Big Problem With Skipping / Stopping

[Robert_Marks]

Hi,

 

Apologies for the long post but this issue has been causing real frustration and I'm trying to find a solution.

 

Have had a Cross (assume the exact make doesn't matter as it's the refill I'm having the problem with but I think it's a Cross Bailey Black with chrome trim) for some time and love the feel of it. It's a good weight, looks lovely and when it's writing properly is a delight.

However, the first refill I got for it - 0.7mm gel rolling ball refill - suffered quite badly from skipping and the tip being dry far too early on. Less than three months after buying it, possibly two, it could skip three times in one sentence.

Frustrated, I bought a new refill and it worked perfectly. But then.....Whilst not as bad as before, it skipped or didn't write as smoothly as it should have done all over again.

I write the majority of the time on 70-100gsm paper which is probably 75% ok, but often write on post-it notes, specifically office depot yellow ones - and writing on those it can skip five times in succession.

 

Could it be the post it notes have some veneer or substance causing damage to the tip, or am I doing something wrong? After two in two, I can't believe I've just had two duds!

 

From close-ish examination of the tip, the problem appears to be that the edges or outer reaches of the tip are inked, but the very centre of the point, the tip, is not.

 

TIA for any pointers!

 

Nb - I also have a moleskin reporter's notebook which I use, which skips absolutely terribly. I have just come from a meeting where the skipping was so bad it rendered the Ben almost unusable. Surely this can't be the paper?

Edited July 27, 2016 by Robert_Marks

[sriramoman]

As disappointing as it may sound, Cross gel refills are the worst items in their product line. Given an inch, they either skip or blot. If you could seize a Schmidt refill and pad the rear with a spring, you may have a decent experience. Better still, if you could describe your frustration well and return your pen in exchange for a ball point pen.

Their recent "archival" ballpoints are really consistent, write long and smooth. I guess 3 or 4 miles of flawless writing.

[Robert_Marks]

hi Sriramoman,

 

Unfortunately, I had that suspicion. It's a great shame because I really like the pen - it looks good, writes very well and holds well.

 

What can you recommend that fills that gap but without any skipping problems? I really like a nicely flowing pen which has good size/weight.

 

Robert

[RMN]

Monteverde make refills for various brands, including Cross.

 

have a look here.http://www.monteverdepens.com/new_refill_page.html

 

 

Perhaps these are better. (I only know their Gel-D-size refills, which are OK)

 

 

D.ick

[Robert_Marks]

Hi RMN,

 

Thanks for the info. Is there any problem with putting non-Christian refills into a cross body? Ie size problems or fitting issues?

 

Or is it just as simple as finding a refill I like and putting it in the pen?

[RMN]

They claim making refills that will fit the Cross pens.

 

I have not tried them myself.

 

Possibly there are other brands making refills in the correct size, but they are not known to me.

 

 

 

D.ick

[Bill Wood]

hi Sriramoman,

 

Unfortunately, I had that suspicion. It's a great shame because I really like the pen - it looks good, writes very well and holds well.

 

What can you recommend that fills that gap but without any skipping problems? I really like a nicely flowing pen which has good size/weight.

 

Robert

Robert .. I had this problem and let the Cross service dpt know. They are very good about this and will replace your pack with some new ones. Contact Cross directly if your in the US. this is a known issue.

[Mike 59]

Hi, This link might help, and it's in the UK, so P&P won't be too much extra;

https://www.cultpens.com/i/q/MV18419/monteverde-roller-refill-c22-for-cross-rollerball-pens-pack-of-2

I've not tried these myself, so can't comment but from your original post, I would expect an improvement over what you have currently.

I have tried the Monteverdi ballpoint refill (bought in WH Smith) and it was very good.

I do have a Troika brand rollerball pen which seems to write well enough, the refill is printed with Troika's address in Germany.

Other information on it is; "Safety ceramic roller #99Z102 non-dry-refill 5888 M 410 Made in Germany"

Edited August 2, 2016 by Mike 59

[highlander1307]

These gel ink refills put down a lot of ink and do not last very long. I've gone through two in a day. Seemed the Jumbo Ballpoint lasted longer.

[WDanderson]

If you don't mind using a ballpoint, you can put a jumbo ballpoint in that Bailey:

 

http://www.cross.com/refills/shop-all-pen-and-pencil-refills/by-writing-type/ballpoint.aspx

 

I've never had issues with rollerball refills, but I don't write a whole lot with them either. I have notice horrible problems with post-it notes, and that's with my Parker gels too. Those things are awful for good pens, I use a Sharpie.

 

Someone mentioned the Montverde refills above, I had nothing but bad experiences with them, including 1 out of 3 that refused to write straight out of the package. The rest of them skipped or were extremely dry. I returned them all.

Edited December 27, 2016 by WDanderson