Cross brand ink or another brand?

[Bipedallou]

Well I am not going to add anything new that hasn't been already expressed I'm sure. But I purchased my first Cross FP, a Townsend, (Black lacquer, gold trim, medium nib), along with two bottles of ink: Cross Black (which is actually the Pelikan 4001 Brilliant Black I have learned), and Waterman Florida Blue. I have not had any problems with either of these inks, having used only these two in my Townsend, over the past 6 years now.

 

I use the converter exclusively, never even used the three, or is it four, cartridges which came with the pen. I do try to remember to do a through flush of the nib and converter every three or four fills. That's when I usually switch from the black to the blue and vise versa. I must say that I have no problems with leakage, and although the Cross Black does exhibit slow restarts after a significant pause in writing, more so than the Florida Blue I think although I have not done any scientific research involving exact timing.

 

I'm pretty sure my Townsend is a China made pen, which I rather wish it hadn't been, but it does write nicely, and I'm sure Cross will certainly stand behind if the time ever comes when it needs factory service. I hope your experience with your new Cross pen is as good, and even better than mine. I don't think I am as fussy about fountain pens as others, and I'm sure this is do to a lack of wide experience with many different pen makes. (Although I fear that this is beginning to change as I now have five pens from four different makers, and since I've joined Fountain Pen Network I'm learning more about others with the nagging desire to buy some....unfortunately most are beyond my means, especially when weighed against actual need! )

 

Lou

[RLTodd]

I was just thinking.

 

This Cross cartridge is a problem line pops up frequently.

 

There may be a problem with the design of the cartridge.

 

It is a little unusual compared to others.

 

Or not.

[Bipedallou]

Well I'll just add a reinforcement to what others have already shared. I use the converter in my Townsand exclusively, the cartridges that came with the pen are possibly dried up by now, haven't looked at them and don't feel the need to. I have used only two inks, and am fully satisfied with the performance of both: Waterman's Florida Blue and Cross (Pelikan 4001 Brilliant) Black. The black is a bit quicker to dry, not just on the paper but the nib as well when you stop writing for a while without replacing the cap. But I have not experienced any difficulty in start-up when the pen is first uncapped, even when I have not used it for a week, with either ink.

 

I'm sure there are many good choices of inks you can use. I have been considering the Diamine line myself when I run out of my current supply of bottled inks. The Ink Reviews forum has a ton of excellent reviews and helpful information for making a reasonably informed decision before purchasing a new ink. Much of one's choice of brand would probably be strongly influenced by what color and shade of color you wish to use.

 

And again, reiterating others, have fun with your pen and let the ink flow.

 

Lou