Cross Ex-Spire?

[cuza]

Point of Interest: A local retailer who carries Cross has been informed by Cross that the Spire line of pens is scheduled to be discontinued and that they will be going on sale soon at a 25% markdown. Certain colours of the Affinity will be discounted as well.

[Russ]

I wonder if Cross really made enough on these pens to cover their costs. They seemed like all-too-trendy offerings at the outset.

[cuza]

I was interested in buying the fountain pen version of the Spire until I discovered that it required a special slim cartridge to fit the narrow barrel. No, thanks. I got a black ball point (egad!!!) instead.

[max dog]

I knew from the outset the Spire would be unsuccessful because of the special slim cartridge with no converter option. You just end up stranded with a pen that you wont be able to ink when the supplied cartridges run out. No one stocks these unique slim cartridges. What was Cross thinking??????

[donnweinberg]

I agree that the Spire is a poorly-conceived fountain pen for the reasons above.  I just received one that I purchased on Ebay.  I had to use one of the two supplied special thin cartridges.  Neither the typical Cross cartridge nor the Cross converter fits.  The Spire is a very small, thin pen, which makes it look interesting.  But what a mistake it was.