Us-Made Cross Pens/pencil Twist Problems?

[tonydent84]

I have a few old Cross pens and once pencil from around the 1980s or 1990s - all made in the US. Lovely, but I did notice that they were very stiff when I twist to extend the points. It's common in almost all the US-made pens I have, but nothing like the newer Cross models I have which can be twisted with ease in just one hand. Is this something that's characteristic of the old Cross pens? If not, how do I fix it? Do I need to send these to Cross?

 

They don't seem 'broken', just a bit difficult to open one-handedly in a hurry.

 

Also, I've acquired some older Cross fountain pens, and one, in particular, seems to have a cartridge in it from God knows how long. In otherwise mint condition, but I had it soaked in water for a whole day to get rid of any old ink residue, but no matter how much I run water through it, I see particles like black sand being sprayed out. Any easier way to clean pens with caked up ink inside if I don't have one of those sonic cleaning machine things?

Edited December 29, 2017 by tonydent84

[aderoy]

Ultrasonic cleaner would work best.

 

Wonder if pen cleaner would also help?

Herbin makes one for fountain pens, or maybe the cleaner from technical pens (unsure if solution would be too harsh?)

Edited January 1, 2018 by aderoy

[dadbar]

I fixed one of mine by squirting WD40 into the barrel with the included red nozzle. Let sit for a while and twist.

[tonydent84]

Ultrasonic cleaner would work best.

 

Wonder if pen cleaner would also help?

Herbin makes one for fountain pens, or maybe the cleaner from technical pens (unsure if solution would be too harsh?)

 

 

I might have to get that ultrasonic cleaner. I never owned one and have no idea how much I should spend on one.

[tonydent84]

I fixed one of mine by squirting WD40 into the barrel with the included red nozzle. Let sit for a while and twist.

 

Into the barrel...you mean into the hole that the refill normally goes into?

 

And would the WD40 do any damage to the gold?

[ac12]

On the pen.

I put a drop off alcohol onto the mechanism and let it drip between the inner sleeve and the barrel. Then work the pen twisting back and forth till it loosens up.

Might take a reapplication or two.