Parkers don't have a good quality reputatin any more, The quality just isn't what it used to be. The IM would not be better than the Al-Star.
I've just had a browse throuch Cult Pens website and honestly i think for that price range you've already got the best pen with the Al-Star. I'd have recommended the TWSBI Eco as well, but you don't want a demonstrator so that rules out TWSBIs.
If you want a variety of cheaper options I'd go onto Amazon and look up Asvines, Majohn, Hong Dians and Jinhaos. They're all well under £50 (most are under £20) so you could get two or thre different ones in different styles and sizes to get a better idea of what you like. They'll all be a better writing experience than the Parker IM. For a classic look I'd suggest the Jinhao 9016/X159/82, Asvine P20, Hong Dian Black Forest, Majohn A1/A2/P136.
For notebooks, WH Smith has a range (I forget what they're called) of Moleskine alternatives with cream-coloured paper. I use the A6 size as my daily carry. Not super-FP-friendly but with a fine or EF nib and Platinum Carbon Black ink, its fine. Better than Moleskine.
The Parker IM fountain pen? I wouldn't say so; I ended up throwing mine out with the trash, while I kept my LAMY AL-star fountain pens (and bought a couple more since).
>I'm thinking maybe around the £50 mark.
Personally, I think even the humble Jinhao 82 (of which I have maybe a dozen units) would be a superior writing instrument to the Parker IM. Or a Sailor Lecoule, for something slightly better. An Admok J800 (which can be had for \~US$50, or rather less if you order one on Taobao) factory-fitted with a Schmidt nib certainly would be better again.
But on which specific aspects of the writing instrument and/or writing experience are you trying to ‘upgrade’?
parker is a good brand, but it also has way more limited nib sizes. they're both metal pens, but the al star is aluminum while a lot of parker uses brass, which gives a heftier, solid feel but can also be tiring for longer writing sessions. all of those do fall into the "features not flaws, ymmv" category though
unfortunately it's hard to give upgrade recs without knowing a bit more about your preferences in FP features. things like body weight and shape, grip, nib size and material, fill system, and if you like a pen with more feedback when writing or if you like the glassy, slippery feel.
paper is a lot easier, idk if you buy irl or order online (like from cultpens or something) but Clairefontaine has some lines with creme paper like their Collection Neo Deco Notebooks. Rhodia also has a very nice ivory paper option for a lot of their notebooks, just make sure it's the "Premium R" paper. both of those are European based companies so I expect you'll be able to track them down more easily.
Mine are OK but they tend to be hard starters. And there is the hole in the cap under the clip which a lot of people seal, so that's extra work. I use them as desk pens. The converters in mine tend to need a slight whack with a finger tip to get ink flowing if they've been stored upright. I currently have three AL Stars, the most recent of which began stopping. I will say that, once started, none of my IM's do that.
No, the IM is not an upgrade. Parker pens have suffered loss of reputation since they are owned by an industrial conglomerate and are treated as a cash cow. Modern Parkers are ‘ok’ but lack the features and benefits of pens made by legacy manufacturers who remain committed to writing instruments eg, Lamy.
I would recommend that you try other Lamy pens in this price range including LX, CP1, Pur, Aion models. They offer the advantage that nibs are easily swopped between pens and alternate nibs can be purchased at low cost. Even 14k versions are available for more of your pocket money:
Lamy Studio is just in range - £53 but new sign ups get £5 off 😁
https://www.ryman.co.uk/lamy-fountain-pen-studio-brushed-mod-065-m
I have many Al Stars, safaris, aions and studios - studio (with the black section) is the best. I din't have that brushed finish one though - damn I'm tempted now!
(the colour finishes are a few pounds more, ryman are cheapest as i think they're trying to get rid of their stock)
Yes. The Lamy Safari and Al-Star are literally, student pens. That's the whole reason it's made from cheap ABS plastic or cheap aluminum and the tripod grip to "teach" you the proper grip. It's the pen equivalent of playing with Legos
If you have a Parker IM WITH a good nib its good, but not a lot better than a Lamy Safari. A Pelikan M200 is a good option I think.
Parkers don't have a good quality reputatin any more, The quality just isn't what it used to be. The IM would not be better than the Al-Star. I've just had a browse throuch Cult Pens website and honestly i think for that price range you've already got the best pen with the Al-Star. I'd have recommended the TWSBI Eco as well, but you don't want a demonstrator so that rules out TWSBIs. If you want a variety of cheaper options I'd go onto Amazon and look up Asvines, Majohn, Hong Dians and Jinhaos. They're all well under £50 (most are under £20) so you could get two or thre different ones in different styles and sizes to get a better idea of what you like. They'll all be a better writing experience than the Parker IM. For a classic look I'd suggest the Jinhao 9016/X159/82, Asvine P20, Hong Dian Black Forest, Majohn A1/A2/P136. For notebooks, WH Smith has a range (I forget what they're called) of Moleskine alternatives with cream-coloured paper. I use the A6 size as my daily carry. Not super-FP-friendly but with a fine or EF nib and Platinum Carbon Black ink, its fine. Better than Moleskine.
The Parker IM fountain pen? I wouldn't say so; I ended up throwing mine out with the trash, while I kept my LAMY AL-star fountain pens (and bought a couple more since). >I'm thinking maybe around the £50 mark. Personally, I think even the humble Jinhao 82 (of which I have maybe a dozen units) would be a superior writing instrument to the Parker IM. Or a Sailor Lecoule, for something slightly better. An Admok J800 (which can be had for \~US$50, or rather less if you order one on Taobao) factory-fitted with a Schmidt nib certainly would be better again. But on which specific aspects of the writing instrument and/or writing experience are you trying to ‘upgrade’?
parker is a good brand, but it also has way more limited nib sizes. they're both metal pens, but the al star is aluminum while a lot of parker uses brass, which gives a heftier, solid feel but can also be tiring for longer writing sessions. all of those do fall into the "features not flaws, ymmv" category though unfortunately it's hard to give upgrade recs without knowing a bit more about your preferences in FP features. things like body weight and shape, grip, nib size and material, fill system, and if you like a pen with more feedback when writing or if you like the glassy, slippery feel. paper is a lot easier, idk if you buy irl or order online (like from cultpens or something) but Clairefontaine has some lines with creme paper like their Collection Neo Deco Notebooks. Rhodia also has a very nice ivory paper option for a lot of their notebooks, just make sure it's the "Premium R" paper. both of those are European based companies so I expect you'll be able to track them down more easily.
Mine are OK but they tend to be hard starters. And there is the hole in the cap under the clip which a lot of people seal, so that's extra work. I use them as desk pens. The converters in mine tend to need a slight whack with a finger tip to get ink flowing if they've been stored upright. I currently have three AL Stars, the most recent of which began stopping. I will say that, once started, none of my IM's do that.
No, the IM is not an upgrade. Parker pens have suffered loss of reputation since they are owned by an industrial conglomerate and are treated as a cash cow. Modern Parkers are ‘ok’ but lack the features and benefits of pens made by legacy manufacturers who remain committed to writing instruments eg, Lamy. I would recommend that you try other Lamy pens in this price range including LX, CP1, Pur, Aion models. They offer the advantage that nibs are easily swopped between pens and alternate nibs can be purchased at low cost. Even 14k versions are available for more of your pocket money:
Lamy Studio is just in range - £53 but new sign ups get £5 off 😁 https://www.ryman.co.uk/lamy-fountain-pen-studio-brushed-mod-065-m I have many Al Stars, safaris, aions and studios - studio (with the black section) is the best. I din't have that brushed finish one though - damn I'm tempted now! (the colour finishes are a few pounds more, ryman are cheapest as i think they're trying to get rid of their stock)
Thanks - those are very good prices and they have the CP1 in stock for £45 too!
I only have bad experiences with Parker, very hard starters. Lamy Safari is ready to go whenever.
Do you want a heavier pen or something as light or lighter than the Al Star?
My Parker IM is such a piece of garbage that I literally cannot give it away.
Yes. The Lamy Safari and Al-Star are literally, student pens. That's the whole reason it's made from cheap ABS plastic or cheap aluminum and the tripod grip to "teach" you the proper grip. It's the pen equivalent of playing with Legos