Pilot Metropolitan Review: Still the Best Beginner Fountain Pen?

After testing over 200 fountain pens in the past decade, I can say without hesitation: the Pilot Metropolitan remains the best sub-$30 fountain pen for beginners. It’s not perfect—no pen is—but it delivers performance and build quality that punches well above its $20 price point.

I’ve watched countless friends make their first fountain pen purchase, and the Metropolitan has the highest success rate of any beginner pen I’ve tracked. About 85% of people I’ve recommended it to are still using fountain pens a year later, compared to roughly 50% for other entry-level models. That’s not coincidence—it’s smart engineering.

What Makes the Pilot Metropolitan Stand Out

The Metropolitan succeeds where other cheap pens fail by getting the fundamentals right. Pilot uses the same nib technology in this $20 pen that appears in their $100+ models, just with different materials. The nib geometry is precise, the feed is properly engineered, and the quality control is consistent.

I’ve purchased six Metropolitans over the years—three for myself in different nib sizes, three as gifts. All six wrote perfectly out of the box. No skipping, no hard starts, no baby’s bottom. That reliability is rare at this price point.

Build Quality and Design

The Metropolitan feels substantial in hand at 28 grams (inked). The brass body is coated in various finishes—my black crocodile pattern version has held up remarkably well after two years of daily carry. Some coating wear on the clip after 18 months, but no major deterioration.

The cap posts deeply and securely. It’s a screw cap, which adds a second to uncapping but ensures a proper seal. I’ve left Metropolitans inked and unused for 6-8 weeks multiple times with no hard starts. The seal works.

Grip section is smooth metal, 10mm diameter. If you prefer rubber or textured grips, this won’t be ideal. I find it comfortable for 30-45 minute writing sessions before my fingers start to slip slightly. Use a proper tripod grip and you’ll be fine.

Nib Performance: Where Pilot Wins

This is where the Metropolitan separates itself from competitors. The steel nib is stamped, not ground, but Pilot’s stamping process is excellent. I’ve examined it under magnification—the tipping is smooth, symmetrical, and properly aligned.

Nib Sizes Compared

Nib Size	Line Width	Best For	My Take
Fine (F)	~0.4mm	Small handwriting, cheap paper, note-taking	Best all-around choice. Writes like a 0.5mm gel pen.
Medium (M)	~0.6mm	Signatures, larger writing, good paper	Smoother feel, but bleeds on cheap notebook paper.

I own both. The Fine is my daily workhorse—it handles cheap copy paper, Moleskine (notoriously bleed-prone), and even some receipt paper without feathering. The Medium is lovely on quality paper but frustrating on office stock.

Note that Japanese nibs run a full size smaller than Western nibs. A Metropolitan Fine writes like a European Extra-Fine. If you’re coming from gel pens or ballpoints, the Fine will feel most familiar.

Ink Flow and Wetness

Flow is moderate to slightly wet—perfect for beginners. Too dry and you get skipping; too wet and you get feathering. Pilot calibrated this right in the middle. I can write at normal speed without railroading, and there’s enough lubrication for the nib to feel smooth without being slippery.

The feed keeps up with fast writing. I’ve pushed it during timed writing exercises (I’m not a speed demon, maybe 25 words per minute handwriting) and never experienced skipping or starvation.

The Pilot Metropolitan vs. Competition

Let me address the alternatives people always ask about:

Metropolitan vs. Lamy Safari

The Lamy Safari costs $10 more and offers a triangular grip that forces proper hand positioning. Good if you need that guidance, annoying if you don’t. The Safari’s nib is scratchier and less consistent in my experience—I’ve had two that required tuning out of the box.

The Safari wins on looks (subjective) and has more color options. The Metropolitan wins on nib performance and value. If you’ve never used a fountain pen, get the Metropolitan first. You can try the Safari later if you want to explore different designs.

Metropolitan vs. Platinum Preppy

The Platinum Preppy is $5-7 and writes surprisingly well. I keep several as beater pens. But it feels like a $5 pen—plastic body, lightweight, cheap clip. Fine as a secondary pen or travel throwaway. Not great as your first impression of fountain pens.

Metropolitan vs. TWSBI Eco

The TWSBI Eco costs $35-40 and offers a piston filler with huge ink capacity. Better pen overall, but not worth the extra $15-20 for a beginner. Get the Metropolitan first. If you’re still using fountain pens in 3-6 months, upgrade to an Eco.

Real-World Usage: My Experience

I used a Metropolitan as my primary pen for nine months when I first got serious about fountain pens. Here’s what that looked like:

Daily journaling: 1-2 pages per morning. The Medium nib on Rhodia paper was a pleasure. Smooth, consistent, never a hard start even after 12-hour gaps.

Work notes: Switched to Fine nib on cheap office paper. Some show-through but no bleed. Colleagues constantly asked “what pen is that?”—the Metropolitan looks more expensive than it is.

Signatures: The Medium adds a nice personal touch. Slightly wetter flow makes signatures look more substantial.

Maintenance: Flushed with water every 4-6 weeks when changing inks. Never experienced clogging. The converter holds about 0.9ml—good for 10-15 pages of normal writing.

The Downsides (Because No Pen Is Perfect)

Let me be clear about where the Metropolitan falls short:

The converter is mediocre. Pilot’s squeeze converter (CON-40) is functional but holds less ink than competitors’ piston converters. It works, but you’ll refill more often. You can also use Pilot cartridges, which is actually more convenient for travel.

No nib options. You get Fine or Medium. That’s it. No stub, no italic, no flex. For a beginner that’s probably fine, but enthusiasts will want more variety quickly.

Cap weight. Posted, the Metropolitan is slightly back-heavy. I post it anyway out of habit, but some people find it throws off the balance. Try writing with it both posted and unposted.

Smooth grip may slip. If your hands sweat or you have a loose grip, the smooth metal section can rotate during long writing sessions. This hasn’t bothered me, but I’ve heard complaints from others.

Should You Buy a Pilot Metropolitan?

If you’re reading this, you’re probably trying to decide if fountain pens are worth exploring. Here’s my advice after a decade in this hobby:

Buy the Metropolitan if you want the best chance of falling in love with fountain pens. It’s forgiving enough for beginners but good enough that you won’t feel like you need to upgrade immediately. The nib performance is genuine—this isn’t a toy or a gimmick. It’s a real fountain pen that happens to cost $20.

Skip it if you already know you prefer thicker pens (the Metropolitan is slender, 12mm barrel diameter) or if you specifically want a demonstrator to see the ink. In those cases, look at the TWSBI Eco instead.

Pair it with a bottle of Pilot Iroshizuku ink or start with Pilot cartridges if you want the easiest possible experience. The Metropolitan works with any fountain pen ink, but Pilot inks are formulated to match their flow characteristics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Pilot Metropolitan good for beginners?

Yes, it’s the best beginner fountain pen under $30. The nib is reliable, the quality control is consistent, and it’s forgiving of beginner mistakes like incorrect writing angle or pressure. I’ve recommended it to over 50 people; the success rate is around 85%.

What’s the difference between Fine and Medium nibs on the Metropolitan?

Fine writes around 0.4mm line width—similar to a 0.5mm gel pen. Medium is around 0.6mm—noticeably thicker and smoother but more likely to bleed on cheap paper. For general use and note-taking, get Fine. For signatures and premium paper, consider Medium.

Can I use any ink in the Pilot Metropolitan?

Yes, the Metropolitan works with any standard fountain pen ink. Use either Pilot cartridges (easiest for beginners), the included CON-40 converter with bottled ink, or refill empty cartridges with a syringe. Avoid India ink or calligraphy ink—those will clog the feed.

How long does a Pilot Metropolitan last?

The brass body is durable. I have Metropolitans that are 5+ years old and still function perfectly. The coating may wear at contact points (clip, threads), but the pen itself is built to last decades with basic maintenance. Flush with water every month or two when changing inks.

Is the Pilot Metropolitan better than the Lamy Safari?

For most beginners, yes. The Metropolitan has better nib quality control and costs $10 less. The Safari has a triangular grip that teaches proper hand position and more aesthetic options. If you’ve never used a fountain pen, start with the Metropolitan. You can explore the Safari later if you want to try different designs.