Fountain Pen: Pilot Metropolitan Retro Pop
- whimsicaleccentric
- Mar 25, 2024
- 2 min read
VISUAL
The Pilot Metropolitan is a rather sleek pen. It features a coated brass body with a nice gradual slope to both the cap and barrel.
The Retro Pop collection features a rainbow of fun colors. The soft teal shows a 'retro' pattern of teal and silver circles in a band at the top of the barrel. It matches nicely with the silver clip.
TACTILE
The Metro is on the smaller side, but has a decent weight. It was one of my first fountain pens, and I found that it was a good stepping stone from incredibly light ballpoints to later heavier pens in my collection.
The lacquer coating is slightly satiny. The section is very smooth and on the thinner side. It oddly has seams/injection molding lines on each side that are not too annoying, but are definitely present.
There's a decent step up from the long section to the barrel. The snap-on bump at the end of the section is smooth and not harsh on the fingertips.
PRACTICAL
This pen was my first ever experience with a stub nib at the beginning of my fountain pen journey. It's a decent stub nib! It's a bit sharp on the edges - some stub nibs have more rounded corners, but that does mean it is good about making crisp lines.
I know the Pilot Con-20 squeeze converter is a bit of a polarizing one, but I don't mind it. I don't particularly trust it to get a full fill, but it works well enough for testing out inks!
The Metro posts securely and deeply. It's a bit on the smaller end to use unposted, but it's a great length when posted.
STATISTICAL
Pen Measurements:
Weight: 27.3 g
Weight of Cap: 10.13 g
Length Capped: 137mm
Length Uncapped: 125mm
Length Posted: 150mm
Nib: 5mm 'Stub' Steel
Body Style: Cigar
Fill Method: Squeeze Converter (Pilot Con-20)
Fill Volume: 0.8ml
Comparison Pen: LAMY Safari
OVERALL
Pros:
Great starter pen
Posts securely
Cons:
Squeeze converters are a bit awkward
Narrower, slick section
The Pilot Metropolitan will always hold a special place in my collection, being the pen that kickstarted this hobby. I think this pen started my love of metal pens and the convenience and aesthetic of posting caps.
DISCLAIMER: Pens and inks purchased by myself. Photos and opinions are my own.
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