Parker Duofold in a lot for xmas

[hillbilly pick]

Hello fellows,

I am less than a noob when it comes to FP. I have read and tried for a few PIFs but yet to try one. My inlaws got me a large lot of razors and shaving gear for xmas and this Parker Duofold was in the box. I know that it need some work. I have no idea where to start or what I'm doing. Is it worth fixing up? Is there anyone here that offers a service?

What should I do?

Thanks,

Chris

 

[Liberty_2112]

Definitely worth fixing. I am a huge fan of Vintage Parkers. I use a Duofold in my current 4 pen lineup.

Here is a link that will give you some history:
http://www.richardspens.com/?page=ref/profiles/duofold.htm

It appears that your pen has a Conklin nib and not a Parker Nib. I am no expert, but I believe this means it was replaced at some point. I don't know of any time in history when Parker would have used Conklin Nibs. That said, Conklin also made some good Nibs and there is no reason that this can't become a daily writer. The mismatched Nib would be a turn off for many collectors. I am a collector/user and think restoring and using the pen would be a great idea and a good way to learn about Fountain Pens.

From the pics you posted, it appears to be a button filler. Here is a blurb describing the workings of a Button Filling system:
"

Button

Design: Mechanical ink-sac squeeze. A button at the end of the barrel bends a spring-metal pressure bar to squeeze the sac laterally. To fill: Remove blind cap. Immerse nib and part of section into ink. Press button firmly until it stops, then release. Wait five seconds. Press and release button again, wait five seconds longer. Remove pen from ink and clean. Replace blind cap."

I would start by removing the blind cap. (Found at the end opposite the Nib) There should be a button beneath. Gently depress the button with your thumb. (Do this in a safe area over a paper towel, just in case the pen has ink inside.) My guess is that it will be difficult to depress the button and that you may hear some cracking. This is a result of a degraded silicone ink sac. To restore, you will need to disassemble, clean, remove the old sac, clean again, replace the old sac, clean again, reassemble, fill and write.

Everything you will need to know in order to do that can be found here (Scroll down to Button Fillers):
http://www.richardspens.com/?page=ref/profiles/duofold.htm

 

[watch_art]

Awesome Burgundy Duofold. Great looking pen. Also very cool nib. Conklin made AWESOME nibs - and I'd keep this one this way myself. This nib might be better than what the pen ever came with. These things are super easy to restore. The section screws out in the normal lefty loosey manner - just be careful as the barrel is very thin at the threads. Some dry heat to break down any shellac that might be there, and to expand the barrel plastic a bit will make things open up easier. All you need is a sac that fits and a bit of shellac to hold it there. Yes the Zinzer from Lowe's will work just fine. If your pressure bar is rusted to death, or deformed or whatever, you can get a new one at a few different places. Pen Sac Company or woodbin.ca will supply you. I think you'll need a long pressure bar for this unless it's the Jr. size. Have fun!

 

[eborraga]

Hillbilly, are you going to the meeting at Hooter's in January? If so, i'll bring some FP stuff for you to have. If not shoot me a pm as i'm off every Saturday and Sunday, would be no problem getting together. I'm also a big fan of your Parker! Great score.

 

[strop]

I disagree. It is junk. You can send it to me so that I can dispose of it safely!

 

[nemo]

Nice Streamline Duofold. How long is it when the cap is screwed on? The Jr is a little over 4 1/2 inches. Seniors are 5 1/8 or so. You'll need to know which when buying the sac, they're pretty big, necked 21s and 22s, Duofolds hold a lot of ink!

Cool gift, congrats!

 

[hillbilly pick]

Hillbilly, are you going to the meeting at Hooter's in January? If so, i'll bring some FP stuff for you to have. If not shoot me a pm as i'm off every Saturday and Sunday, would be no problem getting together. I'm also a big fan of your Parker! Great score.

I am pretty sure that I am coming to the meetup! I keep reminding my wife so that she can request off. I will bring the pen amongst other things. I would really appreciated any advise, assistance, or anything else.

Thank you everyone.

 

[PFP_Dad]

Great find. Vintage Parkers are what started me on this road and still make up the vast majority of my meager collection.

 

[mmack66]

I would probably be more excited about the pen than the shaving gear. Great gift!

 

[hillbilly pick]

I would probably be more excited about the pen than the shaving gear. Great gift!

I was pretty excited for the lot, and am now excited about the pen.

The lot included: (per my post in So.What Did Santa Bring... thread)

Wood boxed Big(large) Fellow
ABC Pocket Edition flower box, Gold standard or shell razor
NIB Valet Autostrop
Blade Stropers x 3 (2 of which are in original boxes with paperwork)
DE hones
Slim
Keen Kutter Blue Steel STR8
40's SS
GEM 1912
Vintage Parker Pen (needs much love) Red Marbling
Schick Injector Adjustable
Rolls Imperial in box and original paperwork + extra blade
Lot of vintage DE and SE Blades still wrapped. (One Wade&Butcher DE)

 

[mmack66]

I was pretty excited for the lot, and am now excited about the pen.

The lot included: (per my post in So.What Did Santa Bring... thread)

Wood boxed Big(large) Fellow
ABC Pocket Edition flower box, Gold standard or shell razor
NIB Valet Autostrop
Blade Stropers x 3 (2 of which are in original boxes with paperwork)
DE hones
Slim
Keen Kutter Blue Steel STR8
40's SS
GEM 1912
Vintage Parker Pen (needs much love) Red Marbling
Schick Injector Adjustable
Rolls Imperial in box and original paperwork + extra blade
Lot of vintage DE and SE Blades still wrapped. (One Wade&Butcher DE)

Well, the shaving gear is great also!

 

[ChefJohnBoy-ardee]

Nice stuff! Great find.

 

[hillbilly pick]

Just got a Pilot disposable FP just to make sure I dig it before I get all FPADed out. I like the pen and it writes nice but no much mojo! Now I think that I have to try and restore this pen. I have also started looking at inks and have found a few shades of blue, black, and greens that I like.

"This will all end in tears, I just know it!"

 

[strop]

I wouldn't pick the Duofold for my first restore attempt. Start with a lever filler to get a feel for getting them apart and replaceing the sac. Esterbrook or Wearever would be good picks.

If it were me, I'd send the Duofold out to a pro.

 

[brianw]

I wouldn't pick the Duofold for my first restore attempt. Start with a lever filler to get a feel for getting them apart and replaceing the sac. Esterbrook or Wearever would be good picks.

If it were me, I'd send the Duofold out to a pro.

What he said

 

[watch_art]

but, but... a button filler is easier than a lever filler.

 

[ChefJohnBoy-ardee]

but, but... a button filler is easier than a lever filler.

But its a gorgeous Parker Duofold that goes up in value as it sits working

 

[hillbilly pick]

I think that I am going to seek professional advice! First one and all!

 

[hillbilly pick]

Met with, "eborraga" (new member here at B&B), today and learned some great info about FPs. He PIFed me a Noodler's Ahab blue/white marble, and a Lamy Safari Green. He also through in 6 blue cartridges, a converter, 4 samples of ink, and a large bottle of black velvet ink. And if that were not enough, he gave me three (two lined one journal size the other pocket size) and one unlined Rhodia pad.

Very nice guy with great information. Thank you eborraga!

 

[syngent]

well that certainly will get you going, Nice enable to eborraga as well, dont forget to let us all know what you think of everything when you get it, lots to be excited about in that list