The Hongdian Black Forest 1851 ($16–22) and the Pilot Metropolitan ($25–30) are the two best metal starter fountain pens under $30. Choose the Hongdian 1851 if you want a stealthy knurled metal body, no sharp barrel step, and a twist converter ready for bottled ink. Choose the Pilot Metropolitan if you want a finer Japanese nib line for office paper and an ink cartridge included in the box.
Quick Verdict: Pick Your Ideal Metal Desk Pen
Top Picks Compared
Hongdian Black Forest 1851
Hongdian Black Forest 1851 · Typical: $16-22
Best if: Industrial matte-black knurled metal barrel, black PVD nib, and a pre-installed twist converter at an under-$22 price.
Setup note: Ships with an empty converter (no cartridge in the box); pair with bottled ink below.
Pilot Metropolitan Black Fine (91111)
Pilot Metropolitan Black Fine (91111) · Typical: $25-30
Best if: Crisp Japanese Fine steel nib and timeless executive brass styling that behaves reliably on standard office and school paper.
Setup note: Includes one Pilot cartridge in the box; uses proprietary Pilot IC-100 refills.
Asvine P20 Piston Filler
Asvine P20 Amber Medium · Typical: $30-35
Best if: Prefer warm patterned resin and 3x the ink capacity of a small converter? Step up to a built-in piston filler.
Setup note: Fills directly from an ink bottle (does not use cartridges).
Complete Your Setup: Waterman Serenity Blue (50ml Bottled Ink)
Essential for the Hongdian 1851 (which ships without ink) and the best everyday bottled ink for refilling the Pilot Metropolitan.
Both the Hongdian 1851 and Pilot Metropolitan use durable snap caps for quick one-second note-taking at work.
Hongdian Black Forest vs Pilot Metropolitan: Spec Comparison
| Feature | Hongdian Black Forest 1851 | Pilot Metropolitan (91111) |
|---|---|---|
| Typical US Price | $16–22 | $25–30 |
| Body Material & Weight | Matte knurled brass/metal (~35 g total, ~23 g unposted) | Matte black brass barrel with plastic grip (~26 g total) |
| Grip Section | Slim, textured metal grip with minimal barrel step | Smooth round plastic grip with a noticeable step to the barrel |
| Nib Character | Black PVD-coated steel (EF, F, M, or Bent/Fude); Western-leaning line width | Polished Japanese steel (Fine or Medium); crisp, narrower line for small notes |
| What Is in the Box? | Twist converter pre-installed (no ink cartridge included) | 1 Pilot ink cartridge + squeeze converter (US 91111 listing) |
| Refill Compatibility | Included converter + bottled ink, or 3.4 mm bore cartridges | Proprietary Pilot IC-100 cartridges or Pilot CON-40 converter |
1. Grip & Hand Feel: Slim Knurled Metal vs Brass With a Step
Ergonomics is the #1 reason writers prefer one of these pens over the other:
- Hongdian Black Forest 1851: Features a slim, straight profile with non-slip texture on the metal grip section and almost no step-down between the barrel and the grip. Because the metal cap is fairly heavy, most people write with the Black Forest unposted (~23 g), where it feels agile and well-balanced.
- Pilot Metropolitan: Has a slightly wider, curved cigar-style brass barrel and a smooth plastic grip section. However, there is a distinct ledge (step-down) where the barrel meets the grip. If you hold your pen higher up from the nib, your thumb may rest right on that step.
2. Nib Line Width: Western-Style PVD vs Japanese Fine
Both pens use reliable stainless-steel nibs, but they are tuned for different handwriting styles:
- Choose Pilot Metropolitan Fine if you have small handwriting, write in narrow planner boxes, or use standard copy paper at work. Japanese Fine nibs run noticeably narrower than Western or Chinese Fine nibs, which keeps ink from feathering on cheap paper.
- Choose Hongdian Black Forest EF or Fine if you prefer a slightly wetter, bolder line with a sleek black PVD-coated nib that matches the stealth barrel. Hongdian also makes it easy to unscrew the entire nib unit if you ever want to try a Bent (Fude) nib for sketching.
3. First-Day Ink Setup (Don’t Get Caught Without Ink)
This is the most important practical difference before you click checkout:
- Ordering the Hongdian Black Forest? It includes a good rotary twist converter inside the pen, but zero ink in the box. Be sure to add a bottle of Waterman Serenity Blue (50ml) or Waterman Intense Black to your cart so you can use it immediately.
- Ordering the Pilot Metropolitan? The standard US box includes one black Pilot cartridge so you can write right away, plus a basic cleaning/squeeze converter. For easy long-term refills, grab a 12-pack of Pilot Namiki IC-100 cartridges or upgrade to the Pilot CON-40 twist converter.
Final Verdict: Which One Belongs on Your Desk?
Hongdian Black Forest 1851
Typical: $16–22 · Converter Included
Pick this if: You want a rugged all-metal matte black pen, dislike the barrel step on the Metropolitan, and plan to fill from bottled ink.
Pilot Metropolitan (91111)
Typical: $25–30 · Cartridge Included
Pick this if: You want a crisp, narrow Japanese Fine line for office paper and prefer a classic brass cigar silhouette.
Want to compare more models in this price tier? Read our Hongdian Buying Guide, Pilot Metropolitan Review, or our Best Fountain Pens Under $30 Shortlist.
FAQ
Should I buy the Hongdian Black Forest 1851 or the Pilot Metropolitan?
Buy the Hongdian Black Forest 1851 ($16–22) if you want a stealthy all-metal matte black look, a textured grip without a sharp barrel step, and a pre-installed twist converter for bottled ink. Buy the Pilot Metropolitan ($25–30) if you write small notes on ordinary office paper and want a crisp Japanese Fine nib with an ink cartridge included in the box.
Does the Hongdian Black Forest include ink in the box?
No. The Hongdian Black Forest 1851 ships with a refillable twist converter inside the barrel, but no ink cartridge. Add a bottle of Waterman Serenity Blue so you can fill the pen as soon as it arrives.
Which pen is better for small handwriting and cheap copy paper?
The Pilot Metropolitan in Fine is the safer choice for small handwriting on absorbent office paper because Pilot’s Japanese Fine nib lays down a narrower, more controlled line than a Hongdian Fine.
Can you replace the nib on the Hongdian Black Forest?
Yes. The Hongdian 1851 uses screw-in nib units, making it easy to swap between Extra Fine, Fine, and Bent (Fude) nibs without replacing the whole pen.