PILOT Explorer Lightweight Fountain Pen in Gift Box, Includes CON-B Converter; Gray Barrel, Fine Nib (12271)

The Pilot Explorer is a wonderful fountain pen. It can be carried or stored in any position, never leaks, never clogs. It is a pleasure to use, providing the tactile feedback of a fountain pen with ink cartridge ease of use and rock-solid reliability. I prefer this pen over moch more expensive alternatives; perhaps you will too.

I had originally avoided these as someone said they were very cheaply made and trash. But I pulled the trigger on one. It actually was my green one I first purchased as I love green. When it arrived I wasn't expecting much. But it may not be a 50-100 pen quality, but you don't pay that for it. It is a very light weight pen and that is nice with arthritis and carpal tunnel. The color looks really good. And the nib is pilots signature nib, they write very well. Plus the cap is a snap open/close not a twist closure so it's a quick open to use. Now the cons yes it is plastic so it has plastic limitations. It will if not careful twist loose a little (on the access to the cartridge that's threaded, it backs off a little sometimes, especially if you forget it is a snap top and twist). Again because of the plastic it's body scratches easier than the metal body, even thou it has survived my crowded purse (a feat in its own) but it has 2 small scuffs. And again if you like weight in your pens like the Cocoon or the Metropolitan (of those 2 Cocoon, if looking at metropolitan pay the extra and get the big sister Cocoon, it's the same pen just nib, click closure and threading was worked a little more making it smoother and an amazing pen to write with) sorry side note there. But yea it's not a weighted pen it is very light. To some that's good and others it's bad. But yea I don't really have much bad to say about this model of pen as I would up buying 4 of them. The green, the red, the Blue, and the grey. I love them all.

The pen is plastic. So what? I own pens that are metal and more expensive, and most don't write any better than the $20 Pilot. The Pilot Explorer is functional, light, easy to grip, and writes smoothly. It has a neutral aesthetic but also comes in cool colors. You can use this pen in the office or at home. I own several Pilot Explorers and fill them with inks that resemble their colors. The red pen is filled with red ink and so on. I enjoy these pens because they write well and don't fatigue my hand like the heavier metal pens do. The medium nib has an even, thick flow that I believe is ideal for anyone just getting started. At around $20, the Explorer is a good beginner's fountain pen. However, it's a solid everyday fountain pen as well. My only complaint is the excessive packaging. I wish the pen shipped with converters instead.

When they say this pen is lightweight, they mean it. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but just be prepared. I'm used to a little heavier pen, so this one definitely feels different in the hand. At first, I was iffy about the adapter that they sent with it. but honestly, I have come to like it. The pen writes pretty smoothly (so far) and I haven't had any problems with it that would justify my marking it down by any stars. So far, so good.

Good pen, lightweight and comfortable to hold in hand. But comparing to a Pilot Metropolitan it writes thinner and more "dry" (compared Medium nibs). The nib tip is visually smaller than the Metropolitan. -- Update after 2 months: Love this pen, writes perfectly with Pilot blue cartridges in cases when I want to have some "light writing".

initial review: Got a Lamy Safari and this Pilot Explorer at the same time. Granted, it's unclear if my Lamy is a genuine one, but the pilot is easier to hold and feels more precise. I like them both but am getting two more Pilots as gifts to friends. Would likely recommend. UPDATE: a week later, my feelings towards the 2 pens changed completely: Lamy has smoothed out to a beautifully writing machine, and I've also acquired the Pilot Metropolitan, which is metal and solid-feeling in the hand. By contrast, the Explorer now feels very flimsy.. I now agree with Jimmy Britt's review. In fact, I have gotten a couple Pilot Kakuno and the plastic feels stronger and more solid. By itself, there is nothing really wrong with the Explorer, but by comparison, I'd go with any one of the other 3, for better value and/or writing experience. I feel sorry for having turned against this pen from my initial fondness. (and I am gifting my friends Lamy + Kakuno instead (Also, note that Pilot's fine is thinner than Lamy's; you may want to consider a medium nib for Pilot for smoother writing.)

I ordered this as I like using a fountain pen for writing in a journal, or drawing pictures of my grandchildren. The pen is clear and precise, and allows great leeway in both writing and sketching. Paper makes a significant difference in my results. Too course, and the pen hangs up and can blot, but a fine or smooth paper gives nice results. I expected a little more heft for the money, but that's petty for what it delivers. Ink delivery is consistent, and doesn't keep flowing if you pause on the paper in the middle of a thought. I've had that happen with other pens, so that was a pleasant surprise. The other nice discovery - if you don't use it for weeks or longer, when you pick it up, it writes immediately. All in all, a good pen, and if you don't lose it, a nice writing instrument.

Es super liviana, muy cómoda, la calidad del plumín es excelente y escribe suavemente a pesar de ser una pluma F. ( Es una F japonesa que anda fácilmente por el 0,3). Y viene con un convertidor. Por el precio que tiene, es quizás la mejor pluma que existe, para mi gusto. Muy por encima de la safari, o de la metropolitan, o de cualquier kaweco. La única contra es que es de plástico. A mi no me importa porque eso significa que es superliviana, pero igual a alguien que prefiera algo de metal eso no le gusta. Por cierto, yo pagué por ella cerca de 20 usd. Ese es su precio. No más. Si te cobran más de 20, mejor una Kakuno. Dos Kakunos.

I bought this for 18 SGD. It looks kind of cheap, hence 4 stars, but writes smooth as butter, with no skips or blobs. The ink dries almost instantly, so, no smudges. Nothing more to say. I'm very happy with it.

The pen is light and ergonomic, but the nib is scratchy.. No Con-B converter, was included. Only a cartridge. It's just okay to write with, but overpriced and different from the Amazon description. Not recommended.

Caneta extremamente leve (toda de plástico, poderia ser um ponto contrário, mas a usabilidade justifica), ergonomia ótima, postada ou não e a ponta de aço espetacular (Fina), como é de praxe nas canetas tinteiro da Pilot

This is a really nice fountain pen. It is light weight and uses every drop of the ink in the cartridge. I would recommend this pen for anyone who wants to start using a fountain pen.