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Pilot Metropolitan vs Pilot Dr. Grip Center of Gravity
Pilot Metropolitan ($22) vs Pilot Dr. Grip Center of Gravity ($9.99) — side-by-side specs, weight, pros and cons to help you pick the right fountain pen.
Spec-by-spec
| Spec | Pilot Metropolitan | Pilot Dr. Grip Center of Gravity |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $22 | $9.99 |
| Weight | 22g | 20g |
| Nib | Steel (F, M, B) | — |
| Fill | Squeeze converter + cartridge | — |
| Body | Brass + painted steel | — |
| Length | 136mm capped | — |
| Cap | Snap cap | — |
| Weight | ~22g | ~20g (approx, estimated from the shared wide barrel; JetPens lists 20 g for the Full Black and the Limited gel; Pilot publishes no weight) |
| Style | — | Dr. Grip Center of Gravity, retractable ballpoint |
| Point | — | Medium, 1.0 mm |
| Ink | — | Black ink |
| Grip | — | Latex-free, wide double-layer comfort grip |
| Barrel | — | Balanced for even weight, metal clip and accents |
| Refill | — | Refillable |
| Certification | — | Certified for Ease of Use by the Arthritis Foundation |
| Pilot model | — | 36180, 36181, 36182, 36184 |
Pros & Cons
Pilot Metropolitan
- $22 lowest-regret entry
- Brass body satisfying heft
- Smooth forgiving nib
- Wide color selection
- Reliable Pilot engineering
- Squeeze converter messy
- No piston fill
- Cap can crack over time
Pilot Dr. Grip Center of Gravity
- Weight is balanced so the pen does not tip in your hand
- Double-layer grip in four colors
- Metal clip and accents
- Some colors cost more at Staples and are in-store only
- Medium point is broad for small handwriting
Pilot Dr. Grip Center of Gravity is the better value at $9.99. Both are part of our curated fountain pen index — tap through to check current pricing.
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