It's aboooouuut time! I've been using and semi-collecting pens for many years. I own a wide selection of Lamy, Waterman, Aurora, Sheaffer, etc., but always seem to pick up one of my Cross fountain pens when it's time to write. They are real everyday workhorses. The Cross ballpoints are on top of their niche, the pencils are pencils . I also find the Ion to be a perfect pants pocket pen when wearing "no pocket" polo shirts. Now if they'd do something about the roller balls. Every one I've picked up has had issues with skipping, screaching, or blobbing. They should make a converter to use Ion gel refills!

Ron Fanning

Hi Ron.

I've not used a Cross FP but I am an Ion fan and have a Cross BP that is my "goto" BP for check writing, form filling and such.

I'm looking forward to learning more about the pens and pencils here.

There really is some excellent information on Cross. Cross gave me a book on their company and it's chock full of interesting information.

Here are a few samples that I'll be bringing up on the forum...

What was the long term relationship between Cross and Parker and what broke it up?

We often think of fountain pens (FPN and all that), but Cross produced a number of very interesting non-nibbed writing instruments.

We often think of the ballpoint's rise in the 1950s and a strong association with BIC and Parker (the ubiquitous Jotter) - there's a whole story on the Cross ballpoint that needs to be told.

How did the Century model get its name? Who made it? ...and what is it the second generation of?

What role did Cross play in the gold filled vs gold plate debate?

And there is much more....

Jim. Thanks for starting this forum. I thnk Cross has to be an underated company when it comes to fountain pens. Their ballpoints are well known and I too keep a Century BP in my desk drawer for those times when a FP just won't do.

I have only owned one Cross FP, that being a 20 year old Century but sadly it needs to go to Cross for overhaul. I haven't used it in over 10 years. It's kind of sentimental to me. Bought it new and used to to write letters to my now wife (then girlfriend) when separated due to my military service. I could never trade it.
Actually my BP mentioned is 26 years old - got it from my mother for graduation from High School.

Cross makes good stuff, even the Vapor made in China shows their high standards of QC.

Look forward to hearing more here and on your site in regard to Cross.

Txs

Rowdy

I have a pair of 'em. A Century II in a matte black finish, and the previous version (from the '80's) in a matte grey. Both write well, although the piston filler converter does tend to require a nudge after extended writing. I should really try a good flushing to see if that helps...

I got the Century II as a replacement when I sent the earlier version in with a crack in the section for repair. As they were out of parts for the obsolete version, they just replaced it with the newer model.

So, the pens work well, the guarantee is good, and the support great.

Gerry

As this is a cross forum, what would be a good recommendation for a first Cross fp - say under $65? THANKS

If you can stretch just a little bit, to a street price of $75 or so, the Townsend in all chrome is both handsome and a nice pen.

The Century II is a more slender pen with the classic profile and a bit less heavy. The Classic Black, Charcoal, Royal Blue, Medalist, new Decorative Engraved Chrome, and all Lustrous Chrome are inside your price range at street prices, and the nib design is a lot more attractive now.

It pays to watch for sales. I've picked up some solos, Century II's and an ATX for under $60 each. All write nicely, but have completely different feel. The Century II is very slim, the ATX is fatter but has a smooth metal section that some find too slick, the Solo (get one while you can, I understand they're discontinued) is light but with plenty of girth. If you prefer something more substantial, the Townsend is hard to beat, albeit a bit higher priced.

Great idea for a forum, Jim!
I know Cross has been around for over 150 years and it does seem to have been quite under-represented on some pen boards (until now!). I do not currently own a Cross FP but I do have a Century ballpoint (10K gold-filled, I think) that I got as a gift from my parents (the ubiquitous grad gift ), a Townsend Blue Lacquer ballpoint and the neat little Ion rollerball.

I do have my eye on the Verve FP but I haven't tried one out yet.... and I am curious to hear some feedback on the now-discontinued Metropolis FP model (was it only made for the overseas market??) that caught my eye when I saw its cool Art Deco nib (Giovanni Abrate had praised the pen in a Pentrace post a while back)...

Thanks in advance, Jim!

[COLOR=blue]Hi everybody new member here I think it is great that sombody took the time to set up yhe cross forum as I think they are a very underrated pen as I have many I have to find a bad one thought there was something wrong with me

My first Cross Fp was a disappointment. I got a bad Solo. I've played bad solos before but it was upsetting to try to write with one. Nevertheless, I bought a beautiful rosewood colour Century II Great writer. Recently picked up a tuxedo Townsend. Fantastic and pretty pen. Long live Cross!

Lots of selection on ebay.


Karin :bunny1:

I have a really nice azure blue Cross ATX that I use all the time. It's got the "extra-fine" nib, but it writes what *I* would consider a fine-to-medium line, which works out perfect for checkbook entries and my everyday note-taking and other general writing tasks. I love broad strokes, but, for everyday use, thinner works out better. The Cross extra-fine nib on my ATX writes very smoothly, and I never have a problem with skipping or any trouble starting the pen.

The best price I could find online was thru Gunther Gifts, and included free engraving! So, I got a nice personalized pen for about $45. Only drawback is that the engraving is on the cap, so someone could (theoretically) steal my pen, and replace the cap. I won't worry about it too much though, since I use this as my main pen, and always know where it is....

I haven't tried it with the included ink cartidges; I've always just used the included converter. I keep it filled with Noodlers Legal Lapis ink, from Pendemonium. It works great in this pen.

- Rick "Happy customer" Dickinson

Hi,

Parker pencils were made by Cross.

Dillon