Conklin, Cross, Delta, Esterbrook

Conklin Pens

pen-image

Conklin Mark Twain Crescent

Color: Zebra (Black and white)
Material: Resin
Filler: Crescent
Date c. 2013-14
Nib: Anodized black steel, M
Working? Yes

Funky ‘cow’ patterned Mark Twain Crescent filler. Nice nib with a hing of feedback, and a lovely writer. Bit of a bear to flush efficiently, though.

pen-image

Conklin Mark Twain Limited Edition Rose Gold Demonstrator #343/1898

Color: Clear/Demonstrator
Material: Resin
Filler: Crescent
Date c. c. 2014
Nib: M 2T Steel
Working? Yes

I’ve wanted a Crescent-filler forever, and I adore demonstrators. This was therefore inevitable! Add in the rose-gold trim and I was in love. My first bona fide numbered LE, too! Gorgeous pen in a really stunning finish. I love the MTs. my only (very small) quibble is that they can be a bear to flush thoroughly, but no more so than any vintage lever-filler.


Cross Pens

pen-image

Cross Spire

Color: Gold
Material: Brass
Filler: Cartridge/Converter
Date c. c. 2010
Nib: M 14K
Working? Yes

A very slim but elegant pen from Cross. Much like the Classic Century, it takes proprietary slim cartridges. Cross doesn’t offer a converter for these, but I managed to gerry-rig a ‘squeeze’ converter from a cartridge and a pen sac. LIke a true cross, it writes beautifully, but it’s a bit slender for my preferences.

pen-image

Cross Townsend

Color: Black
Material: Black Lacquer
Filler: Cartridge/Converter
Date c. c. 1995
Nib: M 14K / B 14K
Working? Yes

(B nib shown) Both of these are fantastic! In fact, all my Cross Townsends are great writers, smooth and elegant. They are big and weighty, but I like a pen with a substantial feel. They work beautifully posted (cap posts with a very satisfying ‘snap’), or unposted is one prefers a lighter pen. The M was one of the first new, top-end pens I ever got, in fact. It took me through much of my undergrad career, and once I started collecting seriously, it had got siblings very quickly.

pen-image

Cross Townsend

Color: Cardinal Red
Material: Lacquer
Filler: Cartridge/Converter
Date c. c. 1995
Nib: XF 2T 14K
Working? Yes

Another wonderful Townsend pen. This was probably the first X-fine nib I ever really came to love. The Cardinal red lacquer is gorgeous; no photo I have seen does this pen justice.

pen-image

Cross Townsend Medalist

Color: Chrome
Material: Chrome over Brass
Filler: Cartridge/Converter
Date c. c. 1998
Nib: XF 14K
Working? Yes

I am slightly less fond of the bright chrome; it seems a little brash. I don’t know why; just the deep, rich black, red & brown lacquers seem so much more elegant. Still, like all my Townsends, this is a superb instrument.

pen-image

Cross Townsend

Color: Sienna
Material: Lacquer
Filler: Cartridge/Converter
Date c. c. 1998
Nib: F 14K
Working? Yes

And another fantastic Townsend. Like the Cardinal, the Sienna lacquer is gorgeous; the photos I have just don’t do it justice.


Delta Pens

Esterbrook Pens