Best Parker Fountain Pen

Parker offers a combination of design, functionality, and style in every pen that they produce.  

The company is a leader in the industry by combining state-of-the-art technology to make some of the most innovative solutions on the market. 

Read our best Parker fountain pen review to find out which is the best option for you.

6 Best Parker Fountain Pens (Our Review)

Sonnet Lacquer Black Gold Trim Fountain Pen (Best Overall)

The Sonnet series is a symbol of elegance and sophistication. It Includes several designs suitable for different tastes. Every intricate detail in the Sonnet lacquer fountain pen is skilfully executed and adds sophistication to any writing occasion. 

The sleek cigar shape allows the pen to sit comfortably in your hand. 

It has a medium nib with a matt black lacquered cap and barrel and gold-plated clip and trim. This nib size is good for making lines of variable thickness. The medium nib has a larger ink flow for a writing experience that’s less scratchy than fountain pens with fine ends.

The fountain pen was created to have optimal weight and balance to ensure that you have the most comfort while writing. 

Its modern design highlights Parker’s dedication to quality. The inner mechanism is expertly assembled, so you know this is a pen Parker promises to work for a long time.

Pros

• Gold finish trim
• Stainless steel nib
• Eighteen-carat pure gold finish

Cons

• Replacing ink is difficult

Urban Muted Black Gold Trim Fountain Pen (Most Elegant)

Parker’s iconic and globally renowned Urban range of fountain pens got an update recently that includes a new clip, new branding, and a more attractive price point. 

The new model brings with it lovely etched nibs, imparting an elegance usually reserved for pens from a high-end price point. 

It’s made of durable steel giving it a substantial weight that makes it comfortable to hold. Beginners might struggle getting accustomed to the weight, especially if you’re used to using disposable ballpoint pens.

The Urban Muted Fountain Pen is equipped with ink cartridges or converters. This is beneficial because cartridges can prevent overflow.

Pros

• Ergonomic shape with comfortable grip
• Durable
• Reasonable price

Cons

• No refill converter

Parker Brown Rubber Lacquer Fountain Pen (Best for Calligraphers)

Parker gives us a modern design with a brown rubber lacquer to create a softer grip. It’s delicately assembled. We appreciate that this pen is carefully assembled by hand and checked for impeccable quality, thus achieving high precision and excellent writing comfort. 

This pen is available in eleven finishes and two trimming accents, so you’re bound to find something for you no matter your style. The durable nib is highly flexible, making it a great choice for calligraphers. It adapts to different angles and delivers every stroke with a continuous flow of ink. 

This Parker fountain pen represents the timeless elegance that’s become associated with the brand.  

What little plastic the designers use is expertly hidden. While it may look dainty and delicate, the precise construction makes it an ideal pen for daily use. You don’t need to worry about it coming apart and leaking ink all over your bag or jacket.

Pros

• Medium-sized tip
• A rhodium-plated 18K nib
• Eleven body finishes and  two trimming options
• Two-year warranty

Cons

• Does not come with a cartridge

Parker 51 Fountain Pen (Best Style)

The Parker 51 was introduced in 1948 and doesn’t have the large and highly stylized nib like many classic fountain pens. The nib is considered “hooded” because the handle covers most of it.

This gives the Parker 51 fountain pen a smooth writing experience. This pen is comfortable and is well-balanced.

A word of warning, this pen isn’t great for new fountain pen users who may not be used to the weight and shape. 

The Parker 51 fountain pen was relaunched in 2021 with two versions – one with a stainless steel nib and the other with an 18-carat gold nib.

Pros

• Fine nib
• Comes with an ink cartridge

Cons

• Only available with black ink

Parker 21 Fountain Pen (Best for Beginners)

Parker 21 was the company’s response to the success of 51 pens. Parker first launched this pen back in 1948 and again in 1965. The nib is similar to the Parker 51 hooded nib.  

The Parker 21 has a steel nib which is less flexible than the more expensive gold. This makes it a good option for beginners, as flexible nibs can be tricky to get the hang of.

While steel nibs are good for beginner writers, they’re not great for calligraphy which needs more variable line width.

These fountain pens use ink bladders rather than cartridges or a converter. Filling ink bladders is easier, but they run out of ink faster than their counterparts.

Pros

• Fine nib design
• It offers a smooth writing experience

Cons

• Parker Quink Black ink only

Parker IM Fountain Pen (Best for Everyday Use)

The Parker IM is a surprising little pen. You might even not notice that it’s a fountain pen when you first see it. It’s small, not much bigger than an expensive ballpoint pen. 

These fountain pens are clearly going for a modern design, which unfortunately makes them look quite plain. Still, for a $25 price point, it’s a good line of pens for everyday use.

The nibs are small, but they have a surprisingly good flow and don’t clog easily. 

The cheap plastic material is a bit of a letdown, but it’s sturdy enough and has a good weight to it.

Pros

• Nibs don’t clog easily
• Good weight

Cons

• Plain looking

Conclusion

For our money, the best Parker fountain pen is the Sonnet. Not only do we like the look of it, but the fine nib and eighteen-carat gold trim make it a treat to write with. 

To give the pen an even more extravagant aesthetic, the design also includes a gold clip that’s finished off with the classic arrow design that most Parker pens are known to have.

Related Posts

• Best fountain pen
• Best Cross fountain pen
• Best Mont Blanc fountain pen
• Best Pilot fountain pen
• Best Waterman fountain pen