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Pen: Cross Bailey Nib: Medium Cost: $35 Packaging & Accessories: (8/10): The pen came in a square box with 6 ink cartridges but no converter. The white box it comes in is nice and holds the pen and the ink cartridges. The only quirk with it is that the pen cap have to separated to be put away, there are two slots, one for the cap and one for the pen body, grip section and nib. Appearance & Design (10/10) The pen has a matte black finish and looks like a much more expensive pen. The pen also has some good weight to it. It doesn’t feel cheap or flimsy like some other plastic pens I’ve used. The pen has modern executive feel that suits me well. This is the only pen I have where I look at the design of the cap and barrel and can’t think of any improvements. So I’m very happy with the appearance of the pen. Construction & Quality (7/10) The pen is made of brass and is solid. No complaints about durability or materials used. One of the drawbacks with the pen is the cap. Now this may just be my pen… But the cap takes an excessive amount of force to get off. While it is amusing to let others try to use it and watch them struggle to get the cap off it’s a real pain. Another issue I ran into is that the cap doesn’t like to post, you have to apply a lot of pressure to get the pen to post securely on the pen. Being an avid “cap poster” this is an issue for me. Weight & Dimensions: (9/10) As I said before the pen has some weight. It’s lighter than the Parker IM and a little heavier than a Pilot Metropolitan. The pen is 5.25 inches when capped and 5.50 inches when posted. This pen posts shorter than most other pens I have used but you don’t really notice it while you are writing. Nib & Performance: (9/10) The nib on the pen is nice, right on par with the metropolitan. It is however wetter than the metropolitan. It’s nice to write with and I have had no issues with skipping or drying out. The design on the nib isn’t overly fancy but that’s okay, how it writes is the important part. Filling System & Maintenance: (9/10) The pen takes Cross cartridges and a converter but doesn’t take international cartridges. The pen isn’t terribly hard to take apart, I’ve already done it several times with minimal struggle and effort so cleaning and maintaining is quite easy. Cost & Value: (10/10) I got this pen for $15 and it usually retails for $35. Would I be willing to pay full price for one if I lost this one? Yes, I really like this pen. For me this pen is well priced at $35. It’s built well, good nib, nice design, wet writer, very happy with it. Conclusion: (62/70 – 88%) Everyone has that brand they don’t like. When I originally saw this pen I saw it was a Cross and was like, “Nope, don’t like Cross pens…” But later I came back to get it because I loved the design so much. I am super glad I ended up buying it. It is now one of my favorites better yet, I’m starting to lose my bias against cross. So all in all I’m very pleased and would buy it again in a heartbeat.

Maybe this is an old deal, but I haven't seen anyone post it yet. Staples has the Cross Bailey fountain pen online for $10.89, in chrome, blue lacquer and black lacquer barrels. All have medium nibs, it seems. Here are links: http://www.staples.com/Cross-Bailey-Fountain-Pen-Medium-Point-0-85mm-Chrome-Barrel-Black-Each/product_1104565 http://www.staples.com/Cross-Stratford-Fountain-Pen-Medium-Point-0-85mm-Blue-Lacquer-Barrel-Black-Each/product_1104553 http://www.staples.com/Cross-Stratford-Fountain-Pen-Medium-Point-0-85mm-Black-Lacquer-Barrel-Black-Each/product_1104554 I've never used a Cross fountain pen (this one or any other) myself. Obviously the price is nice, but anyone have any experience with these pens? Are they any good?

So today I was walking through my local Staples in an attempt to purchase a Pilot Metropolitan as they received a fantastic review on Goulet Pens. Well, I was unsuccessful, but found the Cross Bailey on sale for $20 (US) After doing some quick research on a friends smartphone I discovered that this pen has few reviews but the few that are available give it fantastic ratings. Upon opening, inking and writing a few lines with it, I found it silky smooth, a perfect weight, and both orange and green converter compatible. Anyone else have any experience with the Cross Bailey? Mine is the matte black finish with nickel accents.