Parker 51 Fountain Pen | Deluxe Plum Barrel with Gold Trim |

This is by far the most expensive pen I’ve ever used. As you would expect it’s beautifully made in all respects. It’s solid, has a nicely balanced weight in the hand, and you get a satisfying clunk when you put the cap on. The nib is medium and writes very smoothly, although I’m so used to writing with a ballpoint (having not used a fountain pen since school) that my writing is currently quite messy, and I’m finding the flow is too thick. I might change it for a fine nib, which is something they allow you to do at a local Parker dealer as per a little card in the box. Speaking of which, this is packaged very nicely, in an elegant presentation box with two large black ink cartridges and one empty cartridge which can be filled with bottle ink using a screw plunger. As for the design, it’s imposing and very glamorous in etched silver and gold, but perhaps more masculine than I’d ideally like. I’ll keep using it though, because it’s very nice. Perhaps get some of those little blue erasable ink cartridges for a real nostalgia kick.

Put pen to paper and you quickly realise just how good a writing tool this Parker fountain pen is. The nib flows effortlessly allowing a smooth release of ink to meet your demands. All 17 individual parts of this skilfully crafted pen function seamlessly as one to provide a delightful experience as you commit your thoughts in ink. But it also looks the part. I think it quite beautiful. A real work of Art. It is meticulously engineered to offer a solid and nicely balanced extension to your hand with everything fitting together perfectly. And, heavier than it looks, in feels very much at home in the hand. The intricate hatching design in silver suggests cool precision, while the gold of the clip, band and nib offer a valuable warmth. It still amazes how my handwriting improves with the use of a fountain pen, and such a charming one to boot. My communications are also much more considered when using a pen, and I’m sure, more appreciated by the recipients. Personally, I much prefer getting the personal thoughts of another conveyed in a hand written letter to a brief, ill thought out, double-thumbed, dumbed-down digital tweet in hard to understand ‘Newspeak’. Another plus is that you don’t have to give it a daily battery charge. You do, of course, need to supply it with ink. You can do this either by using the supplied and fitted twist-to-fill reservoir, or one of the two disposable ink cartridges. The pen is not cheap, but such beautiful things seldom are. You must decide whether you are worthy of it. It could, of course, also provide an exquisite gift for that Special Person. Parker have also considered this aspect, given the excellent quality of the packaging the pen ships with. Love it!