Review: Parker Vacumatic Major Blue Diamond [Vintage]

This pen was donated for review and giveaway by Bartek of Acoustic Pens! Thank you for affording me the opportunity to get to know this stunning pen and incredible writer, it has been an absolute pleasure. Soon, we will pass it on to its new owner via Serious Nibbage! Bartek has been a wonderful and regular supporter and encourager of everything and everyone in the Instagram world - what a kind soul to have there! Please consider giving Bartek of Acoustic Pens a follow - not only will you see beautiful pens, available for purchase, you'll learn a lot about each and every one.

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ABOUT

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Body material: Celluloid, plastic
Trim: Gold
Cap: Screw on
Posts: Yes, friction
Filling: Vacuum
Nib: 14kt gold, single tone
Length (capped): 129.1 mm/5.08"
Length (uncapped): 119.7 mm/4.71"
Length (posted): 147.9 mm/5.82"
Diameter (barrel): 7.7 - 12.0 mm/0.30" - 0.47"
Diameter (section): 8.0 - 9.6 mm/0.31" - 0.37"
Weight (all): 16 g
Weight (cap): 8 g
Weight (body): 8 g
Nib Imprint: 53
Barrel imprint: Geo S. Parker / Parker Vacumatic / Made in USA (partially worn off)
Clip: Blue Diamond - discontinued 1939
Blind cap: Non jeweled - discontinued 1942
Date: 1942 - 1948 (3rd generation?)

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APPEARANCE

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This is one of the many very beautiful Parker Vacumatics ever made. It is a medium cigar shaped pen, but the top of the cap is flatter than the rounded off blind cap. The finial has a black jewel cone in a gold colored top. The clip is a Parker arrow clip with a blue diamond, and it is engraved with "Parker". This is a very recognizable clip! The center band is almost flush in the cap, with a lightly engraved geometric design on it. The section is on the smaller side, with a pinched shape and a flared ridge before the nib. It's a simple section design, moving into plastic threads and then into the barrel.

The barrel is translucent with a yellowish tint and spaced black rings so you can see into the barrel. The vacuum-filler blind cap threads on to the barrel, and is flush with the end of it. The barrel is engraved with "Geo S. Parker / Parker Vacumatic / Made in USA". The imprint is a little worn off but is fun to see!

The pen design is simple and quite attractive. The clear barrel is gorgeous - dark enough that it does not even look like a clear pen, but it glows in the light. You can see your pen being filled, and you can watch your ink moving around. I love the effect. At a glance, the pen looks like a black and gold pen, with a classic shape. I think it's beautiful!

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NIB & PERFORMANCE

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This 14kt yellow gold nib feels like an extra-fine/fine by Western nib standards. The nib has a single slit and a round breather hole, and it is engraved with Parker USA, 53, and an arrow design that matches the clip. 

The nib performs very well. Although I prefer broad, juicy, springy nibs, I cannot deny how well this writes and how incredibly pleasant it feels. In fact, it makes me want another nib just like it (because this one will not stay here with me!). It's a fine writer, quite smooth, and it doesn't catch on the paper. It has pleasant feedback, is quite wet, and it's consistent and reliable with ink flow, especially with a light hand. This makes it an ideal and exquisite daily writer!

The nib is firm but it offers a tiny bit of line variation if you apply a small amount of pressure. It keeps up really well with fast writing, long writing sessions, and it passes the free weight test. It can be used for reverse writing, in which case it still works really well!

Take a look at the writing sample - this nib is a beauty in every possible way. It's an absolute delight to write with. When people wonder why vintage pens are interesting, the performance of this pen and nib can answer that. 

The vacuum filling system is easy to use, but if you are unfamiliar with them, all you do is unscrew the blind cap, immerse the nib and feed in ink, and pump the filler a few times. You can see the barrel filling with ink! Fear not, Bartek includes filling instructions with his pens. The mechanism is smooth and works without issue, and the ink capacity is quite decent as well - the barrel is surprisingly large and has little blocking the inside.

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IN HAND

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The clip is springy and easy to operate one handed. It slides on and off pouches, pockets, and papers. It is just the right size and has enough tension to hold the pen in place.

The section, although on the smaller side, is quite comfortable. For my fingers, the indented shape perfectly accommodates them. There is no slippery feeling and even the threads at the back are quite smooth to the touch. I imagine if you have large hands/large fingers, the section may feel too small for you, but even if your grip overflows, it's not uncomfortable.

Unposted, the pen is a usable length, but is on the light side. The cap can be posted snugly by friction, although I would do so with care. There is a cap band on the end of the cap but I am usually a bit careful with posting vintage pens. The cap posts by friction and it feels snug, making it the ideal length for me, and it's well balanced. 

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PROS & CONS

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OVERALL

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What a beauty! This is not the first Parker Vacumatic I have used, and each has a beautiful nib and finish. This pen has been beautifully and well restored - it works smoothly and looks fantastic. The material is well polished, so it shines and glows. Everything is in place. The nib itself is stellar - smooth, wet, a great daily writer! Honestly. I don't want to give this one away. It's so delicious!! Keep an eye on Serious Nibbage for this one. Spoiler: it's pretty serious.

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This pen was donated for review and giveaway. I was not compensated monetarily or otherwise for this review.