Hi everyone!

I own a black Cross Century fountain pen (steel gold-plated nib) and have encountered a problem with it. The ribbed black plastic gripping section spins around when I attempt to unscrew the section from the barrel to refill the pen. The pen did this from day one. I took the pen back to the shop where I bought it, and they immediately exchanged the section. At first, the new one seemed OK, but eventually went the same way as the original section after only a few weeks use. I NEVER overtighten the section, as I realise that this could cause damage. Now when I wish to refill the pen, I have to grip the section at the gold band above the nib in order to unscrew the section successfully, usually getting inky fingers in the process. I've never bothered sending the pen back to Cross as I assumed that this was a design flaw, and it would only happen again, even if they changed the section again.

I love this pen - it is a beautifully smooth writer, but this fault is really ANNOYING. Has anyone else encountered this problem with the Century fountain pens?

Bernie.

I have the same pen. Occasionally when I grip the fluted section to thread or unthread the barrel from the section, I hear a slight popping noise. It's a plastic sound, and I surmised that the plastic fluting was a bit loose somewhere. However, I've never had it come loose.

Send the pen to the company. They'll fix it at no charge; they're very gracious.

I am facing the very same problem with my steel nibbed century II medallist. Did cross replace your pen?

Hari

I didn't send mine back since I had ground the nib. I gave the pen away to a friend whose help I appreciate.

Still, I have resisted buying a Townsend for the same reason: fear that the section gripping material will come loose from the metal section base beneath.

I use my pens every day, either in office or hospital.
I have only had this problem with the Century II (one of the three I own - the other two are fine)
10 Townsends, 5 Pinnacles, 2 Signatures and a Verve are all fine and are all part of my regular rotation.
Having said that, Cross has always been fabulous with customer service.
They replaced my Merlot Verve no questions asked when I complained the section was leaking and I was getting inky fingers. As it turned out there was nothing wrong with the pen. The inlaid nib design was encouraging me to hold the pen very close to the point - on the nib edges actually - so the inky fingers were my own fault. Cross however just gave me a new one they had tested themselves.
I would contact Cross and send it back, ground nib and all.

The Century is out of production.
They might give you a new Century 2.

I have the same problem with my Century, but i love writing with it so i haven't bothered to send it in.