Fountain Pen - Pilot Metropolitan - Retro Pop

Gear Review

Pilot Metropolitan Retro Pop Collection Review

A deep dive into the starter fountain pen that stays in the daily rotation

2

Pens

1

Year+ Usage

~25ml

Ink Consumed

Table of Contents

• ①The Benefits of Multiple Pens
• ②Packaging Contents
• ③Nib Performance
• ④Update: 11/17/18

Section I

The Benefits of Multiple Pens

I’m glad I purchased additional Metropolitan fountain pens. I recently ordered two pens from the Retro Pop collection in Turquoise and Purple. Both feature fine point nibs and, aside from the color and design patterns on the cross-section, they are identical to the Metropolitan Classic collection. Having several options to choose from makes life easier than relying on a single pen.

 

Section II

Packaging Contents

The pens come in the same standard packaging as other Pilot Metropolitan models. This setup makes the Metropolitan one of the best starter pens, as it provides everything needed to begin writing.

• →Black Cartridge — A single standard cartridge included for immediate use.
• →Con-20 Converter — The included converter for bottled ink compatibility.

Tip: The inclusion of both a cartridge and a converter makes the Metropolitan an ideal entry point for those new to fountain pens.

Section III

Nib Performance

After their first inking with Iroshizuku ink, both pens felt a bit scratchy. I grabbed my Metropolitan Classic to compare and found it writes much smoother. I suspect the new pens just need some time to adjust and align the nibs.

Pen Model	Nib Type	Initial Feel
Retro Pop (New)	Fine	Scratchy
Classic (Aged)	Fine	Smooth

Note: I vaguely recall the Classic was also very scratchy initially, which is why I set it aside in favor of the gold nib on my former 3776. Continued use seems to help mitigate this issue and improve the nib quality.

Section IV

Update: 11/17/18

Over a year has passed, and I’ve grown quite fond of the Metropolitans. I keep all three inked and use them regularly in rotation. While I would prefer a thicker pen like the 3776 or Custom 74, the nib on the Metropolitan is phenomenal. The fact that I’ve drained more than half of a 50 mL bottle of Kon Peki ink speaks to how much I’ve been writing with these fountain pens.

   

A reliable, everyday writing companion that proves its worth through longevity.