Pilot Metropolitan Review

[Edjelley]

So after spending a solid week with the pen, here's my review. Pilot really sets the standard for what an entry level fountain pen can be capable of. I feel weird even calling it entry level, because the only thing entry level about it is the price. It looks, feels, and performs like pens three to five times the price. I hope you enjoy the review as much as I'm enjoying the pen.

 

If you like the review, check out the rest of my pen, ink and paper reviews on www.edjelley.com.

 

Thanks!

 

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Edited December 3, 2012 by Edjelley

[Gloucesterman]

Wow, great review. Thanks. Enjoyed both the content, well phrase and very informative and the context - handwritten, clear, easy to read and well laid out.

 

Just got my Metropolitan a few days ago and must say that I too am impressed. In fact, I got mine from Staples with a bottle of the Yama Budo Iroshizuku ink so it actually cost me nothing! (regular discount price was $10.24, marked down to $5.00 with the bottle of ink, minus a $5.00 coupon from Staples and free shipping - as a rewards customer :clap1: :clap1: :clap1:)

 

Based on several people commenting that the nib section on the Metropolitan being the same as the 78G, Prera, Penmanship and Plumix, this pen definitely has the capacity to be a very versatile pen.

 

It will be interesting to see how Pilot uses this pen to attract new users to fountain pens and also how other pen manufacturers choose to compete with this introductory offering.

-S-

[Pentulant]

Great review..thank you!

[Edjelley]

Wow, great review. Thanks. Enjoyed both the content, well phrase and very informative and the context - handwritten, clear, easy to read and well laid out.

 

Just got my Metropolitan a few days ago and must say that I too am impressed. In fact, I got mine from Staples with a bottle of the Yama Budo Iroshizuku ink so it actually cost me nothing! (regular discount price was $10.24, marked down to $5.00 with the bottle of ink, minus a $5.00 coupon from Staples and free shipping - as a rewards customer :clap1: :clap1: :clap1:)

 

Based on several people commenting that the nib section on the Metropolitan being the same as the 78G, Prera, Penmanship and Plumix, this pen definitely has the capacity to be a very versatile pen.

 

It will be interesting to see how Pilot uses this pen to attract new users to fountain pens and also how other pen manufacturers choose to compete with this introductory offering.

-S-

 

 

Thanks for the kind words, my website is my first venture into reviews. I tend to be more subjective than stick to the straight up formula of reviewing that most people do.

 

That's an awesome deal you got, especially for such a great, cheap pen.

 

I'm really curious to see how the matte black finish holds up on this guy, because the matte black on my Vanishing Point is wearing away / chipping in a few spots. Kinda cool to see the brass underneath though, doesn't really bother me.

[Edjelley]

Great review..thank you!

 

Thank you for reading!

[KrazyIvan]

Thanks for posting!

 

Totally unrelated but what are going to make with the cloth you used as a backdrop?

[adallak]

Thank you for the review. I have had my black/plain (no dots or zigzags) Metroplolitan for a week. I call it 78G in a metal coat. For some reason, it is wetter than any of my 78Gs with M nib. I do not like much that plastic midsection. Yes it is painted and chrom-plated plastic, not metal. Makes the pen look odd, particularly if there are no decorations like dots or zigzags. There are many Chinese pens in the same price range with better quality and looks. Now, if they wrote just like most Pilots do, that would be great. It looks like 78Gs have better nibs. My Metropolitan just writes differently - much wetter and skips on side strokes occasionally.

Edited December 4, 2012 by adallak

[doggonecarl]

I have had my Metropolitan inked since I got it a month ago. Great pen. One of the wetter mediums. I got two as soon as I saw a vendor with them, gifting one of them to my friend in London. Hoping he likes it as much as I do.

[Edjelley]

Ivan, I've been so busy with school, and I haven't had any time (or motivation) to make that pen case, haha.

 

 

My pen isn't too wet, but I've only tried two different inks in it so far. Definitely going to switch it up soon though.

[lurker]

What camera did you use to take the pics?

 

Also, I want one of these pens now!

[adallak]

Ivan, I've been so busy with school, and I haven't had any time (or motivation) to make that pen case, haha.

 

 

My pen isn't too wet, but I've only tried two different inks in it so far. Definitely going to switch it up soon though.

I ended up replacing the section with one out of a 78G M. I really did not like the way it wrote...

Nope, this Pilot is not going to be a favorite. Will stick to my &*Gs with F and M as well as with Elite which has a great feedback and predictable action.

[KrazyIvan]

Ivan, I've been so busy with school, and I haven't had any time (or motivation) to make that pen case, haha.

 

 

Keep us "in the loop" so to speak.

[Gloucesterman]

I liked the "m" nib that came with the Pilot "Met" :hmm1: and I swapped a fine nib from a 78G into it. Now I really like it - even more!

 

It seems that with the swap-ability of nibs among the Met, 78G, Plumix and Penmanship, one can customize the nib for an additional cost of $7-10.00.

 

It's even easier if you already have one of the other pens and you are comfortable changing nibs!

 

-S-

[adallak]

I liked the "m" nib that came with the Pilot "Met" :hmm1: and I swapped a fine nib from a 78G into it. Now I really like it - even more!

 

It seems that with the swap-ability of nibs among the Met, 78G, Plumix and Penmanship, one can customize the nib for an additional cost of $7-10.00.

 

It's even easier if you already have one of the other pens and you are comfortable changing nibs!

 

-S-

You could also swap whole section of a 78G. Nevertheless, a gold-colored nib does not match well the Metropolitan. Probably matches the gold one.

Edited December 7, 2012 by adallak

[K. Cakes]

What ink do you have in your Lamy AL-star? It looks lovely.

[anomalogue]

What ink do you have in your Lamy AL-star? It looks lovely.

 

I was going to ask the same thing. Beautiful.

[Gloucesterman]

I liked the "m" nib that came with the Pilot "Met" :hmm1: and I swapped a fine nib from a 78G into it. Now I really like it - even more!

 

It seems that with the swap-ability of nibs among the Met, 78G, Plumix and Penmanship, one can customize the nib for an additional cost of $7-10.00.

 

It's even easier if you already have one of the other pens and you are comfortable changing nibs!

 

-S-

You could also swap whole section of a 78G. Nevertheless, a gold-colored nib does match well the metropolitan. Probably matches the gold one.

That's one of the really great parts of FPN. One can share their experiences with others. Then, someone else can note that there is an easier, better or simply different way of doing the same thing and voila, I learned something new.

 

That somewaht explains the addictive nature of this site. Of course there are some very nice people here also!!! :thumbup:

[wieniawski]

I was browsing Pilot's pages while looking for other color options (Brian Goulet mentioned it in his video). While I didn't find anything named Metropolitan, there is a really similar range called Cocoon (http://www.pilot.co.jp/products/pen/fountain/cocoon/index.html) that costs 3000 yens (almost 40USD with the current rate). I am surprised that Metropolitan is so affordable.

[jeb]

I was browsing Pilot's pages while looking for other color options (Brian Goulet mentioned it in his video). While I didn't find anything named Metropolitan, there is a really similar range called Cocoon (http://www.pilot.co.jp/products/pen/fountain/cocoon/index.html) that costs 3000 yens (almost 40USD with the current rate). I am surprised that Metropolitan is so affordable.

 

well, it actually comes in 3 colour, blk, silver and gold

u might need to google it directly

[tomgartin]

Great review! Thanks for sharing. Now I think I'll have to be picking one up.

Also, great to find another terrific pen-oriented blog. Keep it up!