Cross Verve Review

[KCkc]

My observations :

There is a slit on both sides of the section where the nib is wrapped around or mounted onto it.

 

Make sure you clean the ink off after refill and cleaning/flushing since it can collect ink there and cause corroion in the long run.

[custar]

I must be the odd man out. I bought a Selenium Blue Verve about 6 weeks ago. The medium nib writes *very* nicely. The heft and balance are fine. The ink flow is just right for the medium nib, at least it is for me. My problem is the cap. I must have one of the uncommon caps that doesn't hold too well. Most of the time, the cap slips enough to expose a millimeter of chrome between the bottom of the cap and the barrel. The cap doesn't have enough grip for me to clip it anywhere except a shirt pocket for fear the barrel and nib will slip off and into the pocket, etc.

 

Does anyone know of a DIY repair for the cap clutch, or do I need to send it to Cross?

 

custar

[PenHero]

Dear Custar,

 

The cap should be very secure and not loosen up as your pen appears to do.

 

Personally, I would contact Cross and send the pen back to them. They provide *excellent* service, and most likely would replace the cap or the whole pen.

 

Cross Repair Link

[btboone]

Great review. I love the look of that pen!

[stypen]

I'd just like to jump on the bandwagon.

 

I just decided to buy my first Cross pen. For some reason, companies besides Parker that didn't use international size cartridges had always discouraged me, but since I've recently gone off Waterman in a big way after finding so many of their nibs chronically skip, I thought it was time to try Cross. I was planning to get the Century II, but I found a great deal on ebay for a Verve platinum, which I had thought would be out of my range...

 

Anywho: I am totally in love with this pen. Besides being one of the most beautiful pens I have ever seen, it is probably the smoothest, most consistent nib I have written with. It isn't as flexible as, say, the Parker sonnet, but it does seem to have a little give, and it just glides across the paper while barely touching it, and never skips at all (it is a pretty wet writer). Though I usually prefer a thin pen and grip, and this pen is quite fat, I have gotten used to that aspect too. I've actually been looking forward to grading some of my students' homework assignments (which can be quite tedious) just to get to write with this pen.

 

I would also like to say that Cross has about the best customer service I've dealt with. They were fantastic and pleasant about rushing my pen back when I was leaving town and had sent it in to have the medium nib replaced with fine.

 

They have won a loyal customer.

[allergist1]

I have been considering a Verve for a while, but think that the price tag on the Merlot or Platinum finishes is too high. Can someone tell me if the nib on the chrome and selenium finishes is plated or gold? (Please stop laughing, cuz at $175 retail, one can find a gold nib in some pens, can't one?) If plated, does it still write as well and have some flex in it? Finally, where can I find one at a good price?

Thanks,

Michael

[stypen]

I have been considering a Verve for a while, but think that the price tag on the Merlot or Platinum finishes is too high. Can someone tell me if the nib on the chrome and selenium finishes is plated or gold? (Please stop laughing, cuz at $175 retail, one can find a gold nib in some pens, can't one?) If plated, does it still write as well and have some flex in it? Finally, where can I find one at a good price?

Thanks,

Michael

I tried the selenium pen in a store. Although (oddly) cross doesn't advertise the fact in their literature, the nib is solid gold. It is inscribed with a small "18k 750" on the side. The only difference in the the nibs between the models is that the platinum has a two-tone nib while the others have a single-tone rhodium plated 18k nib.

[contravox]

I uploaded pics of the Merlot Verve (finally). Hopefully everyone can see the unique nib design and etching on this pen.

[PenHero]

I tried the selenium pen in a store. Although (oddly) cross doesn't advertise the fact in their literature, the nib is solid gold. It is inscribed with a small "18k 750" on the side. The only difference in the the nibs between the models is that the platinum has a two-tone nib while the others have a single-tone rhodium plated 18k nib.

The standard nib for the Selenium is stainless steel. I'm sure that was a mistake at the factory.

 

Only the Merlot and Platinum have 18K nibs standard. All the others have stainless steel.

 

Cheers,

 

Jim Mamoulides

www.PenHero.com

[Junkuar]

Acquired a platinum model of the Verve last night -- on clearance at Home Sense for $49.

 

I have to say I'm sure glad I didn't pay more. Was this a "refurbished" model? Or has Cross cheaped-out, since first shipping these? Mine came in a box that was, itself, enclosed in this new type plastic that requires a chainsaw to open. One cartridge, already in the pen. No extras. No cartridge converter.

 

Also disappointing, the pen seems...cheaply made. The pocket clip is, I agree, a neat design, but it's chromed plastic. For me, I prefer a pen to have a bit more weight -- I don' t want to unfairly indict the thing on this basis, as another indication of cheapness, but I don't like it.

 

Those points aside, this is a nice looking pen. It's a very cool, modern look, right down to the design of the nib. As a fountain pen, its look seems somewhat understated at the same time, which I like.

 

A down side of the tapered...you know...holding part, is that my hand slides down the pen as I write, and it's a bit too thin for a comfortable grip. On the plus side, it does seem to write well, so far.

 

This is a pen I won't be afraid to use or lose. A go anywhere pen that is nice, but probably won't look ostentatious anywhere it goes. I envision using it in places where I often use a ball point, for quick/brief notes etc. For longer writings, I'll want something that feels a bit better in my hand (thicker, heavier, not tapered).

 

I think it's a good value for 50 to 80 bucks. If I'd paid more than $150, I'd be feeling ripped-off.

 

Brent

[Geddinight]

That was a very good review. It is interesting to see the contrast in Junkuar's post. I will still consider the Verve as a possible bargain, if one is located.

[Enzo]

A few weeks ago, in the store, I tried posting both the Verve and ATX caps. I got the impression the hold was far from solid: that they would start sliding off after some use. The more cylindrical Townsend and Century lines would not seem to have that problem.

 

Any comments?

I have had no problems posting the cap on my daily writer verve (merlot)...

[Portrait]

I received my Verve Merlot last week and have to say it writes beautifully, I usually like fine nibs but the medium nib it came with is fantastic. I paid £79 for it from Amazon.co.uk. I've been told that they are being discontinued. Yes it is the real deal, I took it to a pen specialist. Get one whilst you can

[sirksael]

Verves have been flooding the market for a few months now, so you can find them very cheaply at the moment. Do be careful though, the merlot can also be had with a steel nib from the last runs Cross produced. I don't know if this is the case for the platinum as well.

The platinum gold nib is generally duotone, but can now also be found in single tone rhodium plated (still 18k gold though)

I cannot detect any difference in writing quality between the steel rhodium plated nibs and the gold nibs, so if all you are looking for is writing quality (and I do think they write great), steel might be the way to go. On the other hand, you might as well get a gold nib and hope value goes up again once they stop flooding the market. After all, these are pens that not so long ago were selling for $400/€300.

I have read somewhere that the nibs are in fact produced by Pilot, which would explain why they write pretty fine for their size indication.

[fragile]

I'm a waterman writer (my daily use pen is an expert II in black/gold, with a hemispheres at my desk), but when I was in my local stationery store buying some new ink, the owner made me an offer. I guess he's trying to clear out some of his Cross inventory, and he said he'd give me a Verve in selenium blue and an ATX in azurite blue for $80 plus tax. This seems like an outrageous deal considering the MSRP of these pens but I guess they've been flooding the market?

 

Would it be worth it for me to buy these pens? My store is an authorized reseller. I've never really given cross a try before. I usually write with a medium nib, waterman blue/black ink in a cartridge converter, and my handwriting is in broad looping strokes.

 

I'd appreciate any advice from cross fans! thanks all.