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View Full Version : P51 Alternative with awesome OBB nib...



tandaina
August 13th, 2013, 12:53 PM
So everyone loves the P51. Even I (who normally have little affection for American pens) love the P51. But for whatever reason Americans at the time either only used Fine nibs, or Parker just THOUGHT they only used fine nibs. Finding the big huge broad or italic nibs I like? Hah.

After missing out on a ton of Greg Minuskin stubbed P51s and wishing, wishing that my beloved Pelikan would have a P51 would a big old stubby nib... I remembered the P1. (Yeah I can be a little slow to catch on.) :pound: Piston filler, hooded nib, sleek and modern. Even available with P51esque metal caps. And the nibs? Can't swing a cat without hitting one with a big fancy nib. (Though I'd never swing a cat, that's cruel.)

So I hit eBay and found quite a few for sale. Won a nicely priced auction for a burgundy/plum with a chrome cap, an OBB nib, a good piston seal... and the STICKER still in place. :jaw: Got the darn thing for just over $50. Which seems like a good price for what frankly feels like a nicely upgraded P51.

I've been using it beside my trust OB Lamy 99 this week and loving them both. The Pelikan nib is nicely behaved, stubbish, smooth as silk, and oblique (so my grip is happy as I twist my pens ever so slightly counterclockwise).

Writing sample and pen shot:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7346/9504950350_155e78c60e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/84377112@N05/9504950350/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/84377112@N05/9504950350/) by JoAndRoses (http://www.flickr.com/people/84377112@N05/), on Flickr

I don't own pens I don't ink so this NOS pen is inked and in use. But I haven't been able to make myself rub the sticker off yet...
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2866/9502158345_f2da2e6dea_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/84377112@N05/9502158345/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/84377112@N05/9502158345/) by JoAndRoses (http://www.flickr.com/people/84377112@N05/), on Flickr

The nib in question:
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2833/9504955502_1a92137893_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/84377112@N05/9504955502/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/84377112@N05/9504955502/) by JoAndRoses (http://www.flickr.com/people/84377112@N05/), on Flickr

Double jewel? Really nicely done. All details thought out, end jewel balanced with chrome, top has jewel that matches barrel, etc.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7372/9504963044_c8e67d3bb5_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/84377112@N05/9504963044/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/84377112@N05/9504963044/) by JoAndRoses (http://www.flickr.com/people/84377112@N05/), on Flickr

It is a very light pen, slender and comfortable to hold. Nearly weightless to write with. And because it is threaded JUST below the nib those who like a higher hold on their pen will have NO section jump or threads to bite into their hands. I'm not sure why more hooded nib pens don't do this, it works amazingly well and creates a lovely long uninterrupted barrel that is both comfortable and elegant. Just about any grip but a death grip right at the hooded nib will find this pen smooth and uninterrupted under their hands.

I'm told these came with rolled gold caps as well and I'm sorely temped to look for an OB or OM with the rolled gold cap. Finally, I've got my German P51 with piston fill AND the big nib I love. This is why I love pen collecting, there really is something to fit everyone. And I'm posting a review today to remind myself how abundantly blessed I am with awesome pens to enjoy, instead of lamenting waiting ANOTHER day for my Nakaya. ;) Redirection, works for dogs and people!

Jeph
August 13th, 2013, 01:44 PM
Nice! Even here in Germany the P1's command a good price, and especially one in that good of shape, and moreso with that nib.
Congratulations!

tandaina
August 13th, 2013, 01:55 PM
I'm discovering that Jeph! Certainly the varieties with the gold cap are a good deal more expensive. Feeling even more lucky about this one now that I'm considering another.

fncll
August 13th, 2013, 02:18 PM
$50!? That's a steal. Congratulations.

tandaina
August 13th, 2013, 02:32 PM
I went back and looked up the auction, it was $60. :P Which is I suppose just over $50. Still a steal. This happens to me once every four or five months or so that an eBay auction will have NO bids, I put in a starting bid at a few minutes out and win the thing. No one else ever bids, and they always turn out to be beautiful pens, the photos on this auction were even good but it was shipping from South America so maybe that scared folks off?

KrazyIvan
August 13th, 2013, 02:54 PM
Congrats, definitely a steal!

fountainpenkid
August 15th, 2013, 09:31 PM
I have one with an OM nib and it is amazing. More fun than the P51 IMO. The "portholes" add a lot of interest to the design.

Jon Szanto
August 15th, 2013, 10:03 PM
So everyone loves the P51.
Not me.

Now you've piqued my curiosity. Not nice for a... person in your line of work! :)

Honey Mustard
August 15th, 2013, 11:45 PM
Would you happen to remember what ink you were writing with? It's a gorgeous shade, especially with that barrel color.

tandaina
August 16th, 2013, 07:38 AM
That's Noodler's Australian Roses! 😊

earthdawn
August 16th, 2013, 05:50 PM
Besides wanting a Snorkel ... Now you make me need to get a P51

VERY nice score ... LOVE that fat juicy nib !

Congrats

Honey Mustard
August 16th, 2013, 05:55 PM
That's Noodler's Australian Roses! ��
Wow, really? Mine looks nothing like that :( I think I may have actually gotten rid of my bottle, I'll have to look around for it.

AtomicLeo
August 18th, 2013, 07:40 PM
A very nice find. This is one vintage pen I had not heard about before. I love the P51s but have been looking into Aurora 88 and now this as possible future pen buys.