Why Are Cross Pens So Underrated?

[ac12]

I use a Cross Century (vintage 1970/80s) along side a Parker Classic as my black ink pens.

My Cross with a Medium nib is quite nice to write with, very smooth, and I did not tweak the nib at all.

The smaller size of the grip/section is fine with me, as my hand is small and slimline pens fits me better.

I like the simple clean look of the Century.

I like them.

 

If any of you are unhappy with your Cross Century, I would be glad to take it off your hands.

[79spitfire]

Staples has some of the Cross pens 'on special' for $20 with two nib units, M and F

 

Of course they are made in China, but still very tempting!

[lovemy51]

the Bailey i got last year at Staple's for $20 is a nice writer -M nib!!

[WriteAway]

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.

 

I have yet to receive a bad nib in any of my older or current Townsend FPs. I lean towards the Fine nib size for my handwriting, but enjoy the Mediums equally well.

 

PRC - China never sounded so good!!

Cross may finally be getting a better handle on their Chinese production quality for some of the current era pens. Not all models, mind you, as others have indicated.

[Dickkooty2]

The Cross ballpoint pen was a symbol of recognition in the mid 60's among those of us in business. The look of that classic cap as it stuck out of your shirt pocket, pocket protector (if you were an engineer) or vest pocket (if you were on your way up) was very important. It also was a twist-to-extend the ballpoint which was something new. Based on this recognition, Cross quickly went after the business market and sold the models in various metals and price-points as ad give-aways. The BP appeared in many mass retailers because of its popularity. They have also been in Farney's and Levenger in the olden days.

 

Could it be that when this business didn't produce enough volume, they introduced the FP to upgrade the image of the entire line?

 

Tricky! At what point are true expertise and service needed to support a quality image v popularity?

[79spitfire]

It is tricky. Marketing can make or break a company. One thing I've noticed, here of late, The higher end pens seem to have short production runs. My wife favors BPs (ugh...) and I had purchased her one, I can't remember the model name but it's already discontinued! I noticed the same for the Spire, very short production.

[Dickkooty2]

The Cross ballpoint pen was a symbol of recognition in the mid 60's among those of us in business. The look of that classic cap as it stuck out of your shirt pocket, pocket protector (if you were an engineer) or vest pocket (if you were on your way up) was very important. It also was a twist-to-extend the ballpoint which was something new. Based on this recognition, Cross quickly went after the business market and sold the models in various metals and price-points as ad give-aways. The BP appeared in many mass retailers because of its popularity. They have also been in Farney's and Levenger in the olden days.

Could it be that when this business didn't produce enough volume, they introduced the FP to upgrade the image of the entire line?

Tricky! At what point are true expertise and service needed to support a quality image v popularity?

[Albertine]

I got a Sauvage as a gift and I really like it. It's got an interesting shape and some depth of color that pleases the eye, and cuts a nice middle road between flashy and subdued.

Mostly, however, I like the way it writes. A good, smooth, fine line.

 

Solid pen.

[fpconverted]

double post bump

Edited October 9, 2013 by fpconverted

[fpconverted]

My first pen ever was the classic century chrome pen set. From early middle school I've always invested in better quality writing tools. And a fan of chrome, Cross chrome pens were really what was ONLY widely available at the time in the early 70's. Through the years I've used a medalist, a century II, and Townsend. Then moving to the tech 3 and 4 series. Then finally recently to a century II chrome fountain pen. I've never had any issues with quality or otherwise and these pens can really take a beating and still perform. Cross makes great high quality writing tools and really that is the main reason why I stuck with their products for so long. Cross is my basic go to brand. They are reliable pens I would recommend to anyone and you cant really go wrong with Cross products to start a nice pen collection. Lastly, they offer something for everyone in all tastes, finishes, and designs. Being a fan of silver and chrome pens I've also liked the minimalist straight forward, and no nonsense design. I would definitely recommend Cross.

Edited October 9, 2013 by fpconverted

[Bo Bo Olson]

""They lost their values due to their ubiqutous presence in big box and office stores.""""

 

When the Dollar was Almighty, very few American's ever heard of a MB or a Pelikan much less some Japanese pens. Pelikan 4001 ink was cheaper in the US than Parker or Sheaffer in the '60's.

 

Back in the days of Silver Dollar, Caddy, Lincoln and big muscle cars were status, not the small and CHEAP German cars, like the small then underpowered Mercedes or BMW's. I parked a quite a while back a Lincoln Town Car rental next to a "big" 7-BMW and it was a good yard too short to being a full sized car.

 

 

Status has only to do with cost. I can afford a framed splotch on the wall, and you can't. What do you mean it's upside down?

 

I bought my Townsend; finding out I don't like heavy metal pens, nor do I like nails. It is a great pen.

Cross has it's own style....Why should they look like a Waterman, or a Parker?

 

Once very admired, but not now because it's found in office supply stores. Just be glad they have them there....Parker is not there, neither is Sheaffer....and not because they are so 'high' classed either. Many of them are cheap pens.

 

Question, in I'd only made it to a couple office supply stores while I was back in the states a couple years ago...looking for good paper, is the Townsend also in those stores? I only saw one Cross, a cheaper one and some sort of Monteverdi or something I didn't care for, when I looked for pens. They were in a glass case not in a blister pack.

I did check out both pens; but they were nails....I have a nail in every width so don't need any more.

 

Don't see any one tearing up boring Parker pens. Many of which are made in China.

Sheaffer is made some where in the far east too.

 

My Townsend is a dammed fine pen.

[Florida Blue]

 

Once very admired, but not now because it's found in office supply stores. Just be glad they have them there....Parker is not there, neither is Sheaffer....and not because they are so 'high' classed either. Many of them are cheap pens.

+1

 

Cross is one of the few pen companies that sell fountain pens in big box stores still. I appreciate the fact that they are offering affordable, quality pens that are accessible to a wide audience.

[Sandy Fry]

I agree with Lovemy51.

 

I have 3 Cross fountain pens...2 Bailey's and a Beverly. Excellent writers. Smooth, lay down a consistant line and even after sitting idle for a couple weeks, start up straight away. I too paid $19 each at Staples...an absolute steal!

 

Come on folks...each to their own. A fountain pen is not a status symbol...sorry to burst your bubbles.

 

David

Edited October 10, 2013 by Sandy Fry

[whitedot]

1952-82, Cross was too busy making BPs.

 

If the Cross Signet and early stylographs are anything to go on, their FPs could have been insanely beautiful.

 

http://www.vintagepens.com/images/perm/Cross_stylo.jpg

http://www.vintagepens.com/images/perm/Cross_Signet_set.jpg

 

But, here we are. Nowadays, Cross, Parker, Sheaffer and Waterman are the Abercrombie and Fitch or Jack Wills of the pen world. They farm out production to India, China and the like, and make the same pen in endless variants. Occasionally, they are even guilty of making something completely at odds with their heritage and unquestionably ugly. So, Cross isn't quite underrated today, just no different.

Edited October 11, 2013 by whitedot

[Florida Blue]

something completely at odds with their heritage and unquestionably ugly.

What about the Sagaris is at odds with Sheaffer's heritage? To me it shares a silhouette and styling cues of Sheaffer pens going back to the 1960s. It looks just like an Imperial, but with an open nib.

[whitedot]

What about the Sagaris is at odds with Sheaffer's heritage? To me it shares a silhouette and styling cues of Sheaffer pens going back to the 1960s. It looks just like an Imperial, but with an open nib.

 

Link fixed. Facepalm.

 

Having said that, the Sagaris isn't much better.

Edited October 11, 2013 by whitedot

[indigoskye]

I own three Cross Pens and like them. The two fountain pens are smooth writers, dependable, and are comfortable in my hand. I bought them both last year for $19 on special at Staples. One is a purple Beverly, which has become one of my favorite daily writers and the other is a Bailey. I like that the Beverly is a bit smaller in diameter. I have a smaller hand and many fountain pens are too big for me to hold comfortably. The weight of the metal body and slimmer diameter of the Beverly suits me.

 

I picked up a Cross Century Ballpoint for $19 at Staples. It is a perfect fit in my Filofax planner that had a small leather pen loop that other pens would not fit into. It is also a dependable writer with clean lines. It has been a good fit for my filofax so I have no complaints.

 

I see many people complain about the Cross pens, but honestly I find that they are sturdy, dependable pens.

[da vinci]

Are they under-rated? Certainly not by me. I own several (Townsend, century, sauvage and verve). They are all excellent writers and the broad nib on a Townsend is one of the best nibs I own. If any one wants to dispose of their limited edition cross pens because they don't rate them please do pm me!

[Aysedasi]

I've owned 3 Townsends. The first two were sold on not long after I bought them. I still have the third which is part of a FP/BP set. It's a nice pen - it writes well, but is just...... dull. It will probably follow the others eventually....

[whitedot]

Is there a list of Cross LEs? AFAIK, there is the 150th and the Tennis.