replacing Cross nib

[peacocke]

I own a Cross Townsend (about 1997) and would like to replace the nib. I live in New Zealand and local pen repair shops do not exist. I see that replacement nibs for the Cross Townsend are available but can they be replaced by the non-specialist (me). If so, how is it done? Advice appreciated.

[Oxonian]

Hi Peacocke,

 

First off welcome to FPN.

 

The nibs on the Townsend are friction fit, the nib and the feed on which it sits is a friction fit in the section/finger grip.

 

To remove the nib and feed you need to unscrew the barrel and remove the converter or cartridge, rinse the pen through with water and blot it dry on some kitchen towel/tissues. If you then mark the position of the nib in the section, using a chinagraph pencil or something to mark the section it will make replacing the nib easier as there are fitting tags and things in the section to position things correctly, then take hold of the nib and feed with your thumb on the nib and finger/fingers gripping the feed and wiggle/rock it gently whilst pulling, you will feel some movement, once it moves the nib can be teased out by holding the part in front of the feed between finger and thumb.I have just done this to one of mine to make sure it works. To replace the nib, hold the nib and feed together with you finger and thumb, line the nib up with the position marker and push gently but firmly, don't force it

 

This is one of the pens that it is difficlt if not near on impossible to use a knock out block and drift to remove the nib and feed without risking damage to the feed.

 

I have never had to buy a nib for a Townsend but when I bought a nib for a Solo admittedly a cheaper pen without the gold fill trim to the section, Cross supplied the nib with feed and section so all that I had to do was unscrew the section and screw in the new one.

 

Cheers, John

[peacocke]

I own a Cross Townsend (about 1997) and would like to replace the nib. I live in New Zealand and local pen repair shops do not exist. I see that replacement nibs for the Cross Townsend are available but can they be replaced by the non-specialist (me). If so, how is it done? Advice appreciated.

 

Thanks John. It worked! Was surprised to get such a quick and technically precise reply. I'm looking forward to getting the titanium Townsend rehabilitated and re-establishing the rituals of the fountain pen at the office. Thanks for the care you took to get the details right. Kind regards, Andrew

 

[Oxonian]

Hi Andrew,

 

A pleasure to help where I can.

 

Cheers, John

[ames2688]

Hi Andrew,

 

Do you know if this also works for changing a nib in the ATX pen? I will have to order a replacement nib from the US I expect as it is impossible to find stockists in Australia.

 

Thanks, Amy

[OcalaFlGuy]

Just to be clear here.

 

Are you all talking about JUST the gold/steel nib itself or the whole nib/feed assembly?

 

I don't normally see just plain Cross nibs themselves around, I'm sure there are but they are almost always sold as the whole nib section which then just screws into your barrel easypeasy.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

[ames2688]

Just to be clear here.

 

Are you all talking about JUST the gold/steel nib itself or the whole nib/feed assembly?

 

I don't normally see just plain Cross nibs themselves around, I'm sure there are but they are almost always sold as the whole nib section which then just screws into your barrel easypeasy.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

 

I mean the entire assembly. I have a Cross ATX with Medium nib, but when I first got this pen I was still right handed. I write with my left hand now, and of course the nib is awkward and the ink flows too fast. I am not finding this pen very comfortable in my left hand, but I am hoping a change of nib might help. If it is a simple case of screw the old one out and the new one in I should be fine.

 

It is easy to buy the pens in Australia, but impossible to find replacement nibs. I found a retailer in Melbourne, but they quoted $50 for a replacement nib and then I would also have to pay postage on top. That is about half the price I paid for the pen in the first place.

 

Thanks for your reply,

 

Amy

[OcalaFlGuy]

Amy you should contact either Cross USA or Cross UK and ask for the repair department.

 

Your Cross comes with a lifetime warranty regardless of whether you are the original owner or not.

 

While there isn't any warranty repair damage here, they will also swap nibs, in the U.S. they often tack on a $10 service fee to do this. (I've read that Cross UK may be a bit more customer friendly service charge wise.)

 

I would be sure and describe to them about you changing the hand you write with, this would make them understanding why you need a different nib much easier I'd think.

 

The only real downside here is you'd have to send the whole pen to them at which time, they'd screw on the new nib section and send it back.

 

Barring that you should post a Want To Trade listing here in the Marketplace, there is likely someone with an ATX who will trade nibs with you.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

[greenapogee]

If it is a simple case of screw the old one out and the new one in I should be fine.

I'm fairly certain any replacement nib from Cross will come with the entire 'grip' section which unscrews from the barrel to expose the rear-end of the feed where you insert cartridge/converter - it couldn't be easier to replace!

 

The other (possibly slightly riskier) option is trawling ebay for a cheap ATX; the less popular fountain pen colours for the ATX model often go fairly cheap, and occasionally you see a monogrammed or promo model which tends to go for cheaper.

 

(I know this because I've been looking for a while for an ATX in one of the less common colours (vernal green) at a reasonable price - I have one already which was my daily-use pen for a long time, but the lacquer is chipped. I'm sufficiently fond of it that I don't want to use it so often for fear of losing it or damaging the lacquer further (it's starting to flake on the cap) or return it so I'd rather like another, less battered one!)

 

While there isn't any warranty repair damage here, they will also swap nibs, in the U.S. they often tack on a $10 service fee to do this. (I've read that Cross UK may be a bit more customer friendly service charge wise.)

I've found Cross UK to be pretty friendly; they were quite happy to change out an Apogee nib for me from a Medium to a Fine with no quibbles or extra fee...

Edited October 1, 2011 by greenapogee

[ames2688]

Thanks for your advice.

 

My main problem is location... it will take a long time to send my pen to the US or UK, so I would rather find somewhere local.

 

I found The Pen Shop - http://www.penshop.com.au/index.html - when I was looking for places which refurbish the Parker 51.

 

I will certainly contact Cross about it though.

[ames2688]

I have contacted Cross UK, and they have given me details of a company which handles their repairs in Australia. They have quoted me $80 for a rhodium plated nib. My current one is stainless steel. Is there any difference between the two nibs in terms of writing performance?

 

I have asked about a stainless steel one.

 

Amy

[OcalaFlGuy]

Amy, I am not understanding why they want to charge you that amount. That is crazytalk money for an ATX nib. This is not even in the same galaxy as the usual procedure from both Cross UK and U.S.A. If it were me, I would readdress the issue with Cross and tell them you want the usual $10 nib swap deal. Period.

 

Message seller glenspardello on Fleabay. He is a major Cross pen reseller and may have ATX nib sections though I didn't see any in his store just now. However, you can buy a brand new WHOLE ATX from him for less than $40 with whatever nib you want in it. That's less than 1/2 what you were quoted for just a nib section.

 

PS Amy, we have a representative from Cross EU here on FPN, I just emailed them this thread in hopes they can get you taken better care of.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

Edited October 4, 2011 by OcalaFlGuy

[ames2688]

Thanks Bruce

 

I know it is a lot of money and I have no intention of replacing the nib if it is going to cost me that much! I don't love the pen in my left hand anyway!

 

I have been experimenting and have found that the pen is a bit better if I write without the cap section, and if I write slowly so the ink can dry before I am moving my hand across. I am a left handed over writer. I can also get a replacement nib section shipped from the US for $40.

 

I have my grandmother's Parker 51 which I can get cleaned and overhauled for $65. I remember it was a lovely pen to write with when I was still right handed, but I haven't used it since I changed hands as it has been used right handed all its life.

 

Out of interest... what are good pens/nibs for the left hand?

[pokermind]

I have never had to buy a nib for a Townsend but when I bought a nib for a Solo... all that I had to do was unscrew the section and screw in the new one.

I've never had a Townsend nor an ATX, so what I'm about to say may have no relevance, but the section on my Pilot 78G screws perfectly into the barrel of my Cross Solo. The nib/feed of the 78G is significantly smaller than that of the Solo, so while using the smaller nib in the Solo looks a little odd, it writes a hell of a lot better. For roughly US $10.00 you can pick up a 78G from Stationery Art, toss the body and use the section.

 

Hope this helps.

[jslallar]

Dear Amy and peacocke,

 

Have a look at these sites, may help. No relations. Custom grinding to a Right oblique may help your left handed predeliction, Amy.

 

http://www.mrpen.co.uk/index1.html

 

http://www.penbox.co.uk/pen.nibs.htm

 

Google will give you even more options if you spend some time.

 

And peacocke, Townsend nibs are sold by the company as a nib unit and not alone, just screw them on to the barrel, you do not need to do complicated surgery unless you enjoy that sort of a challenge

 

Welcome to the Forum, and enjoy your pens.

[Thetoad]

I dropped my Cross nib-first on the floor from about a meter and half up. The nib got knocked a couple cm into the body of the pen.I think the reservoir slit has split slightly, because the pen is writing much thicker than it should be. Do you think they'll repair it for free?

[ames2688]

I just got around to removing the nib out of my atx, not to change, but just to see if it will come out and..... it won't come out! Any ideas?

[Jerome Tarshis]

First, so far as I am aware (I have been left-handed all my life) there is no serious difference between nibs suitable for left-handed writers and those suitable for right-handed writers. Almost all of the pens I own were used when I bought them. On probability, they were used by right-handed people. They work perfectly well for me. If I can write happily with a used Parker 51, with my left hand, I should think someone else can, too.

 

This leaves out considerations such as stub nibs, oblique nibs, and other special types of nib, which appeal to some of us, without respect to whether we are right-handed or left-handed. Use whatever feels comfortable for you, is the rule.

 

That said, I'd say as one who writes at a high angle and also with the left hand that a ball nib with a lot of tipping is probably going to be more forgiving of variations in writing style than let's say an extra-fine nib without much tipping.

 

I do not know what it means to say one can't get the nib off an ATX. As with other c/c pens, the entire nib unit unscrews so that one can change cartridges or use a twist-piston converter. There is no need to dissect the nib-section unit. They are sold as one thing and meant to be used as one thing.

 

Is it that the screw threads that keep the barrel on the pen have gotten jammed, and it's now impossible to take the barrel off? My own experience with Cross pens, among others, leans in the opposite direction: I've been troubled by screw threads that undo themselves too willingly. Those need to be tightened from time to time. Which I find annoying. An unremovable barrel (or, conversely, an unremovable nib unit) would be a new experience for me.