I grew up in the 1980's and the classic Cross pen was an icon of style, success, and coolness. As I got older I developed a pen/pencil fetish that fluctuated between Cross pen/pencil sets and the Rotring 600 series of pencils. Recently I went to buy a new Cross pen/pencil set and was disappointed that not only was it made in China, but the pencil broke within 6 days of use.
Today I went and spied the Tech 3 and figured I'd give it a chance since I seen great reviews for it. It's awesome! This is the best Cross product I've ever used! I was disappointed with the Ions and Morphs, somewhat happy with a Selectip, and am totally in love with the Tech 3! I think it's their best product since the classic line we all love!
My friends call me a Pen snob since I won't write with cheap plastic pens, and only use certain brands. I also have a Mont Blanc Boheme Noir Ballpoint that I don't like either and that pen cost over $300.00. I never understood the Mont Blanc fetish some people have but maybe it's just me. Hopefully Cross will continue making great products like the Tech 3 (made in Japan BTW) and correct the quality errors coming out of China. I'm new here and this site is like porn for me, hence the screen name. Thanks for your time.

BTW I use the Mechanical Pencil Mode 90% of the time, But the two Pen modes (red,black) write great. I prefer mechanical pencils over pretty much anything else; my favorite pencil for years was a Rotring 600 Series Lava Finish that I lost.

I keep looking at them, I like the style, but the non covered section area keeps putting me off. I think I have been spoiled by the rubber covered section on the Staedtler Multi 4.

It's actually pretty comfortable without the rubber finish since it's round. The Rotrings I had and have usually aren't because they have sharp angles. My only problem with stuff like the Staedtler Multi 4 is the eraser cap, it's so easy to lose. The Tech 3 top screws on and off.

Agree that the small eraser cap is a bad design and not exclusive to Staedtler either. From my first Pilot 0.5mm I have been carrying an eraser stick everytime I go outside with a mechanical pencil.

I definitely like the looks of the Tech 3, but I have a round metal barrel on a Staedtler Retro 3 and to me it is very uncomfortable.

I've always regretted losing my Levenger-edition Rotring Quattro w/ rubberized surface --- the only pen I've lost since I was a junior in high school....

William

Well I've Been using this pen/pencil hybrid for 2 months now and it's unanimous : THIS IS THE BEST PRODUCT CROSS HAS EVER DEVELOPED! I use the pencil almost all day and the pen(s) here and there and it's just a great product. Go buy one! I picked up mine for around $35.00 at Staples. The pen barrels can also hold the skinny Fisher Space Pen Refills in case you have some deep space travel planned.

I have two Tech 3's. I love them. I replaced the red in one with blue, as that is the rule a work. I love them. I agree, in the last couple decades, these are a winner. I wish they would make a 10k version. That would make me buy #3. The first two are chrome and blue chrome.

Blue/Gold would be nice too.

Today I went and bought a Fisher Quad Space Pen and it was a disaster. I never liked multi-pens but the Tech 3 spoiled me. Sadly it is THE only multi-pen that I find useful. I don't want to slam the Fisher but everything from the eraser cap to the actual feel is just wrong. Cross really hit a home run with the design of the Tech 3. The screw on eraser cap, the feel, the absence of rattle (at least on mine, some people seem to have it. It's REALLY bad on the Fisher; sounds like a rattle snake) and the cycling of choices are all things I love.
The one thing I liked about the Fisher is it uses .7MM graphite as opposed to the .5MM on the Tech 3. I break .5MM easily so I have to write softer which isn't a problem but .7MM would be nice....anyway I gave the Fisher to my Girlfriend. I'm sticking with the Tech 3.

The tech3 shape does look quite right.
How well do the refills write? I usually write with blue but never quite liked the cross blue refills. Would
a mini-blue refill from Cross (I see them available on the cross site) write well? Can Parker mini refills
be put in it?

Nice...

I just had a look on the Web, and I like the idea. Would the black version look right as part of a Townsend set?

Antony

And can the red pen section be replaced by a stylus? It's a shame Cross doesn't include a stylus refill as SOP.

I used the Staedtler multi-action refills from Staples. These fit the Tech 3 perfectly. I feel they write very nicely.

As to finding a stlus, Staples again provided an answer. They sell a multifunction pen under the Staples brand. It came with additional erasers, leads and an optional stylus. The stylus does fit the Tech 3 if you relace an ink. It did not work in the pencil spot. It was pretty handy to have a pen, pencil and stylus in the classy Cross package.

I did see they have made a medalist style Tech 3. I don't see them anywheres. Are they coming out or were they a limited run?