Marsilius (January 19th, 2016)
After reading some reviews and forum comments I decided to look at some at a brick & mortar. I got to actually handle and write with some of the higher level quality pens..........and bought two. A Townsend and a Sauvage. Townsend Cherry Blossom and its a perfect writer & not too heavy for me. Sauvage Giraffe is a teeny bit out of alignment or a very small sweet spot, unsure which at this time, it writes ok though. I will not collect or be a #1 Cross fan but I am glad I got them and cannot disparage their higher level pens.
Sandy
We don't know what we don't know
Time for some Cross reviews maybe.
Marsilius (January 19th, 2016)
"If it's on the internet is has to be true" ... snicker
San Francisco Pen Show 2017, August 25-27, 2017, Redwood City, California
www.SFPenShow.com
I own two Cross "mid-range" pens--a gunmetal Townsend and a chrome checkerboard-etched Century II (both have gold-plaed nibs). They both look nice, are made well, are nicely balanced, and write smoothly. And they don't leak--which is more than I can say for some of the "vintage" Sheaffer, Parker, Waterman, and Montblancs I've owned.
I've never understood why Cross fountain pens get such a bad rap. Cross ball pens are some of the best in the business in their price range, and IMO, their fountain pens are no different--solid, well-balanced, and reliable.
They may not be the most beautiful, extravagant or luxurious pens on the market, but as "daily drivers", they just work.
Personally, I'd rather have a pen that was a little plain-looking but just worked, than a pen that looks amazing, but it fidgety, unreliable, and messy...
The thread has inspired me to ink all of my Crosses and acquire another one and try them on different papers and see what they are about.
I would say cross ball points are complete trash I have had awful luck with them! But this thread inspired me to pick up another cross fp! They are just some great smooth hard working nibs!
Speaking of "Cross Hatred", why is there no Cross section in the "Brand Focus" section of this forum? Seems to me that the hatred of Cross FPs is more than just "internet misinformation". It's almost institutional in the FP community.
Not a slam on this forum, just sayin'...
There is a Cross subforum in the Fountainpennetworks forum.
Cross fans generally arent the type that frequent pen forums to talk about their pens. Their absence in the FP community does not mean they dont exist.
I would guess Cross sells more fountainpens in a year than the average boutique FP makers sells in a life time or several years anyway.
Last edited by Max Dog; January 17th, 2016 at 05:22 PM.
I would love one of those cross sterling silver Townsend!
3 Cross Townsends here. Some of the smoothest nibs I have. Amazing nibs. I think over the years Cross didnt have much variety and that translated into low interest. I still really like mine as daily users. The most inovative nib was the Verve, quite popular, then unfortunately discontinued. It's things like that, I believe, that took them out of the market.
Yes there was a time from the 1950s through to 90's when Cross were the high end luxury pens to have, more so than Montblanc. It was the office pen every professional had right up to the executives. Company's gifted them to high achieving employees. They were crafted in the USA with a lifetime guarantee. Nothing quite compared to a solidly made Cross! Cross pens with their luxurious gold and silver finishes were like jewellery and some of their lacquered pens were breathtaking. After the Boss family century old ties in the company ended some time towards the end of the last Century, new CEO Whalen (former CEO of Rayban) took the reins of Cross and ran it like a Sunglass company like pens were fashion accessories. The brand image took a dive. Whalen is gone and under new leadership, Cross is trying to turn the brand image around. They are producing more higher end pens like the Peerless 125 and Townsends with more luxurious finishes. The latest one I saw eclipsed the $1000 mark. It will take some time but I think they do have a strong enough following and loyalty to do it. After all US Presidents still use the Townsend to sign bills.
Last edited by Max Dog; January 20th, 2016 at 10:45 PM.
Dragonmaster Lou (January 20th, 2016), jvlgato (January 26th, 2016), Marsilius (January 19th, 2016), pajaro (January 26th, 2016)
I have a soft spot for Cross, given how I live and grew up fairly close to their HQ. I kind of lost interest in them once I found out they no longer manufacture their pens near their HQ and instead do their manufacturing overseas. Still, I admit that the Peerless and higher end Townsends are nice looking pens, IMHO.
Bri (January 21st, 2016)
Some of my first fountain pens were the Cross ATX Sport models in
bright plastic. Wonderful smooth (Pilot?) nibs. Reliable and well balanced.
I have a chrome Townsend that must be their least expensive one. It is a great pen with a great feel.
I am still using some Century pens bought in the 1970s to 1980. What's not to like there?
I don't like that they moved manufacturing to China. Then again I have all the pens I will ever need, and don't need to buy any more. I wouldn't mind getting a secondhand light green ATX, though.
I would say that it was the situation with many ball pens back in the 70s and 80s, many did not write well. Papermate, Sheaffer, Bic, etc.
IMHO, that is why the roller ball pens then later the gel pens took off when they came out. Wrote like a ball pen, but without the heavy drag and need to press hard, of a ball pen.
It was just a technical limitation of the ball pen technology at the time.
San Francisco Pen Show 2017, August 25-27, 2017, Redwood City, California
www.SFPenShow.com
I was given a Cross Stratford as a present by a relative for Christmas, so instantly it had sentimental value. Aside from that, I really do like the pen. It is comfortable to write with, as I already enjoyed slimmer pens anyway. I think the lacquer feels nice and doesn't give me the impression that it would chip or fade - though I only use it at home in a normal rotation.
The nib is a very smooth medium.
Not sure what everyone thinks about Cross inks either, but I happen to love Cross's Black. It is a nice True black.
As Dragonmaster Lou and pajaro have stated, the brand has moved operations out of the country. I find it very disappointing when any company makes that decision - for whatever reason.
Sometimes, I don't worry so much of quality as I do job/business loss and ensuing effects here in our own country.
Having said that, if a family member gave me a stick from the yard with a nib glued onto the end of it, it would still hold value to me and I would probably use it!
( maybe I lost all credibility - if I had any to start with - with that last statement, but that's how I feel )
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