Pilot Metropolitan: Nibs, Converters & Brass Body
The Pilot Metropolitan is a brass-bodied cartridge/converter fountain pen from Pilot of Japan, sold as the Cocoon in Japan. It has a snap-on cap and a steel nib in Fine, Medium or a 1.0 mm stub, and comes with a black Pilot cartridge and a converter. Goulet Pens measures it at 138 mm capped and 26 g.
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Product facts
- Product
- Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen
- Brand
- Pilot
- Brand origin
- Japan
- Made in
- Japan*
- Material
- Brass body and cap (painted; per Pilot Japan for the Cocoon and JetPens for the Metropolitan), resin section, steel nib
- Released
- 2012*
- Price range
- $$$$20–75 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count)
Notes on these facts
- Made by Pilot Corporation (Japan); sold in the US by Pilot Corporation of America. Made in Japan: per Milligram's listing (made in Japan). Pilot's Japanese catalog page for the Cocoon (read in full on October 20, 2026) doesn't state a country. eBay and Rokomari listings cited earlier blocked our access on that date, so we dropped them. Source. Price: example listing. Released: Pilot's Japanese site says the Cocoon, the Metropolitan's Japanese sibling, went on sale in 2012; Wikipedia gives 2012 for the Metropolitan. We found no Pilot page dating the Metropolitan itself.
- Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026. Conversions to US dollars are approximate, at October 2026 rates (US$1 = ¥158 = ₩1,330 = NT$32.5 = CN¥6.7 = SEK 9.9 = DKK 6.7 = ₺49.6 = C$1.41 = A$1.43; €1 = US$1.12; £1 = US$1.32; CHF 1 = US$1.21).
Key takeaways
- Goulet Pens measures the Metropolitan at 138 mm (5.4 in) capped, 153 mm (6.0 in) posted and 26.0 g; JetPens lists 27 g.
- Steel nibs come in Fine, Medium and a 1.0 mm stub, and a Pilot Fine writes about like a Western Extra Fine.
- It takes proprietary Pilot cartridges; the box adds one black cartridge plus a CON-B squeeze or CON-40 twist converter.
- At 26 g, it is about 9 g heavier than a LAMY safari, because the body is brass rather than plastic.
- Milligram's listing says made in Japan; in Japan the pen is sold as the Cocoon (FCO-3SR), which Pilot lists at 138 mm, 24 g and ¥4,400 (about US$28).
What is the Pilot Metropolitan?
The Pilot Metropolitan is an entry-level fountain pen from Pilot of Japan, with a brass body, a snap-on cap and a steel nib. JetPens lists the body as brass and the cap as snap-on, with a metal clip.
Pilot’s Wikipedia entry says Pilot released the Metropolitan in 2012 and that it’s known as the Cocoon in Japan. The Well-Appointed Desk’s 2013 review of the Cocoon calls it a Metropolitan “in a fancy box”.
The Metropolitan name appears to be for the US and some export markets: Pilot’s Japanese catalog has no Metropolitan, only the Cocoon (コクーン), model FCO-3SR. Pilot’s Japanese site says the Cocoon has been on sale since 2012 and lists it at 138 mm long, 13.2 mm at its widest and 24 g, close to Goulet’s measurements of the Metropolitan but 2 g lighter. Its Japanese colors, such as Bordeaux and White, differ from the US finishes, and Pilot Japan sells limited Japan-only versions such as the Cha no Megumi Cocoon, on sale from June 1, 2026 at ¥4,950 (about US$31).
Pilot’s catalog lists the Cocoon (for example FCO-3SR-BOF, Bordeaux, Fine; JAN 4902505448478) with F or M nibs and a CON-40 converter, and notes a Good Design Award.
It’s one of the four starter fountain pens we cover, alongside the LAMY safari, the TWSBI ECO and Pilot’s own Kakuno. Our best fountain pens for beginners roundup names it the best overall pick.
Pilot Metropolitan specs
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Maker | Pilot Corporation, Japan |
| Type | Cartridge/converter fountain pen with cap |
| Body | Brass (per JetPens; Pilot Japan lists painted brass for the Cocoon) |
| Cap | Snap-on, postable, metal clip |
| Nib | Steel: Fine, Medium, 1.0 mm stub |
| Ink | Pilot cartridge (one black included) or converter |
| Converter in box | CON-B squeeze or CON-40 twist, per Goulet |
| Length capped | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Length of body | 126 mm (5.0 in) |
| Length posted | 153 mm (6.0 in) |
| Diameter | 13 mm body, 8.4 mm grip |
| Weight | 26.0 g (17 g body, 9 g cap) |
| Made in | Japan (per Milligram) |
Lengths and weight are Goulet Pens’ measurements. JetPens’ figures are close: 13.8 cm capped, 15.3 cm posted and about 27 g, with a 9.8 mm grip. Pilot doesn’t publish Metropolitan dimensions in the sources we found; its Japanese figures for the Cocoon are 138 mm, 13.2 mm at the widest and 24 g.
Which versions and nibs are there?
The Metropolitan comes in one shape with many finishes, and Goulet Pens sells it with Fine, Medium and 1.0 mm stub nibs.
| Variant | What changes |
|---|---|
| Plain finishes (Black, Silver, Gold) | Body color, plain band |
| Animal patterns (Python, Lizard, Leopard, Crocodile) | Patterned band |
| Retro Pop (Red, Green, Turquoise, Purple and others) | Bright body, patterned band |
| Fine / Medium / 1.0 mm stub | Line width |
The Journal Shop notes that Pilot uses Japanese nib sizing, so a Pilot Fine writes about like a Western Extra Fine. Choose Fine for small handwriting and thin paper, and Medium if you want a wetter line.
What cartridges and converters does it use?
The Metropolitan takes Pilot’s own cartridges or a Pilot converter, not standard international cartridges.
The Journal Shop says the box holds a cartridge and a CON-B squeeze converter. Goulet Pens says Pilot ships either a CON-B or a CON-40 and changes the style over time.
If yours comes with the squeeze type, the CON-40 is the usual twist upgrade. Unsharpen lists its capacity at 0.4 ml. Pilot doesn’t publish the Metropolitan’s ink capacity in the sources we found.
The same CON-40 also fits Pilot’s retractable Vanishing Point, where retailers say it comes in the box.
How does the Metropolitan compare to other starter fountain pens?
The Metropolitan is the heaviest of the four, and the only one with a metal body.
| Pilot Metropolitan | LAMY safari | TWSBI ECO | Pilot Kakuno | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body | Brass | ASA plastic | Plastic, clear options | Resin, hexagonal |
| Filling | Pilot cartridge or converter | T10 cartridge or Z28 converter | Piston, bottled ink only | Pilot cartridge or converter |
| Steel nibs | F, M, 1.0 stub | EF, F, M, B, LH, italics | EF, F, M, B, 1.1 stub | EF, F, M |
| Capped | 138 mm | 139.5 mm | 138.8 mm | 130.9 mm |
| Weight | 26.0 g | 17.0 g | 21.0 g | 11.0 g |
| Made in | Japan | Germany | Taiwan | Japan |
| Price band | $$$ | $$$ | $$$ | $$ |
Figures come from each pen’s guide. The Metropolitan and the Kakuno share Pilot cartridges and converters, so one supply of refills covers both.
Who is the Pilot Metropolitan for?
It suits adults who want a first fountain pen that feels like a metal pen, with a fine Japanese nib. The brass body adds weight, which some writers like and others find tiring. If you want something light or child-friendly, the Kakuno weighs less than half as much.
Fountain pen ink is wet, so paper matters: our Rhodia No. 16 DotPad guide covers one smooth, ink-friendly option.
Where is the Pilot Metropolitan made?
Milligram’s listing says the Metropolitan is made in Japan. We didn’t find Pilot stating it on its own pages, including its Japanese catalog page for the Cocoon.
How much does a Pilot Metropolitan cost?
It’s in our $$$ price band, $20–75 per pen, though it’s among the cheaper metal-bodied fountain pens. In Japan, Pilot’s web catalog lists the Cocoon at ¥4,400 (about US$28) including tax, or ¥4,000 (about US$25) before tax. Its October 1, 2024 price list raised it from ¥3,300 (about US$21), which is why older shopping guides such as Smartlog (September 2022) describe it as a pen in the ¥3,000 (about US$19) range.
Frequently asked questions
What nib sizes does the Pilot Metropolitan come in?
Goulet Pens sells it with Fine, Medium and 1.0 mm stub steel nibs. Pilot uses Japanese sizing, so its Fine writes about like a Western Extra Fine, according to The Journal Shop.
Does the Pilot Metropolitan come with a converter?
Yes. The Journal Shop says the box holds a cartridge and a CON-B squeeze converter, and Goulet Pens says Pilot ships either a CON-B or a CON-40, changing the style over time.
What cartridges does the Pilot Metropolitan use?
It takes Pilot's proprietary cartridges, not standard international ones, and comes with one black cartridge. Goulet Pens lists bottled ink and proprietary Pilot cartridges as its filling options.
Is the Pilot Metropolitan the same as the Pilot Cocoon?
Close siblings. Wikipedia calls the Cocoon the Japanese name for the Metropolitan, and Pilot's Japanese catalog lists the Cocoon at 138 mm, the same capped length, with a painted brass body and cap. But Pilot Japan doesn't sell a Metropolitan, lists the Cocoon at 24 g against Goulet's 26.0 g, offers it in F and M only, and its finishes differ.
How heavy is the Pilot Metropolitan?
Goulet Pens weighs it at 26.0 g with the cap (17 g body, 9 g cap); JetPens lists about 27 g. The brass body makes it noticeably heavier than plastic starter pens.
Where is the Pilot Metropolitan made?
Milligram's listing describes it as made in Japan. We didn't find Pilot stating it on its own pages, including the Japanese catalog page for the Cocoon.
Can you post the cap on a Pilot Metropolitan?
Yes. The snap-on cap posts on the end, which Goulet Pens measures at 153 mm (6.0 in) long, up from 138 mm capped.
Sources
- パイロット ウェブカタログ「コクーン」FCO-3SR-BOF (Pilot Japan catalog: Cocoon; 138 mm, 13.2 mm, 24 g, brass body and cap, CON-40, ¥4,400, Good Design Award)
- 革小物シリーズ『茶の恵』第2弾発売 (Pilot Japan press release, May 8, 2026: Cocoon on sale since 2012; limited Cha no Megumi Cocoon from June 1, 2026)
- 価格表 2024年10月1日付 (Pilot Japan price list, October 1, 2024, PDF: Cocoon FCO3SR ¥3,300 to ¥4,400 incl. tax)
- Wikipedia: Pilot (pen company) (Metropolitan, known as Cocoon in Japan, 2012)
- Goulet Pens: Pilot Metropolitan fountain pen, Gold Plain (measurements, converter)
- Goulet Pens: Pilot Metropolitan fountain pen, Black Plain
- Goulet Pens: Pilot Metropolitan Retro Pop Green (nib options)
- JetPens: Pilot Metropolitan fountain pen, Silver Python, Fine (brass body, snap cap, specs)
- The Journal Shop: Pilot Metropolitan complete guide (CON-B, nib sizing)
- Milligram: Pilot Metropolitan fountain pen (made in Japan)
- Unsharpen: Pilot CON-40 converter (0.4 ml)
- The Well-Appointed Desk: Review, Pilot Cocoon fountain pen (June 2013)
- Smartlog: Pilot Cocoon at around ¥3,000 (Japanese)