Cross Century Convertor Or Alternative Cartridge?

[Sammyo]

A friend I work with has a Cross Century and is finding that the proprietary cartridges are not that great. He is having issues with a loose fit and some ink leaking inside of the barrel.

 

He mentioned converting it to an eye dropper, which I instantly talked him out of due to the all metal body. As far as both of us are aware Cross do not make a converter for this pen either... so here we are...

 

Does anyone know of a converter, alternative cartridge or fix for this issue?

 

I recommended a temporary fix of wrapping some masking tape around the top of the cartridge to give a more 'snug' fit in the chamber; but this is not really an ideal fix.

Edited January 15, 2015 by Sammyo

[blINK]

Is he refilling the same cartridge or will any cartridge cause the leaking problem?

 

Obviously, if he is refilling, it could just be a stretch/wear issue where it is no longer seating on the nipple properly.

 

If it happens even with new cartridges, it sounds like more of an issue in the section. If this is the case, I would have him call Cross. They will send him a new section as that would be covered under the warranty.

[Mike 59]

I find Cross cartidges reliable enough, though the cartridges are small.

The Century 2 pen does take the orange converter, but if the pen is the earlier 'Century' FP then it may be different.

Photo is my Century 2 with orange Cross converter.

Edited January 15, 2015 by Mike 59

[Sammyo]

Thank you all. I actually have the Cross Century II with the converter and love the fact that it screws into place.

 

Unfortunately he had the modern style Century I. Didn't see him today to ask if he is refilling an old cat or using new ones. Hopefully I will see him tomorrow, I do know that he is partial to Waterman Serenity Blue... so he may be refilling

[Jerome Tarshis]

I'm confused. Cross does make a converter that fits the Century I. It is the green push-fit converter. Because Cross no longer manufactures the Century I, that converter isn't advertised for use in that pen. It is advertised for use in the Townsend, which Cross still manufactures.

 

But it's the same converter. It fits all manner of Cross pens manufactured before the Century II and its orange screw-fit converter.

 

For that matter, quite a few FPNers have used the orange converter with earlier pens; it may be necessary to file off some of the plastic if the converter's connecting end is too wide for the barrel, but one doesn't *need* to screw on the orange converter. It will also push on.

 

About the pen Cross manufactures today and calls the Classic Century, I have no idea what converter, if any, is offered to fit it. I wouldn't buy one of those pens. They seem to be alternative versions of the Cross Spire, which uses cartridges even smaller than regular Cross cartridges and is not meant to take a converter. Not my idea of a desirable pen. As much as I like slim pens, that one seems more decorative than useful. I would endorse buying it to enjoy its appearance.

[Sammyo]

Then I update my comment to "Cross Classic Century that takes the slim cartridge". Thank you for the clarification

[Mike 59]

If this Century FP is the new slim type, then I did ask in a shop that has long sold Cross pens, who told me there is no converter for those pens, and there are no plans to make one. So it's down to refilling cartridges by syringe, or buying new ones.