Why the $23 Pilot Explorer is an underrated fountain pen and better than the Metropolitan

  Рет қаралды 9,398

Seattle Pen Club

Seattle Pen Club

Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 32
@laurielyon7740
@laurielyon7740 9 ай бұрын
I never use the Metropolitan for the very reason you mentioned…….the sharp step-down where I grip the pen.
@Fortnite87463
@Fortnite87463 2 жыл бұрын
I have been using a metropolitan for ages and its great but having an even lighter pen and one that I am not afraid to drop or throw around at work is so much better. The explorer is a real underrated work horse
@felixunger3408
@felixunger3408 Жыл бұрын
Excellent review, as always. The Explorer didn’t disappoint me. The nib is smoother than some premium marques - so much so I ended up buying 3 Explorers (only wish Pilot marketed a broad nib). No matter - a joy to write with in all 2 grades. As for the recessed circles in the cap, I find them to have a functional purpose in allowing my fingers to grip the ultra smooth surface (which can be a little slippery [especially in dry climates]) when removing the pen from a shirt pocket or pen sleeve. They’re aesthetically pleasing too.
@kevinu.k.7042
@kevinu.k.7042 2 жыл бұрын
Another superb review. Thank you. This pen puts me in mind of the Pelikan Stolla III. A fairly inexpensive pen with a lacquered brass body and grip. It has a superb steel nib. I bought one for someone and was quite taken aback at how nicely it wrote. They now carry it everywhere. As you say, it is not necessary to spend a fortune to get a good writer.
@mellow-jello
@mellow-jello 11 ай бұрын
I currently have 3 Explorers, and got them precisely the same reasons: light weight, smooth nib, Con-70 compatible. My one, only Metropolitan is my first FP, and only wished it was more available in Canada when I got into the hobby.
@jondowee
@jondowee 2 жыл бұрын
The Explorer is uniquely singular in many respects, completely underappreciated.
@licheenut
@licheenut 2 жыл бұрын
I agree with you on the Metropolitan! I'll have to give the Explorer a try. And yes, a 'what's in my pen pouch,' would be great!
@jannahlyon
@jannahlyon 2 жыл бұрын
Very helpful review, thank you!
@mariangroeneveld7401
@mariangroeneveld7401 2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for your review, you paint a good picture of the pilot explorer
@liselottefrejdig1112
@liselottefrejdig1112 2 жыл бұрын
I had the blue and red Explorer. But, sadly, I lost them when I moved (together with an Epson).
@Rgc571
@Rgc571 6 ай бұрын
Would Ike to see a comparison video of the Kakuno, Explorer and Metro. I have the Kakuno and Metro and enjoy them. Fortunately for me, the feature you find less than desirable are not a concern to me. Great video, thanks.
@seattlepenclub
@seattlepenclub 6 ай бұрын
good idea! I'll keep that one in mind!
@MrAndrew1953
@MrAndrew1953 2 жыл бұрын
Just ordered my first to go with a Pilot Ageless. Main point of interest with the Explorer is the Con 70 converter which I'm keen to try. Converters with Pilots are an issue on Vanishing Points, E95s. Same with Kaweco Sports pens. Often cartridges are far better.
@michaelreed649
@michaelreed649 2 жыл бұрын
It is a a shame that Pilot Lucina is discontinued. They are now going for $97. The Explorer looks like a good option. It reminds my a bit of my Pilot Knight pen
@JuankM1050
@JuankM1050 2 жыл бұрын
I can't tell between (pilot explorer,fabercastell hexo, Lamy safari) you help me ?
@radiofreealbemuth
@radiofreealbemuth Жыл бұрын
I love Pilot but I think the Explorer and Metropolitan are their worst looking pens. Explorer looks like Logitech's foray into fountain pens. Metro makes no sense from an aesthetic or ergonomoc standpoint. Capped, it looks as generic as generic can be. Uncapped, it has a huge step down and a grip narrower than Kakuno, which is designed for toddlers.
@buck-pucker
@buck-pucker Жыл бұрын
The Explorer got a face lift. The Pilot LIGHTIVE seems to be a demonstrator Explorer without the big PILOT imprint in the cap.
@seattlepenclub
@seattlepenclub Жыл бұрын
I like it better without that big Pilot imprint haha. It's less expensive now too!
@catchacoolbreeze
@catchacoolbreeze Жыл бұрын
I dislike the metro as well and would either get the Kokuno or Prera instead. Metro's step down is awfil, section is too thin, and I got a crazy suction with uncapoing and got tons of ink just hanging out in the cap. My Prera and Kokuno do not do that.
@AoKajii
@AoKajii 2 жыл бұрын
I'm curious about what's in the pouch 👌 What kind of ball pen do you use and like most ?
@seattlepenclub
@seattlepenclub 2 жыл бұрын
A few wood case pencils from Mitsubishi and Tombow, a couple mechanical pencils and lead holders (I use the Pentel Orenz Nero 0.5 mostly), and some gel pens with Pilot Juice refills. I'll try to do a rapid fire video to go through the pouch soon
@darkchocolate4643
@darkchocolate4643 2 жыл бұрын
@@seattlepenclub I'm curious about the pouch itself. Can you tell me the brand and model, please? Thanks!
@seattlepenclub
@seattlepenclub 2 жыл бұрын
@@darkchocolate4643 Hi! It's a Lihit Lab case - not sure what the model is called.
@geslinam9703
@geslinam9703 2 жыл бұрын
I thought Pilot used the same nibs on all of their pens in this price range?
@seattlepenclub
@seattlepenclub 2 жыл бұрын
I think so - the only difference is in the color / plating and the stamping. For example, the Kakuno nib design looks different than that of the Prera. Pens more expensive than the Prera have different nibs
@rickyang1749
@rickyang1749 Жыл бұрын
Can you please review the pilot prera
@genaishivatov1737
@genaishivatov1737 2 жыл бұрын
Since the end of the 90s, Pilot 78G has been discontinued in Japan - therefore, it has long been a purely Chinese pen (produced at Pilot's subsidiary factories in China), - inferior in quality to Japanese counterparts and sometimes with "surprises". Kakuno and MR, she is 88G (in Japan this is Cocoon) are also produced in China - they took it more than once from Ali and feathers are slightly worse than purely Japanese pens. Explorer is not yet released in China ))
@seattlepenclub
@seattlepenclub 2 жыл бұрын
Interesting - I didn't know that. The ones I purchased recently still say "Pilot Japan" on them - not sure if that means they are still made in Japan or not. Cheers.
@MisterNiles
@MisterNiles 2 жыл бұрын
Why are you whispering? It's not a secret that some people love Pilot pens. Be proud about your love of Pilot pens.
@jamesaritchie1
@jamesaritchie1 2 жыл бұрын
The Explorer was introduced at far too high a price. It made no sense at all for this pen to cost more than the Metropolitan. The Explorer is simply too light, too cheaply made, and simply doesn't have the feel of a quality pen. The Metropolitan is made of brass, looks and feels like a much more expensive pen, and is very popular. Pricing the Explorer above the Metropolitan, well above, guaranteed the pen would not attract the sales or get the attention Pilot wanted it to have. It was a very poor business decision on the part of Pilot. Pilot has now, FINALLY, made the Explorer cheaper than the Metropolitan, but I'm afraid it's too little, too late. On a personal level, I see nothing at all about the Explorer that makes it worth even twenty dollars. It's cheap plastic, too light, and ne better than the Kakuno. It certainly isn't in the same class as the Metropolitan.
@seattlepenclub
@seattlepenclub 2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the comment. I personally like the Explorer and don't find it cheaply made at all. It is VERY light though, so if weight is important, this isn't for you. I come from a product design background and appreciate the manufacturing processes in play here (vs. a Kakuno for example). In terms of pricing, I seem to recall this was introduced when Pilot increased the price on the Metropolitan. I think the $30 retail is a bit steep but I'm happy with $23 which seems to be what you can get it for. It has several meaningful upgrades compared to the $10-15 Kakuno and is better quality than something like a Twsbi Go or Swipe. Just my 2 cents :)
@KKTHINKER25
@KKTHINKER25 2 жыл бұрын
Apart from the clip what are the upgrades thie explorer brings in over a kakuno
Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen Unboxing and Review: Explorer vs Metropolitan
25:45
ПРЯМОЙ ЭФИР. Золотой мяч France Football 2024
4:41:06
Random Emoji Beatbox Challenge #beatbox #tiktok
00:47
BeatboxJCOP
Рет қаралды 20 МЛН
Человек паук уже не тот
00:32
Miracle
Рет қаралды 2,5 МЛН
Fountain Pens I Wouldn't Buy Again - My Pen Regrets
31:07
Doodlebud
Рет қаралды 251 М.
Platinum 3776 fountain pen - End of an era!
13:07
Seattle Pen Club
Рет қаралды 21 М.
Pilot Metropolitan VS Pilot Explorer: Which Fountain Pen Is Better?
24:28
Down the Breather Hole
Рет қаралды 6 М.
Comparing LAMY Safari Fountain Pens with Fineliners - Review
10:01
TobySketchLoose - Artist and Urban Sketcher
Рет қаралды 11 М.
Pilot Kakuno - Underrated Gem
16:38
JPL
Рет қаралды 32 М.
Magic Ink? Let's Test Endless Alchemy Fountain Pen Inks
25:07
Goldspot Pens
Рет қаралды 68 М.
ПРЯМОЙ ЭФИР. Золотой мяч France Football 2024
4:41:06