Pilot M R Fountain Pen Review

[a_m]

It is known as Pilot Metropolitan in USA, in Europe it goes by the name of Pilot MR, in India it comes in the name of "Pilot Metal Pen". Most often, in India, I have found these to be out of stock. Besides, they are only available in the original three colours and not available in the newer shades that we can see on some of the websites of pen sellers located in USA and Europe.

 

Over time, I had really dissuaded myself from buying this FP. The reason were the more reviews I read- there were issues spoken by people like

 

1) It is small in size

2) it has steep barrel section step that is inconvenient

3) the nib has feedback

 

and beside the major issue (for me) was that the pens available in India came with the Pilot proprietary c/c mechanism

 

However recently, I got the opportunity to get some of these newer FPs. These are the MR model - the ones that are the European version. These pens were arranged for my by ASApens. I had put the condition that I wanted the newer design FPs, and also sent sample pics of these pens ! And wow ! - ASApens delivered with the choicest pens !

 

And on receiving these pens, I must say - the issues raised on some of the user reviews about the pen was so very wrong!

 

The Pilot MR are simply excellent. They have the right weight, the right balance even when posted. They are not "small", but right size. The section grip is just perfect. The nib does not have any feedback, and the step of section-barrel is only for namesake.

 

The outer packing

Outer Cover

The pen set (FP & BP)

Pen Set FP + BP

The three pens (2 FP and 1 BP)

Pilot MR

Close up

The Two Pilot MR

The nibs M and F

The FPs did not come with any converter. The FPs take international cartridge and international converter. The international converter is the Jinhao type converter, and not the Schmidt type converter

Pilot MR with intl. conveter (Jinhao) and intl.cartridge (Pelikan long)

Pilot MR with Pelikan long cartridge

Writing sample. (Currently I have only these FPs inked)

Writing Sample

Needless to say, the Pilot MR FPs are great to hold, excellent to write, and sturdy in its build and far better than its competitor Lamy Safari.

[Algester]

when I finally got hold of a Metropolitan... well I guess I can say the step was a bit too of putting for me so I opted for the PIlot 78G which to me was arguably better and cheaper but I guess that's just me wanting a smooth transition on the pen barrel and section and lighter so definitely it was my better and least expensive choice if I were to say so... call me cheap but hey in a country where FPs are niche and therefore absently sold here I guess that is the only way for me to go... but I'm not saying Metropolitan is a bad pen but probably not just for me... but hey WE DONT HAVE PILOT FPs... <_< >_> pretty much once the 78G stocks runs out we no longer have them... gone forever in the annals of philippine stationary history... but rumors are popping up in my country that our Pilot retailer will be picking up the FPs... but only the capless... YES... <_< which also has an RB version guess what I'm thinking... no ink no anything just the pen

Edited September 18, 2014 by Algester

[a_m]

I also wanted a Pilot capless ! But color of my choice was not available.

[Algester]

I still think the Capless pens are a bit too... gimmicky... and it's history shows it IS VERY VERY GIMMICKY <_< Pilot pretty much experimented with the pen line so extensively but I think that shaker capless is probably for me... sadly it's considered vintage hahahaha or with the capless mechanism using the clip for engaging the nib

[maverink]

nice pens bought a pair of pilot MRs from massdrop for USD25

[Jamerelbe]

I have a couple of Pilot 78G's (with broad nibs) and really like the way they write - and have to confess I was a little ambivalent about buying a Metropolitan / MR, given their unavailability in Australia. I ended up placing an order, though, though, when I discovered I had some credit on the amazon.com website, and my 'Violet Leopard' (not 'Violent Leopard!) fine-nib Metropolitan arrived earlier this week. It's about twice the weight of the 78G (25g vs 12ish), and yes there's a big step up between grip section and barrel - but the overall size of the two pens is very comparable, and the diameter of the grip sections is identical. The 78G looks a little classier to me (I know that's subjective!), but I like the greater 'heft' of the Metropolitan. For the price, they're both pretty decent pens - just a shame the proprietary squeeze converters are so cruddy... Maybe next time I'll take a leaf out of a_m's book, and see if I can find one that's made for the European market? Thanks for the review!

[Algester]

I'm actually quite surprise how good the con-10 works... but really I'm getting into the con-50 converter since that's more convenient while I'm not sure if the con-10's sac will last

[Icywolfe]

I'm actually quite surprise how good the con-10 works... but really I'm getting into the con-50 converter since that's more convenient while I'm not sure if the con-10's sac will last

con10?

 

Don't you mean Con20?

[Algester]

con10?

 

Don't you mean Con20?

con-10 is the smaller cousin of the con-20 and more simply constructed it comes along a Pilot Parallel if you don't know how it looks holds about .5ml of ink but I like the con-20's looks better

Edited September 22, 2014 by Algester

[Jamerelbe]

con-10 is the smaller cousin of the con-20 and more simply constructed it comes along a Pilot Parallel if you don't know how it looks holds about .5ml of ink but I like the con-20's looks better

 

I've never heard it described as a con-10, but I know what you mean - you seem to get the same squeeze-type cartridge converter with the Pilot 78G, the Parallel and the Metropolitan. It's not terrible, but it's really not my favourite!