Pilot Falcon Soft Fine / Extra-Fine Vs Metropolitan Fine

[AX2]

I own a Metropolitan F nib but still find the lines a tad bit too thick for my writing/taste.

I'm eyeing the Falcon but can't decide between the SF and SEF... The SEF seems to be what I'm looking for, but then again, it's hard to be sure just from pics/vids and I fear it'll turn out to be too fine and dig the cheaper paper (I don't mind feedback, love it actually).

 

How does the Falcon SF compare to the Metropolitan F? Are the lines thinner? Does it have more feedback?

Edited September 25, 2017 by AX2

[AX2]

Anyone?

[Tas]

I have a Falcon SF - one of my favourite and most often used pens.

I don't own a Metropolitan F but own a couple of Pilot 78G F nibbed pens which I understand use interchangable nibs.

My SF writes a tad wider than the 78G F nib - this could be because the pen's feed is supplying ink more freely and or the nib is softer. I've yet to use an SEF but of the two I would chose that over the SF.

. . . . You may want to try a Kakumo EF nib in your Metropolitan or give the 0.3 or 0.2 mm Preppy's a go first before splashing out a large sum on a Falcon.

 

Good luck.

[AX2]

Just an update for those who may be interested in the future.

 

In every review I read, people were saying the Soft Extra Fine was way too fine to write with, that it was only good for drawing, etc.

So, against my own intuition, I ended up ordering the Soft Fine. It arrived today. I'm so disappointed. The line is even slightly broader than the Metropolitan Fine's. WTH? I can't write pleasurably with this.

 

On the other hand, the flex is amazing. I don't find the nib nearly as stiff as way too many people are suggesting. I find it just perfect in that regard.

Unfortunately, since the Fine line is already so broad, I can't actually flex it during regular writing - which is the only writing I do. I don't do any fancy wedding invitation letters in elephant sized letters or whatever. So yeah, I'll try to sell this one and get the SEF...

 

TLDR; If you want finer than Metropolitan Fine, definitely get the SEF. If you want a closer experience to dip pen flex, get the SEF.

[LizEF]

Sorry I didn't see this back in September. I have a Metro F and a Falcon SEF, but not a Falcon SF. The SEF is definitely finer than the Metro, has more feedback, and if you apply pressure while moving sideways / at an angle to the nib slit, it will feel scratchy / cut the paper, but if you apply absolutely no pressure, it's smooth*, including flexing on the downstrokes. I don't have either of these inked right now, but I could ink them, if it would help. If so, do you have a particular ink in mind? I could try to find something similar (not that I have that many, but with samples, I have around 40). Also, let me know if you have a preferred paper - I have Rhodia, Black n' Red, Clairefontaine, Tomoe River 68g, Apica, Maruman Mnemosyne, Leuchtturm, and Midori MD (I think that's it ) - oh, and 24lb HP LaserJet and 20lb OfficeMax copy paper, and some cheap-ish lined notebooks that I would so not recommend with the Falcon.

 

*Smooth to me. I like EF nibs, including the Pilot Penmanship EF, so my definition is likely different from someone who likes double broad, extra-wet Pelikans dripping Aurora Black.

[AX2]

Hi LizEF, thank you for the reply.

Actually it still would be helpful to see a comparison between the SF and SEF with kon-peki ink on Midori MD + cheap copy paper.

Flexed vs unflexed vs with pressure vs without pressure. Thanks in advance and sorry for the trouble

[LizEF]

Hi LizEF, thank you for the reply.

Actually it still would be helpful to see a comparison between the SF and SEF with kon-peki ink on Midori MD + cheap copy paper.

Flexed vs unflexed vs with pressure vs without pressure. Thanks in advance and sorry for the trouble

 

AX2, I only have the SEF and Metropolitan. So I can't compare the SEF and SF - sorry.

 

If you want SEF vs Metropolitan, I can do that. I don't have Kon Peki, but I have Asa Gao.

 

ETA: You can also check out the GouletPens Nib Nook tool: https://www.gouletpens.com/nib-comparison-tool

Edited November 21, 2017 by LizEF

[friedrichwild]

get the SEF if you do not mind very much feedback. i own a pilot metro fine and i metal falcon SEF. metro is smoother and wider than the sef on the falcon. Falcon is smooth but it feels smooth with light pressure. It is one of my favourite nibs!!! I do not use it for every day writing because i can not write fast without pressing too much and falcon with sef nib feels a liitle toothy that way. if you do not write fast (i mean really fast) and you do not apply much pressure, then it would be a joy to use as an everyday writer too.

Edited November 21, 2017 by friedrichwild