Parker 51

The Parker 51 is one of the most iconic pens ever made. This collection carries the modern reissue of the 1941 original, in fountain pen and ballpoint form. Aficionados will recognize the fountain pen’s signature hooded nib, which tucks most of the point inside the section and keeps the ink from drying. Choose the 51 fountain pen with its 18K gold nib or the ballpoint that features the same narrow clip and resin barrel. Every 51 here is a genuine Parker, boxed like the precious gift it is.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Parker 51's hooded nib design special? +

Most of the nib is tucked inside the pen's grip section, leaving only a small tip exposed to the paper. This means you can’t see much of the nib as you write, so you might need a short adjustment period to find your angle. The upside is that the enclosed design keeps ink from drying at the tip, so the pen will usually write instantly, even if it’s been capped for a while. That hood detail paired with the pen’s arrow clip makes it easy to pick out in a crowd.

Should I buy a Medium or Fine nib size? +

The 51's 18K gold nib tends to write about half a size wider than Parker's steel nibs, so the Fine often lands closer to a typical Western medium. That makes Fine a comfortable everyday pick for most hands, while the Medium suits larger writing and shows off ink shading.

What does the 18K gold nib give you over a steel one? +

The 18K gold nib gives you a softer, slightly more flexible feel than a steel nib. It also offers a little more line variation as you vary your pressure and better resistance to corrosion from harsh inks. This gold nib tends to write a little wider than a steel one, so a gold Medium can feel close to a steel Broad. Every fountain pen in this collection uses the 18K gold nib, but peruse our stainless steel nib fountain pens if you’re looking for steel instead.

Is the modern 51 as good as the vintage version? +

The modern Parker 51 holds its own against the vintage original, though the two are built differently. The 2021 pen uses a precious-resin body, a cartridge or converter for ink, and a threaded cap, where the vintage 51 used Parker's older aerometric or Vacumatic filling and a clutch cap. What the modern pen gives up in vintage character it earns back with an easy filling mechanism, warranty coverage, and none of the upkeep a decades-old pen requires.

Does the Parker 51 come with an ink converter, or do I need one to use bottled ink? +

Whether a converter is in the box varies by edition, so check the product listing. The 51 fills from Parker's proprietary cartridges rather than standard international ones, and a Parker converter lets you use any bottled fountain pen ink. When you switch colors, give the hood a thorough flush, since it holds a little ink up under the section.

Does the 51 come as a ballpoint as well as a fountain pen? +

Yes, and this collection carries both. The 51 ballpoint models here share the same precious-resin barrel and arrow clip as the fountain pen, so you get the famous 51 look with the convenience of twist action. If you want the design without the hassle of filling or cleaning a nib, the ballpoint is an easy choice.

Is the 51 a good pen to give as a gift? +

Its history as one of the most recognizable pens ever made gives it instant gift appeal, and collectors will know it at first sight. For someone new to fountain pens, the hooded nib takes a few pages to get used to, so the twist-action ballpoint is the easy choice if you want the look without the learning curve.

Is Goldspot an authorized Parker dealer? +

Yes. We’re an authorized dealer of all the pen brands we carry, so every Parker 51 you order here is a genuine, factory-fresh pen. This matters with an icon like the 51, which gets widely imitated, and it means your order is eligible for the manufacturer's warranty. If you're curious how the 51 compares to the rest of the range, explore our complete Parker Pens collection.

Parker 51

Frequently Asked Questions

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