Question about Pilots

My first foray into FPs was a Pilot Metropolitan. Loved the pen, wrote like a dream, so I ordered a 12 pack of refills. Now my wife has "appropriated" the instrument after signing some birthday cards.

I picked up a B&B Franklin Cristophe which I filled with Mont Blanc Royal Blue and really like, but will use it more as an "office drawer" pen vs. something in my pocket (due to length).

I'm tempted to buy another Metropolitan, but wondering if some of the other models (Cocoon, etc.) are worth considering, especially if they use the same refills?

Sorry to pose such a noob question, but I can't tell from web research if other models are comparable, better, or use the same refills.

Any help would be appreciated.

I believe that unless it's a piston filler like the 823 or maybe some vintage pens, Pilot pens take the same connector end for cartridge refills and converters. Note that some converters may not fit in some models; the CON-70 is the notable misfit (typically too long for the pen body).

Once you get above the Prera in price, the nib is either 14kt or 18kt gold. There are some unique nib options in some models, but maybe not something you want to deal with straight away.

Well, there is a Pilot Petit1, which takes a special short Pilot cartridge. And some of the longer Pilot pens, Custom 74, Custom Heritage 91, metal version of the Falcon (but not the plastic one) will a take the long CON-70 converter, which won't fit in most of the other models.

On the other hand, except for the Petit1, I believe any Pilot pen that doesn't have a built in filling system will take Pilot's standard cartridges, CON-20, or CON-50 converters. The models that will take a CON-70 will also take these other converters and the standard cartridges. The short cartridges, though, have little guiding nubs on them that make them hard to put in any pen but the Petit1.

Oh, by the way, all the JetPens links aren't to urge you to buy there rather than some place else. It was just my lazy way of finding links to show what I meant.

Models like the Custom 74, the near equivalent Custom Heritage 91, or the Falcon (even a plastic one) are all a huge step up from the Metropolitan in nib quality, at least, but they are also a pretty big step up in price. They are great if you are prepared to take that step, but you might not be. On the other hand, I'm less sure about the mid-range models like the Prera or Coccoon. I have held a Prera, and found it much more comfortable than a Metropolitan, which has that abrupt step between the barrel and section. That doesn't bother some people, though, and I'm not sure that the nib quality on the Prera is really much of an improvement over the Metropolitan.

You could consider getting a couple of Petit1s, though. They're neat little pens. No available converter, but you can always refill the cartridges.

Thanks for the input. Some viable options to consider. The tough part is a general lack of retail availability, not allowing one to "try on" a particular pen for size, feel, etc.

I find online reviews somewhat helpful, but have a bit of unique grip (pen resting on ring finger vs. middle finger) so often times MMMV.

Thanks again!

Jaybeez said:

The tough part is a general lack of retail availability, not allowing one to "try on" a particular pen for size, feel, etc.

Click to expand...

Since you're in Chino Hills, get yourself over to The Fountain Pen Shop in Monrovia.

nemo said:

Since you're in Chino Hills, get yourself over to The Fountain Pen Shop in Monrovia.

Click to expand...

Now THAT could be dangerous, but will definitely check it out. I drive through Monrovia twice per day (to / from work).

Thanks for the tip!

From Glenn's Pens

Stores of Note - Great Pens Stores

California

• Beverly Hills
• Carmel
• San Fransico
• Los Angeles
• Palo Alto
• Pasadena
• San Diego
• Santa Monica

Beverly Hills

Mont Blanc Boutique

439 1/2 Rodeo Drive

Beverly Hills, California

The staff in this store are very knowledgeable on. The
store's policy on exchange, repair and/or adjustments generous.
Good stock. Ask for Janice Ward. (Thanks D. Sternlight)

Carmel, CA

Bittner

The Pleasure of Writing

Ocean Avenue & San Carlos

Carmel, California 93921

Tel: (831) 626-8828

The stores has an incredible selection of pens and
also fine handmade European stationery. A great place. Bittner's
also has a web site [M. Ham]

---

Los Angeles, CA

LA Fountain Pen Shop

2640 South Myrtle, Unit 12

Monrovia, CA 91016-8204

Tel: (626) 294-9974

The store moved out of the downtown area and recently one
of the readers noted that it is well out of town, in a little warehouse
area of a fairly small one-story building. The store is located in one
of the "bays' of the warehouse building. This is a great shop with a
good selection of vintage pens and a lot of new stuff also. Don't give
up, as the store can be a little hard to find.



Flax

1078 Gaylay Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90024

Toll Free: 866.514.3529 Telephone: 310.208-3529

No longer an art supply/pen store but a pen store with some
other assessories. I hear from readers on an ongoing basis with
positive things to say about this store. Reviews for visitors say it is
one of top pen stores in Los Angeles. (Web Site)



Vroman's Bookstore

695 E Colorado Blvd

Pasadena, CA 91101

Tel: 626.449.5320

website: www.vromansbookstore.com

The store includes a good selection of pens from Montlanc,
Waterman, Cross, Visconti, Lamy to name some of the brands. So thisis
one more store to consider when in LA.

Palo Alto, CA

University Art

267 Hamilton Avenue

Palo Alto, CA 94301

Tel: (650) 328-3500

Fax: (650) 328-0784

Jan Hunter is the store manager and pen buyer. He's
wonderful to work with: helpful, knowledgeable and personable...
all great qualities for a pen store person! Always eager to give
advice and let you try out the various pens. (Thanks: K.
Groves)

Pasadena, CA

Vroman's Fine Writing, Gifts & stationery

667 E Colorado Blvd

Pasadena, California 91101

Tel: (626) 744-1834

Here is a store with a good selection of pens that includes
Montblanc, Pelikan, Lamy and Waterman. They carry a good selection of
inks such as Waterman and Private Reserve. The staff are knowledgeable
and the kind of people who own and like owning a good pen. This is a
store where you are welcome to dip the pen in some ink and try it out.
They are right next to Vroman's Books and keep "bookstore hours".
(Thanks - Steve Botts)

San Diego, CA

Montblanc Boutique

Fashion Valley Mall

San Diego, CA

This store has been noted for its knowledgeable and
friendly staff. You'll find good customer service here. (Thanks B.
Winkelmann)

San Francisco, CA

Flax Art and Design

1699 Market Street

San Francisco, California

(2010) There is one rectangular counter plus a side wall
displaying fountain pens, ink and accessories. The pens cover a range
of price points, from moderate to high, with a good selection of
moderate priced pens. Recent visits report back an encouragement to
dip and try - always a good sign. Noodler's and Private Reserve inks
are stocked. [Thanks J. Hubbard]



Maido

(Westfield Mall 4th floor)

845 Market St San Francisco, CA 94103

Telephone: (415) 227-4338

mymaido.com


George wrote and described Maido as a "Japanophiles
paradise". `So, this is not your average pen store! The store carries a
selection of high-end japanese pens from the major Japanese
manufacturers. The selection includes various consumer level pens in
just about every conceivable style and colour. In addition, you will
find fine Japanese papers. Think of what you would want and they
probably have it. Maido Stationery is one of the finest Japanese
stationery store outside of Japan. They have everything you could
imagine and it is displayed beautifully and everything is maintained in
pristine condition. The sales staff are very helpful and have the
finest manners of any store in the city. This store is a joy to visit
and is run by someone who really cares! This is a special place!
[Thanks George]

2010 - John wrote of his visit, the store definitly stocks
higher priced fountain pens but also noted a wide range of ballpoint
and rollerball pens in a full price point spectrum. [Thanks, J.
Hubbard]

---

Penopoly

San Francisco Bay Area

This
is not a pen store that you can just stroll by and visit, it is a pen
store that offers a unique pen experience. This is more of a show room
by invitation only. Once there, enjoy sitting at the pen bar. There
are over 2,000 vintage and new pens. They have pens, they have ink and
they also do pen repairs.

Their motto mirrors what I tell many people: "It is the nib
that makes the pen". Oh a point that is so often missed as folks miss
out the real experience in buying a fountain pen, trying it out and
finding the right nib. So, if you are planning to be in the San
Francisco Bay Area a booking to visit Penopoly may be just what you
need.

Web Site: www.penopoly.com E-Mail: [email protected]