Are Cross Pens Good?

The first “nice” pen I ever owned was a cross pen. It was a Cross Century. It was on sale at Office Max and I purchased it for around $15 (this was over 10 years ago).

I loved this pen. Someone I looked up to always used a Cross pen and so I thought they were the pinnacle of pen brands.

That little Cross pen was the start of my pen collecting journey. But I have found that Cross doesn’t seem to get the recognition it used to get.

Are Cross Pens Any Good?

The rest of this article is going to give you all sorts of information on Cross pens so that you can decide if they are worth it for you. 

If you are looking for a high-quality pen that will last a long time and produce crisp and clean lines, a Cross Pen is going to be a very good option. These pens may be expensive, but they are worth the extra money if you want a reliable pen that is easy to use.

Cross pens are a very well-known brand in the pen-loving community. They have been around for a really long time and were one of the first big pen manufacturers in the world. So for the amount of attention they seem to get, you are probably wondering if Cross pens are actually good. 

How Much Do Cross Pens Cost?

Cross pens are definitely more spendy than your average pen. Some of their pens are only around $20, but their most expensive pens can range up to $500. Yes, that’s right, $500 for one pen! 

Most people would see this as crazy for the price of a pen, but others think that it’s worth it for the quality that they get. Plus, the more expensive Cross pens are limited edition, and some just like the novelty of having something special like that.

Luckily, if you aren’t interested in spending $500 on a pen, Cross offers a wide variety of options ranging in price. But still, you should be ready to spend at least $20-$40 if you are looking to purchase a Cross pen.

Are Cross Pens Good pens?
By Neo139 – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17791777

Why Are Cross Pens So Expensive?

Cross began making pens in 1846 and is one of the oldest pen brands in the world. Over that time, their reputation has grown and people have seen the quality of their products. However, the company was purchased in 2013, and some people feel the quality of the product has gone down since then.

Cross pens are built to last and have been kept for decades before needing to be replaced. This is a very long time to last, especially if you compare it to other pens you might buy. Some pens might only last 1 or 2 years before drying out. So the fact that Cross pens are able to last so long makes them more expensive than other pens.

The materials that Cross uses also affect their price. Chrome-plated pens are going to have the cheapest materials, but sterling silver and gold pens will be more expensive to make and therefore will cost more. 

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Cross Pens?

Pros

My favorite thing about Cross Pen is the look and feel. I personally like the traditional look of the pen. There is a reason why Cross pens are probably one of the most gifted executive pens.

As said previously, Cross pens tend to last a very long time. Though they may require refills along the way, it’s not as common for them to break quickly or lose their quality. Cross pens are very durable and therefore can last for many, many years before needing to be replaced.

Cross pens also offer a variety of options and it’s pretty much guaranteed that you will find something you are looking for. They have ballpoint, rollerball, gel, and fountain tip pens. These pens are also customizable so that you can get the right size and design for you.

Another pro is that Cross pens have high-quality ink that is easy to write with. The ink is usually crisp and flows smoothly onto the page when you write, which is a really nice quality for a pen to have.

Cons

If you like to save money, the spendy prices of Cross pens could be considered a con. Though you are paying for good quality, it’s still a big chunk of money that you have to be willing to spend. Still, if you are happy with the quality, hopefully, the price tag won’t be too big of a deal.

Some Cross pens also require maintenance if you want to keep them in good condition. Part of this maintenance includes refills, which can be a hassle that not everyone wants to deal with. 

Lastly, some Cross pens do have a tendency to leak. This is more common with the fountain pens because of the way the ink comes out, but it can also happen with the rollerball or ballpoint pens. 

Are Cross Pens Worth The Price?

Cross pens can be worth the price, but it really just depends on where your priorities are at. If you are just looking for any pen that you can write with and don’t care too much about the quality or how long it lasts, Cross pens are not necessarily worth the price. 

However, If you are a person who really values a good quality pen and wants one that will last years, Cross pens are definitely worth the price. 

I will say, if you don’t care about the “traditional” look of a nice pen, then there are plenty of options such as the rOtring 600 or even the Zebra G-750, which I think perform better than the average Cross pen.

Final Thoughts

In the grand scheme of things, yes, Cross pens are good. There may be a few cons, but if you are able to look past those, there are also a ton of pros to having a Cross pen.

Hopefully, this article has given you some insight and helped you learn more about Cross pens so that you can make an informed decision for your next purchase.

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