Hello! I was wondering: Is Cross still making the 0.9mm pencil? I don't see how to purchase one. Cross.com doesn't seem to have a way to order one, and I don't see any retailers that offer them.

I did just now buy one on eBay but I only paid $13something including shipping. Did I probably buy a knock-off? It was said to be a Century model. I am also bidding on a black matte... how much should I be willing to pay generally? I like the width of the 0.9 mm pencil, and I've always had a Cross pencil around. Brings back memories for me.

Thanks for any advice

Hi,

They used to make them and Cross was the inventor. I have a 0.9 is lustrous Chrome--a Century model. They have sadly been discontinued.

Dillon

Do you think the market lost interest in a point that broad for everyday writing purposes? Is anyone else making a fancy mechanical pencil at 0.9mm?

Yes, the market changed for various reasons. One was the very inexpensive stick ball point pens filled the niche that was once that of the pencil. Another reason is that many of the old pencil users needed sharp points for small numbers and the 0.5mm pencil was like haveing a perpetually sharp pencil.

MPs of that lead size are still made by Pentel makes several models, Faber Casetell, Retro 51, Delta, and several others.

Thank you for sharing the market analysis! I'm rather old-fashioned, so I think I'll use my 0.9mm pencil. Plus any I can win on eBay!

Yard-O-Led pencils are 1.1 mm (approximately). If you like Cross pencils you might like them as well.

Hi,

The marketing department in general agreed to discontinue them, but a few people like refillczar disagreed.

Dillon

Although Cross have not made a 0.9mm pencil for general sale for nearly 10 years, they HAVE made a batch (in a ballpen/pencil gift set) for Costco I suspect for the US initially, but I have seen one that has been purchased in the UK.

I have a grey one that I keep in my tool box....the thick lead is actually ideal for marking lines on wood. To think that
it may be worth extra to someone...

The marketing department..yes.. I believe they were responsible for my losing my chrome century with the curled spiral
grip; I sent it in for repair and got back a pen with no grip (which slips and can't be held to this day) and a little note saying
"we did a study and people preferred the slippery chrome finish"....


Of course in Staples today I see some Chinese centurys with what appears to be a similiar (but not the same) spiral grip
pattern on them. I guess the overseas factory can put any sort of finish on the pens. Pehaps they can make a .9mm
version no problem also ?

Funny thing! Yesterday, I went to Staples to pickup a replacement Classic Century BP (I lost mine!), and I walked by a display for the Cross "Athens". The Classic Century BP was being sold for $24.99 CAD, and the Athens (a pen/pencil set) was being sold for $19.99 CAD.

As a Cross fan, I decided to pick up the Athens set... It turns out that the pencil uses 0.9mm lead, so they do make it! You just have to find it somewhere

I have three .9 mm Cross pencils: picked up at yard sales. I am a bargain hound.

Montblanc makes a .9mm pencil in the "Meisterstuck" line (maybe in the Boheme line too?). I think the Lamy Scribble is 1.1 mm -- it may actually be 2mm.

You can find plenty of vintage pencils on eBay. Many of these, including no shortage of Cross pencisl, use .9mm "leads".

Jonathan

It was with huge disappointment that I discovered that Cross was no longer making my favorite writing instrument -- the .9mm Pencil. Smashing the tip of my 14k Pencil (a gift in 1976!) a few years ago led me to send the instrument to Cross for repair/replacement in 2004. The .5mm received in return does not come close to matching my old pencil. Luckily, I have two more .9mm's which should last me 'til I'm on the south side of the sod.

Nonetheless, I am impressed by the way this company stands behind their products!!

my montblanc MS pencil is a 9, as is my parker orange "centennial" pencil, and my sterling silver cross pencil. you want a great vintage 9, find one of those chubby autopoints on ebay. great pencil.

Hi,

I am currently in the process of changing jobs. Knowing that am rather fond of fountain pens and stationary in general, my colleagues gave me a Cross Athens BP and Pencil (0.9m) set. This is the first time i was writing with a 0.9m pencil and absolutely love it. If you are still keen on it, i could enquire about the availability here (Mumbai, India). Though i did look up the Cross website and Amazon but couldnt find it, a few retailers here seem to be selling it.

Cheers