I saw the Conklin Metropolis in Fahrney’s downtown Washington DC store and I loved the amber resin body. That’s what prompted my fairly impulsive purchase on a visit only meant to pick up some Aurora refills! After I got it home and filled, I was a little bit disappointed. The nib was very scratchy and seemed to skip more than I could tolerate. After a few hours of break-in though, my opinion changed.
Appearance (4/5)
Like I noted above, the amber-colored resin body of this pen was definitely the deciding factor in its purchase. The subtle way in which light flows in and out of the orange and brown semitransparent body is sublime. I would have loved to see the resin continue in the cap treatment, but the combination of satin and chrome in the cap is tasteful and when in my pocket makes it look like a different pen. The chrome tip on the end of the body lends the pen a more upscale feel and pairs nicely with the tapered chrome cap. The nib isn’t very decorated but has a certain elegant simplicity which I also really like. Its size is surprising at first but suits the pen well. The only aspect of the pen’s appearance which I don’t think fits or is appropriate is the use of half moons along the cap’s band. They seem superfluous and a little bit gaudy for my taste.
Design/Size/Weight (4/5)
The Metropolis is a nicely weighted pen with the cap on and it posts well. In a resin pen, I would expect a metal cap to throw off the balance, but I really like the feel of the pen with a posted cap. In fact, I don’t write without the cap on the back of the pen. Without the cap the Metropolis is too light and feels slightly flimsy. The size is nice, with a slightly wider diameter than a Cross Medalist/Townsend while being slimmer than an Aurora Talentum. It is roughly the same diameter and length as the VERY similar Monteverde Mauna Kea fountain pen. It is fairly long, longer than the Pelikan 805 or Aurora Talentum. Overall, it is a very nicely sized pen in my opinion if only a bit too narrow for my taste.
Nib (4/5)
The steel nib was scratchy at first, but after being broken in by a few hours of notes it smoothed up nicely. After a few months of ownership, the nib is a darling. While no one will confuse it for a gold nib, it is smooth and flows well. It is still prone to occasional skipping when one writes too quickly, but it’s not at all bad. It writes a fairly fine line and is great for note-taking.
Filling System (4/5)
The converter is very standard and is an adequate mechanism for filling the pen. It didn’t fit easily into the nib section of the pen at first, but once I had taken it in and out a few times, I realized how firmly to insert it. Since then fit has not been an issue.
Cost and Value (4/5)
I bought the Metropolis on sale at Fahrney’s. I think it lists for $95 but I paid about $59 plus tax. I think that’s a great deal for a pen that’s gotten a lot of use and has treated me very well. A great writer with a very pretty design for a price like that is certainly a bargain in my opinion.
Conclusion (4.5)
This pen writes well, is nicely made and designed, and has satisfied me since I’ve owned it. I recommend it, particularly in the striking amber color.
This is my first review and I would appreciate any feedback you may have to offer! I'd like to eventually do more and if there are things I could improve on then I would like to do so. Thanks.
