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Thread: Italix Parson's Essential - Amber

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    Senior Member Annie's Avatar
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    Default Italix Parson's Essential - Amber

    At a recent geek gathering I was allowed to play with a dear friend's pen. His had a medium italic nib and I was impressed. Once home, I ordered my own from Mr Pen. It showed up this morning.

    This pen came in an understated black box with a nice little instruction leaflet and fitted with a cartridge converter plus a standard international cartridge that I instantly tossed in a drawer.

    The first thing that strikes me about this pen is the quality of the finish which to me looks fabulous. There's enough bling to keep me happy but not so much that I'm going to feel silly taking it out of my handbag. The amber finish is light coloured but with enough depth to it that I don't feel it's cheap or going to look dull in a couple of months.

    The converter looked to be the 'weak link,' shouting I'M FROM CHINA, so I was instantly suspicious. I was wrong, so far on that, it seats well into the section and I have been using this pen all day and so far, no leaks and flawless ink delivery.

    Some stats for you:

    140mm capped length
    36.5gms weight (filled) As an 'aside', my TWSBI 540 weighs in at 23.1gms (filled.)

    A really 'up close and personal' inspection of the nib shows some slight scuffing to the top surface. At this price (a gnats whisker over 47 quid) I really don't care. Also worth noting was that there was some mis-allignment of the nib and feed, easily corrected with my thumb nail. Again, for the money, do I care? Not much.

    I juiced it up with Diamine Syrah and got busy with the cheapest, naffest paper I could find that lurked in my printer and I was impressed. I don't post pens but I tried this beastie both posted and unposted and in my small hands, it felt good to write with at speed for two sides of naff printer paper.

    Let's talk about the nib...

    Mine is a 1.3mm italic. Rather confusingly, it says on the outer sleeve that the nib is marked M but has been ground and polished to a broad italic 1.3mm. Instantly I'm questioning how a medium can become a broad? Did the nib fairy visit and glue on a little extra? Nope, that's not it. This nib has no tipping that I can see so has been ground and polished to an exact 1.3mm. I don't know how long this nib will last but honestly, for this kind of money, I don't mind. This is not a pen I will use all day every day so in two years or five years when the nib is beyond fun, I'll replace the nib or replace the pen.

    Summary: A well balanced pen with a great finish in a stonkingly huge choice of nibs. The nib is exactly what it claims to be and is buttery smooth right out of the box.

    For those who like to see what their 47 quid buys them, here's some pictures...
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

    http://www.etsy.com/shop/peachez


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    FPG Donor ♕ KrazyIvan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Italix Parson's Essential - Amber

    I know I really enjoy mine. It does not stay out of rotation for too long before it is inked again.
    Fountain Pen Sith Lord | Daakusaido | Everything in one spot

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    Senior Member Annie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Italix Parson's Essential - Amber

    Quote Originally Posted by KrazyIvan View Post
    I know I really enjoy mine. It does not stay out of rotation for too long before it is inked again.
    What flavour nib do you have?
    Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

    http://www.etsy.com/shop/peachez


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    Senior Member writingrav's Avatar
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    Default Re: Italix Parson's Essential - Amber

    I liked mine so much ( medium oblique) that I recently ordered and received the Parson's Prescriptor and the Captain's Commission. Also very pleased. One with a broad italic the other a cursive italic
    To continue to diminish the place of the handwritten in our lives is to diminish, in a small but real way, our humanity. Philip Hensher

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    Senior Member migo984's Avatar
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    Default Re: Italix Parson's Essential - Amber

    I have the black finish with a M nib & the burgundy finish with F nib. Both are silky smooth, juicy writers. The lacquered finish sits well on the brass (?) body.
    I've had the black one for about 15 months & it's performed well. I use it a lot. No problems with the converter. Only had one issue; the clip came loose. Peter Ford at Mr Pen replaced the cap within two days with no fuss.
    These pens are exceptional value for money.

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    FPG Donor ♕ KrazyIvan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Italix Parson's Essential - Amber

    Quote Originally Posted by Annie View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by KrazyIvan View Post
    I know I really enjoy mine. It does not stay out of rotation for too long before it is inked again.
    What flavour nib do you have?
    It is the first generation M italic. My hand written review was posted here: http://inktronics.wordpress.com/2012/09/03/158617409/


    Italix Parson's Essential by IvanRomero, on Flickr
    Fountain Pen Sith Lord | Daakusaido | Everything in one spot

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    Annie (January 9th, 2014), cwent2 (January 8th, 2014)

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    Senior Member kaisnowbird's Avatar
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    Default Re: Italix Parson's Essential - Amber

    I have a Fine Italic in black. It's lacquer coating is showing some signs of ageing after only 1 year though. I say ageing, because it certainly isn't wearing - it's one of my occasional writers and only get inked for a few days every two months.

    I really like your amber though -- it's so much prettier than the picture they show online.
    Kai

    "Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished." -- Lao Tzu


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    Default Re: Italix Parson's Essential - Amber

    Hi Annie,

    Great review of this great value and good looking pen.

    Due to us having been shown that amber pen by our common friend during the Geeks London gathering I, too, took the plunge and ordered a green Italix Parson's.

    It is a beautiful green colour which goes very well with the ink I am using at the moment: Montblanc Irish Green. Happy to show it to you at our next month's gathering.

    As to the nib I also ordered a Bold Italic which is keeping me happy with the juicy writing it produces. As you say in a couple of years if the nib wears off, one can always order another one.

    One extra piece of information, according to Peter from Italix, although the pen is made in the Far East the nib comes from Germany.

    Kind regards,

    Rui

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    Senior Member Annie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Italix Parson's Essential - Amber

    Quote Originally Posted by RuiFromUK View Post
    Hi Annie,

    Great review of this great value and good looking pen.

    Due to us having been shown that amber pen by our common friend during the Geeks London gathering I, too, took the plunge and ordered a green Italix Parson's.

    It is a beautiful green colour which goes very well with the ink I am using at the moment: Montblanc Irish Green. Happy to show it to you at our next month's gathering.

    As to the nib I also ordered a Bold Italic which is keeping me happy with the juicy writing it produces. As you say in a couple of years if the nib wears off, one can always order another one.

    One extra piece of information, according to Peter from Italix, although the pen is made in the Far East the nib comes from Germany.

    Kind regards,

    Rui
    I did wonder if the nib was German and was going to phone today and ask so you saved me a call. Yes, do bring it along...
    Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

    http://www.etsy.com/shop/peachez


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    Default Re: Italix Parson's Essential - Amber

    Actually, on the Parson's Essential page it says:

    Quality nib made on German machinery
    Which could mean that it's still made in the Far East but using German tools. Obviously if someone has spoken to him directly then that's better information.

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    FPG Donor ♕ KrazyIvan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Italix Parson's Essential - Amber

    Just by looking at the feed I would guess it is a Schmidt nib.
    Fountain Pen Sith Lord | Daakusaido | Everything in one spot

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    Default Re: Italix Parson's Essential - Amber

    Oh, you people are naughty enablers. Rui, that green looks gorgeous. Must resist, bank manager demands that I resist ...

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    Default Re: Italix Parson's Essential - Amber

    Hi all

    I just got my 1mm (medium) Italic in blue. It's a beautiful pen and it has a nice weight to it (uncapped). However I find it very wet, almost to the point where there's no line variation.
    How would I try to make it drier, is that even possible?

    Or maybe I just expected more line variation? I'll show a sample and a photo of the pen tomorrow.

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    Senior Member AndyT's Avatar
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    Default Re: Italix Parson's Essential - Amber

    Quote Originally Posted by flaviocu View Post
    ... I find it very wet, almost to the point where there's no line variation. How would I try to make it drier, is that even possible?
    What ink are you using?

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    Senior Member 85AKbN's Avatar
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    Default Re: Italix Parson's Essential - Amber

    I have a P.E. coming and got my tracking number e-mail right away after the order went through. I still can't figure out how Mr. Ford got the USPS tracking number as he's shipping from the UK. Pretty neat.

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    Junior Member Perrins57's Avatar
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    Default Re: Italix Parson's Essential - Amber

    Quote Originally Posted by KrazyIvan View Post
    Just by looking at the feed I would guess it is a Schmidt nib.
    I think the nibs come from here - http://meisternibs.com - The engraving on the nibs is the same, just without the Italix that is obviously added later.

    I have an Amber Parsons in fine cursive stub and the Black Presciptor in broad italic. Good value for money, smooth nibs. Love the weight of these pens. These were the first two fountain pens I bought (apart from an old Parker 25 I've had for decades)
    My only regret was that I should of had standard nibs. The fine cursive stub lays down a bit too much ink for my writing when used in a 6mm ruled notebook. And I prefer trying italic writing with a specific italic pen with a sharper cut nib. But that's my fault not the pens. Well done Mr Pen for offering such a range of nib cuts at no extra cost. The thing is you don't need to order a fancy nib just because you can, I will get a standard extra fine nib for my Parsons, and a standard broad for the Prescriptor direct from Meisternibs at some point in the future.

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    FPG Donor ♕ KrazyIvan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Italix Parson's Essential - Amber

    Quote Originally Posted by AndyT View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by flaviocu View Post
    ... I find it very wet, almost to the point where there's no line variation. How would I try to make it drier, is that even possible?
    What ink are you using?
    and paper.
    Fountain Pen Sith Lord | Daakusaido | Everything in one spot

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    Default Re: Italix Parson's Essential - Amber

    I was using Diamine Imperial Purple on Elco Prestige paper (which I use frequently and is very good). I made a comparision between three stub/italic pens I have:

    - The Parson 1mm Italic
    - TWSBI 1.1mm Stub
    - Lamy 1.5mm Italic

    The result is shown in the picture (the drop is from the Parson, green + purple, I didn't see where it actually came from, it's after I cleaned the pen)

    20140109_TWSBI_vs_LAMY_vs_Parson.png

    It seems that the Irish Green Ink is dryer, however the Parson does not make a thin-line as thin as the TWSBI or Lamy. I expected a "italic" nib to make sharper edges than the stubs I already have. I'm happy if there's anything I could do to get that. If not, it's not a tragedy, I still like the pen.

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    Senior Member AndyT's Avatar
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    Default Re: Italix Parson's Essential - Amber

    Aha. I don't know the specific ink, but the paper is familiar (and excellent). I generally reckon that most Diamine inks write a little on the wet side, but certainly not absurdly so. My guess would be that the nib profile is very much of the cursive sort, designed to optimise the writing experience at the expense of a little line variation. That would explain why Italix pens enjoy such a reputation for smoothness.

    From what I hear, Mr Pen is a very obliging sort of chap who would be happy to grind a crisp italic for you if you state your requirements. Were it my pen I'd be inclined to keep the existing nib and buy a second unit.

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    Senior Member 85AKbN's Avatar
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    Default Re: Italix Parson's Essential - Amber

    Got my Italix Parson's Essential (fine nib) a couple of hours ago, inked her up with Noodler's black. I can't believe it's 35 grams / 1.2 oz. Dosen't feel heavy whatsoever. Writes fine unposted. Came with the celtic knot design. I like the fine nib - smooth, and it is a wet writer, which I like. No IPG markings on the nib - just Italix, the F, and the swirls on each side. I think I've found that weight matters more to me on the low end - when you start getting toward the Safari's 17 grams - losing any heft.

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