Cross Pinnacle

[marklavar]

Cross was selling the Pinnacle a few years ago and then withdrew it for reasons unknown.

 

How does the Pinnacle compare to the Townsend in: size, styling, nib performance, anything else?

 

I'd also be interested to know why Cross discontinued it.

[PenHero]

I asked my Cross rep this very same question. The Pinnacle is very similar in size to the Townsend, (a little more slender but the same heavy brass construction - except the sterling silver model) though was priced higher. I believe it was intended to be more stylish and fancy than the Townsend, which follows classic Cross Century style, though in a very husky way. I don't know that the Pinnacle was a big hit for Cross. It was introduced in 1997 with three finishes (22 Karat Gold Plated, Sterling Silver and Peacock Blue), and two more were added, one each in 1998 (Bordeaux Lacquer) and 1999 (Amber Lacquer).

Edited February 9, 2006 by PenHero

[jjb_13]

I would agree with the above comments.

I have 3 Pinnacles: Bordeaux, Amber varigated and a greenish Harliquin lacquer(which I think is probably what they called Peacock blue).

At the time the Pinnacle was being produced it was at the upper end of Cross pricing and was almost universally fitted with 18K nibs. The body of the pen is about 3 mm shorter when capped than the Townsend and is noticably slimmer (but not as slim as the Century II or ATX). I don't have a gram scale but the pen feels lighter in the hand than the Townsend as well - but not as light as a resin or celluloid pen of the same size. This is especially true of the caps, which are markedly slimmer and lighter than the Townsend, and which tend to unbalence the pen less when posted than the Townsend.

The lacquer finishes are deep, even and durable - generally as good as anything I have ever seen on a pen.

All of mine have medium nibs and I have an extra medium nib unit that was reground to cursive italic by Pendimonium.

They have all been great writers and are part of my everyday rotation

hope this helps

Edited September 8, 2006 by jjb_13