I’m not sure that Cross is still getting their nibs from Sailor, but that nib does SOUND like a Sailor nib. I do like the looks of this pen. Formerly, I didn’t care for the largish cap, but now that has grown on me. Thanks for your very detailed and thoughtful review.
Have used Cross pens for 50 plus years. Fountain, bellpoint, rollerball, fibertip, and pencil. Had two problems, both solved by their great warranty repair department. I have about 12 to 15 of their writing instruments, including 24k amnd sterling silver sets. I think my cross fountains are inked on an almost continual basis with Diamine ancient copper or waterman intense black. I have not used monteverde ink, but the blue looks interesting..without mold.
Funnily enough, trying to get this pen is what made me get a Sailor pen instead (Cross has been having some production problems and I ordered it from a couple of places only to be told it's out of stock!). I was a die hard Cross fan and their fountain pens is how I got started with the hobby!
Fantastic, DB! Your comprehensive review is the best of this sleeper gem. The attention to detail is Peerless! I got a 0620 because of a sweet spot for Sailor mediums and the Cross screw-in has a few tenths more mls adding more lineage over Sailor converter volume. Another interesting note, Sailor Standard 1911L nib is 21K 875 and ever so slightly narrower than the wider at the shoulders 18K 750 Cross customization. It is a subtle difference but adds to the unique writing experience of Sailor feedback paired with nib profile and more weighted pen heft. Finally, these nib units are sold for swapping unlike Sailor so that versatility makes for a BIFL pen. Good buy!
I was once on the brink of buying a Cross Peerless, but then decided to buy a Sailor Pro Gear instead. Cross had long ceased to interest me at all. I was always content with my two Townsend and a Century Classic. Your excellent review here reminds me and rekindles my desire and appreciation for the Peerless pen. I’m a huge fan of Sailor’s nibs. Apart from my Sailor pens’ amazing 21k nibs, I have also enjoyed their nibs on Taccia pens. However, I just hope the Sailor nibs on the Cross pens are almost uniformly great as anybody would rightly expect. Because Sailor’s nibs on the new, expensive Sheaffer Legacy Heritage pens have been known to be quite hit & miss, sadly.
@@Doodlebud ..That’s very reassuring. I don’t like the gold plated models of the pen, nor some of the others. The all-silver or the titanium grey you reviewed are the two I’m interested in. Should I buy, it will be either of those two. The standard full price is a deterrent, though. I seldom land ‘deal’ purchases.
I had a few Cross FPs early in my days in the hobby but mostly went off 'em after the Townsend. After seeing various reviews of the Peerless (Sailor nib!) I decided to give it a try. I found what appeared to be a good deal on this exact model (titanium grey), excitedly awaited it's arrival and discovered upon unboxing that my particular sample...had no nib! I sent it back of course and by that time, there were no more to be had. I now consider the Cross Peerless 125 as the "pen that got away"!
Nice review. I have two of the gold Peerless, with fine nibs. I use them for crossword pens, because the line is thin and precise. Those nibs are great. The pen takes proprietary cartridges, but the Skrip cartridges also fit in just fine.
Awesome review. I really do think Cross pen's get overlooked. I have a few Peerless including the Darth Vader model and I love it. I also like the Townsend and Centry II fountain pens. They are a bit smaller then the Peerless, but the nibs are great. I have a few older nibs that are all 18k, but you can't find them anymore because they are italic cursive. They used to make several different types, but over the years they have slimmed back and only seem to have F M and B tips, no more specialty nibs which is a shame. My wife picked me up a "Year if the Rat" fountain pen with the blue crystal in the cap and it is one the most beautiful pens I've seen with the inlaid gold patterns. Maybe some day I'll do a video on them :) Till then, thank you for all your reviews!
I got a couple of Taccia pens with Sailor nibs. I’m really quite happy with them and the pricing for the entire pen isn’t much more than just buying an equivalent sailor branded nib.
Well done review. I bought a platinum version first, and then a gold. Love them both, they are great writers. I have written with Cross fountain pens since my college days (57 years ago), and all were the slender ones, such as the Classic (wonderful pens), and the Solo (great Pilot nibs, CHEAP plastic bodies which lasted only one academic year).
I did not realize the Peerless comes with a Sailor nib. I own the ballpoint version and never considered the fountain pen. Now it is something to really consider. Thanks for the review.
Recently purchased the "Medalist" version of this pen. I was so impressed by its looks, feel in the hand and the way it writes, I decided to purchase another one ... this version, to be more specific. Like yours, the Medalist has a fine nib and the new Titanium is coming with a broad. And, I gotta say, I'm liking the looks of the clip ... go figure! 🤷♂
Its a really nice pen all around. I've been very very happy with it with respect to how it writes and performs, but also it just looks classy. A great business pen
Great review! It is on my 'someday' list. The bent clip is fine for me. It is the iconic clip design of Cross pen line. But what i am concerned is that cap might be too thick and big and the nip is relatively small. It seems smaller than 823. Anyway thanks for the comprehensive review.
Got the Silver version of this on a Black Friday sale and it's a great nib in a good metallic pen, which Sailor won't do (or if they do, too much $$$). So i'm grateful for this Cross!
I got a cross classic century Ferrari edition and out of the box it wrote awful. The tines were misaligned and had like no gab between them. Even after realigning it, I had to use micro mesh to smooth it out. It writes well now and I am currently running baystate blue in it.
Never been a big fan of Cross designs... at that price personally I'd just get a Sailor :). Interesting fountain pen though - glad to see you enjoy it!
The “125” refers to 125th anniversary of the original Peerless (1889), Cross was founded in 1846. Personally, I like the “Tokyo” variant, it has a satin black PVD finish resembling the patterning of the Tokyo Skytree struts.
Thank you for a good review. I have a Peerless 125 in plain black lacquer with a "B" nib. I have no issues with any of the design elements, the weight, length, width etc. I do have a complaint, though. I bought my Peerless fully aware of its having a Sailor nib. I am in love with Japanese "B" nibs. They write a perfect line for the size and shape of my handwriting. I was so looking forward to the Peerless having such a nib. But my FP writes a true Western B line! To facilitate the nib, I use dry inks to pretty good advantage. But the magic of the Japanese "B" nib just is not there. - Anyone else have a similar problem?
I think it is a pretty nice looking pen even with the rhinestone and the bulging clip, the latter being part of what makes a Cross a Cross. And not emaciated like older Crosses. And you can't go wrong with a Sailor nib. You need a Sailor. Take a look at PenSachi, very decent prices.
Nice looking pen, but that is one Gonzo of a honker there. The Swarovski is very interesting, as is the Sailor 18k nib. I like how thick that section is. The pen also has nice details and finishing. Not bad, a Sailor pen without the useless Sailor converter.
Its a really great pen! I carry it frequently. But yeah, just need to calm it down on the clip a little bit LOL. Sticks out just a bit too much to really fit with the lines of the pen
@@Doodlebud I actually should have wrote unique looking pen. It does look like bodybuilder that is overly focused on the upper body. But I certainly have heard how great it writes.
Great looking pen, informative review. I’m with you on the clip. To me it looks like Gonzo. Does the nib give feedback like the Sailor nibs are known for?
Ahhhh yes Gonzo! This nib was smoothed just a bit by the previous owner (who tunes & grinds nibs as well). So can't tell you the factory experience. But everything I've heard has spoken very highly about the pen. The moments are essentially the nib makes the pen
I own two of them, one in fine point, the other in EF. I get no tactile feedback, and the only sound I get is from an ultra smooth point gliding across Rhodia paper - I consider that to be no feedback. These are among my best writers. FWIW, I do own one Sailer, a Pro Gear Slim. The 2 Crosses are better pens.
I keep looking at it, and keep thinking I want a Parker Duofold, could really do with some help as to which is the better option. I'd like something a bit special after using a Townsend and Waterman Laureat for many years.
No obvious choice there. Which pen is better is such a subjective thing. Which pen is better is only decided by which one you like more LOL. I have a vintage Duofold and I love that pen.... but also the Peerless 😆 Don't think I helped much Heres the vintage Duofold: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-vsFL6Qgy-gQ.html
@@Doodlebud I carry like six of them. Never had a leak, although I had seatbelt steal one, and throw in on the concrete driveway. Luckily the F-C survived it just fine. (A small ding you can barely see. No impact to function. I thought it was going to be a gonner.) The clip on my Opera prevents this as there is nothing to grab on the bottom of the clip.
@@Lowkster Never had an issue with fountain pen leak. Only big ink leak was from a ballpoint I somehow clicked open while it was in the pocket, and the capillary action took care of the rest. And that was a big mess.
Asking to Doodlebud or anyone in the comments that would know: Are there third party converters compatible with the Cross Bailey? (-non light version) I can't seem to find any legit Cross converter in my country, wondering if any Jinhao/Majohn might have copied the recipe and would have something compatible that I don't know? My little Bailey has been sleeping since 2020 and I've never found anything that fits.
I understand that Cross no longer makes any of their pens in the United States, but sources them from an OEM in China. Is that the case for this pen as well?
@@Doodlebud From the Goldspot Pens website, "Although based in Rhode Island, the modern Cross pens are made in China." I personally have found that most Chinese pens start out strong, but don't wear or age well. Have you thought of doing a follow-up review of this or any other pens after a reasonable period of use? Thanks for all your content from your neighbour to the east (very east, Halifax).
Just something to know, many pens from top brands are made in China. The design, material choices, etc are all done in house at that company, but the machining/fabrication/coating etc may be done in China. Parts can sent back to the company where they assemble, or can have that taken care of in China. If you look at the build/fabrication quality of say an iPad for example its phenomenal! Made in China
