Parker Sonnet Matte Black Lacquer with Chrome Colour Trim, Fountain Pen, Fine nib with Black ink (S0818070)

My wife gave me a Waterman fountain pen for my birthday over 10 years ago after I saw my cousin had one and I broke out into a fit of envy. I enjoy writing, and loved writing with a nice pen instead of a throw-away ballpoint pen. I used my Waterman everyday at work when I had a prestigious job working with judges and attorneys. When I retired from that position and went to work as just "a regular guy," I retired my Waterman because I didn't want to seem pretentious, and I used the throw-away pens provided by my next employer. But after my wife recently passed away, I wanted to resume using the Waterman because it had been a gift from her. When I did, I noticed the gold plating was coming off the nib and it felt like the nib was sort of dragging on the paper; I could almost hear sort of a scratching sound as the nib moved across the paper. So, I decided to do some Internet research and find a better fountain pen.Clearly, I wasn't in the market for a Mont Blanc and I didn't want to spend $400 or $500 for a fountain pen. What my research revealed was the Parker Sonnet was widely reviewed as a pen without criticisms of any kind. It can be purchased with a variety of nibs, but having had a pen that shed its gold plating I opted for the 18k carat gold nib. Reviewers also commented that this nib would be expected to provide the best writing experience.My Parker Sonnet was delivered yesterday and I took it to work today. The difference between my Parker and my Waterman is HUGE! First of all, the feel and balance of the Parker Sonnet is far better than the Waterman: it's lighter, and if you are inclined to put the cap on top of the pen while you write, it's doable with the Parker Sonnet but when the cap is placed on top of the Waterman it is noticeably unbalanced. Then, I noticed the nib literally glided across the paper with no drag whatsoever. I couldn't have been happier about that. And, although both my Parker Sonnet and my Waterman have fine nibs, the Parker Sonnet's line was noticeably finer than my Waterman's line. Finally, when my boss came into my office to ask me a question, she commented about what an attractive pen I was using.If you are in the market for a quality fountain pen, both in its appearance and its performance on paper, you won't go wrong with the Parker Sonnet with an 18k nib.

This pen is beautiful! I really like the color combination. It is elegant but not at all overly so. Light and very comfortable to use I prefer using the refillable insert so I can select the most passionate color to write my notes. Using the Palmer penmanship method one does not press the pen to paper for there is no need. A gorilla grip with pressure used with other writing implements, will ruin a fountain pen. One balances the pen in the hand, the fingers about two inches from the nib, holding the hand still, poised over paper. Then, gently touching the paper with the nib, releasing the ink from the pen, gracefully tracing letters across the paper in one continuous line. That is elegance, sophistication and entails quite a bit of practice. I will tell you though, the concept of “practice make perfect” is one that with this Parker Sonnet Fountain Pen you are not only rewarded with exquisite penmanship, but with other worldly rewards. On an occasion of little importance, not an anniversary, not a celebration, just the special occasion of my letting her know how much I love her, I gave this same pen to my lover because I love her dearly and I love writing with my fountain pen. For her alone, I have selected the Pilot Iroshizuku Bottled Fountain Pen Ink, Yama-Budo, Crimson Glory Vine, Purple Red. With that introduction, she too, uses the same ink. For us, this color speaks visual volumes, reminiscent of our many Kim Anami inspired bacchanalia festivities. As we have learned from Kim and grown our abilities and skills at pleasing each other, so has our enjoyment of and skill mastering the Palmer writing technique with our matching Parker Sonnet Fountain Pens. And one of the best things with matching pens is that I can easily insert my pen in her cap, much to her delight and she enjoys having her cap filled with my pen. So we do that every time we see each other. If you love her, get her one of these Parker Sonnet Fountain Pens and she can select her most passionate ink to write notes to you and, who knows, you may even be able to join her in a Kim Anami Salon?! How exciting!