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Thread: Any info on the Parker 61?

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    Default Any info on the Parker 61?

    Hi y’all, I recently jumped at the opportunity to get this 61. It seems to be in relatively nice condition but I’d love some insight from the knowledgable folks here. I got this for about $60, is this usually the going price for these? The teflon coating at the back seems to be peeling off and I’d love some advice on how to mitigate or fix this. Pictures attached below!



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    FPG Donor ♕ Chrissy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Any info on the Parker 61?

    This latest thread about a Parker 61 pen gives some information about the filling mechanism. The teflon coating peeling off the filler isn't going to make much difference and it can't be recoated anyway. The only likely issue will be how to clean out that filler so that the pen will fill with ink.
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    Default Re: Any info on the Parker 61?

    Penmainiac

    Nice looking P61 FP.

    Having looked at your first image, is the cloth on the end of the capillary cell red/pink in colour ?
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    Default Re: Any info on the Parker 61?

    Quote Originally Posted by proteus View Post
    Penmainiac

    Nice looking P61 FP.

    Having looked at your first image, is the cloth on the end of the capillary cell red/pink in colour ?
    Yes it is, I believe this marks this as unfilled correct?


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    Default Re: Any info on the Parker 61?

    It has not been used at all.

    Others have white cloth


    To most P61 collectors that makes it quite a prize.
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    Default Re: Any info on the Parker 61?

    I just got two Parker 61s in a beat-up, dirty-looking ebay lot -- so they were a something of a surprise. So far they both seem to be working....and seemed to have filled like they were supposed to.... so I am joining this conversation.
    JBBPensPaper an Etsy store

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    Default Re: Any info on the Parker 61?

    Quote Originally Posted by proteus View Post
    It has not been used at all.

    Others have white cloth


    To most P61 collectors that makes it quite a prize.
    Fascinating. How different would it look if it had only been filled with a bright red ink?
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Default Re: Any info on the Parker 61?

    Chrissy,

    Great reply.

    The cloth would change.

    ( at x20 mag the hairs in the cloth will sit flatter )

    Was told once, the devil is in the detail..........

    Most who have seen alot of NOS P61's would recognise the difference



    jbb,

    Most think these pens are tricky to use.

    They are not.

    Simple maintenance is all that is needed, if you have a good one to start with.
    Last edited by proteus; December 10th, 2020 at 02:00 PM.

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    Default Re: Any info on the Parker 61?

    Quote Originally Posted by proteus View Post
    Chrissy,

    Great reply.

    The cloth would change.

    ( at x20 mag the hairs in the cloth will sit flatter )

    Was told once, the devil is in the detail..........

    Most who have seen alot of NOS P61's would recognise the difference



    jbb,

    Most think these pens are tricky to use.

    They are not.

    Simple maintenance is all that is needed, if you have a good one to start with.
    Just out of curiosity, would the cloth in the filler of the 61 ever need changing? Would it eventually become too soaked to function? I think that these capillary fillers are quite the marvel but how durable and long lasting are they?


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    Default Re: Any info on the Parker 61?

    I should rework the 61 article. There is a lot if interesting things about the white then pinkish red then white again fiber disc.

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    Default Re: Any info on the Parker 61?

    Quote Originally Posted by proteus View Post
    Chrissy,

    Great reply.

    The cloth would change.

    ( at x20 mag the hairs in the cloth will sit flatter )

    Was told once, the devil is in the detail..........

    Most who have seen alot of NOS P61's would recognise the difference



    jbb,

    Most think these pens are tricky to use.

    They are not.

    Simple maintenance is all that is needed, if you have a good one to start with.
    Thank you for the information. As long as the maintenance doesn't extend to giving one a clean in a USC, then it might remain simple. I remember Ron Zorn once saying the arrow can come off if you sneeze, but it is much more likely to come off in a USC. Despite what people say I don't believe it's ever replaceable to the original standard once it falls off.
    The arrow and the filler are the two things that I always disliked about the Parker 61 and I would never wish to own one.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Senior Member guyy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Any info on the Parker 61?

    Quote Originally Posted by Chrissy View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by proteus View Post
    Chrissy,

    Great reply.

    The cloth would change.

    ( at x20 mag the hairs in the cloth will sit flatter )

    Was told once, the devil is in the detail..........

    Most who have seen alot of NOS P61's would recognise the difference



    jbb,

    Most think these pens are tricky to use.

    They are not.

    Simple maintenance is all that is needed, if you have a good one to start with.
    Thank you for the information. As long as the maintenance doesn't extend to giving one a clean in a USC, then it might remain simple. I remember Ron Zorn once saying the arrow can come off if you sneeze, but it is much more likely to come off in a USC. Despite what people say I don't believe it's ever replaceable to the original standard once it falls off.
    The arrow and the filler are the two things that I always disliked about the Parker 61 and I would never wish to own one.
    I like the filler and at least the arrow looks good while it’s there. It tells you where the nib is too. The shrinking & cracky plastic is the worst feature of the 61. If only it had been lucite...

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    Default Re: Any info on the Parker 61?

    Quote Originally Posted by guyy View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Chrissy View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by proteus View Post
    Chrissy,

    Great reply.

    The cloth would change.

    ( at x20 mag the hairs in the cloth will sit flatter )

    Was told once, the devil is in the detail..........

    Most who have seen alot of NOS P61's would recognise the difference



    jbb,

    Most think these pens are tricky to use.

    They are not.

    Simple maintenance is all that is needed, if you have a good one to start with.
    Thank you for the information. As long as the maintenance doesn't extend to giving one a clean in a USC, then it might remain simple. I remember Ron Zorn once saying the arrow can come off if you sneeze, but it is much more likely to come off in a USC. Despite what people say I don't believe it's ever replaceable to the original standard once it falls off.
    The arrow and the filler are the two things that I always disliked about the Parker 61 and I would never wish to own one.
    I like the filler and at least the arrow looks good while it’s there. It tells you where the nib is too. The shrinking & cracky plastic is the worst feature of the 61. If only it had been lucite...
    That filler is good enough if you only use one ink colour, but it's not great if you like to change ink colours every week. LOL
    Last edited by Chrissy; December 11th, 2020 at 02:23 PM.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Default Re: Any info on the Parker 61?

    Farmboy,

    ( I should rework the 61 article. There is a lot if interesting things about the white then pinkish red then white again fiber disc. )

    I would be very interested to hear anything about the fibre disc 's development.

    A brief precise would be fine.
    Or just correct the below please


    My basic knowledge is that from 1956 - 1963 Arrow Park pens were white
    ( Have no idea about post 1963 USA pens.)
    1963 - 1969 Newhaven ones had pink red discs.
    Never seen a NOS Newhaven made pen with a white disc.

    __________________________________________________ __


    penmainiac

    I am sure that the disc can be replaced, I have never attempted it or wanted to.

    It is vastly easier to replace a defective capillary cell with one that has function.

    As longevity, a good well looked after one.......... a lifetime or so it seems
    Last edited by proteus; December 11th, 2020 at 11:43 AM.

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    Default Re: Any info on the Parker 61?

    Update: I’ve been writing with the 61 for a couple of days now and I’ve noticed something peculiar... the nib seems to have an interesting amount of flex with little pressure, especially on the down strokes. Is it supposed to be like that?


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    Default Re: Any info on the Parker 61?

    The only reason I ever bought a 61 was the capillary filler. Mine has "MADE IN ENGLAND" on the presumably rolled gold cap. After flushing the pen with a rubber ear syringe, the pen wrote well. It has been interesting.

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    Default Re: Any info on the Parker 61?

    Quote Originally Posted by penmainiac View Post
    Update: I’ve been writing with the 61 for a couple of days now and I’ve noticed something peculiar... the nib seems to have an interesting amount of flex with little pressure, especially on the down strokes. Is it supposed to be like that?


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    If a 61 nib is flexing I think you might be pressing to hard.

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    Default Re: Any info on the Parker 61?

    Quote Originally Posted by Farmboy View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by penmainiac View Post
    Update: I’ve been writing with the 61 for a couple of days now and I’ve noticed something peculiar... the nib seems to have an interesting amount of flex with little pressure, especially on the down strokes. Is it supposed to be like that?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    If a 61 nib is flexing I think you might be pressing to hard.
    This^^^^ These small Parker hooded nibs aren't known for their flexible qualities.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Senior Member penmainiac's Avatar
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    Default Re: Any info on the Parker 61?

    Quote Originally Posted by Chrissy View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Farmboy View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by penmainiac View Post
    Update: I’ve been writing with the 61 for a couple of days now and I’ve noticed something peculiar... the nib seems to have an interesting amount of flex with little pressure, especially on the down strokes. Is it supposed to be like that?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    If a 61 nib is flexing I think you might be pressing to hard.
    This^^^^ These small Parker hooded nibs aren't known for their flexible qualities.
    Exactly why I’m sort of bewildered. I use normal writing pressure and even with minimal pressure the pen’s nib is still very flexy. Of course I’m not talking about noodler’s ahab flex, its more of a soft bounce that tends to make the line wetter.


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    Default Re: Any info on the Parker 61?

    I read the comments above with interest - P61C 's.

    Personally I think penmainiac is right.



    Writing with any pen is very personal encounter.

    We all write differently.

    The way he hold a pen ( the angle ) and the pressure applied.


    Very recently I fitted an NOS Medium OB nib to a NOS P61 Mk III - it did have flex.
    I recommend he used Quink Solv X ink

    Wrote beautifully



    It was for another Parker collector who loved it.
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