Cross ATX Basalt Black

[josh1990]

This pen was given as a birthday gift in June. I am glad it was given to me! A great pen.

 

First impressions: No fancy decorations, just plain basalt black with chrome appointments. But I enjoy the simple look of the pen. Not too fancy but yet deserves respect.

 

Weight/Balance: It does have some good weight to it, and is well balanced with the cap posted. The weight may become a issue if you using this pen to write a essay or long paper. It could become tiresome. The chrome front-section is also rather slippery.

 

Performance: My nib is a extra-fine which suits my rather small hand-writing. I filled it up with the converter and some bottled black Cross ink and it started right away. I was very pleased with how smooth the ink flow was. No skipping, scratching, or dripping. Even if left for a week or so without use it starts up every time.

 

Final thoughts: For the cost ( Retail price is $80.00, but as you know it can be found much cheaper.), performance, and stlye it is a great buy.

( But any Cross pen is!) I recomend it strongly.

 

4.5/5 total points

[maia]

Hi. Thank you for the review.

So, what would you change in the pen to make it somewaht better? Maybe the slippery front section?

Cheers!

[josh1990]

Yeah I would really change the front section. I would think a matte chrome would suite this model better.

 

Gold might also be well siuted for the clip.

[ballboy]

Yep, that front grip section is not much of a grip, especially since it tapers into the nib. An upturn at the front might have helped, but might also have destroyed the balanced beauty of the pen.

[saintsimon]

Tha latest variations of the ATX do have a matte chrome section.

Tha main weakness of my cobalt/indigo ATX is that the cap comes off easily from the slippery diamond shaped bulges, so I don't dare to clip it into my jacket.

It is a reliable, wet writer.

 

EDIT: the name of my ATX colour is 'cyanic blue', not what stated above

Edited November 15, 2006 by saintsimon

[josh1990]

Yeah I just checked out the new ATX pens. They have the same problem. A smooth chrome front section. (They are still very nice pens.)

 

I just wish if Cross continues the series, a matte chrome front-section is used in the design of the pen.

[saintsimon]

Yeah I just checked out the new ATX pens. They have the same problem. A smooth chrome front section. (They are still very nice pens.)

 

I just wish if Cross continues the series, a matte chrome front-section is used in the design of the pen.

At least the Bahia series of the summer 2006 had a matte chrome finish:

 

http://www.cross-deutschland.de/img/products/886-18.jpg

 

compared to the other ones

 

http://www.cross-deutschland.de/img/products/886P2-12.jpg

[Bernie0104]

I too have one of these. The way that the cap attaches terrifies me - I never carry it in a pocket in case that cap comes off...

 

Why did they design a modern pen with this type of cap? I like Cross pens (I have three), but the ATX could be so much better with only a couple of design tweaks. The Classic Century has a far better cap, and it's a much older design.

[Rique]

Hi, and thanks for the review!

 

I have one of these black ATX too, and I agree with what everyone said - it´s an interesting design, a solid and well finished pen, but the section is rather slippery.

I´ve had no problems with the cap closure; anyway, I never clip that pen to a pocket (I keep all my pens in cases). There´s another detail no-one has mentioned - the converter is screwed into the sections, instead of just pressed. This is a neat touch, and very unusual (this is the only pen I know that has screwed-in converter).

In the end, however, my pen was not a winner. The nib was badly cut (the slit wasn´t centered, the iridium ball isn´t exactly cut in half) and the nib is rather scratchy. Since the pens are sold without warranty here in Brazil (there is no distributor, which means no service or nib exchange), I had to live with it. I actually went back to the shop where I bought it to examine the other two pens they had on the window, and I found out they both had the same problem, badly cut tips.

I used my pen for a time, then I got seduced by a number of others that were smoother, and the ATX is now entirely retired.

[churl]

I picked up an ATX for a nice price, and I have similar complaints.

 

The front section is very slippery chrome, as noted.

I agree about the cap closure, but I keep it in my pocket all the time and no problems.

The clip is very tight, and it's actually quite difficult to slip onto my pocket (is my pen trying to warn me?).

 

But I think this is a great pen. My nib is fine and wonderful, a little on the wet side. It is comfortable in the hand, a little heavy, but very manageable. It's my new everyday pen.

[fauxbro]

Tha main weakness of my cobalt/indigo ATX is that the cap comes off easily from the slippery diamond shaped bulges, so I don't dare to clip it into my jacket.

I recently purchased one of the Bahia edition ATX fountain pens and I seem to have the exact opposite problem. The cap is very tight fitting and somewhat difficult to remove.

 

Another complaint, the Extra Fine nib is more like a Fine.

 

These are minor quibbles, other than those I'm very pleased with this pen. It started immediately when I popped in the cartridge and the nib is a very smooth wet writer.

[Moose]

I agree with faux regarding the cap problem (I have the orange Bahia model of ATX). It was so tight fitting, I actually tried to screw it off after trying for a couple of minutes the first time. Granted, my hands were a little sweaty ( ), but it was extremely difficult to get off. Now that I have used it on a pretty regular basis, it is getting better!

 

It is true that these nibs really do seem to run on a much larger scale. This, though, is coming from someone who is used to the Japanese nibs in Namiki and Pilot Pens. I really like my M nib in my ATX and it writes well with very little feathering with my Noodler's Eternal Brown.

 

In all, I really love this pen...it sees daily use for all kinds of "just writing" writing.

[Bernie0104]

Hmmm...

 

An update to my previous post...

 

I just came across another ATX at a very good price and bought it for my partner Sylvia. This one is an absolute belter! Looking at this pen, Cross seem to have addressed the issues I had with the insecure cap that I have on my early model black ATX. The cap on this new one is much more secure. However, what is so spectacular about this pen is the finish. It's finished in Jade Green with rose gold plated fittings and a laser-etched clip - it is pretty spectacular, and Sylvia loves it! I've included a picture here, but it does not do this pen justice - you really need to see this one 'in the metal'. Gorgeous! It writes beautifully too... ever so slightly smoother than my Century Classic, which is a fantastic writer itself!

 

http://www.johnlewis.com/jl_assets/Product/230228814.jpg

 

Hmmm... maybe I was wrong about this one!

 

Bernie.

[guy]

I have just treated myself to a new beater pen for work (a bit of retail therapy to cheer me up). This is a Basalt Black ATX...

 

It has a nice wet medium nib and works great with Waterman Green.

Happy purchase! As yet the chrome section hasn't bothered me, and the cap fits very tightly.

[dadoody]

This pen was given as a birthday gift in June. I am glad it was given to me! A great pen.

 

First impressions: No fancy decorations, just plain basalt black with chrome appointments. But I enjoy the simple look of the pen. Not too fancy but yet deserves respect.

 

Weight/Balance: It does have some good weight to it, and is well balanced with the cap posted. The weight may become a issue if you using this pen to write a essay or long paper. It could become tiresome. The chrome front-section is also rather slippery.

 

Performance: My nib is a extra-fine which suits my rather small hand-writing. I filled it up with the converter and some bottled black Cross ink and it started right away. I was very pleased with how smooth the ink flow was. No skipping, scratching, or dripping. Even if left for a week or so without use it starts up every time.

 

Final thoughts: For the cost ( Retail price is $80.00, but as you know it can be found much cheaper.), performance, and stlye it is a great buy.

( But any Cross pen is!) I recomend it strongly.

 

4.5/5 total points

 

 

HEAVY and Chromy? My kind of pen!

 

EXCEPT MY cross atx's slippery grip is no longer slippery. It's corroded looking. I'm wondering if you're having the same problem? It is annoying me, because the sheen and luster that I liked is gone from mine......within 6 months.

 

[DeaconKC]

I just received a Burgundy one today with the rose accents. I'm 6'3" and 300 pounds and definitely not pretty, but this pen is just that, pretty. It is an elegant pen with an exceptionally smooth nib. Loves Parker's Blue Quink. Not what I expected, but what a beautiful writer. Posted fits even my oversized hand comfortably.

[nicholasyeo]

Hmmm...

 

An update to my previous post...

 

I just came across another ATX at a very good price and bought it for my partner Sylvia. This one is an absolute belter! Looking at this pen, Cross seem to have addressed the issues I had with the insecure cap that I have on my early model black ATX. The cap on this new one is much more secure. However, what is so spectacular about this pen is the finish. It's finished in Jade Green with rose gold plated fittings and a laser-etched clip - it is pretty spectacular, and Sylvia loves it! I've included a picture here, but it does not do this pen justice - you really need to see this one 'in the metal'. Gorgeous! It writes beautifully too... ever so slightly smoother than my Century Classic, which is a fantastic writer itself!

 

http://www.johnlewis.com/jl_assets/Product/230228814.jpg

 

Hmmm... maybe I was wrong about this one!

 

Bernie.

 

Cross has indeed addressed that problem of the bad cap. It now fits just nice, not too tight and neither too loose.

[DeaconKC]

Got a new Basalt with fine nib yesterday. Stuck a converter in today with PR American Blue and it is a very nice combination. Smooth writer and ready for business use.

[OneGoldenAfternoon]

Hmmm...

 

An update to my previous post...

 

I just came across another ATX at a very good price and bought it for my partner Sylvia. This one is an absolute belter! Looking at this pen, Cross seem to have addressed the issues I had with the insecure cap that I have on my early model black ATX. The cap on this new one is much more secure. However, what is so spectacular about this pen is the finish. It's finished in Jade Green with rose gold plated fittings and a laser-etched clip - it is pretty spectacular, and Sylvia loves it! I've included a picture here, but it does not do this pen justice - you really need to see this one 'in the metal'. Gorgeous! It writes beautifully too... ever so slightly smoother than my Century Classic, which is a fantastic writer itself!

 

<img src="http://www.johnlewis.com/jl_assets/Product/230228814.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

 

Hmmm... maybe I was wrong about this one!

 

Bernie.

Oh, I wish they had this particular color at the shop!

My mom decided to get me a present, and it was this pen in Basalt Black, with a F nib. Beautiful design, really (I'm an understated kind of person anyway), but now that I see that light jade one... Wow! That's really lovely.

 

I noticed right off the bat that this pen writes really... wetly, for lack of a better word. It seems it lays a line almost as thick as my Lamy Vista, M nib. And that's great, I've been trying to 'upsize' my handwriting anyway, I get some complaints from patients and fellow interns alike..

 

But oh, the cap! I've only had it for day now, and I find the cap quite irritating. It seems secure enough when it's already on, but the putting it on scares me a bit, because I feel it isn't on tight enough. :\ Looks like I've got an older model?

[lewis]

I have this pen. It was my first 'expensive' pen. I love it And dont find the grip (or lack of) a problem at all.