Is there a similar refill for a cross-style refill? i.e. for the slims/euros?
There is... I don't think the difference is quite as "extreme" as in the parkers.
And this is a common question, but the answer is you can't find a cross-style that writes like the parker style.
They are private reserve (and both the above vendors do carry them)... They also have the advantage of being either fine or medium. I do think they make the cross pens write better than the ones that come with the pen hardware.
I guess I am the contrarian, here. Never having used the EF 9000, I cannot comment in regard to using that refill, however, I have used genuine Parker refills and genuine Cross refills many times over the years and IMHO, nothing beats a true Cross refill for smoothness when writing. I have seen mention that the Fischer refills for Cross pens are highly recommended, however, I used to use a Fischer space pen back in HS (25+ years ago) and found their refills to be very smooth writing, nearly equivalent to a genuine Cross, however, because the space pen refills were pressurized, I found that every so often a "glob" would come out while writing fast and the ink smeared on my hand. Don't know if the Fischer Cross style refills are pressurized like the old space pens or if they have changed their ink/processes since I last used one of their pens, they may have, but since I am satisfied with genuine Cross refills, I won't risk the frustration.
I am just getting into pen making as a hobby, but if I were to sell any pens that used a Cross style refill, I would use a genuine Cross refill rather than risk my business's reputation.
Not really trying to be the contrarian, but ever since I discovered and started using Cross pens in college, I have never looked back and have never been tempted to use any other kind of refill. This is why I find it puzzling that so many kits are based around the Parker rather than the Cross.
Paul
So yes it is MORE money you have to put out, but I think it will be worth it as many on here have said.
