Century II Lustrous Chrome Fountain Pen by Cross

Jay G.
17 reviews
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I love my pen

I was first inspired to get a good pen when I watched Shakespeare in Love. I admired the great pen that Shakespeare (okay Joseph Fiennes). Here was a guy who lived deeply in his passion, wrote poems that would last hundreds of years, and wooed fancy ladies at will. All because of his pen.

I felt, hey, a writer needs a good pen. So I went to the local art store (Flax) and invested the best $50 of my life. I haven't looked back, ten years later. Now I've moved up a bit on the scale to Cross, which is more like $80.

Look, it's not easy either way. With the refillable fountain pen, you get a graceful writing tool, one that will give power to your words. And you'll never have to buy another pen. All you need is a fountain pen and a bottle of natural ink (usually not 'India Ink' however, it clogs your pen) to rest upon your desk. (Full disclosure, I now have two...one for business and one for journalling...this is my wealth).

With the plastic throwaway kind, you use it for a while (a month?), and then cast it forever into the landfill. Look around your desk...you see that pen? Headed to be buried with the rest of our junk for ions to come.

The downside? An occasional ink finger from refilling or a spot on your bag (yes this just happened) if you let the cap fall off inside your notebook when you store it. Soak a rag and dab the ink out.

Cross is great, they have great customer service and replace any pieces for me usually within the $10 service charge. I've sent it in twice. These people actually fix stuff!

I say only throw things away when you have to...but the real benefit is quality. And the fine ladies that come calling to a man with a good pen...see Shakespeare in Love.

Jay's keywords: pen ink cartridge