a little expensive and I agree that it will never replace my fountain pen but it is much better and as reliable than any rollerball or ballpoint pen and it has replaced both of mine. It’s smooth and reliable enough for me not to miss using a fountain pen when I can’t use it.
Does it come in faux-fine, faux-medium and faux-broad points?
I don’t think there are broad refills yet. At least not at my pen store.
Only fine and medium. With the usage the medium point ends as a broad.
I’m using the Ingenuity 3 weeks ago. The refill only last that time, just 21 days, and is really expensive at $8. Mine is the Brown Rubber and Metal Chrome Trim. A very nice design and color.
My main concern about this $190 pen it’s the manufacture quality. Mine with just 3 week of normal usage, already have a small hole (1 mm) in the edge of its bottom rubber covering. And it seems that the diameter will increase in the future or appear in other parts.
The writing experience is overall good, especially for me (left handed, the ink dries instantly). When the refill is new, a non expert could believe the writing as if it’s made with a fountain pen.