Parker Vector - $14.95

My first fountain pen was a blue plastic Parker I owned when I was a freshman in college in 1971. I remembered what the pen looked like with its steel faux blind cap, so a few years ago I searched for photos that matched my memory. I discovered it was a Parker Vector, though 1971 doesn't seem to jive with the Vector production years. Well, my pen memory matched the Vector photos. Once I had discovered the model name, I bought a P.O.S. N.O.S. blue Vector on Amazon, looked at it, put it in my pen cabinet and put it out of mind. By the way, they are $14.95 today.

Today, I had the opportunity to try an experimental ink I was sent from a fellow Geek, so out came the Vector for the first time. Oh, what cheap construction! The threads are molded plastic against thin stamped steel. But look at the luxury! My original pen had only cartridges, but this new Vector comes with a piston converter! Well, the converter is of dubious construction, with a floppy piston that is pulled out and pushed in (instead of a screw). Nonetheless, I'm glad I have it, because I gave away all my cartridges.

So I put the end of the converter into the vial, dragged the piston up with a fingernail until I had a fill, and inserted the converter into the section. For good measure, I primed the feed by dipping the nib into the vial and pushed and pulled the converter piston several times. After replacing the barrel and posting the cap that fits onto the faux blind cap, I write....

Goodness, the Vector works! IT WORKS! And the cheap little F steel nib isn't half bad, either. I could use this pen. I could write with it...until it stops. And so I shall. But I don't plan to start collecting these.

Attachment 43562Attachment 43563Attachment 43564

I used the retailer's photos because my nighttime iPhone photos don't do it justice.

I remember the Vector fondly... still a great starter pen.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I still have my black Vector with medium and italic nib units.

I found one of those in an ebay lot. Wondered what it was.

I probably screwed the barrel onto the section too tightly for its soft plastic, an easy thing to do, so the barrel has already cracked. Did I get what I paid for?

Attachment 44867

:cry: I just wanted a bit of nostalgia to remember my first fountain pen!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FredRydr

I probably screwed the barrel onto the section too tightly for its soft plastic, an easy thing to do, so the barrel has already cracked. Did I get what I paid for?

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Of course! This isn't "precious resin" we're talking about. A bit of super glue and it will be as good as new!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by carlos.q

A bit of super glue and it will be as good as new!

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Nope. Superglue didn't stick to this plastic, and after I stopped applying pressure, the crack separated and I can see the light of day through it.

I think I'll give the crack some respect.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FredRydr

Quote:

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Originally Posted by carlos.q

A bit of super glue and it will be as good as new!

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Nope. Superglue didn't stick to this plastic, and after I stopped applying pressure, the crack separated and I can see the light of day through it.

I think I'll give the crack some respect.

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Epoxy perhaps? :noidea:

There are many who actually collect these pens seriously.

They have never been on my radar.

Vectors are decent pens, I used them in the late 80s and 90s (rollerball and FP)
I have a couple and the quality has decreased in the last batches.....

PS (2022) I have a Vector F in the rotation and is great for traveling, as it doesn;t leak on airplanes

The new Vectors are selling for $28, not a bad price
https://www.parkerpen.com/vector-xl-pens.html

https://s7d9.scene7.com/is/image/New...-alpha&wid=800

My wife has a 40 y/o red Vector with a crack in the barrel but she will not stop using it and every so often I have to refill her cartridge with Royal Blue ink. I don't like it one bit. It's too thin and the plastic does not feel good in the hand. The writing point is nice though.

Was never a fan of these pens, for my money they are just too primitive.

But then what do I know.................

If you really interested, they can be bought on ebay for pennies if you have patience.

A short time ago I actually bought two trays of earlier NOS ones, the cost was £2 per pen

The Vector is probably a step up from the Scripto provided for me by the school, or some Sheaffer cartridge pens provided. I still have a Vector ballpoint, and it's not bad. I always have found the clip interesting.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FredRydr

I probably screwed the barrel onto the section too tightly for its soft plastic, an easy thing to do, so the barrel has already cracked. Did I get what I paid for?

Attachment 44867

:cry: I just wanted a bit of nostalgia to remember my first fountain pen!

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Ah, the pleasure of finding a duplicate of that first pen! But, ouch!

Off topic........sorry

Speaking of cheap pens..............

The P51 remake is now being offered for £38 delivered on Amazon UK

Personally I think it is a steal............amazing value


https://www.amazon.co.uk/Parker-Foun...38&sr=8-5&th=1


I pay £65 - £75 for the first issues, they are hardly like the original but thought that they were cleverly engineered.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by proteus

Off topic........sorry

Speaking of cheap pens..............

The P51 remake is now being offered for £38 delivered on Amazon UK

Personally I think it is a steal............amazing value


https://www.amazon.co.uk/Parker-Foun...38&sr=8-5&th=1


I pay £65 - £75 for the first issues, they are hardly like the original but thought that they were cleverly engineered.

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So, the 51 Nouveau is a good pen? Just when I have decided to buy no more pens.