Hi guys, I bought some Townsend Fountain pens from cross.com's website last night for a little over 30 dollars each. They had a 75% off sale + 20% off if I used my mastercard + free shipping, etc etc.
I see on Amazon.com that the pen is $230 dollars normally, so I decided to buy 5 of them for a little over 100 bucks. Do you guys know if this is a decent pen? I've never used a Townsend pen, and I'm hopping it doesn't look too gaudy or fall apart like cheap plastic. I had that issue with my Cross ATX fountain pen (the paint on the grib started to peel).
Full Version: Townsend Sale
Although this is my first official post, I can confidently say that the Townsend is a fine pen. I have one as well as several ATX's and I'd take my Townsend over the ATx's any time. Don't get me wrong, however, the ATX is also a great pen. I've never experienced the problem you had. Hopefully I don't!
Sounds like you did very well.
Living in Cross country (Rhode Island) I have, at last count, 10 Townsends in my collection.
They have all been excellent writers right out of the box and are a part of my regular rotation.
The Townsend is a typical Cross product, all metal construction and consequently a heftier pen than a similar sized acrylic or celluloid. If I had to fault the pen anywhere, I would say that a signifigant amount of the total weight of the pen is in the cap. As a result, if you like to write with the cap posted, you will ever so slightly notice that the weight of the cap seems to be trying to lift the nib from the paper. It's a small thing but if you try writing with and then without the cap posted you'll see what I mean. If your preferred way of writing is unposted (as is mine) this will not be an issue for you at all.
Otherwise the pens are pretty much bullet proof and while many people find cartridge/converter fillers to be boring, they sure are a breeze to clean
Regards
John
Living in Cross country (Rhode Island) I have, at last count, 10 Townsends in my collection.
They have all been excellent writers right out of the box and are a part of my regular rotation.
The Townsend is a typical Cross product, all metal construction and consequently a heftier pen than a similar sized acrylic or celluloid. If I had to fault the pen anywhere, I would say that a signifigant amount of the total weight of the pen is in the cap. As a result, if you like to write with the cap posted, you will ever so slightly notice that the weight of the cap seems to be trying to lift the nib from the paper. It's a small thing but if you try writing with and then without the cap posted you'll see what I mean. If your preferred way of writing is unposted (as is mine) this will not be an issue for you at all.
Otherwise the pens are pretty much bullet proof and while many people find cartridge/converter fillers to be boring, they sure are a breeze to clean
Regards
John
I have two Townsends: a sterling silver one with an 18k two tone nib
and a marvelous green lacquer one with a 14k monotone gold nib.
Very smooth and reliable pens.
P.S. You can buy a roller ball section and easily convert from FP to RB
with the Townsends.
and a marvelous green lacquer one with a 14k monotone gold nib.
Very smooth and reliable pens.
P.S. You can buy a roller ball section and easily convert from FP to RB
with the Townsends.
FIVE Townsend's, even the stainless nibs, is a steal. If you got 5 Townsend's WITH 14 or 18 Kt nibs, there may be a warrant out for you.................
the 14 and even more-so, the 18 Kt nibs glide over the surface of paper. Have one with a B or BB nib to part with, or swap for a Medium 14 KT.??
..I have 3 Cross's....a 150th Anniversary Sterling, a Townsend Sterling, and a Townsend 10Kt....I LIKE big pens...
the 14 and even more-so, the 18 Kt nibs glide over the surface of paper. Have one with a B or BB nib to part with, or swap for a Medium 14 KT.??
..I have 3 Cross's....a 150th Anniversary Sterling, a Townsend Sterling, and a Townsend 10Kt....I LIKE big pens...
Can you let me know where you found that on the cross.com site? I just logged on and see no sales... Thanks
They are out of stock now. Glad I got mine. 
The nib is 10k I think and the rest is 18k plated.
go to slickdeals.net for the deal. but not much left.
go to slickdeals.net for the deal. but not much left.
Oh, here it is:
http://www.cross.com/catalog/pendetailspec...ents&id=576
There was an extra price taken off that $55 dollars as well. Ended up being ~31 with shipping for a pen with a 18k gold nib.
http://www.cross.com/catalog/pendetailspec...ents&id=576
There was an extra price taken off that $55 dollars as well. Ended up being ~31 with shipping for a pen with a 18k gold nib.
The Townsend is a nice pen and you did very well pricewise. However, I don't think that the pen is really worth its MSRP. I am getting more and more the impression that this high price is just made up to make the customers feel better when they get it for cheaper. Any serious pen store wouldn't charge you the MSRP anyway.
As I said it's a good pen. I have the sterling silver pen and I like it. Of course, you feel the limitations on the Townsend. The section is rather done cheaply as compared to other pens, and the nib is also a bit flimsy although it writes usually very well. The Townsend nibs are definitely thinner and not as heavy-duty as other nibs. I oonce spread the tins of my Townsend's nib a bit to increase ink flow. The ease with which the tines responded to my force scared me a bit. The Townsend is probably not a pen I could possible fall in love with deeply, but it is a solid piece of writing equipment, and a nicely designed one to boot.
Enjoy your array of Townsends!
As I said it's a good pen. I have the sterling silver pen and I like it. Of course, you feel the limitations on the Townsend. The section is rather done cheaply as compared to other pens, and the nib is also a bit flimsy although it writes usually very well. The Townsend nibs are definitely thinner and not as heavy-duty as other nibs. I oonce spread the tins of my Townsend's nib a bit to increase ink flow. The ease with which the tines responded to my force scared me a bit. The Townsend is probably not a pen I could possible fall in love with deeply, but it is a solid piece of writing equipment, and a nicely designed one to boot.
Enjoy your array of Townsends!
QUOTE(dadoody @ Dec 21 2007, 08:00 PM) [snapback]454377[/snapback]
Hi guys, I bought some Townsend Fountain pens from cross.com's website last night for a little over 30 dollars each. They had a 75% off sale + 20% off if I used my mastercard + free shipping, etc etc.
I see on Amazon.com that the pen is $230 dollars normally, so I decided to buy 5 of them for a little over 100 bucks. Do you guys know if this is a decent pen? I've never used a Townsend pen, and I'm hopping it doesn't look too gaudy or fall apart like cheap plastic. I had that issue with my Cross ATX fountain pen (the paint on the grib started to peel).
I see on Amazon.com that the pen is $230 dollars normally, so I decided to buy 5 of them for a little over 100 bucks. Do you guys know if this is a decent pen? I've never used a Townsend pen, and I'm hopping it doesn't look too gaudy or fall apart like cheap plastic. I had that issue with my Cross ATX fountain pen (the paint on the grib started to peel).
I read this just too late. Out of stock. bad luck. If you ever consider getting rid of one, or exchanging for anything you need from good old Europe, please let me know....very please????.
I like but don't quite love my Townsend Sienna unconditionally: it has a lovelly smooth 14k medium nib and does write smoothly. I like to write posted and do notice the nib trying to lift off. This doesn't bother me much as it adds a air of assistance to my lift off the paper between words. I agree that the mid section does feel cheap and the black grip section doesn't smoothly align with the barrel: I can feel a slightly rough edge to the join.
One to keep as a quiet old friend.
One to keep as a quiet old friend.
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