Lamy Al-Star vs. Pilot Metropolitan
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 31 มี.ค. 2016
- Are you considering your first Fountain Pen purchase? Today I’m comparing two of the most popular choices for fountain pen beginners! Let’s dive in, shall we?
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Normally for western brands (e.g., Lamy, Parker), Fine nib refers to .6mm whereas for Japanese brands (e.g., pilot) the nib is .45mm; Similarly, a EF from western brands usually is .5mm and a EF from Japan is .3mm. A medium pilot fountain pen is .6mm (that's the same as Lamy Fine).
Thanks for these numbers, good references.
There really are no standards for nib sizes, even in the west. I see the numbers you quote often, but no company I've talked to actually makes a point of following them. They're just an average taken from many different brands. Some brands say they use the same numbers mechanical pencils use, which are 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 0.9.
I think this is especially true for western brands that make fountain pens and mechanical pencils. I've been told that Pilot also uses these sizes, but starts with a fine nib at 0.3, and a medium nib at 0.5.
And, of course, the width of the nib does not automatically reflect the width of the line it produces. Two companies can use the same grind and width, but create nibs with a variance of 0.1 in either direction, just from the extremely minor differences in how they make the nib.
EF for Japan Platinum is .2mm
I have 2 Pilot Metropolitans. One is the all black one and the other is one of the animal print ones. I love them both. I see so many other pens out there that are so much more expensive, and I want so many if those too, but man is the Metropolitan a great place to start.
My Metropolitans easily outperform some of my much more expensive pens, they are really underrated.
Love it that your nails match the fine metropolitan
I had no idea one could fill fountain pens this way, I only knew about cartridges! Thank you for this enlightening video! I'll check the goulet channel, to see if they show how to do it!
+Ng Arzour You're very welcome! Definitely check out the Fountain Pen 101 series over on the Goulet channel... it's gold!
I just bought my first fountain pen, the Metropolitan. I’m super excited to get it after watching this video because I like to write very fine, so that writing demo made me happy I chose that one!
I have to comment on this that the size of the nibs is really hard to compare because of difference in the colour. if possible do the same comparison in the same colour for better comparison
Thanks for the review! I just started experimenting with fountain pens after discovering how much fun they are to sketch with. I purchased a Lamy because it was available in neon lime, my favorite color, but the grip really hurts my hands after an hour or so of sketching. Gonna try out the Metropolitan next, luckily it also comes in an acid green color.
The Pilot Metropolitan has a plastic grip section just like the Lamy Safari, Al-Star and Vista have. :)
Thank you so much for the recommendation. I already own a Safari but your video tipped the scaled into me wanting to try the Metropolitan so I went and treated myself today!
+mirnapants Awesome! I hope you love it as much as I do! :)
I just got a Lamy Safari with a Fine Nib and it is more of what Id expect a medium to be! So if anyone is thinking of ordering, Extra Fine in Lamy is probably more comparable to a true fine tip!
I found the same with my Kaweco Classic Sport with a fine nib. I cannot see much difference from a Kaweco medium.
Both Lamy and Kaweco are made in Germany. It must be a European standard.
Yes some sites have charts of the actual width. Lamy fine is ~0.7mm (bad on them for calling it fine) while Pilot fine is ~0.5mm.
Even the Lamy EF produces a much thicker line than I’d like. I acquired a beautiful $47 Lamy AL-Star EF but wound up going back to my $8 Pilot Kakuno bc I simply need a finer line for writing/note-taking than what I was getting from the Lamy EF nib. It’s a shame since everything else about the AL-Star (grip, weight, clip, appearance/color) is great.
That's exactly right. I usually buy medium nibs, but with the Lamy pens I have to buy fine to get the same width as medium in other brands. Trouble is, I find most fine Lamy nibs to be a little scratchy, but Lamy medium nibs are all buttery smooth, which means I buy them. It makes a difference in how I write.
@@vincedelapena No, it's caused by the fact that there are no standards for nib size. Never have been. Many of these companies started off with one nib size, usually whatever they liked personally in a fine. . If the next size they made was smaller, they called it an extra fine. If larger, they called it a medium.
This isn't a hard and fast rule, of course, but any standard for nib size is internal to that company. New companies will roughly copy what is already being done, but the difference is often noticeable, as with Lamy and many other brands, even those in Europe. And TWSBI is unique unto itself, as far as I can measure. They aren't quite European, but they aren't quite Japanese, either.
I have a beautiful silver Pilot Metropolitan with a fine nib. I just love the sleek look and how it writes. Thanks for the comparison.
Do you recommend any videos or channels to practice pretty cursive writing? :)
Try this,
th-cam.com/video/XGBpqJ3VFDQ/w-d-xo.html
Full detailed series for cursive, just a year late though.
I was considering the Lamy Al-Star before. You just pushed me over the edge.
Great video. You answered all my questions between the two. I appreciate that you showed the nib size differences and your advice on the dot pad---Thank you so much!
Hey Kara! I've noticed on your thumbnails there's an appearance of a light wash over them and I've almost skipped your videos in my subscription playlist before because it has the same look as a video that has already been watched. Just wanted to point it out in case it's happened to others! I always watching your videos - you put out lots of positive vibes! 😊
hello, I'm new in pilot Metropolitan and I'd like to know approx how many A4 pages can I write on both sides by a single fill of Metropolitan's stock convertor, My metropolitan has M nib and I don't really much bear down while writing.thanks
Thank you very much for this great demonstration. I have ordered a Pilot with fine nib and I see that it "fine" just as I like it. I have my father's broad point fountain pen and it almost gives me a cramp in my hand. You are an excellent speaker, you are very informative and I have enjoyed listening to your comparison.
Thank you for your review, budget wise, Im tipping the scale to Pilot Metro.
1:15 Touche! Goulet pens has been the main source of everything I know about pens and his educational videos have been the medium.
I just watched this video the other night. Then, the next day, someone is selling these same pens! Thanks to this video I knew exactly what they were and that I NEEDED one. I also knew I needed a converter and the finest nib possible for a Lamy. I ended up buying a nice Lamy Safari with a fine nib. Thanks again for providing such great content!
Thanks for this review! I actually ended up buying the Pilot Metropolitan with the teal color with that ink you mentioned in the video which I was able to get from Anderson Pens. I bought the pen from Goulet Pens as you suggested. Ink has already arrived, but I won't have my pen until Monday 11/101/2018. Very excited! thanks for such an in-depth review!
Literally going to go to Wonderpens in Toronto tomorrow to see which one of these feels better in the hand. Your timing is perfect! Love your vids
Thank you for posting this video! I need to pick up some metropolitans for my collection and this cinched it for me! I know it's been a while since you posted this video, but I'm wondering if you've seen the Al-Star does have a blue-green turquoise-ey one in their lineup :) Thanks again for all these wonderful videos, I'm getting ready to start my first bullet journal because of you!
"And I have this inked up with the fine nib." xD Anyway, great review! Thank you very much, Boho Berry, for making this video! This is actually the first video I have seen from you, but I enjoy it. I will stayed tune and watch some of your other video. :)
Thank you, I have a metropolitan and was planning on buying a safari. It took so long to find a comparison with the pilot F and LAMY EF but I finally fount it. Thank you very much.
I didn't know you can change the tip of the Lamy, so I'm definitely getting a EF one for my tiny handwriting.So, thanks for that. :) And I totally like the grip of the Lamy, because with that the pen lies very comfortable between my fingers, I can write for ages without getting exhausted.
I just bought my first fountain pen... It's shipping from Japan... This video makes me feel so antsy! I'm so ready to use it!
Thank you so much Cara. You have helped me a lot. I am about tu buy my first fauntain pen and it will be Lamy XF. :) Regards from Poland. :)
I started with a Jinhao x450 and have just ordered a teal Metropolitan because i cant keep my eyes off it. Im offically addicted to fountain pens. This video was really helpful despite only seeing it now.
This just helped me decide whether I'll get a Lamy EF or a Pilot Metro Fine or a Pilot Metro Medium. I already ordered a Lamy F and since it is somehow similar to the Pilot Metro Medium and its difference with the Lamy EF is not that noticeable, I guess I'll go with the Pilot Metro Fine. Thank you so much for this video, it helped me a lot!
LOVED this. I have both, and never compared the writing. I forgot that you could get the different nibs for the Lamy, and I know for sure what's going in my next Goulet order.
+Beth Richardson Yes! I'll be ordering the stub nibs soon... I just love that they're interchangeable :)
Thank you so so much for this 😍🙏🏻
Do you have a video showing how to ink up the pens?
Thanks for another helpful video! I have admired fountain pens from afar but have only used the Pilot and Bic disposables. I'm ready to move up to a big girl pen! ;) I would love to see a video about inking the pens. I'm afraid of ink going everywhere!
+Sharon Korkes You're very welcome, Sharon! I don't have many fountain pen videos but I HIGHLY recommend checking out the Goulet Pens channel here on YT. They've got a great Fountain Pen 101 series that should help you tons :)
I ordered my first fountain pen today. Lamy Al star medium nib
Lekker Pineapple same i just ordered it like a few minutes ago
I really hope you're still active
The writing sample was really informative not like others ... thank-you . ❤
Great comparison! Another possible "first" pen could be the Platinum Preppy - I got 10 for about $20! At that price they could be disposables. There is also a metal bodied "Plaisir", basically the same. They need proprietary fillers, but you can get a small adaptor that allows you to use international standard cartridges and fillers.
I have always loved fountain pens, but I'm scared of ink going everywhere. Do you have a video of inking the pens? That would be where I would be captain klutz with the ink. If I can master that I will be using them. I love all the different colors of ink.
+Peggy Coffey I don't have many fountain pen videos but I HIGHLY recommend checking out the Goulet Pens channel here on YT. They've got a great Fountain Pen 101 series that should help you tons :)
I have a medium and fine metro. I really like the fine better just because it is more fine. BTW nice penmanship and pretty color inks.
Thank you for the useful video~ I am really a big fan of fountain pen. I am going to buy one Pilot, it looks so good~ Recently, I really like my Kaweco fountain pen, I really like the mint green color! but it is little short and doesn't have a fitted converter.
New to fountain pens. Found the Pilot M at an Office Depot but has black cartridge. How do you get different color inks like you are showing?
If the pen you got comes with a converter (a kind of pipette like squeeze converter with that pen) you can use it with bottled ink.
I see a difference. I love that extra-fine script. Great video
OK you sold me. I ordered that gorgeous turquoise Metropolitan and the new Lamy Pacific in the gorgeous ocean blue. I also ordered a bunch of sample inks to try out. you have created a monster. I can't wait for them to get here.
Peggy Coffey I did the same. That turquoise pen is beautiful.
Me too! I bought the same as you. I have gone down the fountain pen "rabbit hole" love them so much!
You have just helped me make a decision on a pen! Thank you! Wanting to try the Pacific and because you pointed out the see through feed/nib I have decided to get the All-star. I am assuming since it is German made it is an excellent piece of equiptment. German engineering is the best. Now, I am looking for shading. Do you know which is best? I am thinking medium nib. Want to use i bullet journal too. Thanks.
where can I get that teal Sheaffer skrip ink?
Such a great helpful video, funnily enough i ordered the lamy Joy just yesterday, i hope it'll be just as good as the Al-Star.
Sadly in UK i couldn't find a membership scheme for ink samples, so maybe you could do a monthly review and demo of yours?
That would be absolutely awesome!
@ Miss Defiance check out The Writing Desk in England they sell ink samples.
your writing is so awsome... love your review...
Do you know if there a special model of the Lamy I would need to order being left handed? I have always loved fountain pens but struggle with them. Some say you need a left handed pen, others say no.
+Sheilah Passegger I think as long as you stick with a finer nib and a quick-drying ink you'll be just fine. Being right-handed though, I can't really speak from experience
Thank you! I will try that.
I feel like the most common fountain pen brand where I live (Belgium) is Parker. I've always written with fountain pens (since 4th grade, really) and I only have Parker pens.
Have you ever gotten your hands on one? Do you have an opinion? :-)
+Justine B. I haven't tried Parker pens yet (besides rollerballs), but when I do I'll be sure to share :)
Hi Kara, really love your videos! Thanks for all the work you put in!
Just wanted to let you know that there is indeed a turquoise Lamy Al-Star. The color is called bluegreen and I already got one of this beauties at home :oD. Dont know if they are selling it in the US though. Keep my fingers crossed for you to find one ;o)
+hagazussa KdA Oh cool! I'm off to search... thanks! :)
So half the price, it's better on cheap paper, allows any grip and comes with a converter for bottled ink right out of the box? That's a no brainer for me
I loved your review!
+Anna Claire Thank you Anna! :)
@Miss Defiance. The Writing Desk in England sells ink samples. Check out there website.
I like Japanese fountaun pens more because in the west the F nib is more like an M whereas in Japanese or Eastern pens they tend to be smaller regarding F nibs. This is important for me because I heard that F nibs are better on cheap paper an being a student, I can't really buy expensive notebooks for school notes
Very helpful review. I am a medium nib girl usually. I have a metropolitan with a medium nib. I am thinking of the Lamy, and I was going to get it with a medium nib but may go to fine after watching this. I was also thinking of the broad Lamy nib, but thanks to your reviews, I can see it would be too broad for my purposes. Thanks. P.S.: The Lamy also has a turquoise pen now !
Haha 😂 took me quite awhile to figure out the cardboard collar on the Lamy was preventing the ink from flowing. 🤦♀️😆
Great review - love it. I almost feel that a fairer comparison would be the Metropolitan with the Safari as they are closer in price. Then the difference in quality for the same price becomes apparent with the Metropolitan definitely superior (my opinion). But I get that you wanted to compare two metal versions. I love the Metropolitans, they are such good quality for the price. My first Lamy was a horrible pen, had serious ink floe problems so I never got into them. But I just ordered an Al-Star and wanted to have another go at them, hopefully I am as happy with it as most people seem to be. Thanks for your video - loved it.
great video..and ur handwritting is superb
Ordered my first Pilot MR (Metropolitan) in fine just before watching your video :) I rate Pilot pens highly but have not tried any of their fountain pens before. Lamy Al-Star are about the same price as the MR in the UK average £17 give or take a couple of pounds either way. Lamy in general are fantastically dependable and versatile.
+Tony Strongman Awesome! I love them both, it was so hard to chose one over the other... luckily I don't have to haha :)
I have a Al Star the same as yours. I also have a Jinhoa X750. It writes well, but my Lamy is bulletproof. I bought it 20 years ago and use it every day. I just feed it cartridges and it never varies. If anything it writes better than new. Sure I'd love a Mont Blanc but it would probably not write any better. I do not care about appearance. Just performance and reliability. If you want that, no question, its the Lamy. And they will still be around in another 50 years. Will Jinhao?
Funny I love Sheaffer inks. Most people don't. They make the most true red for FP.
Try a 1mm cm nib on a Metropolitan retro pop.
Easy to get in the USA.
Or swap a B stub nib from a Pluminix as someone else mentioned in the comments.
It's really easy to do.
I have a Pilot Kakuno in blue and white with a smiley face on the nib. I think you would love it. Only $14 and the nibs swap from a $8 Pilot Pluminix or the Plumix if you like a great fine nib.
you can replace the nib on the metropolitan too! hold the nib, twist a little so it gets looser and pull the nib and feed right out.
I'm a beginner in fountain pen and just got my first pen, can you use any paper for fountain pens? Or does it requires different paper to write with?
Jennifer Bee depends, the broader nib, the more ink it will let onto the paper and the more ink on the paper can cause feathering if the paper is on cheaper side. So if you are writing on cheaper paper, go with finer nibs. You just need to keep in mind that fountain pen inks are runnier than for example ballpoint inks.
You should try the Wing Sung 6359. A Lamy al star homage. Have a look at some reviews of it.
Lovely colours and cheap. Slow shipping from China is the only downside.
I can't tell you how perfect this video was for me... I'm getting the Lamy in medium for watercolor sketching but wanted to get a metropolitan and couldn't decide on size so to see them all next to each other was great!! Thanks, Jen
Hi Kara!! I just found your blog/channel last week and have completely fallen down the BuJo rabbit hole (I'm a long time lister....it was time to organize!) Anyway, I hope no one asked this already but...any advice for lefties wanting to try fountain pens?! I've heard they are not always our friends, but thought I should probably ask someone more in the know before I decide! Thanks!!
+Caitlin Scott Hi Caitlin! I would say to try to go for a finer nib. Also, there are some quick-drying inks out there that are great for lefties. The key is dry time. The faster your ink dries on the page, the less likely you are to smear as you write. I hope that helps! :)
+Boho Berry Yes, that does help!! Thank you :)
+Caitlin Scott I'm so glad you asked thus as I was wondering the same myself. Thanks!
Caitlin Scott Goulet Pens has a series of videos for lefty advice
The table, your nails, the pen.. We all knew you love turquoise 😄.. Wait.. Turquoise ink too(just reached that part of the video) .. Lol
Great video I’m sold on a lamy but Alstar or lx...
That's a nice handstyle
I only have Lamy pens (all Safaris), but in Europe the price between the two is nearly identical, so there isn't such a big pricing difference as you have in the US. I looked at Metropolitan pens, but it was really hard to get my hands on a fine and somehow the strip of patterns in the middle of the pen really turned me off.
Great video though! I'd been wondering about this lately.
+Kia Zi Shiru Thanks Kia, I wasn't aware of the price difference in Europe. That is really interesting :)
I have a Lamy Safari and I reuse the ink cartridge it came with, instead of getting a converter. I did get some syringes that I can use to take ink from a bottle or vial and put into the cartridge. I have a few "cheapy" fountain pens that have no converter options, so the syringe route is really helpful.
+Angela Steinkamp That's genius! I actually have a syringe too, but I use it to fill my converter from ink samples, otherwise it's really hard to fill a pen from those tiny little vials :)
this was so helpful thx a lot. i just bought the lamy al star. in germany they are slightly cheaper :-).
Yes, you’re saying Ajisai correctly, Kara. It’s the color of Morning Glory, which is one of the flowers adored in Japan in summer.
German and Japanese
Try a Jinhao X750 with a Goulet nib. Chinese pens are great. X750 is available in many colours and comes with a free converter.
The Pilot Metropolitan fine nib is extra fine compared to other fine nibs. Disappointed since the thickness of nib affects my handwriting. Waiting for Jinhao and if that doesn't please me, I'll go for the latest Lamy LX.
Brand pronunciation is more like Luhmy with the u pronounced as in but or butter. :) Apart from that I really love my Lamy collection but I prefer the heavier Studio to the lighter Safari or Al-Stars, though I prefer the shaped grip section of the Safari or Al-Star to the roundish Studio.
I could never really justify spending $37-44 on a pen when so many cheaper ones are out There (TWSBI has 2, Pilot has 2, Diplotmat, etc.) But I finally found a Lamy Safari on Amazon for $15 and I bought it and I have to say, it is one of the best pens I own now. THe price is a little steep, but I feel like its definitely worth it. The fit&finish of the pen is above Pilot Metropolitans imo and on par with the TWSBIS but with the added benefit of swappable nibs for only $14
anyone have experience cleaning out their squeeze converters?
Bro don't get pilot I have and pilot safari is better
13:43 you are pronouncing it correctly. :) (I am taking Japanese)
The Ajisai is pronounced ah-gee-sah-eye (four syllables, non-stressed).
Seriously? I hit '5' to scroll to the middle of the video and heard "all right, let's go!". For the rest of you, it's 11:37
I love fountain pens
Ich verfolge deine Videos immer mit Begeisterung 😊. Seitdem schreibe ich auch wieder mit Füller ( Lamy ) . Auch wenn ich deiner Sprache nicht so folgen kann 😔. Aber ich finde deine Schrift ein Wahnsinn und Versuch es manchmal auch so hinzubekommen .👍lg
+Kristina Gehlert
Ich danke dir sehr! Ich bin froh, dass du meine Videos mögen :) Und ich hoffe, dass dieses Recht heraus kommt ... Ich bin mit Google Translate haha !
hallo, wie schon gesagt , deine Videos sind supi, nur schade das es viele Sachen die du nutzt bei uns nicht erhältlich sind ,zum Beispiel deine Pilot Metropolitan oder sehr teuer:o(. Schön das es mit der Übersetzung so gut geht , liebe Grus :o)
Such a nice video! I use the Lamy Al-Star in school and I love it! I've had mine for almost four years now and it is still in great shape. I was wondering if you could tell me why you don't use the ink provided? I didn't even know there was a different option to the normal ink cartridges. I am so happy to have found your channel! Your videos are great and give so much inspirations Love from Austria, Anna
+Anna Sophie Thanks Anna! I just like the variety of colors you get in different bottles of ink vs. being stuck with the limited color selection of cartridges. Nothing against the ink itself :)
You pronounced ajisai correctly, it means hydrangea, if I remember well it's a plant which need really clean environment to live so in Japan can be a symbol of purity.
Fountain pens 🖊 are just better will last a lifetime especially if looked after.
Great video
I bet you bought the Lamy AL Pacific Blue. Got your turquoise in a Lamy
Nice review. I would have liked to see how they fill as well to see ease of filling and neatness.
I love the color teal, saddly there's no teal safari-like
Pedro Jose This years Limited Edition Lamy Safari in Petrol is a dark teal. It is a very beautiful colour. I would get one, as long as they are still available.
it'll have to wait a month or 2 lol.
Hi Kara! I love your videos...I seriously can't get enough! I'm considering purchasing a Lamy, but I'm new to fountain pens and don't know how to fill the cartridges up with ink. Would you ever consider making a video on how to ink fountain pens up both pilot metros and lamys since they're different cartridge types?
I really miss Boho Berry ..
I don't know, I may be wrong but your 'M' in Metropolitan has 1 extra mountain
If you truly want a extra fine point go with Pilot, however Metropolitan does not come in extra fine
I returned both because both sucked. Lamy's fixed triangle means you can't write with the side of the nib. Counterproductive. Also, the weight was top-heavy. Pilot is too light and the hard round grip is uncomfortable after a while. Ended up using Pilot Dr. Grip Gel, gel pen, gel grip is the way to go.
In India lamy nib costs more than the alstar
The Lamy All Star pen makes a beautiful color they call blue green. I have one & it is gorgeous
Can't beat Pilot in terms of quality and price. Lamy's nibs are known for terrible QC. You'll sometimes get a thicker EF from an F etc. While the Pilot has great bang for your buck, with very consistent pens.
I will say 100% the same for their higher end pens. Bought a $300 pen from Lamy, and from Pilot. A Dialog 3, and a Custom 823. Right out of the box, my Lamy Safari wrote better than the Dialog, meanwhile, the Custom 823 is my #1 pen.
Better get a Metro now since it will have a price increase, from $15 to $25, because the new Pilot pen is going to replace the $15 price. Still though, even at $25, you're getting a LOT of value for that price point.
What excuse... your handwriting is like charm