Why Are Cross Pens So Underrated?

[79spitfire]

I have several Cross pens myself, and find them to be excellent pens.

 

2 Classics?, both USA made, a black M and a gray F

1 Sevauge, stingray pattern 18K nib. I really like this pen.

2 Adventura, I only have ever used one, the other is for when the first gives up, besides they were 'buy one get one free!'

1 Solo, this has a very 'eastern' nib, and I can believe it's made by Sailor as the F is more in line with a western XF.

1 ATX, this is by far my favorite and is USA made.

1 Beverly.

 

I know 2 of these are supposed to be 'ladies' pens, but it has never seemed to matter to the pen....

 

Interesting my daughter's favorite fountain pen is a Bailey...

 

I also believe their move to Chinese manufacturing has 'tarnished' the brand, but likely only among 'pen nuts', the general public is so accustomed to over-seas manufacturing, they likely haven't noticed. I feel the brand's status as a 'serious' FP manufacture has been lacking due to the lack of 'history'. They only really came out with fountain pens in the 80s or so, and while they are great pens, they just don't have the historical 'length' that other manufactures do. I understand that Cross made stylos in their early history and then switched to mechanical pencils. Their ballpoint pen design is iconic, and has been around for 50 years. Perhaps their strategy of making their 'premier' fountain pen look too much like their ballpoints has back fired, the other pens having come since simply suffering from 'nothing here to see' syndrome.

 

[Keyless Works]

I have an American made Chrome Cross Townsend FP that I received for Xmas last year and I love it. The steel nib wrote beautifully right of the box and in my opinion it doesn't get much better looks-wise.

 

I also have a Chinese made Century Signet ballpoint...the ballpoint part is nothing to write home about but again I love the way this pen looks:

http://www.tbmitchell.co.uk/images/products/verylarge/1332838836AT008227_side.jpg

Edited September 16, 2013 by Keyless Works

[Mister John]

I've had the same experience with Cross being underrated by others, and priced accordingly. I think the channel strategy of being widely available and associated with rather boring ballpoints is a big explanatory factor. To my mind, this represents a happy opportunity for the informed buyer. I picked up a Torero, which is a striking and lovely pen, for only 50 Euros and a Year of the Dragon special edition for a little more than $100. Both work perfectly, albeit with tweaking (but in fairness I tweak all my pens), and are stunning to look at. For me, what counts is the experience of enjoying the pen, not the potential appreciation on resale. Of course, if investment is your primary motivation, you'd be wise to steer clear of Cross.

 

This reminds me somewhat of the case of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer in the US. In the 1950s, PBR was considered a reasonably high-end premium beer. Faced with falling demand, the company cut price and aggressively expanded distribution. This changed consumer perceptions and sent them into the value category, even though the product itself was exactly the same. They subsequently tried to raise price, but encountered huge consumer resistance since the product itself was now seen as inferior to others in the premium segment. Today's perception of PBR is the result.

[rff000]

Of course, if investment is your primary motivation, you'd be wise to steer clear of Cross.

You can say that again. In 1995 or thereabouts I laid away a brand-new Cross Radiance in its box, which has still never been used. However, to my chagrin, you can still get a new one on Ebay for just about exactly what I paid back then ($27)!

[maus930]

I have never taken Cross Fountain pens seriously -- They always seem to position themselves as a fashion accessory or a Gradution gift staple -- not a serious writing instrument

[warblerick]

They are underrated, to me at least, because of their underwhelming design. They all look pretty much alike.

[hsianloon]

Cross Pron.

 

 

14K Century Classic I

14k Century Classic II

Signature

Laque Townsend (over Guilloche, shimmers as you turn it)

ATX

Century Classic II CI by M. Masuyama

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

 

Signature looks like a Montblanc Noblesse !

 

I think Cross are more popular for ballpoints than fountain pens.

 

Many of the opinions have mentioned how cross oversold themselves into becoming some generic stationery.

 

However, my first encounter with Pilot were with their ink gel pens, eg G-1, G-2 models, and for Parker, their nameless generic fountain pens sold in a cheap paper packaging.

 

Pilot and Parker fountain pens are highly regarded on this forum, or Parker at least...personally still think Pilot is overpriced but that's me (not intrigued the least by their designs)

 

So what did Cross really do wrong ? I wasn't born far back enough to say that Cross didn't ingrain itself into my perceptions of missing the fountain pen train. (child of the late 80s)

[CoolFool]

I always preferred Cross pens before the internet made it so easy to find other kinds. When I used Cross pens, I didn't know what a hard starter was, never had trouble with skips... and I also didn't know what a stub or smooth italic was and couldn't tell ebonite from lucite. Cross pens in my opinion are nice, handsome, if somewhat plain, pens that I still like. But I have a taste for flash in both the body of the pen and the nib. So I while I still like Cross fountain pens, I like others a lot better.

[WriteAway]

As a fan of Cross pens, I own close to 100 of the different models, going back to the late 1970's, and including current Chinese-made pens.

From the start, I always thought that Cross pens were made for the working male professional - a high quality ballpoint pen best suited for a work environment. Great performing pens based on a simple and iconic style, but with numerous finish variations. As pen users became more style-conscious, they found other brands to satisfy their preferences. I agree that many of the issues previously mentioned by other posters all contribute to the Cross brand being underrated by some.

 

I'll still collect US Cross pens, and the occasional PRC-made pen too.

 

 

[WirsPlm]

Hm. Honestly, I'm starting to get interested in getting some Cross pens and then lacquering / painting them with interesting designs. Anyone have links to good resources for metal lacquering?

[amk]

I have three ATXs. None of them are stunning (though they do at least have lively colours), but they're reliable good writers, never seem to leak or blot, and they're robust (and inexpensive) enough to tote around the place.

[fpconverted]

I have used all types of century family of pens over the years and I really can't complain. I love the lustrous chrome design and I currently use a Cross Tech 4, a Cross Century II lustrous chrome fountain pen in med and I must say specifically the Cross fp writes beautifully and I love the classic chrome look of the century series. The century series is timeless, well made and crafted. I've had zero problems with all of my Cross pens purchased over the years. I've never been a big fan of shiny gold pens and have always loved the understated design of silver or chrome finishes. Their fountain pens are not usually the top of fp conversation but due said, the quality is amazing and yes I think they are underrated foe branding and quality. The reason I purchased a century II fp was to match my Cross Tech 4. They look nice together in my black cherry cortina leather daytimer.

[Minty]

It is not possible to underrate a Cross pen.

[max dog]

As a fan of Cross pens, I own close to 100 of the different models, going back to the late 1970's, and including current Chinese-made pens.

From the start, I always thought that Cross pens were made for the working male professional - a high quality ballpoint pen best suited for a work environment. Great performing pens based on a simple and iconic style, but with numerous finish variations. As pen users became more style-conscious, they found other brands to satisfy their preferences. I agree that many of the issues previously mentioned by other posters all contribute to the Cross brand being underrated by some.

 

I'll still collect US Cross pens, and the occasional PRC-made pen too.

 

 

I like the Townsend in all Chrome and Medalist finishes. The nibs have beautiful engraving, and are very smooth and springy. They are handsome and have a grand look and feel, fit for an executive.

[lahlahlaw]

I'll still collect US Cross pens, and the occasional PRC-made pen too.

 

 

PRC - China never sounded so good!!

[Juicyjones]

Well for me it's usually because I just don't like the materials they use. They're mostly metal or laquered metal and I really don't like metal FPs. Just my us$0.02

Edited September 27, 2013 by Juicyjones

[Third Gen]

I like the Townsend in all Chrome and Medalist finishes. The nibs have beautiful engraving, and are very smooth and springy. They are handsome and have a grand look and feel, fit for an executive.

 

+1. And mine have been abused and still keep on working.

[ethernautrix]

I have had Crosses, still have a couple. They're good, solid pens that write wonderfully. I think they are associated with corporate and university affiliations -- meaning, they're the go-to pens for having one's corporate logo or university shield melded to the top of the clip.

 

I lost mine (university) somewhere in Pennsylvania, I think, along with the barrel of a Parker 75 Cisele. Sigh.

 

Anyway, I like my Classic Century I -- wonderful nib! -- but I find that it is too slim and too metal (heh). Still, a lovely pen.

[UK Mike]

I have never taken Cross Fountain pens seriously -- They always seem to position themselves as a fashion accessory or a Gradution gift staple -- not a serious writing instrument

 

I don't agree - i have a Cross Century with the 14k nib from the early 1980s and it is still a beautifully smooth and flexible writing instrument, and easily many times better than anything I have owned from Parker.

It was bought to use by myself - neither as a fashion accessory nor anything to do with my educational or professional career. It is quite simply an excellent pen.

[OcalaFlGuy]

Well for me it's usually because I just don't like the materials they use. They're mostly metal or laquered metal and I really don't like metal FPs. Just my us$0.02

 

You are obviously not looking at the right Crossi.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl