Cross Townsend Platinum Plated Medium Nib

[frenchguy86]

So here comes my first review(don't be too hard on me): It's been some time that I wanted to experience what a "Flagship pen" was. Cross was not my first choice, as I did express myself sometime ago on the Cross thread on how I never understood how the Cross collection worked. But I found that pen for a very good price so I jumped on it.

http://i.imgur.com/Z6HlaiC.jpg?1

Appearance and Design: (9/10)

I actually love it! The pen is not the overused cigar-shaped pen and is not like any other large sized pen. The pen is stylish and also very utilitarian: the pen can be posted securely(the cap attached "clicks" securely to the ring present at the back of the pen). The only weird choice would be the capping system: when you put the cap on(snap cap) you will need to force it as it will feel "tight" already after sliding it half of the way. That's pretty unnatural at first.

http://i.imgur.com/n2germv.jpg?1

Construction & Quality (10/10)

The pen is well built and solid. Nothing to complain about. How the platinum plating will hold? only time will tell.

http://i.imgur.com/bxHsiQN.jpg?1

Weight & Dimensions (10/10)

It weights 35 grams, as a length of 15cm and a diameter of 10.9mm. I don't have huge hand and the the limited girth of the pen makes it very comfortable. Same thing for the length, the pen is very well balanced, so you are not really feeling the 35 grams when writing.

Here's some pens to compare it to size-wise: Ratnamson Supreme, Cross Townsend, Lamy 2000, Pilot Vanishing Point, Aurora 88, Parker duofold International, Parker Sonnet, Parker Slimfold, Unknown french pen.

http://i.imgur.com/ffvd02C.jpg?1

Nib & Performance (8/10)

It's a smooth 18k nib but I have seen smoother, it has some feedback but not in a bad way, it's also in the middle of the way for wetness( carefully choosing your ink should make the pen write with the level of wetness or dryness you desire). As for line variation: there's none, the nib is rigid. It's very nice utilitarian kind of nib.

Filling System & Maintenance (9/10)

Standard cartridge converter, nothing special. Probably helps keeping the pen weight on the downside of other big, girthy, piston filled flagship pen.

http://i.imgur.com/ZJw4EpU.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/o4ci7ik.jpg?1

Cost & Value (2/10 or 10/10?)

That's a real hard one. I don't see myself paying retail price for that pen. A whooping 630$... But it is a Cross: not hard to find those pen 50% off retail or 1/4 of the retail price. I did not pay much for mine, so it's hard not seeing my pen as a good bargain.

Conclusion (Final score, 47/60)

How much desirable is that platinum plating vs a simple chrome plating? I think the diamond engraving is nice but the same engraving on the chrome townsend would probably create a similar pen at a more affordable price. On a picture there no difference on platinum plating and chrome, in person it might be different( I do not own the chrome townsend).

So it's a very nice pen. But having it at your own "right price" makes it a lot better then it probably is when you compare it to other pen in the same range.

Ps: sorry for the English, it's not my first language and I will try to correct myself, if I found some of the errors while re-reading it.

here's the link to the pictures: http://imgur.com/ffvd02C&DfYaylk&Z6HlaiC&Lkr7GtC&n2germv&xdl7pwC&bxHsiQN&XYd9fvf&npYaZXf&o4ci7ik&ZJw4EpU#0 Some where too similar to be posted.

Edited October 30, 2014 by frenchguy86

[max dog]

Thanks for the review. That is a handsome finish on the pen. Townsends are very underrated on this forum.

I find my 18K gold Townsend nib comparable to my Pelikan and Montblanc nibs in terms of spring and smoothness. Less wet though.

[da vinci]

Nice review, thanks

 

I have Townsends in Black, Jade, Lapis and sterling silver. All bought at what I consider to be good prices, and which represent excellent value for money. The Nibs are great, and I agree with Max Dog that the Townsend seems underrated here.

Edited November 1, 2014 by da vinci