PILOT Explorer Lightweight Fountain Pen in Gift Box, Includes CON-B Converter; Gray Barrel, Medium Nib (12289)

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.

This pen is what most people would call a starter pen more then any other reason because it is cheaper then others. It still write extremely well, is light and can take cartridges or a converter. It does not have a gold nib but this is probably a good thing as the steel nib is more durable and for most people that is more important then any benefits an exotic softer metal will confer. The pens come in many colors and have a cheap converter that is a bit odd to use as most people will not have seen a 'bladder' type converter. These actually work well but most people will still prefer to use a normal converter as the rubber bladder is not transparent and will not allow the user to see if a refill is needed or some other issue has cause the pen to stop writing (say a bubble in the ink bladder). Over all this is an excellent pen.

The worst I can say about this pen is that it's made of plastic. Everything else is perfect. It's easy to hold, the nib is premium quality (like most Pilot nibs) so it writes better than pretty much any other pen you can buy, and it's big enough to fit the biggest Pilot converters and cartridges.The only downsides are it's not metal like the Metropolitan, and it has no ink window (unlike the Lamy Safari pens, which do have an ink window but have inferior nibs). So it's not the world's best pen. It's still plenty good.

While this is no high end fountain pen, it does have its perks. It’s super light weight and writes exceptionally well for the price. It comes with a cute case, but the converter is the bladder type that is messy. It comes with one black ink cartridge so the recipient can use it right away. It is a snap on lid, not screw on, and it seems secure. The pink is very pretty and jewel toned. Overall, I love it for a cheap but decent pen to knock around and enjoy around the house without having to really fuss about keeping up with. It would make a nice starter pen, as well. The price point is perfect and it’s a bargain for the quality.

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.

The media could not be loaded. Ok, this may be long. I have loved fountain pens since I was about 11 years old. I was eleven and in sixth grade. I had the coolest fountain pens of the Age (okay truly fountain pens were not considered “cool” by apparently anyone other than myself lol) anyhow, my pens wrote in every fancy color I desired, and as I grew up I became a worthless heroin addict that never used pens. They really only allow pencils in jail. Anyhow, fast forward to 2021 and here I am, 42 y/o, and clean since my early thirties, and I thought Gee, I miss fountain pens. I couldn’t find any at stores, so Thank You AMAZON! Anyhow I woke up this morning and opened my pen to put in it’s first cartridge ever, and OMGEE it *has* a converter! Just like I ordered! I’m relieved and pleased, as I ordered it because it HAS a converter also. Otherwise I’d have gotten the Amazon one.Anyhow, the pen cap closes like an expensive sliding door, it’s awesome! I’ll keep this post updated if it loses its ‘click’, okay?Anyhow, this clean and sober gal is BACK with her fountain pen flashing, and y’all just wait til my book comes out! 😘Oh! Only one teensy problem, and it’s probably just Me. So far, I’ve tried to put the cap on backwards twice... bumping the NIV into the black part of the cap, thinking it is the hole side of the cap.This could just be a result of my years of drug use 😜 so I wouldn’t worry if I were you. I put a pic of both sides of the cap, just to be Extra.Made a video to be Extra Extra.Ty for Reading All About It!(Seriously good inexpensive non-scratchy-so-far AMAZINGLY pretty and light Fountain Pen! GET IT!!!)Remember the CONVERTER IS IN THE PEN!!!Edit to add: THIS PEN COMES WITH A CONVERTER. IF YOURS DOES NOT COME WITH A CONVERTER, CONTACT THE SELLER! YOU PAID FOR IT, GET IT!!!