Survivor Pens - Parker Duofold Centennial

I revisit a fountain pen I've wanted since I was 10 years old.
December 5, 2018 Review - • Parker Duofold Centenn...
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[@Calcprof]

I got a parker Sterling Silver Pen for graduation from High School. Over the years, in multiple moves it was lost. 2 years ago I found one used for a reasonable price, so I got it.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

I'm glad you were able to replace it. I also lost my first fountain pen during a move.

[@jeffroberts532]

“…It’s hard saying that, but it’s just true…”, boy does that statement cover a lot of life! Great, honest review, Waski. I’m searching for one of the vintage models.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Yes! Thank you! I wanted to rave about this pen more than I could. And, yes, the vintage ones can be fun. I'll have to ink one up!

[@tincanboat]

1952 I was in the 2nd grade and we wrote with wearever cartridge pens. About ten years ago I was able to buy a used wearever on line.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

I haven't had the chance to try one of those yet. I nearly bought one in Rapid City a month ago, but it was missing the nib. I'm glad you were able to find one to bring back the memories!

[@EnCwoisant]

I found mine for around the lower end of that price range. Btw ‘Price Point’ is a real term and you use it correctly

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Thank you for both comments. Yes, lower end is a key part of me buying these. And I'm glad to know I'm using the term correctly. Some people who "correct" me are quite condescending.

[@edwardlustigman2568]

Great review, I have a black duofold international that I bought on a closeout. I enjoy using it.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

It's a good pen. I really like it, even if I don't use it as much as I think I should.

[@kevinlandon7578]

I love my Duofold Centennial in Blue Marble. Parker hides the date code on the back of the cap somewhere. Gently used by those who do not enjoy them gets you a better price. Thanks for a great review!

[@steventrosiek2623]

The date is on the blind cap, the black portion of the end of the barrel.

[@kevinlandon7578]

@@steventrosiek2623 thanks for the information. I thought mine had a code in the blue marble of the cap. I will look on the blind cap.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Thanks for the info! Maybe it's my eyesight, but I just can't find a date code. Only that number by the threads.

[@alanpareis734]

Nice to see this again, glad it survived in your collection.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

It's a good one!

[@PenultimateDave]

Congrats on finally getting a Parker Duofold! They are nice very well built pens but completely agree about the price and about not being worth the price being asked. I find the ones i have are all good consistent writers but the nibs are very firm. They vary massively in price depending on where you look and I've always tried to get them a good 30-50% off wherever I can making them much more worthy for the price.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Well said! They're good pens, but wait for a lower price.

[@christophermckellar1352]

Thanks! I used to want one, mostly just to have that classic. Our local stationer always steered me away, directing me instead to Faber Castell, which they also carried. Didn’t buy one of those, either. Used a Parker 45 from high school in the 60’s till now. It even has my college house mate’s tooth mark on it from his borrowing it to write in his letter journal, a practice I gratefully adopted: the letter journal, not chewing on the pen! I still have its box and un-sent registration paper! Bought a Laban Celebration Oyster Yellow with a broad nib to avoid the much more expensive Duofold with similar white, black and yellow fun body that the Duofold came in for at least a while. The Duofold nib does seem a little stiff for me. Is there any truth to the story that it was called the Duofold because the nib was stiff enough to allow enough pressure to make carbon copies: “duofolded” paper? Looked on Appelboom and Cult pens but short supply and saw no fun nibs. Got fun nibs from Cult Pens for my Pelican M800’s when I bought them a few years ago. Carry on! Are you using your summer to develop Blackbirds in Dakota Corn Fields?

[@WaskiSquirrel]

There is a reason the Parker 45 lasted so long. It really was a good pen. And that tooth mark is one of my fears about loaning a pen out! So I'm glad you didn't pick up that habit. My understanding on the name was that "duo" was a popular marketing term then, referring to multiple formats such as the pencil and fountain pen. The "fold" had to do with its size: twofold. But there is some controversy in the name. I haven't worked on ink much. But I have my garden going strong!

[@christophermckellar1352]

@@WaskiSquirrel Thanks for the information. Good on the garden! I finally finished planting last Saturday.

[@teresaharris-travelbybooks5564]

That's a nice pen. I'm glad you have it. Tell me, which contemporary pen do you think, will be the desirable vintage pen of the future?

[@WaskiSquirrel]

That is an interesting question. It will be ones with some history and some interest. But if you look at my vintage buying...I'm the one who buys the vintage pens most people don't buy. I'd think unique pens. For example, look at what happened to the prices on some Omas pens, especially the ones with the Arco Celluloid. I think Nakaya pens because of their unique nature will keep their value. But as far as desirability, I think we need to look at lower cost pens. Lamy 2000 is a great one, though they don't change much. Platinum 3776 may be a good one, especially with the special editions. I think Lamy Safari, again because of the special editions, will be a good one. This market is always a gamble. Did Parker predict that their 51 would be a collectible in the future?

[@Rgc571]

I purchased a Preowned black Duofold for $250, and feel good about it. I keep looking for an orange one but not willing to pay the prices I am finding. Thanks for the video.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Wait like I did, and you will find an orange one at close to that price. Glad you enjoy the one you already have!

[@kevinlandon7578]

I looked again after it ws pointed out that the date code was on the black blind cap. It is there on my Duofold International cut not on my Centennial. I put a magnifying glass on it and no code was visible.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Glad to know it's not just me. Thank you!

[@kevinlandon7578]

@@WaskiSquirrel You are very welcome. perhaps it was made before date codes were standard practice.

[@ichirofakename]

"Not exciting"... Ok, I'll bite, quick, name a couple exciting pens. Here's one from me: Good Blue L130 .

[@WaskiSquirrel]

I had never heard of that pen. But I do enjoy Sailor's Zoom nib very much. An upcoming "Survivor" has that nib. Exciting...you made a good point. Exciting includes an element of novelty. Most of my pens were exciting when I got them. I need to look for a better word. But I'd say that, for example, my Aurora 88 with flex nib or my Pilot Custom 823 have more of whatever it is I'm looking for with that word.

[@philnaunton7181]

I bought mine 45 years ago, when I made far more money than I do now. It is classic black, and was really expensive at the time, so much so that I was scared to use it. Parker offered me an upgraded initialed finial for free a short time later, which I took them up on. Then I bought a matching ballpoint which was also expensive, but half the price of the Duofold fountain pen. I've written with them three or four individual times in all those years. What a waste of money for a gorgeous unused pen, and a pretty stupid investment overall.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

If you're scared to use a pen, that takes all the fun out of it. Aside from one or two low-cost vintage pens, I insist on using all the pens I own. I encourage you to start writing with it. You'll enjoy it! Otherwise, it really is just wasted money. The ballpoint is quite attractive! I never bought one, but I do have a vintage mechanical pencil with the same appearance.

[@honnony]

Kudos on the review. Parkers were in my childhood because it was down in Janesville. I see their high school is named after the founder en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_S._Parker_High_School cheers

[@WaskiSquirrel]

That's very cool about the high school! Maybe I should see if they need a teacher... I'm not sure why I originally gravitated to the Parker brand, but I did.