Parker '17' Review




The dimensions of the pen are:
Capped: 137mm.
Uncapped: 125mm.
Posted: 146mm.
Barrel Diameter: 12mm.
The visible length of the nib is 15mm., it is 14Ct gold and clearly inscribed:
'14K
Parker
England'
The barrel is clearly inscribed:
'Parker '17'
Made in England'
The cap is a push fit, seating on a metal ring between the barrel and section. It carries a Gold filled 'Arrow' clip a Gold filled narrow cap band, and a body coloured end stud.
The filling system is the 'Aerometric' type with an open design. The filler sleeve is stamped:
Parker
To fill press ribbed
bar at least 5 times.
The Parker Pen co.ltd.
London
England.
The first impression of the pen is that it is a straight forward, no frills modestly priced fountain pen from around the 1960s. This changes somewhat when the cap is removed to reveal the spectacular 14Ct. Gold nib, in the posted configuration it moves up several notches.
The pen is light and well balanced, more so when the cap is posted. It sits very well in the hand although some may find that the smooth, tapered section may offer less friction than needed but this is not really an issue s the nib requires very little pressure.
The filling system works as it should and takes up a decent volume of ink. The nib is exceptional, it has a fairly broad point and enough flex to produce good line variation and add character to the handwriting. A person with a decent hand would produce very impressive results.
As a vintage fountain pen, and the date of 1962 qualifies the description, the Parker '17' offers great value for money. The open nib versions, this pen, command significantly more than the later hooded nib pens and are almost certainly worth the added expense.
Many pen enthusiasts would not class a standard '17' as 'collectable' as they are by no means rare and of very modest value. I would disagree on the basis that, if you are looking for a 'complete' set you need each of the following models in just four colours, Black, Red, Blue, and Green:
Parker '17' 'Open nib'
Parker '17' 'Open nib Super'
Parker '17' hooded nib.
Parker '17' hooded nib Super.
The open nib versions date from 1962 to 1964 and the hooded nibs form 1964 to 1972, the models did not overlap.
This list excludes the Parker 'Lady', which is, strictly speaking, part of the '17 family' and the 'De Luxe' metal capped versions.
The pen featured in this review is available on my Parker collection on the site.
A mint Parker 17 in Black here