Cross Bailey

[Wandering Man]

 

 

I found this Cross Bailey Fountain pen with a Medium nib at Office Depot today. I had seen them in the store before for $45. Today, they had them on sale for $20. I couldn't resist, so I bought one. I picked up a six-pack of ink cartridges, too. Blue/Black Cross ink. It is a good thing, since the pen does not come with either an ink cartridge or a converter.

 

The cap comes off and goes on with a little bit of difficulty. It rides in the post position fairly well.

 

The pen is fairly wet. I've had no problems with hard starts or skipping. The nib gives good feedback, and is not overly scratchy. I think this will be a good cheap pen to carry around when doing rough work outside. Those times when I might need a pen, but don't want to worry about it falling out of my pocket or getting damaged.

 

I like the color of the Blue/Black ink. I doubt I will invest in a converter for this pen, but will resort to refilling the cartridges with some other ink.

 

I know the written report above states it came with a Fine point. It is actually a Medium point. I mistook the huge F on the front of the packaging to mean that the pen had a Fine point. What it really signified was that this was Fountain pen.

[Wandering Man]

I bought this pen on impulse. And because I'm newly infatuated with FPs. My wife says I'm obsessed. I must be in denial about that, because I felt compelled to not tell her I bought the pen.

 

Wife is usually pretty unobservant about things,so I wasn't to worried about being discovered. I left the Cross laying on my desk along with my two Watermans and my Parker. She spotted it immediately! Why? Because it did'nt fit in. By itself, the pen looks fine. But laid next to pens in a higher price category, it stands out as a pen of lesser quality.

 

Busted!

 

I'm NOT obssessed with fountain pens . ...

 

Am I?

[Art]

I bought this pen on impulse. And because I'm newly infatuated with FPs. My wife says I'm obsessed. I must be in denial about that, because I felt compelled to not tell her I bought the pen.

 

Wife is usually pretty unobservant about things,so I wasn't to worried about being discovered. I left the Cross laying on my desk along with my two Watermans and my Parker. She spotted it immediately! Why? Because it did'nt fit in. By itself, the pen looks fine. But laid next to pens in a higher price category, it stands out as a pen of lesser quality.

 

Busted!

 

I'm NOT obssessed with fountain pens . ...

 

Am I?

 

No yet. But you are well on your way. I've seen these pens a few times at Staples and have been very tempted. By the way I have at least three Cross pens that I use regularly and I love them. Very comfortable on the hand and the ink flow is smooth and unbroken. I use the Blue/Black cartridges in one of the pens and the ink is really nice. Hope you enjoy your new treasure.

[indigoskye]

I own a Cross Bailey in Burgandy Red and with the standard M nib. It is a smooth writer and I've never had a problem with it. I purchased a converter for it. The converter screws in making its hold far more secure inside the pen. I have mine loaded up with Diamine Oxblood. It is part of my regular rotation.

 

I also own a Cross Beverly in Eggplant. Also a nice, well made pen. Both were purchased on sale at Staples for $20 and were my first two fountain pens. I'm not sure why Cross has such a bad rap among fountain pen collectors. We don't hear such words about Pilot Metros or Lamy Safaris that are in the same price range.

[lovemy51]

nice acquisition. i have one and love it!

 

PS. got it for $20 also.

[lefty556]

I bought one of these a month or so ago. I like the pen, but the medium nib is a bit big for my taste. Anybody know which nib on Cross's website will work? Also, which of the two converters listed works with the Bailey? Thanks!

[indigoskye]

The orange converter works with the Bailey and the Beverly. I am not sure about changing the nib. I happen to like the medium nibs, so I haven't inquired.

[Maurizio]

I just received one of these today as a corporate gift. I expected it to be junk but I loaded a black cartridge (mine came with a pack of 6) and it wrote right away. I was pleasantly surprised. I have a medium nib and I wouldn't call it "wet" but it so far delivers ink consistently to the page. The nib is very slightly scratchy, but I think that will wear off with use. It is also slightly springy which is another pleasant surprise. Overall this pen writes very well with a nib of surprising fluidity and a very slight but noticeable flex.

 

I never would have even considered buying one of these, certainly not at the list price; but for $20.00 I'd say it's a value. I have a 2 Noodler's Ahabs which cost the same. After much fussing, cleaning, razor-blading the feed, and playing around with adjusting the nib, I've got one of them working very nice and wet, but the nib still feels very scratchy on paper. The other is still too dry and may take several more attempts at adjusting. This Cross delivers writing performance right out of the box for a (sale price) of $20.00. I plan to get a converter for it; glad that question was answered by indigoskye. I'm not crazy about its aesthetics, but it does write nicely.

 

Is this a Chinese pen? That's my guess. If so it'll be my first one. I know Cross used to be a made in USA brand but sadly is no longer.

 

I also have to agree with indigoskye again that Cross may be getting a bad reputation for no good reason other than fountain pen snobbery. Again I admit I would have never thought about buying this pen. I am loathe to say it, but this pen writes ALMOST, not quite, but almost, as well as my Pilot Custom 74. It definitely writes better than my Aurora Talentum and my Shaeffer Conaisseur both of which cost much more.

 

I'm guessing the company is run by someone who doesn't understand fountain pens and views them as just so many "units" which need to be sold, like screwdrivers or soap, thus their crummy marketing, careless placement at Staples stores, lack of inclusion of a converter with the pen etc.

 

I plan to thoroughly soak and flush the Cross black ink of of the pen and use it as my "Bay State Blue" pen.

[scwilcox]

Just got the Century 2 with 18k nib love it! But be careful, a few will turn into a handful then a drawer full then...

[ndrwcn]

I was given one of these for Christmas, and agree that the medium nib feels more like a broad. Further, the all chrome model I have becomes slippery rather quickly. So as a cheap pocket pen, it is fine....but I prefer any of the other entry level pens to this one.

[indigoskye]

Is this a Chinese pen? That's my guess. If so it'll be my first one. I know Cross used to be a made in USA brand but sadly is no longer.

 

I also have to agree with indigoskye again that Cross may be getting a bad reputation for no good reason other than fountain pen snobbery. Again I admit I would have never thought about buying this pen. I am loathe to say it, but this pen writes ALMOST, not quite, but almost, as well as my Pilot Custom 74. It definitely writes better than my Aurora Talentum and my Shaeffer Conaisseur both of which cost much more.

 

I'm guessing the company is run by someone who doesn't understand fountain pens and views them as just so many "units" which need to be sold, like screwdrivers or soap, thus their crummy marketing, careless placement at Staples stores, lack of inclusion of a converter with the pen etc.

 

I plan to thoroughly soak and flush the Cross black ink of of the pen and use it as my "Bay State Blue" pen.

 

I believe that the Cross brand is now made in China. Their factory used to be here in the USA. I'm glad that I have been of help about the converter.

 

I've often thought the same about Cross marketing. You see them all over the place, but seldom do you hear of people buying them. They seem like something out of a hardware store! It is a good solid writer. A good everyday writing pen that can hold up to plenty of abuse.

[Studio97]

I ordered a Cross Baily today. Med pt 23 bucks. Can't wait to try it

[Wandering Man]

I like mine. It writes consistently. My only complaint is that you can't write with the cap posted.

[Maurizio]

Yes, I think this is a very underrated pen, in part because, as indigoskye above suggests, fountain pen snobbery. I think she may be right. It's a decent pen the wrting qualities of which compare favorably with more expensive pens.

 

It is too bad that you cant' write with it posted; that's oddity about this pen along with Cross's poor marketing of it.

[Studio97]

Received my CB today. Pen cap is a bit tight coming on and off. Writes smoothly. At this price I wouldn't mind having two of them.

[astronautcowboy]

A Bailey was my first pen back in November. A coworker commented on how nice it was the other day. Felt pretty good, even if my eyes have since been opened waaaaaay up to the world / rabbit hole of fountain pens.

 

I now own 7.

Edited January 23, 2015 by astronautcowboy

[Studio97]

We all need a support group. That's why were here.

[Tinta Verde]

A black $10 Cross Bailey for Christmas started this whole mess off ... did get the orange converter.

 

Hard(er) to post and cap than others but it may break in ... it's a plastic sleeve up in the cap.

 

It fills a use in a particular color and if it gets lost, well.

 

I would have got another, but the regular OD price is $40 ... no thanks.

 

 

TV

[Wandering Man]

A black $10 Cross Bailey for Christmas started this whole mess off ... did get the orange converter.

 

Hard(er) to post and cap than others but it may break in ... it's a plastic sleeve up in the cap.

 

It fills a use in a particular color and if it gets lost, well.

 

I would have got another, but the regular OD price is $40 ... no thanks.

 

 

TV

It does get easier to snap on and off.

[Studio97]

Now I have two Baileys. Two is one. One is none