Conklin Metropolis

[Hoya Stylus]

First Impressions (3.5/5)

I saw the Conklin Metropolis in Fahrney’s downtown Washington DC store and I loved the amber resin body. That’s what prompted my fairly impulsive purchase on a visit only meant to pick up some Aurora refills! After I got it home and filled, I was a little bit disappointed. The nib was very scratchy and seemed to skip more than I could tolerate. After a few hours of break-in though, my opinion changed.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg125/HoyaStylus/ConklinMetropolis016.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg125/HoyaStylus/ConklinMetropolis021.jpg

 

Appearance (4/5)

Like I noted above, the amber-colored resin body of this pen was definitely the deciding factor in its purchase. The subtle way in which light flows in and out of the orange and brown semitransparent body is sublime. I would have loved to see the resin continue in the cap treatment, but the combination of satin and chrome in the cap is tasteful and when in my pocket makes it look like a different pen. The chrome tip on the end of the body lends the pen a more upscale feel and pairs nicely with the tapered chrome cap. The nib isn’t very decorated but has a certain elegant simplicity which I also really like. Its size is surprising at first but suits the pen well. The only aspect of the pen’s appearance which I don’t think fits or is appropriate is the use of half moons along the cap’s band. They seem superfluous and a little bit gaudy for my taste.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg125/HoyaStylus/ConklinMetropolis018.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg125/HoyaStylus/ConklinMetropolis019.jpg

 

Design/Size/Weight (4/5)

The Metropolis is a nicely weighted pen with the cap on and it posts well. In a resin pen, I would expect a metal cap to throw off the balance, but I really like the feel of the pen with a posted cap. In fact, I don’t write without the cap on the back of the pen. Without the cap the Metropolis is too light and feels slightly flimsy. The size is nice, with a slightly wider diameter than a Cross Medalist/Townsend while being slimmer than an Aurora Talentum. It is roughly the same diameter and length as the VERY similar Monteverde Mauna Kea fountain pen. It is fairly long, longer than the Pelikan 805 or Aurora Talentum. Overall, it is a very nicely sized pen in my opinion if only a bit too narrow for my taste.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg125/HoyaStylus/ConklinMetropolis030.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg125/HoyaStylus/ConklinMetropolis029.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg125/HoyaStylus/ConklinMetropolis031.jpg

 

 

Nib (4/5)

The steel nib was scratchy at first, but after being broken in by a few hours of notes it smoothed up nicely. After a few months of ownership, the nib is a darling. While no one will confuse it for a gold nib, it is smooth and flows well. It is still prone to occasional skipping when one writes too quickly, but it’s not at all bad. It writes a fairly fine line and is great for note-taking.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg125/HoyaStylus/ConklinMetropolis007.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg125/HoyaStylus/ConklinMetropolis037.jpg

 

Filling System (4/5)

The converter is very standard and is an adequate mechanism for filling the pen. It didn’t fit easily into the nib section of the pen at first, but once I had taken it in and out a few times, I realized how firmly to insert it. Since then fit has not been an issue.

 

Cost and Value (4/5)

I bought the Metropolis on sale at Fahrney’s. I think it lists for $95 but I paid about $59 plus tax. I think that’s a great deal for a pen that’s gotten a lot of use and has treated me very well. A great writer with a very pretty design for a price like that is certainly a bargain in my opinion.

 

Conclusion (4.5)

This pen writes well, is nicely made and designed, and has satisfied me since I’ve owned it. I recommend it, particularly in the striking amber color.

 

This is my first review and I would appreciate any feedback you may have to offer! I'd like to eventually do more and if there are things I could improve on then I would like to do so. Thanks.

 

 

[jonro]

Nice review and lots of photos, which everyone appreciates. What's the diameter of the barrel compared to the Pelikan m805?

[rroossinck]

Great review, and I love the pictures. You're exactly right...that tobacco-brown swirl is truly sublime. [Visconti purists...put your fingers in your ears]At first, I thought I was looking at a Van Gogh's barrel![/fingers in ears business]

 

 

[Hoya Stylus]

Nice review and lots of photos, which everyone appreciates. What's the diameter of the barrel compared to the Pelikan m805?

 

I don't have manufacturer figures (I'm sure they're available from Pelikan and Conklin) but here are some pictures (with at least one unintentional portrait of my hands and camera) which might help. The Pelikan is slightly wider except at the top and bottom where it is significantly wider. Hope these help.

 

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg125/HoyaStylus/DiameterComparison009.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg125/HoyaStylus/DiameterComparison003.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg125/HoyaStylus/DiameterComparison001.jpg

 

-Hoya Stylus

 

 

[Cedar]

AAACKKK! I bought the amber Metropolis just before the "big holiday". A couple of days ago I filled it with Diamine Sepia. Last night I sat down to write a letter and a drop of ink pooled on the feed. It was it's first test drive so I wiped it off. Put pen back to paper and within a couple of lines, another drop of ink appeared and some along the edges of the nib on the feed side. What's going on? Is this an ink feed problem? I noticed in another post about the Duragraph that some one had mentioned "bum feeds" on the Conklins. Is this what I'm dealing with?

 

Cedar

[chibimie]

AAACKKK! I bought the amber Metropolis just before the "big holiday". A couple of days ago I filled it with Diamine Sepia. Last night I sat down to write a letter and a drop of ink pooled on the feed. It was it's first test drive so I wiped it off. Put pen back to paper and within a couple of lines, another drop of ink appeared and some along the edges of the nib on the feed side. What's going on? Is this an ink feed problem? I noticed in another post about the Duragraph that some one had mentioned "bum feeds" on the Conklins. Is this what I'm dealing with?

 

Cedar

 

I realize this is an old thread, but I wonder if you have since managed to resolve the ink flow problem you were fighting? I like the color of its barrel and the way it is complemented by the cap, and ordered one just last night.

 

Chibimie

[Cedar]

AAACKKK! I bought the amber Metropolis just before the "big holiday". A couple of days ago I filled it with Diamine Sepia. Last night I sat down to write a letter and a drop of ink pooled on the feed. It was it's first test drive so I wiped it off. Put pen back to paper and within a couple of lines, another drop of ink appeared and some along the edges of the nib on the feed side. What's going on? Is this an ink feed problem? I noticed in another post about the Duragraph that some one had mentioned "bum feeds" on the Conklins. Is this what I'm dealing with?

 

Cedar

 

I realize this is an old thread, but I wonder if you have since managed to resolve the ink flow problem you were fighting? I like the color of its barrel and the way it is complemented by the cap, and ordered one just last night.

 

Chibimie

 

Yes. It was operator error. I just had it a little too full and didn't hold it against the edge of the ink bottle to get rid of the excess. Since then, I've had NO problems with my Metropolis and it is one of my most dependable, favorite pens. To my mind the medium nib is on the fine side, which was just dandy with me. It is one that I keep filled. Especially for the price, I think it is a very nice pen. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoy mine. Do let us know.

 

 

Cedar

 

[chibimie]

Mine came a few days ago with a fine point nib, and I have been writing with it since. Using the converter that came with it, and filling it with Private Reserve Sonic Blue, it wrote like a dream from the very beginning. Not one skip, one misstep, over these past few days--it's one of my best writers. (And I own well over seventy fountain pens, mostly with gold nibs.)

 

If I were to be very picky, I might note that when screwing the cap back onto the section, it feels a bit 'mushy' rather than crisp. You can see a ring of grooved plastic stuck onto the inside of the cap.

 

Still, overall, one of my best purchases.

Edited May 10, 2008 by chibimie

[Cedar]

Mine came a few days ago with a fine point nib, and I have been writing with it since. Using the converter that came with it, and filling it with Private Reserve Sonic Blue, it wrote like a dream from the very beginning. Not one skip, one misstep, over these past few days--it's one of my best writers. (And I own well over seventy fountain pens, mostly with gold nibs.)

 

If I were to be very picky, I might note that when screwing the cap back onto the section, it feels a bit 'mushy' rather than crisp. You can see a ring of grooved plastic stuck onto the inside of the cap.

 

Still, overall, one of my best purchases.

 

Hey! Glad to hear that worked out for you and you're satisfied. Thanks for letting me/us know. I'd been wondering if you'd gotten it and how you liked it.

 

Cedar

Edited May 10, 2008 by Cedar

[Silvermink]

I just got mine yesterday, in purple, and really can't say enough good things about it. It looks great, holds a fair bit of ink for a C/C, and has a really excellent steel nib with perfect feedback (neither scratchy nor glassy-smooth - I prefer my nibs with enough tooth for some precision). I've been reaching for it over my more expensive pens.

 

This pen is, like, the deal of the century at the $35 price I paid from speerbob (NAf). I would've been very happy with it if I'd paid the $70 original price.

 

I find the section width about right - the M8xx is a little too wide for my liking.

Edited July 8, 2009 by Silvermink