Interesting reassessment of American pen brands, with a focus on Cross Peerless 125 fountain pen.

Last year, The Gentleman Stationer ran a feature titled “Pen Review: Cross Peerless 125 Fountain Pen,” which opened with the following line.

“Many would argue that the remaining old-line American pen brands are mere shells of their former selves.

Parker and Sheaffer, the two most known for fountain pens, have changed ownership multiple times, and while they have consistently produced pens for more than a hundred years, quality has varied wildly. A.T. Cross, (or ‘Cross’) traditionally has been known more for its ballpoints, mechanical pencils, and rollerballs, and particularly for serving as the official supplier of pens to the White House for use in bill signing ceremonies.

From the 1960s to the present, the ultra slim Cross “Century” became a ubiquitous college and/or high school graduation gift in the United States.

In recent years, Cross has taken steps to expand their offerings to include more higher-end fountain pens, a move that coincides with the company’s acquisition of Sheaffer from BIC ….

Perhaps recognizing their own manufacturing limitations, higher-end Cross pens have begun to incorporate nibs from other manufacturers, including not only Pelikan but Japanese company Sailor, who made the nib on the pen I plan to review today, the Cross Peerless 125 ….