Cross Apogee

[acj27]

Time to write this review

 

Looks:

 

Impressive, certainly in the chrome finish. Looks more expensive than it actually is. I also like the way the clip looks sitting flush to the cap , However, to use this is actually quite annoying as it makes it hard to easily slide into your shirt pocket. Yes, the clip is sprung, so you can press the other end of it and open the clip up to put in in your pocket but this is fiddly if the pen is used frequently. The other end of the clip also feels surprisingly sharp when you press on it.

 

Size and weight

 

Bigger and heavier than the reference Pelikan 250. I certainly perfer this to hold than the pelikan which I find a bit small and light (even if it is a wonderful nib to write with). Exact measurements and a photo on the lnk below:

Size, weight and photos from PenHero's post

 

Nib

 

Bit small compared to the rest of pen. Not enough to put me off buying it but may not be to all tastes. Mine also occassionally skips on starting - better with Diamine Monaco Red than Noodler's Black but still occassionally skips all the same. This is a problem I've had with an ATX nib also to which this feels very similar, despite the Apogee nib being 18K. Once it's writing the flow is ok and it's smooth enough but to be honest the nib doesn't feel anything special, certainly not compared to the pelikan 250 which was a similar price. Not as good as the nib in my Cross Century or Pinnacle either. At the end of the day a bit dissapointing.

 

Filling system

 

Cartridge/Converter. Effective if unexciting.

 

Value

 

Good - A lot of pen for £90, however, the nib issues may be enough to put some people off.

 

 

 

 

Additional:

1. My own photos will follow in time - just need camera batteries and...

2. ...a new nib - putting the cap back on it today at work and the pen got knocked out of my hand and I doubt people want to see a nib shot of some mangled tines

[Apollo]

acj27, thanks for the review. I've been looking forward to the puchase of an Apogee, but the nib situation you describe concerns me.

[davyr]

hi acj27, (sorta sounds like thx1138 )

 

thank you for your honest review. sorry for your nib accident. ouch. and on the day you reviewed it! would you give an overall thumbs up or down for the cross?

[emrecan]

Hi acj27,

Thanks for the review.Nib problems are suck!!!Actually im kinda disappointed after your review :(I like looks this pen and im expecting something special from 18kt nib!!

 

Take Care

Emrecan

[acj27]

Overall I'd probably still give it a thumbs up, you are getting a lot of pen for the money.

 

As for the nib - it felt better in the shop having just dipped it so possibly just a bit of a flow issue which might be better with a different nib. On the other hand it did feel more like the ATX than the Pinnacle...

 

At the end of the day though this is just my opinion, if you're thinking about buying the pen then (if possible) aim to try it in the shop before you buy it. After all, what's good/bad for one person...

[southpaw]

ACJ27, thanks for the review and sorry to hear about your nib :blink: ! I think the Apogee is the best looking pen Cross has put out in a while, but the nib is a bit disappointing, at least as far as size. IMHO, it looks out of proportion with the rest of the pen and hurts the style.

[Maja]

Sorry to hear about the nib accident

Thanks for the honest review; it's helpful to hear both good and bad things about a pen for the sake of people who might be thinking of getting one in the future.

I love the look of the barleycorn pattern on the chrome model....Very nice touch.

[Blade Runner]

Sorry to hear about your accident, but perhaps your new nib will write perfectly.

 

One question: is the cap a friction post or does it snap onto the barrel?

 

REgards,

Jeen

[SimonWang]

:blink:

 

my apogee is quite smooth; the only question I've got is that the nib is little bit hard to control over the ink outpouring.

[SimonWang]

can anyone understand that ?

 

i mean when i'm writing with it, there's too much ink come out from the nib.

[emrecan]

Hi Simon,

You mean wet?or is it flows like anormal?Flows ink bomb?hehe

 

Take Care

Emrecan

[SimonWang]

no , when i'm pushing it little bit harder then too much ink come out from the nib, i mean it's just a little bit hard to control.

[Apollo]

Simon, try to ease up on the nib. I have an Apogee and it's a good reliable writer, and just allowing the nib to glide across the paper without heavy pressure is enough to make it write nicely.

[SimonWang]

Simon, try to ease up on the nib. I have an Apogee and it's a good reliable writer, and just allowing the nib to glide across the paper without heavy pressure is enough to make it write nicely.

thanks for your advice

[ballboy]

Hi Apollo & Simon: what nib size on your Apogees?

 

Apollo: how does the Apogee nib compare for width of line, wetness and reliability now with your Lamy 2000?

 

Thinking of buying one off PenHero site in black laquer. Already commited to buy a Lamy 2000 off ebay.

[IKWarren]

I have to disagree about the nib. On the surface it really looks underwhelming compared to the rest of the pen but it really writes nice. Cross nibs might need a few adjustments to make sure the tines are aligned and the ink flows but once they are working they have a little bit of style. The nibs are actually very springy and give nice variation in your writing. Considering how inexpensive Cross Apogees can be acquired, I feel they are well worth the money. Perfect starter pen with a gold nib.

[EvadtheSlayer]

I have found Cross ink converters to lack any proper piston suction. Totally frustrated at spending big $$ on fountain pens, from various makers, who supply converters better sent to the nearest recycle plant. Why is it that Montblanc and some other premium makers supply perfect converters that fill instantly. Somehow I think Cross and other makers simply design a nice fountain pen, then slap in whatever for a converter without ever even trying to use it. To me it is like spending $35,000 for an upscale car only to find the heater is so poor you freeze your toes off on cold days.