I've always had a 45 laying around...left over from long ago. Recently I've developed an irrational attachment to them. I suspect that I'm not alone. Let's hear it from Parker 45 users and, if you are also a collector, what's your focus?
While I'm not a 45 collector i do have a couple of them in my regular rotation that I love. The 45 is all but bulletproof & is one of if not the most reliable pen made to date in my book. The size fits my hand well & the overall design is great. It posts well, looks great & is a very user friendly pen. Currently I have 3 inked up & ready to go. All 3 have the SS caps w/ Black, Blue & Red barrels. The nibs are B, BCI & a very generous medium that writes like a dream.
My collecting focus lies with Wearevers. I've got 1000 give or take a few & 100-150 pieces of advertising and related ephemera. You can see some of my collection in the 3rd Tier pens forum.
Dennis
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Tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito ~Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them
Dennis...I'm aware of your affliction for Wearevers from your posts on Pentrace In fact, your comments about them started me down the path of picking up a few. My pride and joy, at least for now, is a Red Hard Rubber, flat-top. I think I saw one like it in one of your photos, but can't remember for sure.
Glad to hear your views on the Parker 45's...I think they are an under-appreciated workhorse. I've got a box full of them now and am still on the hunt for the less typical flavors--particularly Insignias, Harlequins, and the ever-elusive yellow.
Groovy, I'm glad I was able to make another Wearever convert...lol. You said it's RHR. Are you 100% it's HR & not celluloid? If it is HR we need to talk. Do you know how to tell the diference between the 2 materials?
"I think they are an under-appreciated workhorse. I've got a box full of them now and am still on the hunt for the less typical flavors--particularly Insignias, Harlequins, and the ever-elusive yellow."
I think workhorse is the perfect word for these pens. You can beat them to death & they come back for more.
Um did you say yellow??? I never knew such a creature existed. Very cool. I'd love to see a pic if you ever find one. Good luck with the search.
Dennis
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Tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito ~Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them
Dennis, to be honest, I have no idea how to tell RHR from celluloid. You tell me how, and I'll report back. As for the yellow Parker 45's, I'm just going from the information provided on parkerpens.net that describes the "happy colors"--including yellow--that were used on the Student pens in the late '60s. Are they truly elusive? Beats me, but I've never seen one. Do they truly exist? Dunno.
Ok no sweat, it's very easy to do. Rub the pen with your thumb until the friction generates a little heat, then sniff it. If it smells like burning ruber, then it's a HR pen. if it has a floral/camphor smell then it's celluloid. No smell at all & it's plastic. Yopu'll want to test both the cap & barrel to be sure they are both the same material.
"As for the yellow Parker 45's, I'm just going from the information provided on parkerpens.net that describes the "happy colors"--including yellow--that were used on the Student pens in the late '60s."
I'd forgotten about that site. Yet another great pen reference site.
"Are they truly elusive? Beats me, but I've never seen one. Do they truly exist?"
I would have to say yes this is a rare color. I've been doing pens for more than a decade & can't recall ever seeing one. I remember a couple of Orange 45's a long time ago but thats the only "happy color" I've seen in the flesh so to speak.
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Tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito ~Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them
How do you rate the Parker 75 vs the Parker 45. I have one Parker, a 75 Silver hatched, (bought pre Fancy French word) and that is going to be the beginning and end of Parker for me. I like it; it writes butter smooth, but then again I don't know my ass from my elbow.