Cross Peerless Medalist Fountain Pen Review

[@liamvictor]

Love to see your passion for this job. Thanks doctor.

[@chrislj2890]

At first glance I agree about the cap appearing unduly oversized. But once you removed it I realized that it allows the body and grip section to be a continuous form, without one of those hideous step downs. That to me is much more important from a functionality aspect. Like you it isn't a style I go for, but I think the price is reasonable for the quality and performance.

[@SailingHanu]

I could tell by how you were writing with it that it was so smooth and the wetness was perfect (IMHO). Thank you for your review - not a big Cross guy, but I always give each pen a look at....because you never know. Thank you again Stephen!

[@xzzdm]

Thank you, Steven. Just bought one when it was on sale (Cultpens) and I agree that the nib is superb right out of the box. Not a fan of how it looks but the writing experience is just fantastic. Also like the screw-in converter.

[@lez7767]

Thanks DocStephen for the honest no edited review. You’re ACE. And I agree with you in your observations that writing sample was impressive and I like nibs that ‘sing’ as you write. Best wishes to all PenPeople LeZc @@

[@pjacklam]

Thanks for the nice review! An odd thing about Cross cartridges is that they dry out. After around twenty years, I have now started writing with fountain pens again. My Lamy and Parker cartridges from that time are just as if they were bought yesterday, but all the Cross cartridges are virtually empty. I visited a book shop in Oslo, and I presume they don't sell many Cross cartridges, because they had also started to dry out. I don't know how old those cartridges were, though.

[@fyfesandy3491]

I have seen the same over in the UK. I bought a convertor and use bottled inks with my Cross pens. It is much cheaper than the cartridges, and you get a wider range of colours. You need to find the correct convertor. A bottle of ink will last much longer than cartridges.

[@Tennishead21]

Bring back your old intro music. :)

[@pvs18]

I'm glad I was able to get a Peerless with a Zoom nib. I don't really care for Cross' other models, but I love my black and rhodium Townsend and Peerless. They're really comfortable to write with unposted.

[@frankbruno7122]

Thank you for this review Stephen.. loved it.. I have a Peerless NYC edition.. the one with the Chrysler Building detail etched into the barrel and cap with a green crystal. I have the medium Sailor nib.. I find the section and the pen to be a delight.. as you said.. "a joy" well done cross.. I'm in search of Cross violet ink.. Frank from Boulder, Colorado

[@alexandrapirvu7945]

Thank you very much for the presentation, Stephen! I didn't know (some) Cross use Sailor nibs. Found a really good offer on this precise model and I'll definitely get it for the nib (yeah, the cap looks annoyingly big, but who sees it when writing??)

[@adrianhughes5831]

The Sailor King of Pen ST (standard resin) isn't that much more expensive direct from Japan - I think I would be tempted to pay the extra.

[@steveconquest6684]

I respect your reviews and opinions, however, if I want a better looking pen (that cap really screws up that pen) with a Sailor nib....then I think I'll just buy a Sailor pen. Simple solution for me at least. Cheers,Steve

[@matthewbeddow3278]

Thank you Stephen .

[@XxpoplocksxX]

I have this pen its awesome

[@13noman1]

I have to tell you an unusual story about the Peerless. A few years ago (maybe three), I splurged on one of these after seeing so many + reviews extolling the Sailor nib. I excitedly opened the package when it arrived only to discover that somehow, it had NO nib or section!! I returned it for a full refund but sadly, no more were to be had then. Magically, a new/unopened one popped up on Ebay ~ a week ago and showed up in my mailbox today! I opened it up with some trepidation but this time it had a nib! Oh, it was worth the wait and the second go 'round!

[@mauriciolacruz]

Is the black section made of plastic or lacquered metal?

[@kimberley1235]

Hi 😊... Thank you for the review. ❤️

[@sergiymotorin5769]

I bought this pen based on your review and it writes fantastically well. Absolutely love it. However I was wondering whether the nib can be removed from the section for cleaning?

[@sbrebrown]

I seem to recall is is friction fit and slips out, but be careful

[@wittwittwer1043]

I have one of these pens. I agree with sbre that the cap is ugly, but it is a typical cross FP design. Like sbre, I enjoy the texture of the silver metal, but he failed to mention two things: 1. Color contrast between the silver/gold is exceptional, & 2. There is also a gold/gold version of the pen, slightly more expensive. Finally, the nib is very good, and does illustrate the quality of Sailor nibs. However, while I do like the nib, I have other pens with Pilot or Sailor nibs that write just as well. Good review.

[@curtism5333]

A great review yet again. I found my cross townsend nib to be surprisingly good considering Cross’ typically low profile in the fountain pen community. But there you have it....

[@fyfesandy3491]

I agree. I consider Cross as the "boringly reliable" brand. It gets on with the job, and writes. You don't get lots of line variation, or flex, or any of the "excitement" offered by other brands, - but you do get a consistent line - and something that will write all day without any fuss. It is a pen - you write with it & that's all. I think that's why it doesn't get quite so much attention. The relatively new Peerless may be an exception with the Sailor nib. My Townsend & Century 2 get lots of use.

[@Tennishead21]

I notice the Sailor nib is 18k, as opposed to their usual 14k on cheaper models or 21k as on their more expensive models. Do you know whether Sailor makes an 18k nib and uses it on any of their own pens? From the top of my head, I can't think of any.

[@sbrebrown]

Neither can I!

[@CorneliusBartke]

In the early 1970ies, during the “carat wars”, Sailor had at least a Long/Short pocket pen with an 18k nib (and a 21k and 23kt nib). More recently, the Sailor Chalana was (is?) also available with a tiny 18k nib. Rumour has it that there were also 1911/Profit models that had the old style large anchor logo nib in 18k.

[@Tennishead21]

​@@sbrebrown@Cornelius Bartke A Google search reveals Sailor may have once made an 18k nib, but it seems to have been made perhaps for a specific market. My guess is that 18k was abandoned once they moved to 21k nibs during, as Cornelius mentioned, the so-called carat wars. Here is a short discussion on Fountain Pen Network: www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/115810-sailor-with-18k-nib/ It is interesting to think how tastes and designs change over time, not unlike Visconti who have moved from 18k gold to 23k palladium, much to the annoyance of many... I do like the 21k Sailor nibs more than the 14k Sailor nibs, however, especially the nib on the King of Pen.

[@AdrianMutu87]

it looks like a faber castell e-motion for users with larger hands, and with an amazing nib

[@bretmaples]

How would you compare that nib to the one on your Visconty Element?

[@sbrebrown]

This nib has more feedback

[@jenndeboer5518]

AGREED!!!!

[@melodychest9020]

If the only good thing about this pen is the Sailor nib, then why not just get a Sailor pen?! Not sure why one has to overlook everything about this pen! SMH! I have 2 ballpoint versions of this pen and don't mind the heftiness of them which is basically the exact same size. Cheers, lovely video and your camera was as sharp as that Sailor nib!

[@greyareaRK1]

The cap makes it look like a Falcon 9 rocket.

[@markcheetham3789]

Most important question Dr. Brown, will you be sending it back to Joost or will you be keeping it??? 🧐

[@sbrebrown]

'Twas sent back

[@markcheetham3789]

That’s a shame, it’s now on my list after this review... Like the Medalist, love the Tokyo Satin Black. Want rather than need I hasten to add. Thanks for the review, and the reply, keep up the good work 👍

[@rztour]

For what it's worth, that pen looks very distinguished as you write with it....just sayin'. Love to hear that love for the nib. Never a given and always an awesome thing when that part of a fountain pen stands out!

[@shadowmihaiu]

Sounds like Cross hit it out of the park with the writing characteristics on this one.

[@vancouveropenbsd985]

sbrebrown, is this a candidate for GOAT 2019?

[@sbrebrown]

For me, no

[@janepilecki8083]

Well, I hope you purchased this pen! It would be such a shame to send back such a great writer!!!

[@jaredhtx]

I bought one, and I found the medium dry and scratchy.

[@pixodius]

you can easily tune that yourself or send it back if you prefer

[@vancouveropenbsd985]

Looks like you get a lot of bang for your buck with that pen. As my dearly departed grandmother would have said, "Mont Blanc costs three times as much. Is it three times as good?"

[@christopherli135]

I find it really sad they are using another company’s nib to celebrate their 125th anniversary. Goes to show the state of the company considering most of their pens are made in China...

[@kimberley1235]

Just wondering, are you bilingual? 🥰

[@sbrebrown]

Quadrilingual 😎

[@kimberley1235]

@@sbrebrown 😍... I would have actually never guessed that from your accent because you speak much better English than me, and I am native. 💖 Which languages might that be in, and might you be interested in making an exchange for my dream project? 😊

[@AnzanHoshinRoshi]

Thank you, Stephen. Modern Cross doesn't interest me/ Even with a Sailor nib, I don't like the form.

[@Scouzeboy]

Great review. Crappy pen. Sorry. Good nib but too small.

[@johnhebert3855]

Ugly, but a good writer.

[@smithraymondearl]

Most Excellent video as always! I have several Cross Roller Balls, Ballpoints, and Pencils But no fountain pens. Hummmm