Rollerball Drying Out And Skipping - Help!

[Robert_Marks]

Hi All,

 

My main pen is a Waterman carene with a stub nib. I love it - use Noodler's zhivago and it's a delight.

 

However, my job calls for a lot of writing and note-taking on the fly, so I have been trying a Cross Bailey black with rolling ball refills. The pen itself is great - looks nice, good weight and feel and nice cap.

 

When the ink is flowing freely it's a joy to write with - smooth, nice amount of wet and easy to write smoothly.

 

However, the pen has an incredible ability to skip and dry out mid sentence - even mid-word. When writing on paper 70-100gsm, it is usually 75% ok, but still skips too often. When writing on post-it notes, or my pocket notebook, it can skip and dry to the point of being rendered useless. This is the second refill I've tried so it ain't a dud and I'm pretty much fed up.

 

I have recently been told that Cross rolling ball (roller ball? - same thing?) refills are amongst their worst products and I should look elsewhere.

 

A) Is this true? and What can anyone suggest that fills the same criteria? - Good size and weight, excellent flow and fairly wet-to-smooth write?

 

TIA.

Edited July 27, 2016 by Robert_Marks

[Studio97]

I have had a similar experience with cross rollerballs. I found a clearance sale on cross slim gel rolling ball refills I use in a cross slim RB. Pretty good luck so far. But that is why I look for deals. Maybe another company makes a refill for your pen. I would research that. Maybe Monteverdi?

I don't know if the refills are made in China or not but I bought a new cross RB made in China and the pen body doesn't have straight screw threads so putting it together isn't a smooth operation. So maybe there is a quality question with the RB refills too? I don't know but it's aggravating.

Edited July 28, 2016 by Studio97

[Studio97]

As an analogy my Montblanc RB refills were terrible. I found that I can use a TUL gel filler in it. It's great so if you can find a gel refill from another pen company that might help. The slim cross RB refill works in my cross select tip by adding a spring in the he barrel. It took some experimenting and I have a lot of variety at home.

[RMN]

See my suggestion for a Monteverde refill to your similar question in the Cross forum

[Robert_Marks]

Hi all,

 

Thanks for the responses.

It seems from the suggestions that monteverde might be the way to go. Is it just a case of finding a refill I like that fits in the pen?

[Studio97]

Do check the Monteverde reviews. I read where some still skipped. There can be some trial and error.

Edited July 29, 2016 by Studio97