Bold claim in that title. I know. But after owning and writing with over 200 fountain pens — including many that cost hundreds of dollars — I stand behind it completely.
The Pilot Metropolitan is, ounce for ounce, the best value in the fountain pen world. At roughly $20, it outperforms pens at two, three, even five times its price in the categories that matter most: nib smoothness, ink consistency, and build quality. I’ve watched people pick up a Metropolitan, write one line, and immediately ask “why is this so smooth?”
Here’s my full review — after over a decade of daily use across multiple Metropolitan pens.
First Impressions and Build Quality
The moment you unbox a Pilot Metropolitan, something feels different. Unlike most pens in this price range — which are lightweight plastic that feel hollow and cheap — the Metropolitan has a solid brass body that gives it real heft.
At approximately 20 grams (without the cap posted), it feels like a substantial instrument, not a toy. The finish is clean and precise. The knurled grip section provides just enough texture for a secure hold without being uncomfortable. The threads connecting the cap to the barrel are tight and smooth, with no wobble whatsoever.
For comparison, pens like the Lamy Safari (ABS plastic, ~16g) feel noticeably lighter and slightly toy-like next to the Metropolitan. The Metropolitan feels like it belongs with pens that cost significantly more.
The aesthetic is deliberately understated. No bold Bauhaus angles, no loud colors — just clean lines and subtle patterns. Available finishes include:
- Plain (solid colors: black, silver, red, white, turquoise)
- Animal patterns (leopard, crocodile, tiger)
- Special editions (released seasonally)
It posts securely for those who prefer a longer pen, and the clip is a simple, functional metal band that works reliably.
Nib Performance
This is where the Metropolitan genuinely earns its reputation. Pilot’s manufacturing quality control is exceptional, and every Metropolitan I’ve used (over a dozen at this point) has been smooth right out of the box with no adjustment needed.
Fine Nib
My go-to. The Fine nib on a Japanese pen writes about the same line width as a Western Extra Fine — thin, precise, excellent for smaller handwriting and detailed note-taking. The feedback is almost nothing: it glides with the faintest whisper of texture, which I find satisfying.
Medium Nib
Writes more like a Western Fine-Medium. Very smooth, slightly wetter than the Fine, with a broad enough line to show off ink sheen on quality paper. This is the width I’d recommend for people coming from ballpoints who want to feel the most dramatic difference.
Italic (Stub) Nib
Pilot sells the Metropolitan in an italic version that provides slight line variation — wider on downstrokes, thinner on cross strokes. It’s a genuine stub nib, not just a rebranded medium. Excellent for people interested in improving their handwriting or dipping into calligraphy without buying specialty equipment.
The italic Metropolitan converts the pen from a daily writer into something approaching a calligraphy instrument. I use mine for addressing envelopes and cards.
Nib Notes for Beginners
One thing to know: Pilot nibs run thin compared to European brands. If you’re comparing nib widths across brands, remember that a Pilot Medium writes closer to a Lamy Fine. When in doubt, size up.
Ink Capacity and Filling System
The Metropolitan ships with a Pilot CON-40 squeeze converter — a little blue tube with a squeeze bulb that you compress, dip in ink, and release to fill. It’s simple, reliable, and holds about 0.6mL of ink.
The CON-40 is more than adequate for most writing tasks. A full fill will last me several days of normal note-taking. For heavy writers, Pilot also makes the CON-70 (a larger piston converter) which fits the Metropolitan and holds approximately double the ink.
The Metropolitan also accepts standard Pilot cartridges for convenience, which is appreciated for travel when you don’t want to carry a bottle.
Filling process:
- Unscrew the barrel
- Remove the converter
- Compress the squeeze bulb on the CON-40
- Submerge the nib in ink
- Release the bulb
- Wipe the nib, reassemble
Clean and simple. No mess, no fuss.
Long-Term Reliability
I’ve been using my original Metropolitan (Fine nib, the black plain version) since around 2013. It has been filled with ink, cleaned, refilled, dropped, carried in bags and pockets, and written probably hundreds of thousands of words. The nib still writes identically to how it did on day one.
Pilot makes their steel nibs to last. The tipping material (the small ball at the tip of the nib that actually contacts the paper) remains consistent over years of use. I’ve never had a Metropolitan nib spread, scratch, or develop a baby’s bottom from normal use.
The brass body has developed a very faint patina in the hand-contact areas — barely visible, but it means the pen has become genuinely mine. The clip and cap threads remain tight after a decade.
Long-term verdict: buy it once, use it forever.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Brass body feels premium and substantial
- Exceptionally smooth nib out of the box — no adjustment needed
- Converter included (most pens at this price don’t include one)
- Available in Fine, Medium, and Italic widths
- Long-term reliability proven over years of use
- Quiet, professional appearance suitable for office use
- Accepts Pilot cartridges for easy travel filling
Cons
- Nib is not swappable (one nib per pen)
- Heavier than plastic alternatives — may fatigue some hands
- Limited color/finish options vs. Lamy Safari
- CON-40 has smaller ink capacity than some converters
- Not available in as many nib widths as Lamy
Metropolitan vs. Lamy Safari: Which Should You Buy?
The Pilot Metropolitan vs. Lamy Safari is the most common comparison in the beginner fountain pen world. Both are excellent. Here’s how to choose:
Choose the Metropolitan if:
- You want a heavier, premium-feeling pen
- Smoothest possible nib is your priority
- You want a converter included in the box
- You prefer a professional, subtle aesthetic
- You write a lot and want something that feels substantial in hand
Choose the Lamy Safari if:
- You want the ability to swap nibs
- Color options and aesthetics matter to you
- You’re left-handed (the LH nib is a significant advantage)
- You prefer a lighter pen
- You want the triangular grip’s guidance for proper technique
The honest answer: Both are excellent and cheap enough that you could own both for under $55. If you forced me to pick just one to give a pen-curious friend, I’d give them the Metropolitan — because the nib smoothness creates an instant convert, every time.
Verdict
The Pilot Metropolitan is the pen I use when I need to convince someone that fountain pens are worth it. The conversation usually goes: “Here, try this.” They write one sentence. Then they look at me with that exact expression I had in my college dorm room, and they ask if they can keep it.
At $20, the Metropolitan competes with — and often beats — pens at $60, $80, $100. The nib quality, the brass construction, the long-term reliability, the included converter: it should not be this good at this price. But Pilot has been making fountain pens since 1918, and their manufacturing excellence shows in every Metropolitan that comes off the line.
If you’re reading this trying to decide on your first fountain pen, stop deliberating. Buy the Metropolitan. You will not regret it.
👉 Get the Pilot Metropolitan on Amazon
Questions about the Metropolitan? Trying to decide between the Fine and Medium nib? Drop a comment below — I answer everything.
— Alex Chen, nibguide.com