Italix 'Parson's Essential' ITALIC Fountain Pen

I purchased this Fountain Pen a few months ago, so have had time to use it and feel qualified to write a review. It is a superb Fountain Pen and quite simply put I love it! Firstly I've been using Fountain Pens since I was at junior school, as a left hander I've always found them easier to use, but subsequently I've been quite picky with the pens I've chosen. Up until now I've never really been satisfied with pen's I've had. Mostly because the nibs on most pens these days are too thin, easy to damage and the pens don't really look like anything special. This pen is different and exceptional and I'm very happy with my purchase. First handling and there is an immediate feel of seriousness, weightiness and gravitas. it's smooth in feel and and surprisingly looks a lot more expensive than it is. Being left handed I was worried about ordering a pen online, without "trying it", and about whether as an italic pen the nib would slant to acutely to the right, making it difficult to use (I write with my hand held in a forward position, not from the upside down angle). As it turns out the nib works fine and there isn't a noticeable slant. Its not too thick or thin in width. If anything, I felt the nib could be slightly wider but that's a personal preference I'd say. The lower half of the pen unscrews with a very classy polished silver thread - and the top screws down securely with a thread as well, so there is no chance of the pen coming apart in your bag if you do carry it loose. The long ink barrel is well crafted and has good durability. The look and feel to this pen is classic. I would say it's the sort of pen I've yearned for (but sadly never had..before!) and makes all of my other pens pale into insignificance. Sadly even my dear old Parker 45, gawd bless it, which I've had since 6th form! I would say that if you value the old ways of pen and ink, are a bit of a fountain pen aficionado, want something that's a bit special, but don't want to spend ridiculous money because you'll be terrified of losing it, then this is your pen! It's a real a beauty and treasure! If I was castaway on a Desert Island, this would definitely be an item I'd choose to take with me....as well as lots of paper and ink of course!

The Parson's Essential is the most basic of several models within the Italix range of mostly italic- and oblique-nibbed fountain pens. Up to 15 different nib choices are possible when purchased direct from the manufacturer/distributor and some choices of body colour and finish (plain, marbled etc), some of them in gold in certain grades only and at extra cost; the standard nibs are gold-plated steel. If purchased from other sellers, the range of nibs, colours and other options may be restricted.On appearance alone, it is not too difficult to see that the pens are Oriental in origin although the nibs are German-made, fitted in the UK and very smooth writers. Although a high quality Schmidt (standard) converter is fitted, standard ink cartridges can also be used.The pens are hand-finished in the UK which may include fitting and adjusting the relevant nibs and other minor assembly etc. The caps which screw onto the barrel, are not typical Chinese and may be UK-made, providing a leak-proof containment when using the pocket clip which is very stiff - they often are with better Chinese producers - but which posts normally as a push-fit. The pen is just about long enough to use unposted but is probably better-balanced and more comfortable for most when used posted; the posted length is a good 155mm. Reviews elsewhere of the different models and several of the available nib grades suggest that they all write rather wet, confirmed with this 1.1mm version, which may demand use of an ink that is not too easy flowing. With the italic and oblique nibs, considerable line width variation is possible.If you purchase direct from the manufacturer, you have the full range of nib options to select between and an engraving service is also available. Additionally, should you choose a nib and find that it does not suit, a free nib exchange service available within the first 30 days allows a finer, broader or different style of nib to be re-selected and fitted. Prices for the various models is quite different, most of which have church- or naval-related names.If you like this style of writing, try one!

This is a beautiful pen with a solid construction. The italic nib allows for a personalised writing giving to the documents a really attractive looking. I rate, however, with four stars because I have found that the ink flow is not always uniform: the amount of ink deposited on the paper is sometimes low and I needed to press the ink cartridge gently to allow more ink to reach the nib. Apart from this, in fact small point, a nice pen that I enjoy using every day.

This pen comes in a nice little black wooden case. It has a spare ink cartridge and a convertor for ink. I just use the latter.It comes with a medium italic nib. This pen is well made and quite heavy in the hand, made of black plastic finished with a Celtic design and a clip in gold. I am using a nice China Blue ink made by Diamine and the ink flow is faultless. A good buy at a keen price.

This is a superb pen for the price. It certainly feels more expensive than its price. The nib is very smooth, the ink flow was normal to wet straight out of the box, with no skipping or scratching. It is a bit wider than "medium" - but this is my subjective view. If you are comfortable with grinding your own nibs, you can customise it to be a bit more chiselled or a bit narrower. The pen feels just right in my hand - heavy but not very heavy. It is about the size of the Pelikan Souveran M800 and feels as heavy as the M1000. If they did it in any other colours I would certainly buy another one. Highly recommended.

Beautiful pen, well made, sturdy, not too heavy. Smooth writing nib, probably one of the best I've tried. Well packaged, amazingly prompt delivery and great help from seller.Worth noting that the name of the pen make 'the italix parsons essential' is etched into the lacquer. You can't see this easily, but it is there in certain light.Will be recommending to colleagues and friends. Very happy.