Is The Pilot Metropolitan Only Worth Getting If You're A Beginner?

[woleizihan]

Ok. I checked shipping rates from Japan to Australia. Assuming the weight is 300g, shipping should be some where close to 2000jpy. There are many website which can buy it for you and ship to you. The one I checked is charging 500jpy for handling, insurance and 5% fee if you are purchasing from Yahoo Auction. I think that's because Yahoo will also charge some for making payment, just like Paypal. In short, the estimate I got ranges from 1500jpy to 3000jpy depending on the shipping method. I think it's something worth considering. Another thing you can try is buying from Singapore. I'm not sure how good it is.

[Sasha Royale]

I enjoy using my Pilot Metropolitan. It is one of 150 fountain pens. It holds no luxury, rather is simply a nice pen for writing. $35 AUD is approximately $25 USD. That is pretty high. The equivalent of $17 USD is $22 AUD.

 

Would you attribute the difference to import duties ? Ebay carries this pen, with free shipping, at $16 USD.

 

Good luck.

Edited November 2, 2016 by Sasha Royale

[ShortRound131]

The TWSBI's you already have are decent pens, I am not sure you'll get "blown away" by the Metro. Don't get me wrong I have three myself and think they're great pens.

 

Seems like you already have some good "starter" pens already, why not save and "move up?"

 

If you're wanting to simply add to your collection, Metros have great nibs, smaller ink capacity, but I think solid pens.

[virgilio]

I paid for $14 US off of amazon, including shipping. I had read great things about it. I don't like it at all. It is a very dry, scratchy writer, and has a garish look about it. Maybe I just got a bad one tho. I got the fine point, so maybe the medium points are better. I have lots of pens I got for only a dollar or two that write much better. Some Japanese pens write superbly ( I have one of them with a glass nib that is a crescent filler) but this is not one of them.

[Shaggy]

I'm not a hater of Pilots, and I love the nib and feed on the Metropolitan, but the pen itself doesn't work for me.

 

1. Grip section too narrow

2. Grip and feed are plastic, but the barrel is metal. Overall the pen feels back heavy to me. I have small hands.

 

YMMV, but I'd put that money toward a pen that's a real step up from what you already have.

[FOUR X FOUR]

I don't see 35 bucks as expensive. Buy one. You'll like it.

[Kataphract]

Pilot seems to have decided to make the Metro extra cheap in some regions. The US is one of them (but they jack up the prices of the 74, Prera, and others). For $27 or so US money, yeah, I'd still buy it over a Lamy Safari. Except I can get a gray market Prera for $30-32, and I'd rather have that at that price. Either that or I'd hang on to the money, save up, and get a nicer pen. My medium Metro is exceptionally smooth, the fine less so but still pretty good. Not the best posters, the step between section and barrel can be annoying for long writing sessions. I use mine as my go anywhere, don't worry pen. I still find them useful even though I have higher end pens - but I got mine for $13 US.

[inkstainedruth]

I paid for $14 US off of amazon, including shipping. I had read great things about it. I don't like it at all. It is a very dry, scratchy writer, and has a garish look about it. Maybe I just got a bad one tho. I got the fine point, so maybe the medium points are better. I have lots of pens I got for only a dollar or two that write much better. Some Japanese pens write superbly ( I have one of them with a glass nib that is a crescent filler) but this is not one of them.

 

When I tried Metropolitans (I was lucky and was able to test both nib widths in a store) the F nibs *are* scratchy. Which is why mine is an M....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Arkanabar]

Whenever anyone recommends a Metro to new users, I pipe up and suggest the aluminium Platinum Plaisir as an alternate. They have the same section/feed/nib unit as the Preppy, a pen widely lauded for its reliability and performance, but with a plastic body and a cap noted for cracking. I got a second nearly a year after I got the first, in spite of having a PFM, a "51", an M200, and an M400. Others also recommend the Lamy Safari to all newbies.

Do not think for a MOMENT that only new users like these pens. All of them perform reliably and have many fans, as do some other "entry level" pens like the Pilot 78G and Kakuno, and the Waterman Kultur and Phileas.

I'd say that the reason not to get a Metro is because you don't like the narrowness of the section, the sharpness of the step between section and barrel, or the weight of the brass body on a plastic section.

According to WolframAlpha, 35 AUD converts to about 27 USD, about what I paid for my Prera CM demonstrator. That does seem a bit high for a Metro. But if that's the best price you can get, and the best pen you can get for that price, it may be worth it.

[Barkingpig]

I don't have (or want) a Metro because I don't care for nibs less than broad; I did buy a Platinum Plaisir when it was on sale for under $10.00, even with it's medium nib.

 

That was more than a year ago & I just tested the pen, which is using it's first filled cartridge, it may not be used for weeks on end, merely because I prefer a broader nib, AND it just wrote beautifully after maybe NOT being used for a month! That cap design WORKS & it is a very pleasing writer, if the nib is agreeable to you. I would @ least consider it.

[OdysseyUnkown]

The TWSBI's you already have are decent pens, I am not sure you'll get "blown away" by the Metro. Don't get me wrong I have three myself and think they're great pens.

 

Seems like you already have some good "starter" pens already, why not save and "move up?"

 

If you're wanting to simply add to your collection, Metros have great nibs, smaller ink capacity, but I think solid pens.

 

That's what i've decided to do, im going to get a Pilot VP. Since Engeika's Pilot category is not currently viewable, i'll have to get it from Aus. $260 for the one i want, Quite pricey, but it'll be my first pen over $60. Plus i love the design of them, and ive heard they write amazingly.

[inkstainedruth]

Whenever anyone recommends a Metro to new users, I pipe up and suggest the aluminium Platinum Plaisir as an alternate. They have the same section/feed/nib unit as the Preppy, a pen widely lauded for its reliability and performance, but with a plastic body and a cap noted for cracking. I got a second nearly a year after I got the first, in spite of having a PFM, a "51", an M200, and an M400. Others also recommend the Lamy Safari to all newbies.

 

Actually, one of the first pens I ever got, once I started looking at pens, was a Plaisir. Mine turns out to be a dry writer, so I have to be a bit careful what inks go in it. And I got one with a colored nib to match the barrel, and after a couple of years the coating started to flake off. Plus, even with a deal when I got it that through in the converter for free, the pen was more expensive than the Metropolitan turned out to be (even when factoring in shipping charges [Plaisir] vs. Massachusetts sales tax {Metropolitan]). In point of reference, both pens have M nibs.

I prefer the Metropolitan.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

ETA: YMMV

Edited November 4, 2016 by inkstainedruth

[REDEYEDROP]

I do not think that it is only a beginners pen however I agree with those who are in the opinion that buying one will not be justified for the cost. Especially if you have an Eco.

 

In your shoes, I would spend a bit more money and upgrade to a 14k Japanese pen as the Platinum 3776 or a Sailor.

[Runnin_Ute]

I have a Metropolitan with an M nib. It's nice but nothing special. I paid $15 for mine in 2014. Not really sure what makes it not break into the rotation more frequently. I did have it inked recently, but it isn't right now. I like it but I have other pens I like and use more. Including a TWSBI Eco and 580.

[Arkanabar]

 

Actually, one of the first pens I ever got, once I started looking at pens, was a Plaisir. Mine turns out to be a dry writer, so I have to be a bit careful what inks go in it. And I got one with a colored nib to match the barrel, and after a couple of years the coating started to flake off. Plus, even with a deal when I got it that through in the converter for free, the pen was more expensive than the Metropolitan turned out to be (even when factoring in shipping charges [Plaisir] vs. Massachusetts sales tax {Metropolitan]). In point of reference, both pens have M nibs.

I prefer the Metropolitan.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

ETA: YMMV

More recent production Plaisirs no longer have the colored finish on the nibs. I refill the cartridge using a 3ml disposable polypropylene bulb pipette. Given what I've heard about the Platinum converter, I doubt I'll ever buy one.

[sirgilbert357]

 

That's what i've decided to do, im going to get a Pilot VP. Since Engeika's Pilot category is not currently viewable, i'll have to get it from Aus. $260 for the one i want, Quite pricey, but it'll be my first pen over $60. Plus i love the design of them, and ive heard they write amazingly.

You have to register to see most of Engeika's stuff. Well worth it in my opinion. The VP's were less than 100 usd last time I checked; why would they cost so much now?

[chromantic]

Beginner can cover a pretty wide swath; when I was growing up, the base model P45s were considered "student pens", certainly "upscale" compared to the Sheaffers and Wearevers most of us had, they're what the "cool" kids used. So don't get hung up on the whole "beginner" thing - if you see a pen you like, buy it.

It's great to have "nice" pens but chances are you'll get just as much pleasure using some funky down-market item for your daily carry; they can generate as much curiosity and "oohs" and "ahs" as a $600 M800.

[MuddyWaters]

I have a Metropolitan and I sincerely like its wetness and flow. If you find the section comfortable, it would be decent to get but like others I'd suggest saving for an upgrade instead if you're satisfied with your current pens.

 

In my case, the section is just too narrow, and the M nib is slightly thin for my tastes.

[tamiya]

Hey everyone.

 

I'm a few pens into my collection, I have two Jinhao's, a TWSBI Eco, and 2 Hero 616's. But since i've only heard good things about the Metro, i thought i might get one. But for me to get one, they're about $35 AUD. Is it worth getting this pen? Conisdering I have an Eco. Is the writing experience of the Metro that good to justify buying a 'beginner' pen?

Big fan of the Metro/MR, have accumulated a few... heh!

 

Most are personal imports or bought overseas but my latest unplanned acquisition came from OfficeWorks!! Yeah pop in to a few of your local stores if you so happen to be passing by... most sell some colours of the Prera (@A$55)but I found some have Metros too... and they're just A$25!

 

Didn't really need another Metro but wanted some proof it wasn't just a figment of my imagination seeing them at OW, so it's still sitting on my shelf today with the OW receipt wrapped around it still.

 

As with all oz Pilots they're all Medium. If you want Fine you'll best get direct from overseas.