Cross Solo XF: Kelly Green

[Shucavage]

I love this pen and wanted to use it for mind mapping, where you usually use different colors on the same page. But I was dismayed that it must use cross ink catridges which just come in black, blue, an blue black. Plus on the Solo pens I purchased on ebay (Kelly Green) I found that the converter for bulk ink wouldn't work, the ID of the pen was too small.

 

Well I discovered that you can take a pair of pliers and with a little twisting you can remove the steel insert that is press fitted into the "tip" portion of the pen. This opens up the ID and now I can use the Cross converter as well as "International" style ink cartridges such as those sold by Levenger and ink companies. The pen still screws together as normal. So now I can use any ink I want in them. They are cheap enough and I bought 5 XF tipped ones on ebay and can now mind map to may hearts content in a wide array of colors.

 

Thought I'd pass this on.

 

[jmkeuning]

Odd... my Solo XF takes the normal Cross converter - no problem.

[joekorth]

I just picked up a black on black one today. I'm cleaning it up a bit and can't wait to start writing with it. Seems like a great pen, similar to a Safari but I much prefer the aesthetics of the solo.

[andyk]

These are nice pens and I recently discovered on this site that the nibs are a straight fit into the Parker Big Red rollerball/ballpoint that came out some years back (also the Adpen which is basically the same thing but without the Parker clip and cap trim ring).

 

The Big Red section incidentally doesn't fit the Solo, but this is a relatively inexpensive way to convert the RB into an FP without any permanent work, just unscrew when you want to go back to RB/BP.

 

Andy

[Rhapsody]

I don't know whether you are still searching for more available colours; anyway, I wanted to add that I recently bought a Solo in red with black trim on the German ebay. As far as I know you didn't mention this colour combination.

By the way, I would really really like to see the other colours. Would some of you maybe be so kind as to post some pictures of your Solos?

[Cygnifilius]

So I got an XF and I wan't to ask some of you about your experience with this nib. I find that it skips and doesn't start easily on cheaper paper. It seems to do well on Doane and Rhodia pads--as well as my checkbook--but it is so scratchy on cheap legal pads and envelopes that I get nervous about damaging the nib. I had hoped to use it to grade papers, but it's not great on standard printer paper, either.

 

Has anyone else had this experience? Did I get a defective nib, or do I need to adjust it some? Or will I just have to stick to smoother paper for this pen?

[pen2paper]

You won't find an XF nib Cross Solo on every corner. Basic, nice pen.

The exact experience you describe with inexpensive absorbent rough paper is common.

You could have it adjusted, (pen show, or pen meet), or adjust yourself, but, there is risk of wrecking a basically nice XF that simply requires smooth paper.