Anyone Out There Using Cross Cartridges

[Pen Nut]

I use Cross cartridges in my titainium Townsend and do like the black ink used.

 

I also like to refill with various inks and, due to the small cartridge size, its not long between changes.

 

I do feel on a whole that Cross products are underestimated.

[spcitrin]

I was using cross cartridges for a while for a fountain pen I picked up from staples. They became really annoying since there specially fitted just for cross pens so I ended up buying a converter

[idazle]

I've got a Century II pen with a fine nib that is a wonderful writer. Ever since I bought it 4 years ago I've used Cross black cartridges. But recently, I was persuaded here in FPN that using a converter was much better for a number of reasons -most if not all of which has been set out in this thread- and that the Pelikan bottled black 4001 was THE SAME ink as that contained in Cross black cartridges.

 

Well, after a prolonged trial I've reverted to my Cross cartridges. Why? Firstly, I dont think Pelikan bottled ink and Cross cartridges' ink is the same black as so many people say -or repeat-, the Cross being a more intense black. Secondly, it seems to me that the "saving" argument against cartridges is sort of funny coming from people that stock ink bottles that never completely use by the dozen. Thirdly, my Cross has been working beautifully for three years on cartridges and I seemed to note the change -for the worse- when I went into a converter, with the pen producing a line wetter than usual.

[Pen Nut]

"Secondly, it seems to me that the "saving" argument against cartridges is sort of funny coming from people that stock ink bottles that never completely use by the dozen"

 

Yep I am certainly with you on that. This hobby of ours does not force us to be looking to save the last few pence on the inks of our choice, after all it is part of the whole fountain pen fun 'messing with ink'

[bunnspecial]

I have one Cross-the cheapie model that Staples sells that I picked up on a whim a few months ago.

 

I used half of one cartridge, and wasn't too crazy about the blue color. I dumped it out about 3/4 of the way through, and refilled the cartridge with Baystate Blue. I've since put about 3 cartridges full of Baystate Blue through it.

 

One of these days, I'll pick up a converter for it, but refilling the cartridges seems to be working okay for me now. If I decide to switch to something other than BSB, I'll probably need to get out a fresh cartridge(I still have five from the first 6-pack I bought). It seems happy as my dedicated BSB pen, though, so I may leave it that way.

[Mike 59]

Hi all, I prefer the orange converter, as it is easy to 'prime' the feeder before use by turning the thread so that there is some ink in the upper part of the feeder 'comb'. I know the instructions do mention this, but far easier to do with the converter.

[wkiffin]

It's also a question of economy. Bottled ink is a whole lot cheaper than cartridges.

[MarneM]

I use cartridges. Granted, I have an "economical" Cross Aventura that I picked up for work, and I haven't seen a converter advertised that seems to work with it reliably.

 

But I also use it exclusively for work. I wanted a pen that it wouldn't break my heart to lose, and that I could keep filled up with black ink all the time, which is required where I work. So the cartridges are quick and convenient, especially if I need to change quickly mid-statement, or something of the like.

 

I'd hate to have to say, "Excuse me, Mr. Suspect sir, but could you please pause your confession while I run out of the room for a minute and refill my pen?"

[el.Fakir]

I'd hate to have to say, "Excuse me, Mr. Suspect sir, but could you please pause your confession while I run out of the room for a minute and refill my pen?"

 

If I were, God forbid!, 'Mr.Suspect' you're interrogating I'd offer you to fill from the bottle in my bag. There would be no chance, though, it's a black ink. I would demand my confession/testimony to be written in turquoise. Isn't that still a constitutional right?

[MarneM]

If I were, God forbid!, 'Mr.Suspect' you're interrogating I'd offer you to fill from the bottle in my bag. There would be no chance, though, it's a black ink. I would demand my confession/testimony to be written in turquoise. Isn't that still a constitutional right?

 

Now that you mention it, I think it is! It's buried somewhere in the fifth amendment. "No person shall...be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself. However, should any person wish to waive this right, they none-the-less retain the right to incriminate themselves in the ink color of their choice."

 

Something like that, anyway.

[lovemy51]

my Solo came with asome carts in BB -bought 13 yrs ago. lovely color! somewhat like Pelikan BB -someone said they were the same... can't remember where i read this. anyways, i haven't used Cross carts since then.

 

 

is it just me or every time i walk into a office store their Cross cartridges are have full/empty? do they have problems with evaporation?

 

edited: i hadn't read the whole thread...

Edited July 17, 2012 by lovemy51

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

Cartridges tend to dry out if kept unopened for some time. It's a common problem with all cartridges as the wall of the plastic are semi-porous and allow water to escape. I have some Pilot cartridges from three years ago that have an air bubble that gets bigger each year. When I bought them, the bubbles were so tiny. I'm using them, but it's taking me some time to finish them.

 

That aside, I used both the cartridges and the converters. The cartridges are from Chad labs, as someone mentioned. They have a larger opening similar in diameter to the ones used in Lamy, Parker, and Aurora pens, and I have used them in those pens successfully in the past.

 

There are indeed situations where it is easier to have a bunch of cartridges. One of these is traveling. We have all these restrictions with liquids now, and I think it is just easier for us to bring cartridges. That said, when traveling, I don't think I have ever brought cartridges with me. I used the FPN ink exchange vials to hold extra ink for my pen, and I toss a few in the toiletry bag.

 

The downside to the cartridges as mentioned earlier is that they have a finite life and can dry out in some time unlike bottled ink. The plastic is porous and lets the water out.

 

Dillon

[purplehaze]

I always use the converters as it is more economical. I mdid manage to pick up a few packets of ink at a local art store that have stopped selling fountain pens... the carts were reduced to a quarter of the price. Though the cross ones seemed to have evaporated much more than the waterman ones I bought.

Gill