In 1984 I bought a Cross pen and pencil set that I still own. The set was the original Cross Century, and the pen was a fine-point nib, fountain pen. Over the years most of my use was centered on my pen, especially in the last 20 years of my working life. I used it in daily note taking and producing an untold number of reports. That slim and trim, very handsome Century fountain pen never failed me and still produces crisp and beautiful script. I retired 8 years ago and during that time I didn't need to take very many notes and certainly my report days are over. But I did not stop writing altogether, and it would seem that there are now younger generations that are starting to appreciate the beauty and esthetics of the "written word" and in more ways than one. My pen collection and my admiration of it has been growing, with my selecting specific pens from time-to-time. I haven't been looking to spend a fortune or to acquire rare pens. No, what I look for are pens that offer a great writing experience, with attention to details and pleasing style, comfort and value. I have expensive Sailors, mid-level Watermans, student-level Pelikans and even a bargain-basement British calligraphy pen set with multiple nibs for different effect. One of my favorite pens is still my original Cross Century. For me they did everything right with this pen. So when I saw a picture of the Century II fountain pen in white with rose gold furniture, I admit I was first surprised and then taken by it. Surprised because although it isn't a true reproduction of the original Century, it obviously takes its design. It pleases my eye as to how a pen should look. Going beyond the esthetics to what's really important is the writing experience. First holding the two "Centurys" one after the other: They do not feel the same. My original pen is quite svelte, slim and sophisticated, and to be fair, it's what I'm used to. The Century II has more substance to it, which brings up the fact that while they share visible design features, they are two different sized pens. Is the Century II uncomfortable in any way? Simply, not at all! It is larger in circumference, but it isn't a "hand-filler" as some of the latest as well as some vintage pens are. Nor is it a longer pen that is unwieldy in length. I'm not a fan of these pens that look comically long when you view them in a person's hand. I like writing with my pens posted whenever I can, and the Century II works both ways. It does come off as being longer than the original pen, but it is proportionally designed in an overall pleasing manner. With comfort in check, how does it balance? Just fine. Is it the same as the original? By now you probably already understand these pens are not duplicates; they are there own instruments. How does it write: Well. Actually, I didn't know what to expect, but considering some of the disparaging comments I see in forums concerning the comparisons of current pens to great and popular pens of the past let's just say I had purposefully kept my expectations in check. Suffice it to say I did not have high expectations. Well guess what, I like how the Century II writes very much! It lays down a line of script easily, smoothly and beautifully. And that is with the medium-point nib (I had hoped to find a fine-point in the white/rose gold, but I could not pass-up PenAndPencils price!). My lines are handsome and well-laid down with no skipping, excess ink or scratchiness anywhere, any paper.
While the Century II doesn't exude the simple sophistication of my vintage Century, it is its own great pen in its own right! As sold by PensAndPencils.net this pen is an excellent value and a great buy. So why four stars and not five? Call it an esthetic bias: The furniture trim at the base of the section, where the nib is inserted really should have been formed to look like the original's, and above that further up the section there's a "missing" bit of trim that was deleted from the design. I'm sure that both of these missed cues would have most likely increased the price of manufacture, but let's face it, most of these pens are being bought by either people like me who fondly remember the original Century because they have one or did, or people who never had one but admire it and would like to have one. You truly can never go home, but you can feel like you had. Still, I commend Cross for making a really nice rendition of one of their truly great original pens!
