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Vanishing Point nibs

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Rod S

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Hello all from frosty Winnipeg, Manitoba,

I don't know where else to look so here I am hoping that the collective wisdom of this forum will provide an answer. My favourite pen (as a school boy) was a Parker 51 which I used through public school, university and into my career; unfortunately it was stolen (1977) as I carelessly left it on my desk. I have, since, purchased replacements but for some time, I've been using the fountain pens which I turn for my own pleasure and for work.

So here's the question... does any company make a Parker 51 kit? Or any kit that has a vanishing point nib? A fellow penturner (we live on the same street which in itself must be some kind of statistical anomaly) have discussed the prospect of a bespoke attempt. Still talking.

Thanks for your patience.

Rod
 

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Curly

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Peter
The answer to your question is nope. No kit makers have done either. I know that Pilot is very protective of their Vanishing point. They stopped Richard Greenwald from selling customized Vanishing Point models.

People have made hooded sections that mimic the Parker in their kitless/bespoke/custom pens. Not much more than having the section longer to fit over the nib and then cutting and shaping it for the hood. Have to get it right so the parts line up when the triplet (housing,nib,feed) is screwed into it though.

Good luck with your version.
Pete
 
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Rod S

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Many thanks Pete,

I'll be in Salt Lake City this winter and i'll buy a few of the Arete kits at Woodcraft ... maybe there are other kits? Maybe... we could talk Phil Dart and Beaufort into manufacturing a hooded nib kit??????

Rod
 
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Curly

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Rob you may not have noticed in my post #3 I said that they are on clearance. The picture of the pen on their website shows the same. I would suggest if you are going to visit with someone in Salt Lake City you should order the kits now and have them sent there to pick up when you arrive. Otherwise they are most certainly going to be gone for good.

Great if Phil would take on making a hooded kit or even a hooded kit section for the bock nibs. Then we could replace most of the kits with them.

Pete
 
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Rod S

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Rod
Thanks Pete,

I've already asked my daughter in Salt Lake City to pick up 3 kits ... they'll be waiting for me when we visit in 2025.

Take care,

Rod
 
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Nicholas Andrews

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Nicholas
Rod S said:
Hello all from frosty Winnipeg, Manitoba,

I don't know where else to look so here I am hoping that the collective wisdom of this forum will provide an answer. My favourite pen (as a school boy) was a Parker 51 which I used through public school, university and into my career; unfortunately it was stolen (1977) as I carelessly left it on my desk. I have, since, purchased replacements but for some time, I've been using the fountain pens which I turn for my own pleasure and for work.

So here's the question... does any company make a Parker 51 kit? Or any kit that has a vanishing point nib? A fellow penturner (we live on the same street which in itself must be some kind of statistical anomaly) have discussed the prospect of a bespoke attempt. Still talking.

Thanks for your patience.

Rod
Click to expand...
If you need your Parker 51 serviced or repaired I can recommend Simon Gray of The Battersea Pen Home www.penhome.co.uk I have dealt with him for many years and he is both knowledgable and helpful.
 
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Nicholas Andrews

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Nicholas
Curly said:
The answer to your question is nope. No kit makers have done either. I know that Pilot is very protective of their Vanishing point. They stopped Richard Greenwald from selling customized Vanishing Point models.

People have made hooded sections that mimic the Parker in their kitless/bespoke/custom pens. Not much more than having the section longer to fit over the nib and then cutting and shaping it for the hood. Have to get it right so the parts line up when the triplet (housing,nib,feed) is screwed into it though.

Good luck with your version.
Pete
Click to expand...
Worth mentioning the nibs for Parker 51's are completely different in shape from standard fountain pen nibs and consequently have a different and unique feed mechanism. Hooding a standard nib might work but won't emulate the classic 51 design. Parker 51 parts (including worn out pens sold only for parts ) are still available on eBay and similar sites. For example, if one purchased the top section with nib of an old 51 it should be possible to turn a matching bottom section. Of course, 51 caps (metal) were also unique as was their internal clutch, but again it should be possible to turn a replica in acrylic and fit the iconic arrow clip - another part readily available.
 
M

MikeC

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Doncaster
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Michael Cowling
Thanks for sharing this with us Nicholas
I used to have a Parker 51 years ago at school
I have various drawers where it could be and I will try and find it and see if I can get it working again
Cheers
Mike (from South Yorkshire)
 
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DuncSuss

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One obvious drawback to adding a hood to a standard Bock or JoWo nib is the shape - the wings of the nib will force the section to be much wider than the sleek profile of the Parker 51.

JoWo have made "Arrow" style #5 nibs - I bought some in polished steel a few years ago, but now I can only see solid 18K gold listed at fpnibs.com where I bought the steel ones. They might be something that comes in and out of stock.

LINK to the 18K gold Arrow nib
 
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Rod S

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Rod
Gentlemen,

Thank you for all the input. I have 3 Arete pens to play with in 2025 AND I'll buy at real Parker 51 with which to write. Clearly my query has not 'tickled' Phil Dart's (Beaufort Ink) fancy. Alas, Leveche is still my go-to pen.

Thanks again everyone.

Rod
 
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Curly

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Peter
Rod S said:
Gentlemen,

Thank you for all the input. I have 3 Arete pens to play with in 2025 AND I'll buy at real Parker 51 with which to write. Clearly my query has not 'tickled' Phil Dart's (Beaufort Ink) fancy. Alas, Leveche is still my go-to pen.

Thanks again everyone.

Rod
Click to expand...
Perhaps Phil missed the subtle request for a hooded Bock section?

Hey @Phil Dart! We want ready made hooded sections!!! What do you think? Maybe, pondering, will look into it, or not a chance Sundance?:think:

Not so subtle
Pete
 
Phil Dart

Phil Dart

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Rod S said:
Gentlemen,

Thank you for all the input. I have 3 Arete pens to play with in 2025 AND I'll buy at real Parker 51 with which to write. Clearly my query has not 'tickled' Phil Dart's (Beaufort Ink) fancy. Alas, Leveche is still my go-to pen.

Thanks again everyone.

Rod
Click to expand...
Ah, that's because I've only just seen it.

Hmmm. :think:
 
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DuncSuss

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Phil Dart said:
Hmmm. :think:
Click to expand...

If you need inspiration ... :whistling:

A section that's 3-d printed might work, or normal stepped drilling - but from the opposite end than usual (the business end of a 51 hood has a narrower opening than the barrel end.)

Since the nib can only be inserted into the section from the barrel end, it would need something like a snap-ring (or a threaded ring, which could serve double duty as a step-down to the diameter of the ink cartridge/converter neck) to hold the nib unit inside the hood/section after it's been put in place and oriented "tipping down". Real fancy could include a replacement housing for the nib and feed that sets the orientation correctly. The housing would not need threads, as it pushes into the section from the rear.
 
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Rod S

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Good morning from Winnipeg,

I mentioned in an earlier post that I had ordered some Arete kits from Woodcraft Utah ... well, my daughter delivered them a couple of weeks ago and i finally finished one. The complaint had been about the nib - too fine, too scratchy and not replaceable. However, and it's still early days, but I've been writing with it quite a bit and my 'one-off' conclusion is very positive. The nib is medium-fine (my term), not the least scratchy and you can't replace the nib. It did not lay down a vast amount of ink so a small tine adjustment was necessary but now, more than acceptable.

I'll turn another this week and if the results are similar, I'll order 10 more given they won't replacing stock.

Rod
 
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DuncSuss

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One of my work colleagues mentioned he'd bought a cheap plastic retractable-nib fountain pen on a visit to Japan and it reminded me of this thread. Naturally I went looking ...

Jinhao make a version, and there is THIS ONE the Majohn A1. What I found most interesting about the Majohn A1 is that they sell replacement nib units for it - LIKE THIS - which by definition means it's possible to disassemble the pen.

That's only a "short step" away from making a custom shell and fitting the nib unit & ink reservoir into it. Anyone up for the challenge? Even if the nib doesn't retract, it should be quite feasible to make one with a hooded nib.
 
R

Rod S

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Rod
Good evening Curley,

I'm attaching a few pictures of the Arete pen I turned ... I'm not terribly happy with my effort (too busy I think) but it's a start. I created the hybrid blank which I like but additional ornamentation was unnecessary.

I'll let you know how the 2nd effort goes.

Rod
 

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Chris H

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Uk
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Christine

The 3 Best Hooded Nib Fountain Pens

In this article, we discuss the unique design of hooded nib fountain pens, the reasons you should consider using them, and spotlight some of our best-sellers to make your choice easy. Hooded pens add a touch of luxury, sophistication, and hidden advantages that can improve your overall writing...
goldspot.com

An interesting exploded design drawing on there
 


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