Engineering P.O.V. ? The barrel and cap are not made of aluminum, but brass. The lacquer can be sanded off, and the brass polished or a forced patina, then clear coated. You can find images online of them. "FUTURE PROJECT IDEA ?"
My 2nd pen was a Metro. I really like it. I use one at work to take notes. It is reliable, very smooth for a steel nib. Good quality construction. I have been using mine for over a year now, with the bladder, con-40 and cartridges. No issues with any of them. I would not use it for a longer writing session as you noted DB, but for taking notes, and having a good quality pen at an entry level price, I think it is great. I would highly recommend to anyone looking at it for a starter.
As a detail-oriented engineer, you always seem to notice so many important aspects of a pen to consider, and I truly appreciate your perspective. As a scientist and statistician, I tend to think about other things, like whether the ink would be toxic if drunk in large volumes or whether the pen company's quality control uses a stratified or random sampling scheme. I guess we all have our areas of expertise. ;)
I'm a manufacturing/controls engineer now an IT professional - so I'm thinking about all the automation and processes as well as ERP, MES and SCADA to manufacture them.
aaaaand... I'm a welder, so I was wondering about the cantilevered design of the electrodes for the spot welder. I think the ground is just a shaped rod that the tube and spring for the B converter is placed onto so it both holds and welds the parts. I like my Metropolitan and have same colour with a medium nib.
My first round nib pen was a Pilot MR, as the France made ones for the European Market are called, with the difference of them being made to take DIN cartridges, to compete in the school market where they don't want bottles. Mine is an exceptional writer. I think I got really lucky. Got an absolute gem of a on mine. It puts pens 10 times the cost to shame. I like how it has a very gentle spring in it, with that I mean no separation of tines or line variation, but the tip bounces and acts like a car suspension and makes the nib run smoothly along the paper, having grip all the time, feeling neither hard nor slippery. I don't mind the step-down but the one thing I don't like is how the ring below the center band is sharp and sticks out the full width of the pen. Had that been softer the step down would've not felt bad, at least to me. As for the two notches in the grip section, I would guess that could be used to reliably rotate the piece to polish off the injection mold lines, making the grip perfectly round and smooth, as it is.
I have around 25 fountain pens, from the shamefully expensive iconic to Chinese pens so cheap yet functional that they are modern day marvels of manufacturing. But the pen my hand always reaches for is my Pilot Metro Pop F in handsome grey. It is my only pen that always works, is never finicky, always consistent. Its weight and balance are perfect, just the right amount of wetness, and it writes consistently perfect no matter which ink I use (can you say that about any other pen?). Plus it's made mostly of metal, not plastic under the phony label "resin". Shame on Pelikan, Waterman, Platinum, and Diplomat, and even Pilot itself--not to mention the overrated-to-the-max Lamy--for not making a pen that is as proper and elegant a workhorse as the Metro.
You need to send your shamefully expensive pens back and get new ones. I've never seen an expensive pen that didn't work perfectly, and I own pens that cost several thousand dollars, down to the Metro. The Metro is all right, but not great. It actually writes better if you put a Kukuno nib on it. I don't think you know anything about resin, and certainly don't own a high end pen. But, yes, I can put any ink in my pens, and they write perfectly. I also get far, far, far better nibs and feeds that the Metro has. And far more sizes. I like the Metro, and I have eight of them. But anyone who says the Metro is better than high end pens has no high end pens, and probably never will.
Pilot Metropolitan was one of my first fountain pens, I got the gray/anthracite with the croco motif and an nib. It is an all time super reliable fountain pen. In europe it comes fit for standard international cartridges/converters and only with medium nibs. The CM feels better on Prera for me and yes it is wider than the TWSBI 1.1. Although the .European has all the boxes ticked for a perfect pen, for some reason that I can't describe it never became one of my favorites. No issues from the metal clip or any scratches on the body. Loved the engineer oriented review (I'm a civil engineer 😀)
A medium Metro is my daily note taker and one with a fine nib is used for marking up cheap copy paper. Love the squeeze converter because I can change ink frequently. I wave the pen around while talking, drop at least once a day and often basicly throw or drop the pen when putting it away then take the cap off and it just writes. For me, a great workhorse. After two years no scratches on dings so also very durable. I have large hands but this pen works unposted.
Aloha Doodlebud! What a coincidence, I inked the exact same pen (same retro purple) last night, but mine has a (M) nib. A few notes: the converter is a Con-20, the CM supposedly stands for Calligraphy Medium and only recently (few years now) have the CM nib been available for purchase here in the US or even at all with the Metropolitan/MR. Keep in mind that a number of Pilot low-end pens use the same nib and feed, ranging from the Plumix (cheap way to get the CM nib) up to the Prera. I too have a few Pilot Metropolitans and feel it's a good introduction to fountain pens and the only issue I have is the narrow grip section. Nibs are very consistent, probably slight better than TWSBI and way, way, way better than Lamy when looking at the starter group of pens. Nib and feed are very easy to pull and quite durable (unlike TWSBI's feed!) so moving nibs around various Pilot pens are super easy. Just stay away from the (EF) as my Kakuno is like a needle! Once again, a great review and nice in-depth look at the construction! Mahalo, Thomas
I love the extra fine kakuno. But I do harbor fears of my dog losing an eye by trying to jump in my lap when I’m holding it. It’s really great if you use cheap paper a lot because it counters feather and bleedthrough. Artists love it for the hairline fineness of the line.
@@animula6908 Mahalo for your comment. I just inked up my Kakuno with a EF and it's still not my favorite nib! But I also just watched another TH-camr say that he sold his Pilot Custom XXX (can't remember the exact model number) that has a 14K EF since the Kakuno EF was every bit as good. I must have a bad one? I can say that the EF Platinum Preppy writes much better and smoother than the EF Kakuno. Will need to ink that one up very soon! Yes, the needle point can be dangerous, even for us humans!
Pilot Metropolitan Retro Pop with a medium nib is my daily note taker. It always starts immediately. A second retro pop with fine nib is inked with Pelikan 4001 Brilliant Red is used to annotate cheap copy paper. After more than a year of heavy use they still start immediately. I refill cartridge in one and use the squeeze converter in the other. No particular reason for this but both work and continue. For my intended uses they are exceptional.
Thanks for the look at the engineering. A lot of people complain about this pen. I got my first about 3 years ago. They are awesome for me. I have lots more expensive pens but these are some of my favorite Pilot pens. I have one in each color and nib size. That CM nib is crisp with great line variation. I seem to have one inked most of the time.
I like these engineering looks The main problem with the Metro is the section and that is the reason why some people don't like it. Some find it small and the step-up sharp. Otherwise it's a really good pen for the price. All of the lower end Pilots use the same nibs - the Kakuno, Plumix,Metro, Explorer, Prera so it's just a matter of the size, shape and weight you prefer. The little pocket pen is the exception. It uses the same nib as the disposable Varsity. The cursive italic on this Metro is the same as the medium nib on the Plumix. You can pick one of those up from Amazon for $12-15 and easily swap it into your Metro, Explorer, Kakuno or even certain Wingsungs. The nibs pull out easily and there are little tabs that fit into the feed so you know that you have it aligned properly. An easy first project.
Here in Germany every kid learns how to write with a fountain pen at school. And we have a term for those pens here: "Schulfüller" (fountain pens for (primary-)school) or "Schreiblernfüller" (fountain pens for learning how to write) and most of them are from Pelikan, Faber Castell or Lamy. I don't know if that's a thing in North America, but here in Germany we have the Lamy abc which comes in red or blue, is made from plastic with a wood cap and body and it comes with either a nib size called "A" for "Anfänger" (beginner) or "LH" for left-handed beginners. And the kids don't only learn how to write with a fountain pen, often they are only allowed to write with a fountain pen, which is a very controversial topic I don't want to get into (imho it's total bs, teach and learn all the different possibilities and let the child choose their preferred tools). My first fountain pen was a Lamy Safari (I didn't know it was called Safari, for everybody it was simply "the Lamy") and in high school I got an AL-Star, so when I see a Safari, Vista, Al-Star I think "children's pen". But I got somehow primed to be a Lamy fan.
I'm really liking these videos! I've had two Pilot Metropolitans for a while now, and while I agree they are well made, unfortunately where the clip presses down does get worn away eventually even if you are careful. The CM on the nib supposedly means 'calligraphy medium'. The standard Pilot stainless steel nibs are the best I've seen on affordable fountain pens, and though they aren't perfectly consistent, they are typically smooth, relatively soft, and have quality control that is well above average. I have used the CON-40 a lot in many pens and don't have any issues, and along with the Platinum and Sailor converters, it is one of my favourites. The wide Pilot opening is helpful, the ink agitator balls work well, the piston is always smooth, and the only time I've had it leak is when I didn't push the converter in properly, so it was entirely my fault. I think a lot of people give it unfair hate for it's relatively small capacity and because it's difficult to get it full, but those things affect pretty much every piston converter, and someone complaining about them would probably be better suited refilling cartridges. Compared to the underwhelming standard international converters and the consistently leaky Lamy converters I've used, the CON-40 has been significantly better for me. When it comes to Pilot Metropolitan alternatives to look out for, the Pilot Explorer is probably a much better starter pen for most people. It's made just as well but with plastic, and should hold up significantly better than any affordable metal pen will as there are no finishes to wear off. It looks nice, and should be more comfortable for the majority of people. The Pilot Kakuno is well designed but is aimed at kids, and has a three-finger grip. If you want a metal alternative, the Platinum Plaisir is a good option with a slightly different finish and a bigger grip. The only drawbacks are that the clip can still slightly scratch the finish, and that the very good Platinum converters are sold separetely.
The Metropolitan was my first fountain pen. Never regretted it. Made it better recently. The nibs on the Pilot Penmanship fit the Metropolitan. The extra fine was never an option when I purchased the Metropolitan. So, now it is my every day drawing pen.
It may not be the pen for everyone, some don't like the step down... but its built very well. Reliable, great nibs options, enough colour options to appeal to whoever, and writes a decent smooth line. Checks all the boxes
It was one of the first pens I got and at first I didn't like the narrow section. But I have learned to write with every new pen for a while, and once I got used to the feel of it, I loved it. I highly recommend it. The nibs are so easy to clean and change. I swapped the fine it came with for an extra fine from a pilot Penmanship. Now it's a perfect EDC for me. I don't worry about damaging or losing it because it's so easily replaceable.
I got this as my 2nd pen! It's amazing for the price range, and later on, I got the stub which writes buttery smooth! Only downside I would say, for me, is the steeper step from the barrel to the grip section.
The pilot metro is my favorite edc pen (and consequently, that which I lose the most 😅) I’m now on metro no. 4, but on my last metro I sanded the coating off so that it was bare brass, and I loved it. Unfortunately that black plastic band on the barrel just really didn’t look good with the brass to me, and I couldn’t think of a way to improve it before I lost the pen. This video has me thinking about it again! It’s a cheap enough pen, maybe I’ll just go at it with my dremel and see what’s under that band! If I can get it off cleanly, I could think of a million more interesting materials I could fill that space with…
The Pilot Metropolitan is one of her "remorse" pens? What on earth!? I appreciate we all like different pens in different contexts, but the Pilot Metropolitan is my absolute favourite for daily use. I can't understand how someone would ever regret owning one!
Its all about personal preference. I picked it up because I got it so cheap, but to be honest I'm not really into it either LOL. Its a great pen all around but just doesn't do it for me .... go figure LOL
Mu first fountain pen was a Lamy Safari about 4 years ago. I didn’t know any better at the time, but it was simply one of Lamy‘s bad nibs. It was awful. So I put it away and just used fineliners and gel pens. Then one day a video popped into my feed talking about smooth writing experiences, and I decided to try another. That Pilot Metropolitan is such a great writer I went over the cliff. I mainly use pens for art though, so I’m pretty happy with cheap(er) pens, I’m immensely grateful for Pilot and Platinum and even some of the Chinese ones. And anyone who wants a CM nib for a metro? Just get the very inexpensive Plumix and swap the nibs. It’s marked as M, but it’s the same as the CMs on my Preras.
Sad to hear you got a bad Lamy nib. My first Lamy had a bad nib too. After ordering a replacement nib for that pen, a Vista, in same nib grade of it is now one of my best writers. But yeah, it is sad getting a decent nib is a lottery.
Thanks for another excellent review (love hearing your take on these things from an engineering POV) and for mentioning our pen club lol. Back in 2015, our club had a meeting where the theme was "Best Pen Under $50 CAD", and the Metropolitan came in 2nd place (after the Lamy "Safari"). It's nice that the Metro's nibs swap out so easily with the Pilot Plumix/78G fountain pens which are available with italic nibs (the 78G's B nib is actually an italic).
In Europe, the Pilot Metropolitan is called the Pilot MR and it designed to take standard international cartridges and converters. I wonder if the price would have gone up if Pilot used neopryne for the ink sac. Neopryne lasts a mighty long time.
I have one with a 1.1 mm nib. I use it to write down my new password each day. Writes nicely. I also have a few others in F etc. I don't use them nearly as much.
I bought one of these out of curiosity, and it immediately went into my "regrets" pile. I didn't have any problem with the construction, as you say it is well made, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes the way it feels and writes. Best if they have the chance to try it before they buy. I didn't have that chance, and I didn't much like the way it felt. It was too slender for me, and I didn't get comfortable with the step-down from the barrel to the section. Good value for money if it fits the way you write.
There is a version of this pen called Pilot MR that takes standard international cartridges and converters. Metropolitan/ MR nib section it's completely swappaple with Pilot 78G (identical nibs)
Hi, I love the Metropolitan. However, the step annoyed me so much, so I sold all mine except the purple as the purple is pretty and is a nice reminder of my beginnings. :) Chelsea
The Pilot Metropolitan was my first fountain pen purchase after a 30 year hiatus, purchasing two. I purchased them for several reasons: 1) metal cap and barrel, 2) Pilot quality, and 3) price. I thought they would be a good value at their sub-US$20 price. Even though I liked the colors available, I didn't care for the designs on the plastic barrel sleeves and purchased a black (fine) and a silver (medium) because their sleeves are transparent. I was not disappointed, still have the pens (the only entry level pens I now own), and would not hesitate to recommend them to someone just beginning to use a fountain pen. If you can find them, Pilot also makes a model named the Cocoon, which is the Metropolitan under a different name, not available in the USA, and for a higher price. The colored Cocoons have transparent plastic sleeves. I have three: a purple, a dark blue, and an orange. I purchased mine through an online Japanese pen seller. Their price was higher than sub-$US20, but not too unreasonably so. The Metropolitan (Cocoon), Plumix, Prera, and Kakuno all use the same nib and feed. In the US, I can only find the Metropolitan with fine and medium nibs. The Kakuno can also have an extra fine nib and the Plumix comes with fine, medium and broad italic nibs. If you don't mind buying extra pens and doing nib swapping between sections, you can mix and match. I purchased the Plumix boxed set to get all three nib widths and installed them in my three Cocoons. I like the Con-B converter, but then the I cut my teeth on Sheaffer converters in the 1970's and 80's, which are very similar. The Con-B holds more ink (slightly under 1 ml) than any other Pilot converter. I also like the Pilot cartridges which hold slightly more than 1 ml. I bought a pack of them, emptied out the surprisingly ordinary blue ink, cleaned them, and fill them with a syringe and blunted needle. After installing the cartridge, I usually dip the nib and feed in the ink to help prime the feed quickly. The Metropolitan is a bit on the small side. I have medium large hands so I actually prefer to use a larger pen. But no so much that I won't still use the Metropolitans. If I ever reduce my pen collection, I will still keep my Bexleys, my Taccias, and my Metropolitans (Cocoons.) richard -- Seen on a bumper sticker: Without farmers you'd be hungry, naked, and sober.
Used this pen daily for a year kept it safely in a pen holder and haven't dropped it once. The paint rubbed off under the clip, the clip doesn't close anymore as from opening and closing it too much and the grip has cracked which I had sealed with super glue because it was leaking on my fingers. But the nib writes as good as always
I love my Pilot Metropolitan. Technically, it's a Cocoon, which I think is a Japanese market name. Not my first fountain pen, but one of a handful I had when my interest took off. Thanks for an interesting appraisal of a great beginner pen.
HI, great detailed review. I adore this pen, I have nothing else to compare it to as this is my very first fountain pen. I got the fine nib thinking it would write similar to an extra fine needle point gel pen, I think it does. It just glides across the paper with no effort. The next one I'll try will be the same model but a wider nib. Thanks for all the info. Peace
Good question. I checked out a couple of sources. Jet Pens refers to the CM nib as a medium italic. Goulet calls it a 1.0 stub. But “calligraphy medium” is apt. Yes, the feed is unusual. Instead of fins, it has longitudinal grooves. I have not a clue how this works from the standpoint of design or engineering. But DB is right that the flow of ink to paper is steady and predictable.
I checked my Pilot Metropolitan and it doesn't have the little notches at the end of the section. I also noticed just how smooth the metal barrel threads are--no chance of cutting into my fingers when I hold the pen there! Nice job, Pilot! 👍
At this point with any cartridge or convertor, I just use a syringe to fill it. Never had a problem with the Metropolitan, but I always just stayed with the Con-40 convertors because of all of the negativity with the supplied sac filler. Turns out via your video, there shouldn't be any negativity towards it. Great video and definitely talc for the sac lol.
I always recommend the metro, I remember feeling disappointed as many of the pens I acquired after it felt like downgrades. I also like the converter (Much more than the con40). Glad you got your hands on one DB.
I would suggest you get rid of the aerometric one that I think is for cleaning. The con 40 is better and the cartridges can be refilled pretty easy.. I have three of these and I switch the caps to make the colors more interesting. I have installed a Fude adapted nib from a Plumix and now I have a Fude Met. Great pens, dependable and cool..
I like the Pilot cartridge honestly, I've refilled and reused the same one that came with my pen dozens and dozens of times. It doesn't seem to be wearing out like my Parker cartridges and probably best of all, it doesn't even need a syringe to be refilled. I don't mind the squeeze converter either, but I find that the cartridge holds more ink and thus lasts longer. The converter would be good for cleaning the pen in a pinch if a person does not own a bulb syringe.
Nice video. Looks like a really decent pen. Pilot in my experience make superb pens and one of my favourite brands. I’ve only had one which wasn’t my favourite and I swapped it. This was entirely down to nib preference.
Yeah you're right with the traces on the cap because of the clip. Besides this, Pilot Metro behaves super in time. I own it since 3 y or so. Super easy to clean the feed and nib. I recommend this fp everytime for someone at the begining. One mention. In East Europe it did come with a standard cartridge system, I had a con40 pilot for it but it didn't match up
I got a Metropolitan Crocodile F, no converter and standard cartridge. It fits my hand and it writes butter-soft and wet with Diamine Sargasso Sea (even the nib’s slit is cut asymmetrical and does not look nice through a magnifying glass...). It’s one of my favorite pens and I like the shape and feel. However, at the moment I have loaded a Waterman Serenity Blue double cartridge I got for Christmas and it’s writing too dry. So I am going to make a mess and pump the Waterman ink into the too wet TWSBY Eco M.
My first pen, same colour. Still use it often. Regarding the notches on the section where the converter/cartridge attaches, they are most likely for alignment during the assembly process when the feed & nib is being inserted? I assume it is automated and would allow the machine to register.
You are corrected. I pinned another viewer's comment pointing this out. The coating is so good it had me fooled for anodizing which can be done on aluminum but not brass. I should have checked this more closely but I made an assumption. And as well all know, assumptions are the source of all F*ck ups!
Very comprehensive, ya, sure, it’s made of brass over AL, but it was hidden under the fancy purple paint job😉… . I’ve not yet gone in for Pilot’s less expensive side of fountain pen, fountain pen snob that I am… Ahem, er, Nice review. 👍 I did purchase a Faber-Castell Hexo in blue ~ “F”. It’s a snap cap, and it’s not so very expensive. Less than $50.00. Not sure if you’re reviewed this model or not, but works very well for a more inexpensive side of the street fountain pen. Thanks again for this solid review of this Pilot Met 👍.
Yep. I didn't start with the "traditional starter pens" of today, either. I still have yet to get a Pilot Metropolitan/MR or a Lamy. My introduction to fountain pens were all vintage lever fillers. Don't remember what one was, but I remember a Wearever and the one that I consider my first, and still a favourite, a grey Esterbrook J. Will I ever get a Pilot Metropolitan? Dunno. I do have a soft spot for some of the cheaper pens. 😁 The converter you have doesn't bother me, either. Basically a mini aerometric, innit? Still a popular filler, especially in China. And there's plenty of well loved Parker 51 pens with the filling system... "But it doesn't hold enough ink!" Can it hold enough to get through until you get to an ink bottle? All that really matters. Some filling systems that are complained about the capacity really aren't that different from a cartridge converter filler... Thanks for a more in-depth look at this pen! Edit: Yes, the converter really looks like plenty of aerometric fillers. If it's a plastic (Parker used PVC) it'll last virtually forever. Latex? At least 10 years, I'd expect, maybe more. They're still made the old way, and there's plenty of 70+ year old pens still on the original ink sac.
I have a question. Can I use pilot hi-techpoint ink which is meant for rollerball, in pilot metropolitan fountain pen? Someone said, that it can clog or corrode or damage the pen in the long run as the ink is meant to be used in rollerball only and that fountain pen inks are completely different. But before hearing this, I used the hitechpoint ink in the metropolitan pen and the result was FANTASTIC. The experience is out of the world. Please let me know your expert opinion regarding whether I can use the hi-techpoint ink in the metropolitan pen safely or not.
I wouldn't recommend using any non-fountain pen specific inks in a fountain pen. Sounds like the ink you've been using is working, however its designed for use in a rollerball pen. A roller ball works in a very different fashion than a fountain pen. If you want to continue to use it, just don't use it in an expensive pen. Be aware it could corrode or damage components over long term use. There is a HUGE range of fountain pens inks out there. Perhaps there is one that can give similar result to the hi-techpoint ink but in a fountain pen format.
Great review. Like the detail you go into. It would probably not be the pen I would get. I think it is a good pen but I think I found a Pilot that I like a lot. That is why Pilot makes so many different pens, to capture as many people as possible with a pen, any pen that they make. Just an opinion...
I had a green retro pop one like this with the CM nib. I gave it to a friend. Never seen that nib since. The nearest nib that I found is a B nib. Not as good as the CM nib.
Thanks for the video. Pilot Metropolitan is in deed a good EDC pen, I am using one in my office daily (japnese version). The thing is the EU version with standard converter, at least the two I have used and seen, plus some other reviws on internet all say the pen will bust the mouth of the converter. Two converters mine got bustet on the EU version, not that I plug in violently, just the notch inside is too big. So I got one from Japan via Ebay. don't know why it is made in EU. best regards
I have four of these, they are reliable writers. The only thing I don't like about them are the patterned bands - I like the silver and black ones best because they don't have any patterns on them. I.e., I prefer plain and simple :) Also, somewhat odd, there are no blue Metropolitans for some reason.
I find blue ink boring, but this one you have at the end is so interesting... Is it the famous kon-peki? I don't see the interest to get a Metro in my case, but it's on my list as a gift. Great potential as a gateway drug!
I have never seen the "CM" nib marking. I have a number of Pilot Metropolitan pens because I like the colors available and I'm a big fan of Pilot's F and EF nibs. On a couple of mine, I have swapped in an EF nib from a Pilot Penmanship, and I'm very happy with them. I can always recommend a Metropolitan as a first fountain pen. However, I hate those squeeze converters. What I generally do is syringe-fill and reuse cartridges with whatever ink I want. I'm not happy with any of Pilot's converters.
Aerometric fillers are great as they are by far the fastest. AND one-handed, which probably makes them less messy. However I think a better starting point would be a Varsity.
DBAG you are a Superstar 🌟🌟🌟 What an amazing detailed technical overview and exposition. Please do more of these, they are absolutely fun, pass the 🍿 to watch 😍 The only Metro I ever gotten and returned, was the stub. Awful nib, scratchy, dry and downright disappointing. The thin and short, sharp step-up section, did nothing to earn any marks either. If I'd kept it, it would have been one of my regrets. IMHO there are far better starter pens than this well-engineered but poorly executed trainwreck 😱 What's next in your technical roster for review? Thank you 🙏🙏🙏 Happy 2022 to You and All 🎇
Mine writes well, but the ink sac broke down after about one year. Has anybody else had that experience? (I don’t remember the specific inks used, but I'm pretty conservative: Waterman, Quink, Diamine, etc.)
That's interesting; I've used two CON-Bs somewhat regularly and they are still good as new. I'm guessing mine will fail eventually, but I think you might have been unlucky with climate conditions, cleaning, or ink choice if it broke so soon.
I have a plain jane all black Met which I only use with the much maligned con-40 and find it always to be an unfailingly reliable writer. As far as I'm concerned, whether it's the upscale 823, the elegant Elite, the solid Vanishing Point - you name it, Pilot is incapable of producing a bad pen.
Have a couple. However hard I tried to like them, can't do so. Both of mine dry out, and the nib performance is just average. The step up at the section/body is also an irritant to me. Build quality is good for the price.
Not the pen for me. I like very few metal pens anyway and those ugly ‘waistbands’ are a killer along with the over-glitzy colours. Definitely for the younger crowd, I think.
Never liked this pen whatsoever. Ditto the Lamy Safari and the Diplomat Magnum. The Metro’s design, all round appearance, the crappy converter, the very ordinary nib all combine to make the pen a kill-joy for me. I’ve enjoyed my own ‘starter’ pens that I like and admire far more. Like the Sheaffer No Nonsense, Waterman Phileas, Parker 51 and Sheaffer Junior Balance.
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Engineering P.O.V. ?
The barrel and cap are not made of aluminum, but brass. The lacquer can be sanded off, and the brass polished or a forced patina, then clear coated. You can find images online of them.
"FUTURE PROJECT IDEA ?"
You are correct! That finish looked & felt so much like anodizing. I should have looked into it further 😖
@@Doodlebud he pinned a comment of someone pointing out his mistake so everyone is aware of it. Damn, that's a straight shooter for ya
Pilot metropolitan with good quality pilot cartridges is the satisfaction... writes dark and buttery smooth
My 2nd pen was a Metro. I really like it. I use one at work to take notes. It is reliable, very smooth for a steel nib. Good quality construction. I have been using mine for over a year now, with the bladder, con-40 and cartridges. No issues with any of them. I would not use it for a longer writing session as you noted DB, but for taking notes, and having a good quality pen at an entry level price, I think it is great. I would highly recommend to anyone looking at it for a starter.
As a detail-oriented engineer, you always seem to notice so many important aspects of a pen to consider, and I truly appreciate your perspective. As a scientist and statistician, I tend to think about other things, like whether the ink would be toxic if drunk in large volumes or whether the pen company's quality control uses a stratified or random sampling scheme. I guess we all have our areas of expertise. ;)
Ohhhh Stats!! One of my least favorite courses I had to do LOL 😆 Glad there are people like you out there who enjoy it!
I'm a manufacturing/controls engineer now an IT professional - so I'm thinking about all the automation and processes as well as ERP, MES and SCADA to manufacture them.
aaaaand... I'm a welder, so I was wondering about the cantilevered design of the electrodes for the spot welder. I think the ground is just a shaped rod that the tube and spring for the B converter is placed onto so it both holds and welds the parts. I like my Metropolitan and have same colour with a medium nib.
My first round nib pen was a Pilot MR, as the France made ones for the European Market are called, with the difference of them being made to take DIN cartridges, to compete in the school market where they don't want bottles.
Mine is an exceptional writer. I think I got really lucky. Got an absolute gem of a on mine. It puts pens 10 times the cost to shame. I like how it has a very gentle spring in it, with that I mean no separation of tines or line variation, but the tip bounces and acts like a car suspension and makes the nib run smoothly along the paper, having grip all the time, feeling neither hard nor slippery.
I don't mind the step-down but the one thing I don't like is how the ring below the center band is sharp and sticks out the full width of the pen. Had that been softer the step down would've not felt bad, at least to me.
As for the two notches in the grip section, I would guess that could be used to reliably rotate the piece to polish off the injection mold lines, making the grip perfectly round and smooth, as it is.
This was one of the first pens I purchased, and 80 pens later, still a favorite writing experience. Just found your channel. Thank you !
I have around 25 fountain pens, from the shamefully expensive iconic to Chinese pens so cheap yet functional that they are modern day marvels of manufacturing. But the pen my hand always reaches for is my Pilot Metro Pop F in handsome grey. It is my only pen that always works, is never finicky, always consistent. Its weight and balance are perfect, just the right amount of wetness, and it writes consistently perfect no matter which ink I use (can you say that about any other pen?). Plus it's made mostly of metal, not plastic under the phony label "resin". Shame on Pelikan, Waterman, Platinum, and Diplomat, and even Pilot itself--not to mention the overrated-to-the-max Lamy--for not making a pen that is as proper and elegant a workhorse as the Metro.
You need to send your shamefully expensive pens back and get new ones. I've never seen an expensive pen that didn't work perfectly, and I own pens that cost several thousand dollars, down to the Metro. The Metro is all right, but not great. It actually writes better if you put a Kukuno nib on it.
I don't think you know anything about resin, and certainly don't own a high end pen. But, yes, I can put any ink in my pens, and they write perfectly. I also get far, far, far better nibs and feeds that the Metro has. And far more sizes.
I like the Metro, and I have eight of them. But anyone who says the Metro is better than high end pens has no high end pens, and probably never will.
I love how you call it ,,Puppy''
Pilot Metropolitan was one of my first fountain pens, I got the gray/anthracite with the croco motif and an nib. It is an all time super reliable fountain pen. In europe it comes fit for standard international cartridges/converters and only with medium nibs. The CM feels better on Prera for me and yes it is wider than the TWSBI 1.1. Although the .European has all the boxes ticked for a perfect pen, for some reason that I can't describe it never became one of my favorites.
No issues from the metal clip or any scratches on the body.
Loved the engineer oriented review (I'm a civil engineer 😀)
I got a video coming soon where I'm gonna get very engineery, you'll probably like it 😉
A medium Metro is my daily note taker and one with a fine nib is used for marking up cheap copy paper. Love the squeeze converter because I can change ink frequently. I wave the pen around while talking, drop at least once a day and often basicly throw or drop the pen when putting it away then take the cap off and it just writes. For me, a great workhorse. After two years no scratches on dings so also very durable. I have large hands but this pen works unposted.
Aloha Doodlebud! What a coincidence, I inked the exact same pen (same retro purple) last night, but mine has a (M) nib. A few notes: the converter is a Con-20, the CM supposedly stands for Calligraphy Medium and only recently (few years now) have the CM nib been available for purchase here in the US or even at all with the Metropolitan/MR. Keep in mind that a number of Pilot low-end pens use the same nib and feed, ranging from the Plumix (cheap way to get the CM nib) up to the Prera. I too have a few Pilot Metropolitans and feel it's a good introduction to fountain pens and the only issue I have is the narrow grip section. Nibs are very consistent, probably slight better than TWSBI and way, way, way better than Lamy when looking at the starter group of pens. Nib and feed are very easy to pull and quite durable (unlike TWSBI's feed!) so moving nibs around various Pilot pens are super easy. Just stay away from the (EF) as my Kakuno is like a needle! Once again, a great review and nice in-depth look at the construction! Mahalo, Thomas
I love the extra fine kakuno. But I do harbor fears of my dog losing an eye by trying to jump in my lap when I’m holding it. It’s really great if you use cheap paper a lot because it counters feather and bleedthrough. Artists love it for the hairline fineness of the line.
@@animula6908 Mahalo for your comment. I just inked up my Kakuno with a EF and it's still not my favorite nib! But I also just watched another TH-camr say that he sold his Pilot Custom XXX (can't remember the exact model number) that has a 14K EF since the Kakuno EF was every bit as good. I must have a bad one? I can say that the EF Platinum Preppy writes much better and smoother than the EF Kakuno. Will need to ink that one up very soon! Yes, the needle point can be dangerous, even for us humans!
Pilot Metropolitan Retro Pop with a medium nib is my daily note taker. It always starts immediately. A second retro pop with fine nib is inked with Pelikan 4001 Brilliant Red is used to annotate cheap copy paper. After more than a year of heavy use they still start immediately. I refill cartridge in one and use the squeeze converter in the other. No particular reason for this but both work and continue. For my intended uses they are exceptional.
Thanks for the look at the engineering. A lot of people complain about this pen. I got my first about 3 years ago. They are awesome for me. I have lots more expensive pens but these are some of my favorite Pilot pens. I have one in each color and nib size. That CM nib is crisp with great line variation. I seem to have one inked most of the time.
I like these engineering looks The main problem with the Metro is the section and that is the reason why some people don't like it. Some find it small and the step-up sharp. Otherwise it's a really good pen for the price. All of the lower end Pilots use the same nibs - the Kakuno, Plumix,Metro, Explorer, Prera so it's just a matter of the size, shape and weight you prefer. The little pocket pen is the exception. It uses the same nib as the disposable Varsity. The cursive italic on this Metro is the same as the medium nib on the Plumix. You can pick one of those up from Amazon for $12-15 and easily swap it into your Metro, Explorer, Kakuno or even certain Wingsungs. The nibs pull out easily and there are little tabs that fit into the feed so you know that you have it aligned properly. An easy first project.
You dang right it's a good pen.
Here in Germany every kid learns how to write with a fountain pen at school. And we have a term for those pens here: "Schulfüller" (fountain pens for (primary-)school) or "Schreiblernfüller" (fountain pens for learning how to write) and most of them are from Pelikan, Faber Castell or Lamy. I don't know if that's a thing in North America, but here in Germany we have the Lamy abc which comes in red or blue, is made from plastic with a wood cap and body and it comes with either a nib size called "A" for "Anfänger" (beginner) or "LH" for left-handed beginners. And the kids don't only learn how to write with a fountain pen, often they are only allowed to write with a fountain pen, which is a very controversial topic I don't want to get into (imho it's total bs, teach and learn all the different possibilities and let the child choose their preferred tools). My first fountain pen was a Lamy Safari (I didn't know it was called Safari, for everybody it was simply "the Lamy") and in high school I got an AL-Star, so when I see a Safari, Vista, Al-Star I think "children's pen". But I got somehow primed to be a Lamy fan.
I've used fountain pens for 30 years, but I do love my Metropolitan. I like the simple sleekness of it. And I love Pilots fine nibs.
I'm really liking these videos! I've had two Pilot Metropolitans for a while now, and while I agree they are well made, unfortunately where the clip presses down does get worn away eventually even if you are careful. The CM on the nib supposedly means 'calligraphy medium'. The standard Pilot stainless steel nibs are the best I've seen on affordable fountain pens, and though they aren't perfectly consistent, they are typically smooth, relatively soft, and have quality control that is well above average.
I have used the CON-40 a lot in many pens and don't have any issues, and along with the Platinum and Sailor converters, it is one of my favourites. The wide Pilot opening is helpful, the ink agitator balls work well, the piston is always smooth, and the only time I've had it leak is when I didn't push the converter in properly, so it was entirely my fault. I think a lot of people give it unfair hate for it's relatively small capacity and because it's difficult to get it full, but those things affect pretty much every piston converter, and someone complaining about them would probably be better suited refilling cartridges. Compared to the underwhelming standard international converters and the consistently leaky Lamy converters I've used, the CON-40 has been significantly better for me.
When it comes to Pilot Metropolitan alternatives to look out for, the Pilot Explorer is probably a much better starter pen for most people. It's made just as well but with plastic, and should hold up significantly better than any affordable metal pen will as there are no finishes to wear off. It looks nice, and should be more comfortable for the majority of people. The Pilot Kakuno is well designed but is aimed at kids, and has a three-finger grip. If you want a metal alternative, the Platinum Plaisir is a good option with a slightly different finish and a bigger grip. The only drawbacks are that the clip can still slightly scratch the finish, and that the very good Platinum converters are sold separetely.
The Metropolitan was my first fountain pen. Never regretted it. Made it better recently. The nibs on the Pilot Penmanship fit the Metropolitan. The extra fine was never an option when I purchased the Metropolitan. So, now it is my every day drawing pen.
It may not be the pen for everyone, some don't like the step down... but its built very well. Reliable, great nibs options, enough colour options to appeal to whoever, and writes a decent smooth line. Checks all the boxes
Good one, D'bug. Your engineering perspective makes for very interesting posts. Thanks
It was one of the first pens I got and at first I didn't like the narrow section. But I have learned to write with every new pen for a while, and once I got used to the feel of it, I loved it. I highly recommend it. The nibs are so easy to clean and change. I swapped the fine it came with for an extra fine from a pilot Penmanship. Now it's a perfect EDC for me. I don't worry about damaging or losing it because it's so easily replaceable.
I got this as my 2nd pen! It's amazing for the price range, and later on, I got the stub which writes buttery smooth! Only downside I would say, for me, is the steeper step from the barrel to the grip section.
Yep! I love the stub, too! So smooth.
The pilot metro is my favorite edc pen (and consequently, that which I lose the most 😅)
I’m now on metro no. 4, but on my last metro I sanded the coating off so that it was bare brass, and I loved it. Unfortunately that black plastic band on the barrel just really didn’t look good with the brass to me, and I couldn’t think of a way to improve it before I lost the pen. This video has me thinking about it again! It’s a cheap enough pen, maybe I’ll just go at it with my dremel and see what’s under that band! If I can get it off cleanly, I could think of a million more interesting materials I could fill that space with…
Just bought this for a co worker a few weeks ago as a gift.
The Pilot Metropolitan is one of her "remorse" pens? What on earth!? I appreciate we all like different pens in different contexts, but the Pilot Metropolitan is my absolute favourite for daily use. I can't understand how someone would ever regret owning one!
Its all about personal preference. I picked it up because I got it so cheap, but to be honest I'm not really into it either LOL. Its a great pen all around but just doesn't do it for me .... go figure LOL
I have 5 of em! Great pens! I syringe fill empty cartridges!
Mu first fountain pen was a Lamy Safari about 4 years ago. I didn’t know any better at the time, but it was simply one of Lamy‘s bad nibs. It was awful. So I put it away and just used fineliners and gel pens. Then one day a video popped into my feed talking about smooth writing experiences, and I decided to try another. That Pilot Metropolitan is such a great writer I went over the cliff. I mainly use pens for art though, so I’m pretty happy with cheap(er) pens, I’m immensely grateful for Pilot and Platinum and even some of the Chinese ones. And anyone who wants a CM nib for a metro? Just get the very inexpensive Plumix and swap the nibs. It’s marked as M, but it’s the same as the CMs on my Preras.
Sad to hear you got a bad Lamy nib. My first Lamy had a bad nib too. After ordering a replacement nib for that pen, a Vista, in same nib grade of it is now one of my best writers. But yeah, it is sad getting a decent nib is a lottery.
8:15 I suspect they print on a large flat sheet. Then apply or cut it and bend/mold it into a ring.
Thanks for another excellent review (love hearing your take on these things from an engineering POV) and for mentioning our pen club lol. Back in 2015, our club had a meeting where the theme was "Best Pen Under $50 CAD", and the Metropolitan came in 2nd place (after the Lamy "Safari"). It's nice that the Metro's nibs swap out so easily with the Pilot Plumix/78G fountain pens which are available with italic nibs (the 78G's B nib is actually an italic).
Looking forward to when we can all get together again
@@Doodlebud Ditto!
Interesting. My Pilot Metropolitan made for EU market version has international cartridges.
In Europe, the Pilot Metropolitan is called the Pilot MR and it designed to take standard international cartridges and converters. I wonder if the price would have gone up if Pilot used neopryne for the ink sac. Neopryne lasts a mighty long time.
Do you know where to buy the regular metropolitan in europe where the shipping doesn't cost that much?
@@Matto5433 I wonder if Appelboom Pennen in the Netherlands sells the Pilot MR. That might be an option.
@@johnlopez3996 No,I looked it up they don't sell it.:(
I love mine with the stub nib. I got the fine, med nibs too love this pen it never fails to perform and feels wonderful in the hand.
Yes, put talc on your own sac during the summer months, good advice! 😁
Once again, thank you for the honest no holds barred review 👍
I have one with a 1.1 mm nib. I use it to write down my new password each day. Writes nicely. I also have a few others in F etc. I don't use them nearly as much.
I bought one of these out of curiosity, and it immediately went into my "regrets" pile. I didn't have any problem with the construction, as you say it is well made, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes the way it feels and writes. Best if they have the chance to try it before they buy. I didn't have that chance, and I didn't much like the way it felt. It was too slender for me, and I didn't get comfortable with the step-down from the barrel to the section. Good value for money if it fits the way you write.
There is a version of this pen called Pilot MR that takes standard international cartridges and converters.
Metropolitan/ MR nib section it's completely swappaple with Pilot 78G (identical nibs)
Good to know ths for sharing 👍
@@Doodlebud thank you for the good work
I bought mine when it was still $15. I looked the other day, and they're like $30 MSRP now.
Hi, I love the Metropolitan. However, the step annoyed me so much, so I sold all mine except the purple as the purple is pretty and is a nice reminder of my beginnings. :)
Chelsea
The Pilot Metropolitan was my first fountain pen purchase after a 30 year hiatus, purchasing two. I purchased them for several reasons: 1) metal cap and barrel, 2) Pilot quality, and 3) price. I thought they would be a good value at their sub-US$20 price. Even though I liked the colors available, I didn't care for the designs on the plastic barrel sleeves and purchased a black (fine) and a silver (medium) because their sleeves are transparent. I was not disappointed, still have the pens (the only entry level pens I now own), and would not hesitate to recommend them to someone just beginning to use a fountain pen.
If you can find them, Pilot also makes a model named the Cocoon, which is the Metropolitan under a different name, not available in the USA, and for a higher price. The colored Cocoons have transparent plastic sleeves. I have three: a purple, a dark blue, and an orange. I purchased mine through an online Japanese pen seller. Their price was higher than sub-$US20, but not too unreasonably so.
The Metropolitan (Cocoon), Plumix, Prera, and Kakuno all use the same nib and feed. In the US, I can only find the Metropolitan with fine and medium nibs. The Kakuno can also have an extra fine nib and the Plumix comes with fine, medium and broad italic nibs. If you don't mind buying extra pens and doing nib swapping between sections, you can mix and match. I purchased the Plumix boxed set to get all three nib widths and installed them in my three Cocoons.
I like the Con-B converter, but then the I cut my teeth on Sheaffer converters in the 1970's and 80's, which are very similar. The Con-B holds more ink (slightly under 1 ml) than any other Pilot converter. I also like the Pilot cartridges which hold slightly more than 1 ml. I bought a pack of them, emptied out the surprisingly ordinary blue ink, cleaned them, and fill them with a syringe and blunted needle. After installing the cartridge, I usually dip the nib and feed in the ink to help prime the feed quickly.
The Metropolitan is a bit on the small side. I have medium large hands so I actually prefer to use a larger pen. But no so much that I won't still use the Metropolitans.
If I ever reduce my pen collection, I will still keep my Bexleys, my Taccias, and my Metropolitans (Cocoons.)
richard
--
Seen on a bumper sticker: Without farmers you'd be hungry, naked, and sober.
Thanks for sharing all the info
Used this pen daily for a year kept it safely in a pen holder and haven't dropped it once. The paint rubbed off under the clip, the clip doesn't close anymore as from opening and closing it too much and the grip has cracked which I had sealed with super glue because it was leaking on my fingers. But the nib writes as good as always
And, BTW, the Metropolitan with a stub nib ROCKS! I hadn't intended to order mine with the stub nib, but now it's one of my favorites.
I love my Pilot Metropolitan. Technically, it's a Cocoon, which I think is a Japanese market name. Not my first fountain pen, but one of a handful I had when my interest took off. Thanks for an interesting appraisal of a great beginner pen.
HI, great detailed review. I adore this pen, I have nothing else to compare it to as this is my very first fountain pen. I got the fine nib thinking it would write similar to an extra fine needle point gel pen, I think it does. It just glides across the paper with no effort. The next one I'll try will be the same model but a wider nib. Thanks for all the info. Peace
... calligraphy medium?
I'm surprised you didn't discussed the particular design of the feed, a lot simpler to make because it has no fins.
That is an excellent observation!
Probably has fins inside.
Good question. I checked out a couple of sources. Jet Pens refers to the CM nib as a medium italic. Goulet calls it a 1.0 stub. But “calligraphy medium” is apt.
Yes, the feed is unusual. Instead of fins, it has longitudinal grooves. I have not a clue how this works from the standpoint of design or engineering. But DB is right that the flow of ink to paper is steady and predictable.
Maybe I can do a video about feeds one day and do up some type of testing or something.
😅 Yes, good advice to talc your sac! Especially if you plan to squeeze it often.
Gotta minimize the wear & tear
I checked my Pilot Metropolitan and it doesn't have the little notches at the end of the section. I also noticed just how smooth the metal barrel threads are--no chance of cutting into my fingers when I hold the pen there! Nice job, Pilot! 👍
At this point with any cartridge or convertor, I just use a syringe to fill it. Never had a problem with the Metropolitan, but I always just stayed with the Con-40 convertors because of all of the negativity with the supplied sac filler. Turns out via your video, there shouldn't be any negativity towards it. Great video and definitely talc for the sac lol.
Love the CM nib. May have to try and find one myself. Still waiting on the new R16 drop though.
I have three, two mediums and one fine. My daily note taker and markup up on cheap paper.
I always recommend the metro, I remember feeling disappointed as many of the pens I acquired after it felt like downgrades. I also like the converter (Much more than the con40). Glad you got your hands on one DB.
My EF purple Pilot Metro stays inked up with Noodler's North African Violet.
I would suggest you get rid of the aerometric one that I think is for cleaning. The con 40 is better and the cartridges can be refilled pretty easy.. I have three of these and I switch the caps to make the colors more interesting. I have installed a Fude adapted nib from a Plumix and now I have a Fude Met. Great pens, dependable and cool..
I like the Pilot cartridge honestly, I've refilled and reused the same one that came with my pen dozens and dozens of times. It doesn't seem to be wearing out like my Parker cartridges and probably best of all, it doesn't even need a syringe to be refilled. I don't mind the squeeze converter either, but I find that the cartridge holds more ink and thus lasts longer. The converter would be good for cleaning the pen in a pinch if a person does not own a bulb syringe.
Yeah the pilot cartridges are really big and easier to fill as you mentioned. A great cartridge to refill since you don't have to do it as much.
Nice video. Looks like a really decent pen. Pilot in my experience make superb pens and one of my favourite brands. I’ve only had one which wasn’t my favourite and I swapped it. This was entirely down to nib preference.
Yeah you're right with the traces on the cap because of the clip. Besides this, Pilot Metro behaves super in time. I own it since 3 y or so. Super easy to clean the feed and nib. I recommend this fp everytime for someone at the begining. One mention. In East Europe it did come with a standard cartridge system, I had a con40 pilot for it but it didn't match up
I got a Metropolitan Crocodile F, no converter and standard cartridge. It fits my hand and it writes butter-soft and wet with Diamine Sargasso Sea (even the nib’s slit is cut asymmetrical and does not look nice through a magnifying glass...). It’s one of my favorite pens and I like the shape and feel. However, at the moment I have loaded a Waterman Serenity Blue double cartridge I got for Christmas and it’s writing too dry. So I am going to make a mess and pump the Waterman ink into the too wet TWSBY Eco M.
Sargasso Sea is one of my top inks 👍
The European version (Pilot MR) is even better because it can take a cartridge or an international converter.
My first pen, same colour. Still use it often. Regarding the notches on the section where the converter/cartridge attaches, they are most likely for alignment during the assembly process when the feed & nib is being inserted? I assume it is automated and would allow the machine to register.
Very well could be for alignment & assembly
Maybe i'm wrong, but are not all pilot metro brass body? I say this because my Pilot rollerball is in brass (after 14 years the paint rub off)
You are corrected. I pinned another viewer's comment pointing this out. The coating is so good it had me fooled for anodizing which can be done on aluminum but not brass. I should have checked this more closely but I made an assumption. And as well all know, assumptions are the source of all F*ck ups!
@@Doodlebud Yeah nobody is perfect ,including me . Have a good day sir
Very comprehensive, ya, sure, it’s made of brass over AL, but it was hidden under the fancy purple paint job😉… . I’ve not yet gone in for Pilot’s less expensive side of fountain pen, fountain pen snob that I am… Ahem, er, Nice review. 👍 I did purchase a Faber-Castell Hexo in blue ~ “F”. It’s a snap cap, and it’s not so very expensive. Less than $50.00. Not sure if you’re reviewed this model or not, but works very well for a more inexpensive side of the street fountain pen. Thanks again for this solid review of this Pilot Met 👍.
Yeah that paint job is on point! Had me fooled so didnt bother to take a real close look
Yep. I didn't start with the "traditional starter pens" of today, either. I still have yet to get a Pilot Metropolitan/MR or a Lamy.
My introduction to fountain pens were all vintage lever fillers. Don't remember what one was, but I remember a Wearever and the one that I consider my first, and still a favourite, a grey Esterbrook J.
Will I ever get a Pilot Metropolitan? Dunno. I do have a soft spot for some of the cheaper pens. 😁
The converter you have doesn't bother me, either. Basically a mini aerometric, innit? Still a popular filler, especially in China. And there's plenty of well loved Parker 51 pens with the filling system...
"But it doesn't hold enough ink!" Can it hold enough to get through until you get to an ink bottle? All that really matters. Some filling systems that are complained about the capacity really aren't that different from a cartridge converter filler...
Thanks for a more in-depth look at this pen!
Edit: Yes, the converter really looks like plenty of aerometric fillers. If it's a plastic (Parker used PVC) it'll last virtually forever. Latex? At least 10 years, I'd expect, maybe more. They're still made the old way, and there's plenty of 70+ year old pens still on the original ink sac.
Congrats on 4000 Subscribers! :D
Thanks buddy, you should click over 1K soon
@@Doodlebud I hope so!
I have a question. Can I use pilot hi-techpoint ink which is meant for rollerball, in pilot metropolitan fountain pen? Someone said, that it can clog or corrode or damage the pen in the long run as the ink is meant to be used in rollerball only and that fountain pen inks are completely different.
But before hearing this, I used the hitechpoint ink in the metropolitan pen and the result was FANTASTIC. The experience is out of the world. Please let me know your expert opinion regarding whether I can use the hi-techpoint ink in the metropolitan pen safely or not.
I wouldn't recommend using any non-fountain pen specific inks in a fountain pen. Sounds like the ink you've been using is working, however its designed for use in a rollerball pen. A roller ball works in a very different fashion than a fountain pen. If you want to continue to use it, just don't use it in an expensive pen. Be aware it could corrode or damage components over long term use. There is a HUGE range of fountain pens inks out there. Perhaps there is one that can give similar result to the hi-techpoint ink but in a fountain pen format.
Hey DB.
I’m a fellow member of the VPC too!!!!
Awesome buddy! Can't wait until we can all get together again!
Great review. Like the detail you go into. It would probably not be the pen I would get. I think it is a good pen but I think I found a Pilot that I like a lot. That is why Pilot makes so many different pens, to capture as many people as possible with a pen, any pen that they make. Just an opinion...
Weird that everyone with this pen had squeeze converter yet I got twist one.
My brother was at a thrift shop recently and paid 1 dollar for 2 pilot metropolitans in mint condition. I was shocked
now he has to buy ink.
Also talc. On the sac.
You wag. 😂🤦♀️😂
I had a green retro pop one like this with the CM nib. I gave it to a friend.
Never seen that nib since. The nearest nib that I found is a B nib. Not as good as the CM nib.
New camera from Santa? Very noticeable how the zoom maintained focus unlike the Samsung.
Same Samsung phone but getting a bit better at dealing with how terrible it is lol
Thanks for the video. Pilot Metropolitan is in deed a good EDC pen, I am using one in my office daily (japnese version). The thing is the EU version with standard converter, at least the two I have used and seen, plus some other reviws on internet all say the pen will bust the mouth of the converter. Two converters mine got bustet on the EU version, not that I plug in violently, just the notch inside is too big. So I got one from Japan via Ebay. don't know why it is made in EU. best regards
can you please compare with it with sheaffer vfm, if you have one..
If I get a VFM I will do a comparison
Haha I just started down this rabbit hole and I already have remorse pens. 😂🤦♀️🤷♀️
I have four of these, they are reliable writers. The only thing I don't like about them are the patterned bands - I like the silver and black ones best because they don't have any patterns on them. I.e., I prefer plain and simple :) Also, somewhat odd, there are no blue Metropolitans for some reason.
The Japanese version called the Cocoon has a nice blue. Wish they'd sell it here.
@@msd5808 Thanks .. didn't know that. I'll have to google it, just curious what it looks like.
Little over indulgence in the introduction to fountain pens. You’re so much more eloquent than I. But “little”?! You’re too kind. 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣
Hope your next pen is treasured!
I find blue ink boring, but this one you have at the end is so interesting... Is it the famous kon-peki? I don't see the interest to get a Metro in my case, but it's on my list as a gift. Great potential as a gateway drug!
Not 100% sure but I believe its Robert Oster Blue Water Ice, which is very close to Kon-Peki
I have never seen the "CM" nib marking. I have a number of Pilot Metropolitan pens because I like the colors available and I'm a big fan of Pilot's F and EF nibs. On a couple of mine, I have swapped in an EF nib from a Pilot Penmanship, and I'm very happy with them. I can always recommend a Metropolitan as a first fountain pen.
However, I hate those squeeze converters. What I generally do is syringe-fill and reuse cartridges with whatever ink I want. I'm not happy with any of Pilot's converters.
The Con 70 converter that I have in my Custom Heritage 912 pen holds a lot of ink. The Con 40 is great too.
I really liked the ink. What is it?
I think its Robert Oster Blue Water Ice
Aerometric fillers are great as they are by far the fastest. AND one-handed, which probably makes them less messy. However I think a better starting point would be a Varsity.
DBAG you are a Superstar 🌟🌟🌟
What an amazing detailed technical overview and exposition.
Please do more of these, they are absolutely fun, pass the 🍿 to watch 😍
The only Metro I ever gotten and returned, was the stub.
Awful nib, scratchy, dry and downright disappointing.
The thin and short, sharp step-up section, did nothing to earn any marks either.
If I'd kept it, it would have been one of my regrets.
IMHO there are far better starter pens than this well-engineered but poorly executed trainwreck 😱
What's next in your technical roster for review?
Thank you 🙏🙏🙏
Happy 2022 to You and All 🎇
I got a one coming up soon where I decided to go pretty deep!
i like mine
Mine writes well, but the ink sac broke down after about one year. Has anybody else had that experience? (I don’t remember the specific inks used, but I'm pretty conservative: Waterman, Quink, Diamine, etc.)
That's interesting; I've used two CON-Bs somewhat regularly and they are still good as new. I'm guessing mine will fail eventually, but I think you might have been unlucky with climate conditions, cleaning, or ink choice if it broke so soon.
My Pilot MR takes a schmidt K5 converter. I live in the uk so maybe European models are different.
Seems like it's different in different regions. Very curious 🤔
I have a plain jane all black Met which I only use with the much maligned con-40 and find it always to be an unfailingly reliable writer. As far as I'm concerned, whether it's the upscale 823, the elegant Elite, the solid Vanishing Point - you name it, Pilot is incapable of producing a bad pen.
Have a couple. However hard I tried to like them, can't do so. Both of mine dry out, and the nib performance is just average. The step up at the section/body is also an irritant to me. Build quality is good for the price.
How would this compare with Parker steel Jotter?
Not sure as I don't have the jotter
Con 40 is definitely garbage, waste of money! One has to run through hoops to fill it properly! Great review as usual!!!
What ink is that?
Edit: if you've seen/used kon-peki, how does it compare to it?
No idea what ink was in it
For my question, is are you AvE’s long lost cousin?!
We're related through incest only 😆
i want this so bad but in india this costs twice the fine/medium metro
Did you say "skookum?" If you didn't say you were from the PNW, that would have been the giveaway.
Im on the west coast of Canada in the Vancouver area. I lived in the Kootenays for a while as well and lots more Skookum talk in that region
Pretty and well built. But the sharp step, cant write with it …
Mr. Hands
JAZZHAND! 👐
Remorse pens. 😂 We all have them.
The pen looks so tiny.
Its a normal size pen, my hand is not a normal size hand
Not the pen for me. I like very few metal pens anyway and those ugly ‘waistbands’ are a killer along with the over-glitzy colours. Definitely for the younger crowd, I think.
Heh heh heh. Engineer thinks brass is aluminum. 😂
Never liked this pen whatsoever. Ditto the Lamy Safari and the Diplomat Magnum. The Metro’s design, all round appearance, the crappy converter, the very ordinary nib all combine to make the pen a kill-joy for me. I’ve enjoyed my own ‘starter’ pens that I like and admire far more. Like the Sheaffer No Nonsense, Waterman Phileas, Parker 51 and Sheaffer Junior Balance.
A good pen with a good nib (among the budget ones), but, unfortunately, the price has doubled, "thanks" to this covid show!