My new sets of Cross Metropolis pens included a ballpoint and a Selectip rollerball. The rollerball cartridge is dried up, which is not surprising, given that it's probably been sitting in the box for over ten years. I see that Cross has a Selectip jumbo ballpoint refill available, but the local Staples doesn't carry them. I much prefer ballpoints to rollerballs (and fountain pens to both, but sometimes the ballpoint is useful), but I much prefer the larger Selectip size.

Since I couldn't find a refill immediately, I thought I'd try out the regular ballpoint. Whatever ink Cross used in that refill has a particular smell that I remember from using certain ballpoint pens in the past. That particular smell turns my stomach and gives me a headache, and I'm not sure why, but I do know that I find that scent utterly and viscerally repulsive. Needless to say, I will not be using that pen without finding a refill for it that lacks that characteristic odor. I am now reluctant to purchase any more Cross ballpoint refills, in the regular size or the Selectip size, in fear that they may use the same ink.

Now, the refills I currently have are, as I said, probably over ten years old, and they are all marked "Made in USA". Since Cross has moved most of their production overseas, is it possible that they have changed the supplier of their refills, as well, to a make which might use a different ink? Who else makes a refill that will fit the two Cross sizes?

I have examined the Mont Blanc and Schmidt refills I have hanging around, but they do not fit. I *might* be able to modify the collar on my Schmidt 2010 M refills to fit the Selectip, but they were expensive and difficult to find, so I don't want to try this just yet.

Although I haven't gone searching in my friendly neighborhood drugstore, far less my friendly neighborhood stationery store or my big-box office-supplies shop, in the past I could buy Cross-style ballpoint refills that would fit Cross ballpoint pens (or others that took the Cross refill) but were not made by Cross. How their odor compared with that of a genuine Cross refill I never knew.

In my case, I used the generic Cross-style refills in a Colibri ballpoint pen. There must have been other brands that used Cross-style refills, just as there are several brands that take Parker-style refills. However, the obvious market would be owners of Cross ballpoint pens who don't want to pay the price of a Cross refill. My third-party refills were always satisfactory. Good luck in this quest.

FWIW, FISHER, the Space Pen People, makes a refill for the regular Cross ball point.

I have been using Cross ballpoint pens since 1964 and find the new refills improved in a blacker line and smoother line. I have always liked Paker pens for their ballpoint inks but now Cross has an edge for me, although I still use Parker ballpoints.
as far odors, I'm sure my nose has gone the way of my muscles. Try new cross refills. available at Staples and office Depot a swell as on line.

I don't find the ballpoints have any smell - the gel refill now - eewww!