Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen Overview

The Pilot Metropolitan is a new entry-level fountain pen from Pilot that is really exciting to me. It looks good, writes well, and is affordable. We recommend this frequently as a fantastic starter fountain pen, great for beginners and experienced alike. Made in Japan, the quality is solid.
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Introduction
1:10 Unboxing
2:05 Models
3:00 Converter
5:40 Body
6:45 Comparison
7:40 Nib
10:25 Inking & Writing
15:10 Conclusion
Check out our other videos on the Pilot Metropolitan fountain pens:
Pilot Metropolitan Retro Pop collection: • Pilot Metropolitan Ret...
Pilot Metropolitan Animal collection: • Pilot Metropolitan in ...
Pilot Metropolitan vs LAMY Safari: • Pen Battle: LAMY Safar...
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LINKS TO PRODUCTS FEATURED:
Pilot Metropolitan: www.gouletpens.com/collection...
ABOUT GOULET PENS:
Brian & Rachel Goulet started The Goulet Pen Company in 2009 and you can see the evolution of our mom and pop into a full-blown company through this channel. We run a dedicated online store with fountain pens, ink, paper, and other fine writing accessories. Our goal with this channel is to provide fountain pen fans at all levels of experience with comprehensive product reviews, round ups, and how-to videos to answer all the fountain pen questions you may have. Shop at www.gouletpens.com.
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[@hariwebbyin152]

It's 2019 now, and yes indeed, the pen became very famous. I love my Pilot Metropolitan. God bless the fountain pen community.

[@shoesalesman5516]

hari webbyin dont forget it now come in different nib sizes now

[@brianbogosian5845]

@@shoesalesman5516 Is it difficult to change nibs?

[@ungamertipico7656]

@@brianbogosian5845 not really, they're rlly tight

[@challengerjj9760]

Its SO good

[@Hexsyn]

It is hard for me to think of what getting into fountain pens was like before the metro came out!

[@polynikes5631]

The Pilot Metropolitan was my gateway pen. Now I'm a full-fledged addict with a loooong wishlist of pens, inks, and notebooks.

[@Gouletpens]

You're not alone! The Metropolitan has done that to many people, myself included! Great first pen though. - Colin

[@ginger15]

Just ordered. Should I be worried?

[@dalek9554]

Parker hotter was my gate way pen. Once you get into this you really can’t stop haha

[@lesliefelix3914]

Poly Nikes this entire video was my gateway drug

[@GeorgiaDawgAthens]

IRT Poly Nikes who wrote, "... Now I'm a full-fledged addict with a loooong wishlist of pens, inks, and notebooks." Welcome to the club. 😀 I favor dip pens more but, still enjoy my fountain pens.

[@MaxBerkowitzMinemax]

Introduction: 0:00 Unboxing: 1:10 Models: 2:05 Converter: 3:00 Body: 5:40 Comparison: 6:45 Nib: 7:40 Inking & Writing:10:25 Conclusion: 15:10 Hope this helps you out:)

[@Gouletpens]

Thanks, I'll add these to the description! :) - Colin

[@slightlyrancidcheese]

You are a god sent

[@Antichrist.318]

Thanks man

[@wickedamoeba8719]

Thank you!

[@evipingleihe9552]

US:Pilot Metropolitan China:Pilot 88G Europe:Pilot MR Japan:Pilot cocoon

[@henryjones6538]

Omg this helped me bcoz I thought the Mr was different I was looking in Amazon and I was like HELP

[@evipingleihe9552]

henry jones where are you living

[@user-ue4nq3kc3j]

Pinglei He are metropolitan and MR exactly the same , I heard something about MR having larger nib

[@evipingleihe9552]

grumpy communist Exactly the same. MR uses a standard international cartridge.

[@user-ue4nq3kc3j]

Pinglei He thanks

[@shouryabansal7883]

I'm here from the future: You were on point. It is now known as one of the best starter pens out there. And yes, they do have fine.

[@Ulitemyfyre]

Too bad they doubled the price

[@giladbauman6927]

@@Ulitemyfyre it’s a thing called inflation which caused increases with everything. If it makes you feel better it’s not actually really double the price when you compare currency value

[@maverator]

Plus there have been several firmware updates since launch.

[@LorianandLothric]

@@giladbauman6927 It’s also because the pen became popular so demand is high. No surprise the pen costs more now

[@ronshaw80]

These were my starter pens. My son, a big fountain pen buff, recommended the Metropolitain as a good starter pen. I got a fine and a medium nib, and they are great pens. Hard to believe they are so inexpensive, as they perform way above their price.

[@Gouletpens]

They are a great first (and everyday) pen! -Margaret

[@Gouletpens]

I know! I'm thrilled to see at least one company looking to get people into fountain pens.

[@arghyadipghoshg18]

10 years later viewer .... I have bought Pilot Metropolitan now 2023 (18years)...😂😂❤❤ best pen I have ever used till now

[@avananana]

I shouldn't buy this. I've heard stories about people getting addicted to caligraphy after their first purchase... let's do it. I will sell my soul so my handwriting turns beautiful.

[@Gouletpens]

Ha! You could do a lot worse than the Pilot Metropolitan, both in terms of quality & price. Best of luck! - Colin

[@pammysue0802]

I love my Pilot Metropolitan. My favorite pen to write with.

[@kevinnguyen552]

Avana true! ever since Everytime I go to the shower I do some faux calligraphy When I’m in class fountain to take notes I even do pencil calligraphy I wrote with the side and do black letter

[@nathangrabotin1028]

I went and bought one of these pens after watching your review. I wanted a fountain pen because I find that writing for long periods of time with a ball point pen my hand cramps up. I am happy to say I am quite pleased with this pen.

[@Gouletpens]

Nathan Grabotin Awesome! The Metropolitan is a great choice :) -Margaret

[@Gouletpens]

I'm glad to hear that! There's always more to learn about these pens, I'm immersed in it every day and still learn a ton of new stuff each day.

[@rickrudge9349]

Pilot was genius for bringing this pen out. It got a lot of us started with Pilot’s other pen models. They make such good quality products.

[@nathansingh2057]

Great videos Brian! I actually went out and bought a Pilot Metro after watching this a while back. Pretty impressive and affordable fountain pen. Will be buying the stub nib version from you shortly. Keep up the good work!

[@LauraJayne64]

Wow!!! OMG!! I just received this pen in the mail today!!! I thought I loved my Lamy pens! I just can’t put into words the difference!! I am so hooked now!! I can’t wait to try some bottled inks! Thank you so much!!!

[@MonicaLabbao_littlemonicat]

Proud owner of a Pilot Metropolitan here since 2019. I now exclusively write with it now

[@Gouletpens]

It's not going to be for another month, we're backordered on them from Pilot :P These have apparently been some pretty popular pens, no big surprise here! I'm glad you like my videos, I will keep them coming!

[@MrBahBZ]

Great review with a ton of helpful information and examples. I just bought a Pilot Metropolitan and am anxiously awaiting it in the mail!

[@ndbyers23]

Brian, thanks for this video, I couldn’t quite remember how to clean and fill my pilot metropolitan. Again, my thanks!

[@georgeargyris7834]

an excellent pen to buy!I have one with M medium nib it writes smoothly like a fine one.Buy one it worth money spent.

[@conniegoldstein2772]

I just love love love this pen! Now I'm hooked on Fountain pens, even my favorite mechanical pencil won't do any more.Darn you, Goulet Pens, I'll never be able to go back now

[@Gouletpens]

The Metropolitan is such a great way to introduce people to the world of fountain pens. Glad you're enjoying it! - Colin

[@animetrailer5808]

watching this in 2024 and it is going strong for 11 Years. Excellent prediction and excellent videos keep up the good work.

[@user-sf9gs2pg1b]

Love your videos! I just got into fountain pens, and I’m using them to take notes. Your videos are very informative.

[@Gouletpens]

It does well, even though it's a medium nib, it's pretty fine actually, so on cheaper paper it'll work well especially if you pare it with an ink that handles 'normal' paper well.

[@Hdheo6272]

Just bought this pen and blue ink cartridges from amazon. I used to use parker years ago and now am trying to get back into fountain pens. Can't wait until I write with it

[@billmcyrus]

This along with the Parker Frontier got me into fountain pens. A year later it's still hard to imagine what my life would be like without this pen. Because it writes so well for the price it correctly directed my attention to getting more inks, which it succeeds at making the star of the show. This to me is a great favor to the new enthusiast.

[@outdoorsythings2573]

March 27th, 2024. I just bought my pilot metropolitan yesterday, my first fountain pen, with a fine nib. was so excited to get home and try it. what a fabulous experience. the feel of it on the paper watching the letters form, after a hr id never written so well in my life, clean, crisp lines. I got mine in bright red because I lose stuff easy., also got the piston converter, and some Platinum, carbon ink black, im looking forward to a new hobby, since I already collect tobbaco pipes, and watchs.

[@Gouletpens]

I don't think the cap will hurt it, because it has a plastic insert inside the cap that touches the metal body as it posts, so there's not actually metal-on-metal. It's hard for me to say how the finish will hold up over time because the pens aren't very old yet, but I suspect they'll hold up pretty well. I personally like the gold color, I don't think it's too gaudy. The fact it's kind of a satin finish is good, if it was all shiny gold it would probably be a bit much.

[@kevincollier4147]

Just received one of these from you guys and it is a fantastic pen. Not just for the price, but is an excellent pen. Has elbowed it's way into the Pelikan 215, Parker 45 rotation!

[@JoseRomero-kx5ex]

2012 was 8 years ago, almost a decade. Damn i feel old

[@peapod8]

Nice video. Eight years later, this pen comes in quite a few brilliant colors and offers a regular type of converter now as well. It takes standard Pilot disposable cartridges, btw, people should know. And, best of all, the Metropolitan now comes in fine point. I bought seven and gave away two. Lovely gifts....

[@marcgasper8226]

I have three of them, of various age, and I like them all. Most consistent fountain pens of all I tried and for the money the best pen in my opinion. The feel, the looks, the manufacturing, the way it write, how good is it in the hand and gliding over the paper. It is just perfect. If I ever had to choose one fountain pen, that would be Metro.

[@blake3243]

Thank you for the review! This helped A lot!

[@LordWhatever]

I love my fine nib black Pilot pen. I totally recommend this one for any artist out there looking for a fountain pen to draw detailed lines. I use a Pilot / Lamy "combo" for my sketches, the feel and weight is so satisfying 😌👌.

[@Gouletpens]

I'm glad you got it so fast! That's what we shoot for ;) I'm glad you like my review, but even more that you like the pen. I'm really, really excited about what this pen can do for the writing community.

[@anacquiredtaste3582]

I love my pilot metropolitan!

[@madeofglitterr]

This was so satisfying and thorough, thank you

[@bigirv305]

Just received my in from your company. Big surprise receiving it before Christmas. It writes awesome my first fountain pen and it will just grow from here

[@Gouletpens]

Yay! Enjoy it :) -Margaret

[@Gouletpens]

Definitely! I'm thrilled to see new pens in this price range, most other companies are killing off their starter pens!

[@slimecorn]

Just got mine today! Absolutely love it

[@Gouletpens]

Are you testing it with the same inks/papers as your other pens? That can make a huge difference. I don't really know what to say otherwise, the one I used in the Nib Nook is consistent with all the ones I've been seeing come through my shop.

[@edisonsiew5450]

I just ordered one with the dots today and I also ordered a different converter for it too! Can't wait till I get it!

[@STScott-qo4pw]

Update please? I am waiting another two days until mine (fine point) arrives in the mail. BTW, what colour inks do you use in it?

[@Videogamefan1992]

Just ordered mine from your website! Can't wait to use it.

[@rogerbello4649]

Just got it in the mail today. Ordered it on Friday got it on Monday! Now that's FAST shipping, thanks everyone at Goulet Pens for such a quick turn around. Brian you were right on target from the smoothness to your comment to me about the Gold not being to "Gaudy'. Looks and writes great and feels very solid. Picked up also a Stub Plumix to mix it up a bit. Great accurate review. Thank you

[@beeljr]

Got my metropolitan a couple days ago. It came in a plastic case with a clear top so you can see the pen. Flips open, it's pretty neat. It came with a sheet that calls the "cleaning converter" a "plate press"

[@Gouletpens]

I'm glad you're enjoying it! This pen has really been a homerun, I'm thrilled that Pilot brought it into the US.

[@Pancho942]

Thanks for the suggestions, Red Dragon looks great!

[@Gouletpens]

TWSBI has been making improvements on its pen designs, I haven't heard of nearly the issues with the Mini or 580 as I did with the 540, plus they stand behind their products and send replacement parts if there are any issues. That said, I'm a big fan of some of the newer pens that have come out, like the Monteverde Intima, Platinum Cool, and Pilot Metropolitan.

[@hosseinmohammadnezhad6798]

OH MY GOD THIS INK COLOR IS AMAZING, WOW!!!!

[@evans6710]

I took your advice I bought one got it yesterday and I love it

[@Pancho942]

good to see another good, inexpensive pen, as i dont make much money from the restaurant i work at. I will be ordering one from you guys soon, along with a new ink, most likely some type of red. Thank you!

[@flp.88]

Thanks for a thorough review. I'm going to try the Metropolitan. It will be my first fountain pen.

[@Gouletpens]

Definitely! The Varsity is a pretty cool pen, it actually writes great for the price. We're thinking about bringing them back (we used to carry them but haven't in a while).

[@Kyubi888Naruto]

A couple of days ago I bought a Zebra V-301 Fountain Pen. It was my first fountain pen, and I am enjoying writing with the thing. I was doing research on fountain pens, because I was initially having trouble writing with the thing. Then I stumbled upon your channel, and watched some videos. Just ordered a Pilot Metropolitan from your store. Can't wait to use it at work and school. I appreciate all the informative videos. Keep up the good work. P.S. I got the Noodler's Black inc instead of the ink you used in this video. All black everything!

[@Gouletpens]

Great choices! Noodler's Black is an excellent ink as well, so should be a good workhorse combo for you. - Colin

[@CrimsonCrime2234]

I have this pen, it's great!!!! I use as my daily writing pen.

[@ladymorti]

Eight years later I've just recently bought one (bronze lizard) and I love it!

[@Gouletpens]

Thanks! I actually really debated about making the converter part its own video, I may still do that for easier reference. At least I have it in a video now.

[@johnkelly2169]

Excellent and very clear review. I've had a TWSBI 540 about a year now, and while the writing/drawing pressure and glide is superb, the build quality/design doesn't work so well. (Cracked barrels, leak etc...) Do you have anything you could recommend - with a more traditional fountain pen design - that would write as well as my TWSBI? Any thoughts you have would be greatly appreciated.

[@LauraSinnott]

just bought this pen and ink with no clue how to refill it, thanks for the instruction!

[@lunadragongirl]

Just picked up this lovely pen today, in the Purple Leopard colour. Glad to hear I made the right choice for my first "real" fountain pen (that wasn't the purple Pilot disposable fountain pens). I too would LOVE if they came out with a fine nib version of this!

[@STScott-qo4pw]

pilot metropolitans come with a fine nib. Just bought one! apparently you can buy an alternate nib (medium, fine) and swap out.

[@rvanoop]

Pilot Metropolitan is such a beauty.I own a white one.Nib is such a gem.Great review brother 👍

[@ronniefromOR]

this looks great.. perfect Christmas gift for my niece ... heck, she might get two!

[@TheSomsom3]

Just bought this pen last week. It feels really good in hand and allows for a precise writing.

[@Gouletpens]

+TheSomsom3 Yeah, it's a great affordable pen. My Metropolitan was one of the first fountain pens I really liked. - Colin

[@oliverburke]

Thank you, Brian! I reckoned it was a suction converter, but your vid clarified it for me. Very nice vid. Yes, all, you have to get the WHOLE nib in the ink, to ensure you hear the air bubbles while you're pressing out, and it should suck it all up. The pen writes smoothly on the 240 pg. Paperblanks Aurelia unlined journal that I just bought. I had a medium Montblanc, but its ink delivery is too thick for me. I tried a couple of calligraphy nibs, but they were too scratchy on this nice thick paperblank paper (fountain pen ink doesn't bleed through this paper :). I tried the $45 Pilot Prera fine (F), and it's nice, fine (more like an extra fine (EF)), wicked precise and looks great, but it still turned out to be sort of scratchy on this paper. It didn't come with a reusable converter, so I bought the twist suction converter for it. The Prera could really be used for drawing - it's so precise for that. So, I went to back to the Maido store and got the $20 Metropolitan (F), which writes smoother than the Pilot Prera (F) with only a sliiightly thicker line - kind'a what I wanted. And the metro comes with the suction converter. I like how fountain pens are environmentally less impactful than even cartridge replacing ballpoint pens like my (old reliable, but now to be retired, Parker), or throw away or recyclable pens. I am delighted because with all those pages of journal writing ahead of me, I wanted to enjoy every stroke. Interesting that this $20 pen can delight more than a $40 Prera (in a different way) and a $500 Montblanc (which I'd be glad to trade for an F or EF one if anyone's keen to (SF Bay Area)). The Lamy (F) that I tested earlier today had lines that were too think for me too. Thanks again, Brian!

[@Gouletpens]

I've really come to love this company lately!

[@poserGirl863]

I have this pen. I love this pen. But I didn't know that the cap fits on the back. Maybe because my hands are very small so I never tried it out.

[@nimotaranger8252]

wolfie lol

[@rogerbello4649]

Thank you for the review it was very good. I just ordered the Gold Plain one and was wondering what your thoughts on the finish was. Meaning do you think the capping will scratch the finish any. I am always concerned about certain finishes on metal bodies. I also was wondering if the Gold finish might look too "hokey" if you get what I mean. I got the Gold because I just have too many Black pens. For the price I could not pass it up. Thanks again.

[@FranciscoHernandez-lk2ex]

So far I have only used a Pilot Varsity and I think once I finish up those pens, I'm definitely getting this!!

[@Gouletpens]

About the same, I find. Though sometimes the Lamy nibs can feel a bit scratchy in the finer sizes, the Pilots are all pretty smooth.

[@Gouletpens]

I personally love the metro, it's the best pen with all factors considered. It is a medium nib, but Pilot grinds it pretty fine, it's not like writing with a Lamy medium. The nice thing about a Safari though, is that the nibs swap out and you can have a pen that's more versatile in the long run. I've never used a 78, but I hear good things.

[@Gouletpens]

These are great pens, in any color ;) We've had a hard time keeping them in stock, apparently they're selling well for Pilot b/c we'll get backordered from time to time.

[@genericwhitemale1114]

Just bought this from your website. When I was in the Army a few years ago the company commander had a nice fountain pen he used to sign some of my paperwork. It looks really cool and he held the pen much lighter than how everyone holds a ball point. I rarely write but I write my own bill of ladings (I drive trucks for costco) so I write on regular copy paper so I got the fine nibbed metropolitan. I assume it'll get here sometime within the next 2 weeks.

[@genericwhitemale1114]

@Shrekshya Khadka I liked it. My truck got broken into and the pen stolen along with my backpack so I switched to the platinum preppy. The Metro has some weight to it so it'll take a sec to get used to but I enjoyed it.

[@TheDinoShow200]

Welp, I'm sold.

[@Gouletpens]

Haha, it's okay! I'm puzzled, I don't know what's causing it to write so broad...the only other thing I can think is perhaps there are some paper fibers stuck in the tines that are causing it to write kind of like a felt-tip marker...might be a long shot but it's worth inspecting.

[@kevinnguyen552]

Beautiful

[@Gouletpens]

Depends what stores ;) Yeah, it's available for sale, though I don't know what stores (other than my own) are choosing to carry it.

[@stephenbaluran1177]

Man, the Goulet Pen Company has come a long way, like Brian's hair. Keep it up, y'all!

[@stapleboss]

Just wanted to let you know that I bought my 1st fountain pen yesterday - and it is a Pilot Metropolitan. I just found your video today and damn did you predict it 4 years ago. Must feel good to be right and have it captured on the internet forever.

[@Gouletpens]

It's a great pen, so it'd easy to predict. It was my first fountain pen too! - Colin

[@russianbear0027]

Very well, thank you for your assistance!

[@Gouletpens]

Yeah, sorry about being out of stock...apparently they're popular everywhere, we have been backordered from Pilot USA, so as soon as they get more in, we'll have them in!

[@thomastakeshita4979]

Yeah this was my first pen! Its a great starter pen!

[@viarnay]

Still one of the best starter fountain pens ever

[@Gouletpens]

I think it is, it's also what used to come in the (now discontinued) Pilot Knight.

[@bob963me]

The cleaning converter seems to be the same converter that came with the G78, works quite well.

[@narmisaaaaan9555]

There is a show called prison break and this guy looks kinda like one of the brothers named Lincoln (idk if that's how they spell it in the show)

[@theconcreteslabs2972]

totaly

[@robertogonzalez6083]

+narmi saaaaan true! oh my goodness, my sister and i just finished watching this show like 3 days ago. like, what¿

[@bikkies]

Several months into my FP addiction and with well over 500 FPs in my stash, several are the UK/Europe variant of the Metropolitan (called MR over here, which I believe is Mid Range) taking standard international cartridges/converters. I have a few genuine Metros too (taking the Pilot proprietary cartridge/converter). Aside from the step down and the section which is a little too thin and slick for my tastes, they are all solid and generally dependable. I had one genuine Metro burp out almost a complete fill of Iroshizuku which was messy and expensive, but so far that's only happened once. That pen had a squeeze converter ("cleaning converter" in this video). Despite having many more pens that I prefer, I keep coming back to Metros and MRs to make my ridiculously excessive FP hoard even weightier.

[@Gouletpens]

I mean, the Pilot Metropolitan is definitely worth a look. I'm a big fan of the Monteverde Prima, the TWSBI Mini (and TWSBI 540 soon to be released as the updated 580), and Sheaffer 100. Thanks for the compliments!

[@Gouletpens]

It is, I love that color!

[@dinafair4576]

I am watching in 2020, I have two Pilot Metropolitan and I absolutely love them. They write extremely well for a bargain priced pen. 💖💖💖

[@Gouletpens]

Awesome! It’s amazing that this video holds up all these years later 🤣 a great pen, still - Brian

[@brandoman79]

my girlfriend just purchased one of these pens and she loves it, for christmas I ordered some ink off your site to surprise her, and now I am like I want one of those pens so come the new year you can expect another order placed from me.

[@Gouletpens]

Haha, that's my ooze tube (literally, that's what it's called). I got the small one when I was about 8 years old, and the big one just a couple of weeks ago! I love them :)

[@TheOscarSound]

I just finished watching your fountain pen 101 and now I will buy a Metropolitan :D Thank you for all your hard work :)

[@Gouletpens]

You're welcome! The Metropolitan is still one of my favorite pens, a great starter pen (that will still be useful as you get further in the hobby). -Brian Goulet

[@TheOscarSound]

The Goulet Pen Company awesome man! one question: any tips on drawing with this sort of pen?

[@Hwesome]

that was helpful, thank you very much.

[@Gouletpens]

Hosam Sabbahi great! -Brian Goulet

[@DAVE9500]

The nib/feed system looks exactly like the Pilot 78G. Love the 78G - will have to try this pen eventually.

[@colin186]

First heard this pen mentioned on your Write Time video. Great to see this review....very interesting. Shame I am in the UK and the postage would cost more than the pen, but I'll definitely be looking for one over here.

[@phermendoza4706]

Love this pen!

[@bikkies]

Just ordered my first ever item from Goulet Pens. Just a standard Metro but, believe it or not, these are hard to obtain in the UK. We have to make do with the MR family and their standard international configuration over here. It may be all in the mind, but I feel the Pilot proprietary feed is better, delivering more ink to the nib (or a more stable flow at any rate) due to the larger diameter. It will be good to add a vanilla plain black Metro to my ludicrously excessive FP collection. Depending if I get hammered for import charges, I may well be back here soon to acquire that elusive Lamy 2000...

[@Roachyabides]

Cool this will be my second purchase from Goulet. Im excited also because im starting school again and need a nice writing implement

[@dranand75]

I'm planing on buying it in the blue lepoard with the pilot ink

[@kplus2124]

I have bought a Lamy Safari and now love writing with a fountain the only issue is its a fine nib but it's not fine enough and the EF is not any different so I'm going to get get a pilot metropolitan since they now have fine nib pens as well . Thanks for your review.

[@benjaminlgrange]

Thanks for the video!