I know that this is a fountain pen forum but I am curious. I have been buying a few of the Star Reporter, Reporter and Kimberly pens. They write nice with Cross refills and don't need any modification with the Cross refill. The Skyline dosen't work for an everyday pen for me. I have a CA, also modded to use the Cross refill, but I like the way the Reporter feels in my hand. Anyone have any information on these pens?

Sean

I have a Fifth Ave CA Repeater. Thanks for the tip with the Cross refil.

I have an Eversharp CA that has a ( ) Bic refill in it, and a dark green plastic Eversharp Star Reporter.
There is an article on the CA on Penhero.com : http://www.penhero.com/PenGallery/Evershar...CABallpoint.htm
Thanks for the tip on the Cross refill; I will have to try that

I don't know much about the Star Reporter, other than what my book "The Incredible Ballpoint Pen" by Henry Gostony and Stuart Schneider tells me. It says that the pen was made from 1948-1954 and that the original cost was $1.00 (value $15-20). The book is from 1998 so I don't know if the market value has gone up or down since then. It's a handy reference guide for anyone (like me) who appreciates vintage ballpoints.

Thanks for the replys. I think these pens have a nice shape to them. I wasn't sure of the production years, so that helps me out. The conversion for the CA required cutting the silver metal tip down a little and drilling out the hole so that the Cross refill will fit. I have to put some tape on the refill to cause some friction. That way it dosen't push in when you write. The first 2 Reporters that I bought, I drilled out the tip to widen the hole for a refill from a new retractable pen. Then I figured out that the Cross refill would fit with out drilling out the tips. Again, a little tape helps to keep it from sticking out to far or pushing in when you write. I know that these pens will never have the value that the fountain pens do but I still think they are cool.
Sean

I just got a Skyline CA ballpoint with the blue striped cap off eBay. I have to admit, being pretty new to Skylines, I didn't know there was a ballpoint, and I assumed it was a mislabelled fountain pen. I'm only a little disappointed that it's a BP. It's in very nice condition, with the blue striped cap. No noticeable brassing, just some ink stains. I did the Bic conversion that was linked from the Penhero article mentioned above. It's almost not right calling it a conversion, since it's just friction-fitting the Bic point and ink tube. Of course, that Bic tip in there doesn't look quite right.

I have to wonder if it isn't possible to clean out the original CA ink tube (I'm sure the straw from a can of WD-40 or some other solvent would fit down there) and force ink from a Bic ink tube into it. And would it work right if it was possible? Was the ink the problem with the original design, or was there fault with the ball itself? While the original silver tip of the CA refill isn't nearly as pretty as a nib, it's still nicer looking than the plastic tip from the Bic.

Congrats on the Skyline CA. I am still looking for one of those too. I'm not sure if it would be possible to replace the ink in the
CA refill. I think it would be a lot of trouble to do. If you don't want to cut up the original refill to use the silver end to hold a modern refill then the bic mod is your best bet. I have a black Skyline demi that I very much enjoy writing with.
Sean

I might give cleaning and refilling a shot, since there's nothing to lose. I figure the straw from a can of spray solvent will fit down the tube, and then if I can find a rod that fits inside the ink tube from a Bic, I can use it like a plunger to inject ink down into the CA tube. If it doesn't work, there's nothing lost but some time. I'd rather not cut the CA tube just so it can always be returned to its stock look, if not operation.

Good luck, let me know how it goes. You might be able to use canned air to force the ink in from the Bic refill.
Sean

Sean,
Don't know if you or anyone on this page would be interested, but I have 12 brand new Star Reporter ink pens in the original box made for 12 pens. There are 4 burgundy, 4 black, 2 dark green, and 2 blue. All of these pens have the original Kimberly ink refill but all have dried up. If interested let know.
Bob

Hello Tucker777, email me a price and I will let you know. I'm kinda strapped right now but might be able to work something out.
Sean