Cross Townsend - Where Do I Go From Here?

[Pub]

Having used a Townsend for about 5 weeks now, where do I go from here?

 

I find the size and weight pretty perfect and where some people say its a pen harder to use when posted does not affect me because I never post anyway.

 

So what's next? A Townsend in a different style? (mine is black with silver trim). I don't mind that but I thought that was for the future and wanted to go for something different as my next purchase.

 

Having little knowledge of sizes of other manufacturers pens what other pens would be a very similar size?

 

I know most if not the vast majority of people on here use pens other than Cross, so I thought I would ask your advice.

I'm almost asking you to say - "if you like a Townsend you will certainly like XXXXX".

 

Many thanks.

 

 

 

 

[Charles Rice]

Just me, but my Parker Sonnet and Sheaffer Targa are a close fit.

[whalebiologist]

I started with a Cross Townsend. Then over time aquired a Lamy 2000, Sailor 1911L, Pilot Custom Heritage 92, Jinhao 159, Jinhao X450, Visconti Opera Crystal, Cross Century Classic, GvFC Classic Pernambuco, 1980's MB 146, MB 149, MB Jules Verne ... and now I have about 30 pens. I'm not crazy I swear!

[Pub]

I was thinking along the lines of something of similar size.

As I have a significant birthday coming up next month, I was thinking maybe of getting a "class" pen but to me the Townsend is a smooth writer compared to what I have used before, so in relative terms its a class pen to me.

So something of similar size and while expense is not really no object, the wife has been treated well over the last year, so as its my birthday its my turn lol.

[Sgt Bilko]

I have a Townsend with a steel nib. For me the logical next pen would be a Waterman Carene ( of course, I bought the Carene first!). Although it has a rigid nib, the weight is similar to the Townsend and the balance and nib smoothness are better.

[da vinci]

If you love the nib on the Townsend, but want something special, I would recommend the sterling silver, jade or lapis townsends. I have those and a black broad nibbed pen and think they are all great

 

I am struggling a little bit with a comparison. The Townsend is a heavy pen. Off the top of my head, how about

 

- YoL retro grande

 

- MB Tribute to Montblanc 146

 

- Sheaffer Legacy

 

- waterman Exception

 

Let us know how you get on...

 

Edited to add Graf von faber castell Intuition and possibly the Visconti Homo Sapiens..

Edited May 26, 2014 by da vinci

[max dog]

If you like the way the Townsend writes, you might consider a Pelikan. I haven't seen anything official from Cross stating it, but a lot of people believe Pelikan designed/supplied the Townsend nib at one point for Cross. If you compare the nibs, the Townsend 18K nib has uncanny resemblence to the Pelikan M600/M400 nibs. It's an 18K version of the M600/M400 nib in a lot of ways. I have both the Pelikan M400 and M600 as well as the Townsend, and they have similar writing qualities.

 

Given it is no secret Pelikan makes the bottled inks for Cross, it's not too hard to come to the conclusion there is a connection with Pelikan in the Townsend nib.

 

So an M600 or a bigger heavier M800 might be something you might consider.

Edited May 29, 2014 by max dog

[RMN]

The Parker Sonnet is of similar diameter, a bit shorter. Waterman pens are all fatter and a bit longer.

 

The Sonnet is in the same price-range. I must say the nib on my Townsend is better than the nibs on my various Sonnets.

 

Targa is about the same size and weight, but out of production for a long time now, so you would have to hunt for a NOS or good 2nd hand. But a VERY good pen.

 

The mentioned Pelikans are pistonfillers and have a different weight. The smaller Pelikans are too light for my tastes (there are some very nice Pelikans in LE versions like the N101 Lizard, or some tortoise colours, but decidedly more expensive than the Townsend)

 

Do you have time to visit a penshow? Next will be the Midlands Pen Show in Lichfield on June 22nd. You could try out many models and perhaps get a nice discount.

 

 

D.ick

[tutelman]

If you really like the Cross Townsend enough to consider purchasing it again in a different finish, you might want to consider a different size nib as well for variety.

[Pub]

Thanks for replies.

 

I had thought about getting another Townsend but have been looking at the Diplomat range.

I know we are comparing roughly about the same price, but I looked at the Pelikans and although they are very good pens, the look of them don't really appeal to me for some reason.

 

I have also looked at the Edison range, and the shape of the Collier and Herald appeal to me.

Also looked at the Platinum 3776.

[RMN]

Diplomat??? I don't know if you watch Top Gear, but this compares to the reasonably priced budget car....(IMHO)

 

I have one Diplomat, a reject which I got free from my penshop. . Certainly a decent pen. My first steel nib and made me realise steel does not mean inferior.

 

So you'll be getting a decent pen, but very unexciting model range (again, IMHO)

 

 

D.ick

[Michigan]

A Townsend was my first fountain pen. It has made a lasting impact on me--I have bought all metal pens since. "Resin" is hard to justify after the sturdiness of the steel Townsend. Instead, I moved to sterling silver. And I dumped steel nibs for gold, converters for pistons.

 

To each his own, but I recommend against the same brand. How are you trading up? It is much more fun to try something else.

 

Here is what I bought:

 

Cross Townsend, circa 1997. Converted to rollerball last year.

Montblanc 146 in sterling. Bought new in 1998. All around amazing.

OMAS Lech Walesa, sterling cap. Bought used in 2013. Extraordinary nib.

Montegrappa Cosmopolitan Oceanic, sterling. Bought new old stock in 2014. Truly a luxury pen.

 

Each has been higher quality than the Cross. And the Townsend has been pretty nice!

 

Give us a pic of what you end up doing!

[da vinci]

A Townsend was my first fountain pen. It has made a lasting impact on me--I have bought all metal pens since. "Resin" is hard to justify after the sturdiness of the steel Townsend. Instead, I moved to sterling silver. And I dumped steel nibs for gold, converters for pistons.

 

To each his own, but I recommend against the same brand. How are you trading up? It is much more fun to try something else.

 

Here is what I bought:

 

Cross Townsend, circa 1997. Converted to rollerball last year.

Montblanc 146 in sterling. Bought new in 1998. All around amazing.

OMAS Lech Walesa, sterling cap. Bought used in 2013. Extraordinary nib.

Montegrappa Cosmopolitan Oceanic, sterling. Bought new old stock in 2014. Truly a luxury pen.

 

Each has been higher quality than the Cross. And the Townsend has been pretty nice!

 

Give us a pic of what you end up doing!

That is a wonderful journey you have embarked on - a quality collection!

[Pub]

My Cross nib is silky smooth (Med) and is a pleasure to write with. I have tried a fine nib pen and although its OK, to me its just OK. I much prefer the Medium.

So I'm looking for something as smooth, no feedback.

 

Someone mentioned a Platinum 3776?

[max dog]

Although not made any more the Cross Verve is a wonderfully smooth and responsive writer. If there is any Cross pen that can eclipse the Townsend for writing quality, it would be the Verve. That inlaid nib is quite something! There are a couple on ebay right now.

 

[Chris]

There are lots of lovely pens out there in all shapes and sizes but if you find the Townsend so good to write with, I think you will end up buying another, and another and ...

 

I have, I think, ten now and they all do what a pen ought to do - write smoothly when I want them to and without fuss no matter what ink I give them to drink.

[adamselene]

No need to stick with Cross, but IF that is your plan, there is the Cross Pinnacle. it is a Townsend (the nib units are almost the same, except there is an extra ring on the Pinnacle, and it won,t allow the cap on if it is mistakenly put on a Townsend), but like a Lexus to a Camry.

 

And they are hard to find, which makes it more fun if you like the hunt. Be careful, as there are Cross Pinnacles which are just cheap Crosses out there as well.

 

Not saying you should, but you could.

 

BTW, if you love Cross, you will LOVE ST Dupont, but watch for fakes. I use all my pens, so I look for used pens, it can be done!

Edited June 30, 2014 by adamselene

[elysee]

No need to stick with Cross, but IF that is your plan, there is the Cross Pinnacle. it is a Townsend (the nib units are almost the same, except there is an extra ring on the Pinnacle, and it won,t allow the cap on if it is mistakenly put on a Townsend), but like a Lexus to a Camry.

And they are hard to find, which makes it more fun if you like the hunt. Be careful, as there are Cross Pinnacles which are just cheap Crosses out there as well.

Not saying you should, but you could.

BTW, if you love Cross, you will LOVE ST Dupont, but watch for fakes. I use all my pens, so I look for used pens, it can be done!

The Cross Pinnacle is a nice step up from the Cross Townsend. I own the Pinnacle in the Peacock, Amber, and Burgundy/Bordeaux lacquer finishes. They have FANTASTIC balance and make LOVELY lines. I have nibs in extra fine, medium, and broad -- really nice! So, with great lines and beauty, the Cross Pinnacle is a writing pleasure.

[highlander1307]

Used Cross pens for over forty years. Suggest another Cross, new and vintage. They are very good, very recognizable, and refills readily available. Great warranty.

[laureat]

I'm a daily writer with my Townsends. I find it hard to find its equal or even something better. They are such great FP's.

So, once used to the Townsend smootheness.... not much can compare.

But.... the Waterman Carene is a yammie FP. The nib is as smooth and soft to the touch as the Townsend. The end of the pen has a gold finish -just like the Townsend-. It is less heavy. So for longer writing sessies I prefer the Carene. But it is a close call.