Everyone recommends the Pilot Metropolitan ($25–30), yet many daily writers secretly prefer its overlooked sibling: the Pilot Explorer ($20–28) (also known as the Pilot Lightive / Writive). Why? Because the Explorer gives you the exact same smooth Pilot steel nib in a featherlight 12g body without the Metro’s sharp grip step—and it fits Pilot’s massive 1.1 ml CON-70N push-button converter!
Pilot Explorer vs Metropolitan vs Cocoon: Pick the Right $20–$30 Pilot
Top Picks Compared
Pilot Explorer Lightweight (Fine Nib)
Pilot Explorer Lightweight Fountain Pen · Typical: $20-28
Best if: Weighs just 12g (less than half the Metropolitan), removes the sharp barrel step-down, and fits the giant 1.1ml Pilot CON-70N converter.
Setup note: Ships with 1 cartridge (converter sold separately—add the CON-70N or cartridges below).
Pilot Metropolitan Classic Black (Fine)
Pilot Metropolitan Black Fine (91111) · Typical: $25-30
Best if: 27g lacquered brass barrel with executive weight and a gift box. Identical construction to the Japanese Pilot Cocoon.
Setup note: Cannot fit the large CON-70N converter; noticeable step-down ridge at the grip.
Pilot Writive / Lightive Matte Black (Fine)
Pilot Writive Fountain Pen Matte Black Fine · Typical: $18-24
Best if: Clean stealth matte black version of Pilot’s lightweight adult starter platform with smooth Fine steel nib and CON-70N support.
Setup note: Lightweight resin construction; pair with Pilot cartridges or CON-70N.
Must-Have Upgrade for Pilot Explorer: Pilot CON-70N Push-Button Converter
The biggest superpower of the Pilot Explorer is that it fits the giant CON-70N push-button converter (1.1ml capacity—nearly 3x larger than the Metro’s CON-40!).
Buying the Pilot Metropolitan instead? Do NOT buy the CON-70N (it won't fit inside the Metro's brass barrel)—grab Pilot Namiki Blue Cartridges ($8 for 12) instead!
Side-by-Side Comparison: Pilot Explorer vs Metropolitan (Cocoon) vs Kakuno
| Feature | Pilot Explorer / Lightive ($20–28) | Pilot Metropolitan / Cocoon ($25–30) | Pilot Kakuno ($10–15) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical US Price | $20–28 | $25–30 | $10–15 |
| Body Material & Weight | Lightweight matte/gloss resin (~12 g — zero hand fatigue) | Lacquered solid brass (~27 g — traditional metal heft) | Hexagonal ABS plastic (~11 g — clipless school/desk style) |
| Fits Giant CON-70N Converter? | YES — fits the 1.1 ml push-button Pilot CON-70N converter! | NO — barrel is too narrow for CON-70N (fits small 0.4 ml CON-40 only) | YES — fits the 1.1 ml CON-70N converter |
| Barrel-to-Grip Step | Gentle, gradual taper (comfortable for high or low grips) | Sharp metal step-down ledge between barrel and grip | Gentle faceted triangular grip |
| Japanese Domestic Name | Sold in Japan (with upgraded inner cap seal) as Pilot Lightive | Sold in Japan in special titanium/metallic colors as Pilot Cocoon | Pilot Kakuno worldwide |
1. Why the Pilot Explorer Fixes the Two Biggest Metropolitan Complaints
Don't get us wrong: the Pilot Metropolitan is a hall-of-fame beginner pen. But once you write with it for a few weeks, two quirks show up:
- Tiny converter capacity: The Metropolitan’s brass barrel is too narrow for Pilot’s best converter, forcing you to use either cartridges or the tiny 0.4 ml Pilot CON-40.
- The metal step-down ledge: Where the cap meets the barrel, there is a sharp drop-off that can press against your thumb during long lectures.
The Pilot Explorer ($20–28) solves both. Its barrel is wide enough inside to swallow the 1.1 ml Pilot CON-70N push-button converter (the same converter used in the $300 Pilot Custom 743!), and its section tapers smoothly with zero sharp ledges.
2. Clearing Up the Names: Pilot Cocoon & Pilot Lightive / Writive
If you see Japanese stationery videos mentioning the Pilot Cocoon or Pilot Lightive, here is how they map to US Amazon listings:
- Pilot Cocoon = Japanese Pilot Metropolitan: Identical 27g brass body and steel nib, sold in sleek solid metallic colors without retro patterns on the center band. Unless you specifically want a Japanese-only color, the US Pilot Metropolitan Black Classic gives you the exact same pen for $15 less.
- Pilot Lightive / Writive = Updated Pilot Explorer: Shares the Explorer's 12g lightweight geometry and CON-70N support in modern matte and clear finishes.
Pilot Explorer Fine
$20–28 · 12g Featherlight · Fits CON-70N
All the adult styling and clip utility of the Metropolitan at less than half the weight—plus compatibility with Pilot’s 1.1ml CON-70N converter.
Pilot Metropolitan Fine
$25–30 · 27g Brass · Classic Executive Look
Choose the Metropolitan if you prefer a solid brass barrel that feels substantial in the hand right out of the box.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Pilot Explorer or the Pilot Metropolitan?
If you write for 30+ minutes at a time, hate heavy pens, or want to use Pilot’s huge CON-70N push-button ink converter (1.1 ml capacity), buy the Pilot Explorer ($20–28). If you prefer a heavy 27-gram brass pen that feels like a traditional executive gift pen, buy the Pilot Metropolitan ($25–30). Both use the exact same smooth Pilot steel nib.
What is the difference between the Pilot Metropolitan and the Pilot Cocoon?
Mechanically and dimensionally, the Pilot Metropolitan and Pilot Cocoon are the exact same 27-gram brass pen! "Cocoon" is simply the Japanese domestic market line, sold in modern satin finishes (like Titanium, Blue, and Bordeaux) without the animal-print or retro zigzag center bands found on some US Metropolitan models.
What is the difference between the Pilot Explorer and the Pilot Lightive / Writive?
The Pilot Explorer is the North American name for Pilot’s lightweight, round-barrel starter pen. In Japan (and on select global listings as the Lightive or Writive), Pilot updated the inner cap liner to improve dry-out resistance while keeping the exact same 12-gram body, nib, and CON-70N converter compatibility.
Why is CON-70N compatibility such a big deal on the Pilot Explorer?
The #1 complaint about the Pilot Metropolitan is that its narrow brass barrel only accepts the tiny Pilot CON-40 twist converter (~0.4 ml of ink). The Pilot Explorer has a wider internal barrel that accepts the Pilot CON-70N push-button converter, which holds 1.1 ml of ink—nearly three times as much!