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Thread: Any Parker Challenger fans here?

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    Senior Member penwash's Avatar
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    Default Any Parker Challenger fans here?

    I can't really explain why. But despite the coolness of Vacumatics, Duofolds, 51 top models,
    I kept going back to the humble Parker Challenger. Something about its simplicity and oh very gorgeous materials attracted me.

    My latest one:


    Anybody else have a soft spot for this gem of a pen?
    - Will
    Unique and restored vintage pens: Redeem Pens

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    Senior Member Robert's Avatar
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    Default Re: Any Parker Challenger fans here?

    That's some very nice penmanship.

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    Senior Member penwash's Avatar
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    Default Re: Any Parker Challenger fans here?

    Thank you, Robert. Are you a Parker Challenger fan also?
    - Will
    Unique and restored vintage pens: Redeem Pens

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    Senior Member Robert's Avatar
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    Default Re: Any Parker Challenger fans here?

    Quote Originally Posted by penwash View Post
    Thank you, Robert. Are you a Parker Challenger fan also?
    I've not had any experience with one yet. My Parkers are run-of-the-mill 51's and a 45.

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    Default Re: Any Parker Challenger fans here?

    I have a sea green one with a flexible nib. The clip ball and the cap bands have lost much of their plating.
    Nice pens. However, I prefer 51's, 21's and newer to write with. I try to acquire representative samples of older pens.
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    Senior Member pajaro's Avatar
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    Default Re: Any Parker Challenger fans here?

    Quote Originally Posted by Hawk View Post
    I have a sea green one with a flexible nib. The clip ball and the cap bands have lost much of their plating.
    Nice pens. However, I prefer 51's, 21's and newer to write with. I try to acquire representative samples of older pens.
    That is a very nice representative sample.

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    Hawk (July 15th, 2016)

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    Default Re: Any Parker Challenger fans here?

    I love Challengers! Took me a while since discoloration and unsightly trim-wear abounds in this color, but I finally cobbled together a trio in silver pearl representative of the entire full-size model lineup:





    (l to r): 1. Parker Challenger (early 30s as indicated by the non-visulated section and lack of 'Parker' imprint on the clip, no date code, 1934? perhaps; has a delightful factory stub nib, some flex too!); 2. Parker Deluxe Challenger (1936); 3. Parker Royal Challenger (1937, recently sold an RC set in brown to justify the purchase of this'n).
    Last edited by popcod; July 20th, 2016 at 10:58 AM.
    aka Estragon (FPN); popcodswallop (Reddit)

    WANTED: Vintage Pens with White Trim! –> Sheaffer: OS Balance w/ reverse trim (grey/red vein); Balance (grey/red fleck) | First-Yr Crest (silver cap); Canadian Balance 5-30 (roseglow, ebonized pearl, green) | Waterman: Lady Patricia (persian) | Wahl-Eversharp: Half Coronet (rhodium cap); Doric (Cathay); Skyline (SS/Sterling Cap) | Rebadged Parkers from Diamond Medal and Webster (silver web, pinstripe, etc.)

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    Senior Member penwash's Avatar
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    Default Re: Any Parker Challenger fans here?

    Very cool set of grey marble Challengers.
    - Will
    Unique and restored vintage pens: Redeem Pens

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    Senior Member popcod's Avatar
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    Default Re: Any Parker Challenger fans here?

    Quote Originally Posted by penwash View Post
    Very cool set of grey marble Challengers.
    Thanks! I noticed your comment about having to replace the sheared off nib on your Deluxe for another. I've seen this sort of thing a lot on Challengers (and any other models with the generic "Parker Pen" nibs). These nibs can be surprisingly flexible and expressive. But were I to speculate based on experience with them, I'd say Parker didn't invest as much time/money in the tipping process (when compared to say, Vacs). The iridium on these is quite fragile, breaking off easily when trying to adjust a bent tine and even when writing if the nib has encountered stress in the past. When one side breaks off, people tend to just clip off the other to even them out.

    To my mind, it's actually not a bad solution in some cases. Given the affordability of these nibs and comparatively high cost of re-tipping, a nip and smooth job can save a nib that would otherwise be consigned to the dust/parts bin. It's naturally a last resort (affecting durability, etc.), and it's not too tough to simply procure another nib. But the result can be glassy smooth – if too smooth for some – and lay down a sharp, consistent line if done properly.
    aka Estragon (FPN); popcodswallop (Reddit)

    WANTED: Vintage Pens with White Trim! –> Sheaffer: OS Balance w/ reverse trim (grey/red vein); Balance (grey/red fleck) | First-Yr Crest (silver cap); Canadian Balance 5-30 (roseglow, ebonized pearl, green) | Waterman: Lady Patricia (persian) | Wahl-Eversharp: Half Coronet (rhodium cap); Doric (Cathay); Skyline (SS/Sterling Cap) | Rebadged Parkers from Diamond Medal and Webster (silver web, pinstripe, etc.)

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    Default Re: Any Parker Challenger fans here?

    Some of us like them. Here's a first generation Deluxe Challenger.




    regards

    d
    David R. Isaacson, MD

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    Default Re: Any Parker Challenger fans here?

    A nice red Royal.




    -d
    David R. Isaacson, MD

    http://www.vacumania.com : Sales site for guaranteed, restored collectible pens.

    The Fountain Pen Board /FPnuts : Archived Message Board with focus on vintage.

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    31000 members and growing. World's heftiest daily vintage pen eye candy

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    Default Re: Any Parker Challenger fans here?

    Just restored another Parker Challenger:

    - Will
    Unique and restored vintage pens: Redeem Pens

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    Default Re: Any Parker Challenger fans here?

    Gorgeous! Those challengers sure look great.

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    Default Re: Any Parker Challenger fans here?

    All these thrift time pens have great patterns. Just restored a Moderne, a similarly satisfying pen to work on.
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    Deb
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    Default Re: Any Parker Challenger fans here?

    Quote Originally Posted by Deb View Post
    All these thrift time pens have great patterns. Just restored a Moderne, a similarly satisfying pen to work on.
    I like those Moderne Parker pens. Even though they are produced in the Depression Era, they are excellent quality pens.
    - Will
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    Default Re: Any Parker Challenger fans here?

    More lovely drawings. The plastics in these pens are beautiful.

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    Default Re: Any Parker Challenger fans here?

    I looked at Challengers on ebay. Most looked like they had nib issues. Missing tipping, serious misalignment, apparently sprung, etc. Most had dead sacs. Unless you are lazy and miserly, and unless the pen can't be fixed without restoration and a new nib, why offer pens like that? You are passing on the problems to the next person (read sucker). I would scrutinize these pens carefully.

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    Senior Member penwash's Avatar
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    Default Re: Any Parker Challenger fans here?

    Quote Originally Posted by pajaro View Post
    I looked at Challengers on ebay. Most looked like they had nib issues. Missing tipping, serious misalignment, apparently sprung, etc. Most had dead sacs. Unless you are lazy and miserly, and unless the pen can't be fixed without restoration and a new nib, why offer pens like that? You are passing on the problems to the next person (read sucker). I would scrutinize these pens carefully.
    That describes the bulk of vintage fountain pens sold through ebay, not just Parker Challengers

    Unless the title of the auction says "Restored", always assume that the pen needs some kind of service to be done before you can write with it.
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    Unique and restored vintage pens: Redeem Pens

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    Senior Member Deb's Avatar
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    Default Re: Any Parker Challenger fans here?

    Quote Originally Posted by pajaro View Post
    I looked at Challengers on ebay. Most looked like they had nib issues. Missing tipping, serious misalignment, apparently sprung, etc. Most had dead sacs. Unless you are lazy and miserly, and unless the pen can't be fixed without restoration and a new nib, why offer pens like that? You are passing on the problems to the next person (read sucker). I would scrutinize these pens carefully.
    Those are the kind of pens that I buy. When I'm done with them, they're the pens that you want.
    Regards,
    Deb
    My Blog

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    Default Re: Any Parker Challenger fans here?

    Quote Originally Posted by Deb View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by pajaro View Post
    I looked at Challengers on ebay. Most looked like they had nib issues. Missing tipping, serious misalignment, apparently sprung, etc. Most had dead sacs. Unless you are lazy and miserly, and unless the pen can't be fixed without restoration and a new nib, why offer pens like that? You are passing on the problems to the next person (read sucker). I would scrutinize these pens carefully.
    Those are the kind of pens that I buy. When I'm done with them, they're the pens that you want.
    Ooh, that's good! That should be a tagline for vintage pen restorers everywhere.
    - Will
    Unique and restored vintage pens: Redeem Pens

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