Pilot Metropolitan Ergonomics

[Retro-user]

I just received my latest fountain pen, a handsome gold Pilot Metropolitan. The nib is smooth, the finish is nice and it writes well. Only one problem: it's uncomfortable to hold.

 

I'm talking about the black finger grip section that houses the nib. It's too short, leaving my thumb to rest on the lip where the cap snaps in place. I have two options: I can hold the pen on the gold part of the barrel behind the finger grip section, or I can put my fingers on the grip section and move my thumb to rest on the gold barrel. Either way is a bit awkward, but sometimes you have to suffer for your hobby, I suppose!

 

Edited May 29, 2018 by Retro-user

[LizEF]

Congrats on your pen. Sorry the grip isn't comfortable for you - that stinks. Lots of people have made the same complaint about the Metro. Fortunately not a problem for me. That nib will fit on a variety of other Pilot FPs - in case you want to explore that direction.

[friedrichwild]

i had the same problem with pilot metro and this is why i do not use it anymore. Thats a pitty because i really like everything else about this pen

[RocketRyan]

I had the same issue, just didn't fit my hand.

[senzen]

That's a real shame, because it's such a good value; but there's no need to suffer or try to adapt. I think the Pilot Knight is very similar but has a wider section; you probably want to establish just how big a section you need first.

[inkstainedruth]

I love my Metropolitan, but I have small hands, so the step-down doesn't bother me. But seeing the photo of holding the pen up that far on the barrel, so to avoid the step-down and threads? Ouch. That looks really awkward.

Some pens just don't fit right in some peoples' hands. Me? I can't manage with overly large or heavy pens. Other people think that pens which are perfect for me (M400 size Pelikans) are way too small for them.

Sorry the Metropolitan didn't work out for you. The silver lining of course is that you weren't discovering that with an *expensive* pen (which is why there's a little part of me going "My grail pen is just that -- a grail...." You might find some friend who needs to be enabled, though, for whom the pen is perfect. My brother-in-law's wife apparently bought one awhile back when Staples had them on sale for five bucks, but we didn't see them at Christmas so I don't know whether or not she likes it -- the problem for me is that the ones I've seen in blister packs tend to be F nibs, and when I bought mine it was at a real pen shop and I could try them out (I found the F nib to be really scratchy -- but the M nib is nice to write with). I keep looking at the stub nibs but don't like most of the trim designs on the Retro Pop colors, so I've been avoiding getting another one.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Arkanabar]

All starter pens have their issues. You've pointed out the Metro's issue that affects the most people -- a combination of a narrow, short(ish) section with a moderately sharp lip where it joins the barrel.

When people ask about starter pens, I always mention the Metro (with the caveat regarding the lip), the Lamy Safari (with caveats regarding the facets, which I really do not like), the Faber-Castell Loom (weight and cost), various Chinese pens (spotty quality control), various Indian pens (even more spotty quality control, and often various finish flaws), and the Platinum Plaisir, which I tend to recommend most highly.

It has more girth than the Safari and Metro. It has a round section, and no big lip where the section joins the barrel. Its anodized aluminum body is lightweight and durable. The cap seals extraordinarily well, and it will write on the first stroke after sitting for months. The F nib is kind of toothy, but the M is quite smooth IMX. You can get the same experience with the much less expensive and much less durable Platinum Preppy, which is prone to cap cracking.

The Plaisir is never sold with a converter. If you want to use bottled ink, your choices are to buy the converter (about 6USD, and reputedly prone to failure if not greased with pure silicone grease) or to get a disposable pipette or blunted syringe and refill the cartridge, as I do. Furthermore, the cap snaps in place more and more softly as time and wear goes on, as the snap closure appears to be plastic on both sides. And some people don't like the 6mm wide chrome plated cap ring. And if it's one of the older ones with a colored finish on the nib, those finishes get damaged and flake off.

As others have said, it can pay to start your journey with inexpensive pens. I recommend this path, with the caveat to go slowly, and make sure you thoroughly understand everything you like about one pen, and everything you'd like to change, before using that information to guide your next purchase.

You may get used to that lip. Or you may start holding the pen by the barrel, which WILL lean it back properly. (This is why I'm now once again entertaining the idea of owning a Lamy 2000, which had been on my "do not buy" list because of the sharp prongs in the section, which are now well below where I hold the pen.) I suggest you give yourself at least three months with each new pen before drawing any permanent conclusions about it.

[hinky]

The Metropolitan was one of my first FPs, and I agree that the grip isn't comfortable to hold. I really like the size of it though, which is why I got some 78Gs. I even tried the Sheaffer VFM, which has similar looks and size minus the step down. My Metros went into storage because I wasn't using them as much, but then I started learning Palmer which required a change in grip. They're now back in rotation and I love how reliable they are. 😊

 

A pen is, first and foremost, a tool. If you can't comfortably use it for its intended purpose, then I'd suggest finding one that's a better fit for you. That's why I love this hobby; there's a pen out there for everyone. 😉

 

If you like the shape and design of the Metro, I'd suggest the Sheaffer VFM. It comes in (western) fine and medium, but it only takes short international cartridges.

Edited May 30, 2018 by hinky

[MomoShinChan]

I certainly agree with you. The grip section can be short for bigger and longer hand. Mine was a bit on the big size and it has already proven to be a bit uncomfortable in long stretches

[Bo Bo Olson]

If the pen is posted try the 'forefinger up' method of grasping a fountain pen.

It is an automatic light grip.

 

If you haven't and wish, I have a link to a walk through. The flat Thumb position at 08:30 is important, then there is no pressure put on the pen....like the 10-2-6 Classic tripod.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More and better detail of how to hold with 'forefinger up' here.

Takes three minutes to learn, some three days of switching back and forth....then you might just keep the 'forefinger up' as your main grip.

Pens With Largest Sweet Spots?

Edited May 30, 2018 by Bo Bo Olson

[JD-Be]

No problem for writers with relatively small hands!

[Retro-user]

If the pen is posted try the 'forefinger up' method of grasping a fountain pen.

It is an automatic light grip.

 

If you haven't and wish, I have a link to a walk through. The flat Thumb position at 08:30 is important, then there is no pressure put on the pen....like the 10-2-6 Classic tripod.

 

 

 

 

More and better detail of how to hold with 'forefinger up' here.

Takes three minutes to learn, some three days of switching back and forth....then you might just keep the 'forefinger up' as your main grip.

Pens With Largest Sweet Spots?

 

Thanks, I may need to see that as I quickly found out if the thumb is not flat it strains the thumb joint!

[RJS]

I like the nib, the weight, the balance of this pen... but the grip section is horrid for longer writing sessions, just too narrow. Combine that with the grip section being short and the step being large to the barrel... not a good design. It was my first "cheap" fountain pen, and I was initially impressed, but that wore off. The Prera is the obvious upgrade to this pen, but it's currently retailing for about double what I paid for it.

[Shaggy]

I find that the grip tapers too abruptly. I have pens with narrow grips that don't bother me... It's that the Metro is too tapered.

 

I also find it back heavy. The plastic section is too light compared to 6metal barrel.

[corniche]

I find that the grip tapers too abruptly. I have pens with narrow grips that don't bother me... It's that the Metro is too tapered.

 

I also find it back heavy. The plastic section is too light compared to 6metal barrel.

Me, too.

 

I never have cared for the Metro; the step is too sharp - literally - and the section is pretty narrow, and like Shaggy said, I find it particularly narrow; more so than other pens with the same diameter grip.

 

I think Pilot's Explorer model is a way better entry level offering from them.

 

 

- Sean

[vicpen123]

The step is too sharp. Makes the pen uncomfortable for me to use and no amount of adjustment to the grip will help.

 

A pity.

[Jerome10]

Well, I see I'm not the only one.

 

I've had my Metro for 5-6 years at this point.  It often goes away for awhile, but if I'm honest with myself, it is the best "everyday" pen that I have.  I've got the medium italic nib on mine, and it writes perfectly every single time.  I have (had?) a TWSBI 580 that has now cracked on me twice.  The Lamy Safari I have also has the 1.1 stub on it, but the pen feels cheap, the nib kinda squeaks on the paper, and I'm not a fan of the faceted grip.  Kaweco AL Sport is a fun pen, but no italic.  I've also got a Mr Pen / Italix Churchman's Prescriptor in medium cursive stub.  Definitely my favorite pen but a bit too big and heavy and flashy for everyday, on-my-desk use.

 

But EVERY TIME I use the Metropolitan, despite everything else being basically perfect for an on-my-desk-everyday pen.... Same as everyone here, that step is just a killer.  If I hold it lower, it is not comfortable to write (too thin?  Though I have a few very thin gel pens and they don't bother me, so I'm guessing it is that step).  If I move up, my fingers go across that step.  It sucks, because otherwise the metal body, weight, look, and the dead reliable function with the perfect size italic nib make it ideal.  

 

Is there a consensus replacement pen?  Basically a Metropolitan without the step?  The Pilot Prera?  I don't think metal body though.  Plaisir looks like could work, but no italic/stubs.  

 

I'd be willing to spend, say, $30-$50 but I really don't know where to go.  Looking at the TWSBI Eco in the stub as well, but my cracking on my 580 turns me off a bit.

 

Are there any other pens that I can put the Pilot feed and Medium Italic nib in?

 

Its really too bad.  Without that step it would be the uncontested low-price fountain pen.  

[AmandaW]

16 minutes ago, Jerome10 said:

Are there any other pens that I can put the Pilot feed and Medium Italic nib in?

I asked a similar question recently and found this reply especially helpful

 

 

[Jerome10]

8 minutes ago, AmandaW said:

I asked a similar question recently and found this reply especially helpful

 

 

Appreciate it!  Also following that thread now.

[senzen]

12 hours ago, Jerome10 said:

Is there a consensus replacement pen?  Basically a Metropolitan without the step?  The Pilot Prera?  I don't think metal body though.  Plaisir looks like could work, but no italic/stubs.  

 

 

I had qualms about that step but it's a comfortable pen for me; a Prera might be an option if you're ok with posting the cap since it's such a small pen (not for me), or a Custom Heritage 74, 91 but for more money. You might like the Sailor Compass and such like at around $40 incuding the converter.