The Pilot Metropolitan is the rare “first fountain pen” that still feels worth owning once you’ve upgraded.
If you’re searching for a dependable entry point into fountain pens, the Pilot Metropolitan has earned its reputation by doing the basics extremely well: it starts reliably, writes smoothly, and looks like a “real” pen rather than a disposable toy. The silver barrel and classic, slightly formal silhouette give it a professional presence that punches above its price bracket.
This specific Metropolitan ships with a medium nib, plus a Pilot black cartridge and a Pilot press-plate converter. In practice, that means you can write immediately, then decide whether you want to stay with cartridges for convenience or move into bottled ink once you’re ready. It’s not a flashy collector’s piece – but if what you want is a pen that makes fountain-pen writing feel easy, this one gets you there with minimal fuss.
- A beginner-friendly medium nib with consistent, low-drama writing
- Classic metal-bodied look that reads “grown-up” on the desk
- Cartridge included, plus a converter to start bottled ink
- Beginner-safe writing The medium nib is forgiving, smooth, and easy to control.
- Genuinely practical starter kit You get a cartridge for instant use and a converter for bottled ink.
- Looks pricier than it is The silver metal barrel makes it feel like a “real pen,” not a starter toy.
Design, feel, and everyday comfort
The Metropolitan’s appeal starts with how it feels in your hand: a metal-bodied pen with a clean, classic profile that doesn’t scream “budget.” The silver barrel reads understated and professional, which matters if you want a fountain pen you can bring to class, the office, or client meetings without it looking like a novelty.
Where the Metropolitan can be a bit divisive is that its comfort depends on how you hold your pen. If you grip close to the nib, you’ll likely appreciate how controlled it feels for note-taking and forms. If you prefer a higher grip or have larger hands, you may find the section less forgiving over longer sessions. In short: it’s a well-balanced everyday writer for most people, but it isn’t the most ergonomic “all-day journaling” pen in this price class.
- Best use case: quick notes, study sessions, daily carry
- Style fit: classic, minimal, professional
Writing performance, ink choices, and the included converter
With its medium nib, the Metropolitan is set up for the broad middle of fountain-pen users: it’s easy to keep moving, tends to feel smooth on typical notebook paper, and lays down enough ink to show off shading better than an ultra-fine point would. For beginners, that smoothness helps reduce the “am I doing this wrong?” phase – especially if you’re coming from ballpoints and still learning to use light pressure.
The included Pilot black cartridge is the fastest path to a first writing session. The included Pilot Press Plate Converter (often called a squeeze-style converter) is functional and gets you into bottled ink, but it’s not the most convenient system for frequent color changes or for seeing your ink level at a glance. If you think you’ll swap inks often, cartridges may be simpler at first; if you want to explore bottled ink, the included converter is a solid “starter tool” that works without adding extra cost on day one.
- Expectations: smooth, consistent daily writing
- Ink strategy: cartridge now, bottled ink when you’re ready
- Reliable starter pen with smooth medium nib
- Metal body feels more premium than price
- Includes cartridge and converter for flexibility
- Classic silver finish suits professional settings
- Easy transition from ballpoint writing habits
- Press-plate converter is less convenient to clean
- Not ideal for very small handwriting
- Grip comfort can vary by hand size
Start with the included black cartridge to learn the pen, then move to bottled ink with the press-plate converter once you’re comfortable cleaning and flushing.
If you want a fountain pen that behaves predictably, looks refined, and helps you build good habits, the Pilot Metropolitan remains one of the safest buys in the sub-$60 conversation – even when priced a bit higher than the “budget” legend suggests.
Choose it for daily writing and learning the basics; skip it if you require ultra-fine lines or you know you’ll be rotating inks constantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Pilot Metropolitan a good first fountain pen?
Yes. The Metropolitan is beginner-friendly because it’s reliable, straightforward to use, and its medium nib is forgiving if you’re still learning light pressure and consistent angles.
What does the medium nib feel like for everyday writing?
A medium nib is typically smooth and easy to keep moving, with a line that’s easy to read for notes and letters. If you write very small, a medium may feel too bold.
Can I use bottled ink with the included converter?
Yes. This set includes a Pilot press-plate converter, which lets you fill from bottled ink. It works well, but it’s less convenient to clean and less “visible” than some other converter styles.
Does it come with ink in the box?
Yes. It ships with one Pilot black ink cartridge, so you can install it and start writing immediately.
Is the Metropolitan comfortable for long writing sessions?
For many people it’s comfortable, especially for notes and everyday writing. If you have larger hands or you grip higher up, comfort may be more variable – this is one of the few real trade-offs of the design.
The Pilot Metropolitan is still the easiest pen to recommend when you want a dependable “first fountain pen” that won’t feel disposable. Treat the included cartridge as your training wheels, use the converter when you’re ready to explore bottled ink, and you’ll have a pen that can stay in your rotation long after you’ve bought something fancier.
I’ve already got a Rhodia A5 pad and I mostly use Pilot Iroshizuku inks (Kon-peki, Yama-budo). Does the pilot metropolitan fountain pen play nicely with those, or is it picky about paper/ink? I’m trying not to buy a pen that only behaves with one specific setup.
Yep, that combo is basically the “easy mode” setup. The Metropolitan’s feed is pretty forgiving with Iroshizuku, and Rhodia is smooth/ink-friendly so you’ll usually get clean lines with minimal feathering. If you do notice skipping, it’s more often oils on the nib (quick rinse with a drop of dish soap) than an ink/paper mismatch.
How’s the long-term maintenance on these? Like, if you leave a pilot metropolitan inked for a couple weeks, does it hard-start a lot, and is the nib/feed easy to clean without pulling anything apart?
Random fit question: I’ve got pretty small hands and so does my kid (teen). Is the pilot metropolitan fountain pen canada easy to hold for longer writing sessions, or does it feel chunky/heavy once you post the cap?
Been using the Pilot’s Fine Writing for lecture notes. Tiny tip: if you’re using the squeeze converter, flush it once with plain water before the first fill — mine wrote drier out of the box, and after that quick rinse it started flowing way more consistently on cheap campus paper.
Sorry if this is a dumb one — if I grab a pilot metropolitan, do I need bottled ink right away or can you just use cartridges? I’m worried I’ll make a mess filling from a bottle.