Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen Review

Proof you don’t need to spend a fortune to write well.

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Bottom line: The Pilot Metropolitan is the gateway fountain pen for good reason. It writes reliably, feels substantial in hand, and won’t make you nervous about dropping it on pavement. The nib’s sweet spot between smooth and feedback, the consistent ink flow, and the price all converge to make this pen feel like a cheat code for writers testing the fountain pen waters. If you want to know whether you actually like fountain pens before committing real money, this is your answer. Who it’s for: writers new to fountain pens, desk pen collectors, anyone hunting for reliability under $20.

Scribbright rating: 4.5 out of 5

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Why the Metropolitan works

The Metropolitan gets comparisons to pens twice its price because it doesn’t apologize for what it is. Pilot’s design brief seems to have been: make a pen that feels intentional without feeling fragile. The brass barrel has actual heft. The clip doesn’t feel like it’ll snap off if you sneeze. The nib doesn’t start skipping after a week of use.

The nib is where the Metropolitan earns its status. Pilot’s QA on this pen is genuinely tight. You’re unlikely to get a scratcher, and even the Fine nib lays down enough ink to avoid that parched feeling that plagues cheaper pens. The Medium nib is the sweet spot, since it delivers visible ink without being a flood risk, and the line width is substantial enough that you feel like you’re actually writing something, not inscribing with a toothpick. In other words, it avoids some of those subtle distractions that just negate the tactile joys of writing, IMHO.

The pen takes standard Pilot cartridges (the IC-50 pack), but the real move is grabbing a converter and using bottled ink. You’re not locked into cartridges, and the flexibility means the pen grows with your preferences.

Any issues?

There aren’t any, exactly, but there are trade-offs you might want to consider. The Metropolitan is light on feedback, meaning it doesn’t have the slight, tactile “scratch” that some writers crave from a fountain pen. It might remind you a a plain ol’ gel pen in that sense. If you want the full sensory experience of old-school writing, a stiffer nib or a pen with more tooth to its feedback might be better.

The glassy smoothness of its barrel makes it slightly prone to slipping in your grasp, under the right circumstances. Or maybe it’s the fault of my own sweaty fingers. TMI?

Also worth noting: this pen is popular precisely because it’s inexpensive, though not as “cheap” as something like a Pilot Varsity. You’ll see Metropolitans around; your Scribbright editor has one of them, and another is permanently loaned out to a friend who may or may not return it (he won’t.) If you’re after a pen that signals your insider’s good taste to other fountain pen people, keep looking. If you want a pen that works, here you go.

Who it’s for

The Metropolitan is for fountain pen novices, weekend writers, and anyone tired of ballpoint pens dragging across paper like they’re writing on concrete. It’s also for pen collectors who want a reliable daily pen that doesn’t stress about getting scuffed. If you’ve been thinking about fountain pens but worried about the learning curve or the price, this pen removes both barriers.

Pros

• Nib quality is remarkably consistent across units, with minimal duds
• Brass construction feels substantial without being heavy
• Writes smoothly across paper types without skipping or hard starts
• Affordable enough that you can buy multiple colors without guilt
• Works with standard converters for bottled ink flexibility
• Clip is sturdy and doesn’t feel like it’s about to fail

Cons

• Lacks feedback—feels glassy, which some writers dislike
• That glassy barrel can slip in your fingers on occasion
• Ubiquitous enough that you’ll see identical pens everywhere
• Cartridge-dependent out of the box (converter costs extra)
• No fancy materials or design elements; it’s purely functional

The verdict

The Pilot Metropolitan has been the point-of-entry pen for fountain pen converts for over a decade, and it’s a deserved reputation. It writes reliably, and doesn’t feel flimsy. For the price, you’re getting genuinely good engineering. If you’ve been circling fountain pens or you want a pen that just works, this is the one.

Michael Semer is a professional writer and editor with decades of experience in advertising, B2B content marketing, and digital publishing. He owns multiple Metropolitans and wants the one back that he loaned out.

FAQ

Is the Pilot Metropolitan a good starter fountain pen?

Yes. It’s the textbook starter pen. It writes well out of the box, the nib won’t be scratchy, and the price means you’re not betting your tuition money on whether fountain pens suit you. If you don’t like this pen, you won’t like fountain pens.

Do I need to buy a converter separately?

No. The pen comes with cartridges and works fine with them. But if you want to use bottled ink (which is cheaper and gives you more color options), yes, grab a converter. They’re around $5 and are worth it.

What nib size should I get?

Start with Medium if you’re new to fountain pens. Fine is good if you write small or want a crisp line. Stub nibs are for a different experience entirely and are better once you know what you’re doing. Medium is the fail-safe.

How does it compare to the Lamy Safari?

They’re cousins in the starter pen world. The Safari is slightly more playful in design; the Metropolitan is more businesslike. Both write well. The Safari’s plastic barrel might feel cheaper to some; the Metropolitan’s brass feels sturdier. Your preference comes down to aesthetics and whether you want a pen that announces itself or one that just shows up and works.

Will the nib dry out if I don’t use it for a while?

Fountain pens are less fussy about this than reputation suggests, but yes, if you leave it uncapped for weeks, the nib can dry out. Cap it between uses and you’ll be fine.

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