Pilot Metropolitan

[Alec Fleschner]

I saw only one other review for this pen, and I felt confident enough about my use of it that I figured I could write a review. I handwrote it, and apparently my camera isn't all that great, but I hope that between the camera and my handwriting, you can make out enough of it to be useful. =) If not, I'll find a way to transcribe it or something.

 

I said in the review that I didn't include a picture because I initially wasn't going to. However, I saw in the guidelines that a picture was highly encouraged, so I tried to take one of mine. Again, my camera doesn't seem to like it, and getting one that was even this out-of-focus was difficult. I don't know why, but my camera just doesn't like to focus on this pen. I suppose if you want lots of detail, you'll need to look it up online.

 

Please give feedback--I tried to do something different and write a letter/review thing, and if it doesn't work, then I won't do it anymore. If it does, I have some other pens I could try. Thanks!

 

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[JustinJ]

Great review, I like the informal tone and honesty.

 

I have been very impressed with this pen myself, especially for the money. I was very disappointed with the Pilot 78g, but this pen is a much better pen than the Pilot 78g.

 

I would have no problems recommending this pen for someone as their first fountain pen or backup pen. Personally, I find the nib too smooth for my preference, but many people like a glass smooth nib. The smoothness with my pen could be from the Platinum Pigment Blue ink. I've not tried another ink in it yet.

 

The only negative that I can see with the pen is that it comes only with a medium nib. Perhaps in the future, Pilot will offer some other nib choices. Even with Pilot only offering a medium nib, it is a great bargain and writes very well.

[Alec Fleschner]

The only negative that I can see with the pen is that it comes only with a medium nib. Perhaps in the future, Pilot will offer some other nib choices. Even with Pilot only offering a medium nib, it is a great bargain and writes very well.

 

I'd prefer a finer nib as well, but for $15, I'm willing to accept a medium, especially since it seems to perform in all other areas so well. My wife actually mentioned that she liked the pen, and she never says she likes my pens. =) Maybe we'll have another convert soon.

[caleath]

I love mine...a finer nib would be a positive but for 15 bucks....I will live with it.

[akustyk]

Great review! I particularly like the last section with advice for and against buying it. I bought it, too, mostly because I was curious and needed a simple journaling pen that I could throw in my backpack without worry about losing it. By the way, I just lost my Lamy Safari Gray, which was my ideal note taking, journaling pen, with a wonderful EF nib. So now the Metropolitan fills the void.

 

I think that Pilot has a really compelling product here. The nib is just as good as the steel nibs found on TWSBI, Monteverde, Edison, and many other under $100 pens. What sets this pen apart from the rest is the price and the quality. This pen is almost too inexpensive, and people may pass on it thinking it might be cheap.

[savingbirds]

Great review! The only reason that I don't have the Metropolitan yet is because I have yet to find anyplace that can ship it to me for a reasonable price:

GouletPens: $12.53

Anderson Pens: $15

JetPens: All sold out

[lovemy51]

looks like a good beginers pen -or anyone's :embarrassed_smile: ! thx for the review!

[Snargle]

Great review! The only reason that I don't have the Metropolitan yet is because I have yet to find anyplace that can ship it to me for a reasonable price:

GouletPens: $12.53

Anderson Pens: $15

JetPens: All sold out

 

If you have a Staples office supply store near you, you can order on-line for $14.99 and have it shipped free to your local store for pickup.

[Gloucesterman]

You can also swap out the medium nib for a fine from the 78G (F or , the Prera, the Penmanship or even the Plumix.

[senzen]

Nice review! Thanks for introducing me to the Pilot Metropolitan.

[Astrea]

Great review! The only reason that I don't have the Metropolitan yet is because I have yet to find anyplace that can ship it to me for a reasonable price:

GouletPens: $12.53

Anderson Pens: $15

JetPens: All sold out

 

If you have a Staples office supply store near you, you can order on-line for $14.99 and have it shipped free to your local store for pickup.

 

Unfortunately, Canadian Staples have very few fountain pen selections The most I've seen are a few dusty bottles of Parker Quink in Black, and one Cross fp.

[MarneM]

I love this review. Your tone is just great, and it was really a lot of fun to read, and something different than the standard. Well done!

 

You also helped me to solidify my decision to buy the pen. I wanted something to replace my work pen, and I think this will fit the bill nicely. Plus, like you said, it sort of scratches the fountain pen buying itch without the guilt that comes from depriving your family of food in order to pay for it!

[goodpens]

I have 2 Metropolitans. I just swapped out one of the medium nibs with the fine nib from a 78g. Perfect combo! I like the weight of the Metropolitan and the line if the F. Having the M nib in the 78g, which is currently inked with a light ink for which the F nib was -too- fine, is a good solution for that pen, too.

[robofkent]

I have the black Pilot "MR" as it is known here in the UK. I absolutely love it. I've not found myself leaning towards one pen since a Parker 45 I had back in the 1990s. The nib on this pen just gets smoother with each passing day and I like the understated looks too, perfect when I use it at work. I've now ordered a gold one, but I think the black one will be my go to pen for awhile yet!

[MKeith]

I picked up one at the Baltimore show from the Andersons, who BTW are super people to deal with. The Metropolitan is a great pen for anyone, not just beginners. I also bought a Plumix and switched nibs getting a very nice cursive italic line. I remember looking at Brian Goulet's review of the pen and his speaking about the "cleaning" convertor it comes with. This little simple convertor holds more ink than the Lamy 24 and Schmidt K-5 convertors. I will be buying a couple more as these as they will make great economical pens while still providing a great writing instrument. Overall, probably the best bang for the buck out there at present.

[JVera]

I have a metropolitan that i liked BUT It "burps" or leaks at some point. I keep it in my manbag with other pens and it is the only one that has a bunch of ink near the nib when I uncap it. I say it "burps" because if I clean it and start using it, it has no more problems, maybe it has to do with being a metal pen, I usually carry a 78g and a twsbi with out problems. Does anyone else has this problem?

[Pterodactylus]

http://imageshack.us/a/img40/3228/fn35.jpg

 

(Pelikan Signum P5xx - EF ..... P.W. Akkerman Voorhout Violet)

Btw. This was my second FP in school more than 30 years ago, it has a very good steel nib which I regrinded recently from a F to EF as the iridium corn already become flat on top from decades of usage.

Edited July 18, 2013 by Pterodactylus

[nervium]

great for everyday use, i have the black one, it would be great with a stub nib, like 78g.

[PDW]

Wonderful review, and a fun read. So, using your own criteria, it worked!

[jstadler75]

i recently bought a Pilot Metropolitan, and have had ink leakage issues. Other than that, it's a nice, cheap pen.