Pilot and Namiki fountain pens: the models worth knowing, pros and cons

Pilot is the Japanese company behind the Kakuno, the Metropolitan, the Vanishing Point and the Custom 823. Namiki sits at the very top: maki-e lacquer art pens made at Pilot's Hiratsuka plant. If you want one Pilot to start with, get a Kakuno (around $15) or a Metropolitan (around $34). For a first gold nib, the Custom 74 (around $216) is the easy pick. A Namiki Emperor starts around $2,700. All prices are from Goulet Pens as of October 7, 2026. Below are eight models from starter to maki-e, with honest pros and cons for each.

Pilot and Namiki: how they fit together

Pilot started in 1918, when Ryosuke Namiki and Masao Wada set up Namiki Manufacturing Co., Ltd., according to Pilot's company history. It took the name The Pilot Pen Co., Ltd. in 1938. Today the Namiki name lives on in maki-e pens made at Pilot's Hiratsuka plant. Goulet wrote in 2023 that nearly 20 specialists there work only on Namiki maki-e pens. Namiki's own site calls it "the top brand in Maki-e fountain pens" and ties it to the roots of Pilot.

Maki-e is Japanese lacquer art. In Namiki's words, "powdered gold is sprinkled onto the lacquer." Lacquering, drawing, sprinkling and polishing are repeated over and over. Namiki says a maki-e pen takes more than three months to finish, and some go through that cycle as many as 130 times.

Two things to know about most Pilot pens:

• Pilot fine nibs write thin. Japanese extra fine and fine nibs tend to run a full size finer than Western ones, while mediums and broads are closer to Western sizes. If you like a bolder line, size up. Our nib sizes guide explains more.
• Pilot cartridge pens take Pilot refills only. Pilot and Namiki cartridges and converters are proprietary, so buy Pilot cartridges or a Pilot converter like the CON-40 or CON-70.

Pilot and Namiki pens at a glance

Prices are from Goulet Pens as of October 7, 2026. They move around, so check before you buy.

Pilot starter pens under $70

Pilot Kakuno: the smiley face starter

Price: $15 to $20 depending on color, as of October 7, 2026 at Goulet Pens.

Pilot's own history calls the Kakuno "a simple and easy-to-use fountain pen for beginners." The six sided barrel feels like a pencil and won't roll off the table. The steel nib has a little smiley face on it, and when the face looks up at you, the nib is pointing the right way. The whole pen weighs 11 grams.

• Pros: the cheapest Pilot here, a nib that shows you how to hold it, light in the hand, and a snap cap that posts on the back.
• Cons: no converter in the box (the CON-40 is $8.13 more at Goulet), nib choices change by color (the clear one comes only in extra fine or medium, the Azure Sky in fine or medium), and the playful look is pitched at "both kids and adults."

Good for: a first fountain pen, or a cheap second pen to hold a new ink color.

Pilot Metropolitan: the metal body bargain

Price: $34 (list $42.50) as of October 7, 2026 at Goulet Pens.

Goulet calls the Metropolitan "a favorite first fountain pen." It has a lacquered metal body and a steel nib in fine, medium or a 1.0mm stub. It comes with a cartridge and a converter, so you can try bottled ink from day one.

• Pros: a converter in the box, three nib choices, and a solid feel at 26 grams.
• Cons: you can't pick your converter, since Goulet says it ships with either a Con-B or a CON-40. It is also more than twice the weight of a Kakuno, which some people love and some don't.

Good for: a beginner who already knows they want bottled ink. Our first fountain pen guide compares it with other starters.

Pilot Prera: the petite one

Price: $67.20 (list $84) as of October 7, 2026 at Goulet Pens, the same price for all four colors.

Goulet describes it as "the petite Pilot Prera", and it is: 121 mm capped, about a centimeter shorter than a Kakuno, and 135 mm with the cap posted. It has a steel nib in fine or medium, a snap cap, and a CON-40 converter in the box.

• Pros: compact and light at 15 grams, with a converter included.
• Cons: it costs about twice as much as a Metropolitan and still has a steel nib.

Good for: a small planner or a pen that lives in a little bag.

Pilot gold nib pens: Vanishing Point, Custom 74 and Falcon

Pilot Vanishing Point: the click fountain pen

Price: $192 (list $240) for the standard finishes, as of October 7, 2026 at Goulet Pens.

There is no cap. You click the pen to bring the nib out or put it away, and a hidden trap door keeps the nib from drying out. Pilot launched it in 1963 as the Capless, calling it the world's first retractable fountain pen, and in the US it is sold as the Vanishing Point. Goulet made it the first pen in its Hall of Fame. The 18k gold nib comes in extra fine through broad plus a 1.0mm stub, and a CON-40 converter is included.

• Pros: one click and you are writing, with no cap to lose, plus a gold nib and lots of nib choices.
• Cons: the clip sits on the grip section, and some writers complain it is right where they hold the pen. Even Goulet's Hall of Fame write up admits "some challenges in ink capacity and clip placement." At 30 grams, it has some heft.

If the standard model feels thick, the Decimo is the same length but slimmer, 12 mm across instead of 13.4 mm.

Good for: taking notes in meetings, or anyone who uncaps and recaps all day.

Pilot Custom 74: your first gold nib

Price: $216 (list $270) for most colors and $240 for Lavender Fog, as of October 7, 2026 at Goulet Pens.

The Custom 74 is a translucent resin pen with a 14k gold nib in extra fine, fine or medium, a screw cap, and Pilot's CON-70 converter in the box. Goulet's Pilot guide calls it "the most affordable Pilot Custom pen and the one I'd recommend if you're wanting to try out the series."

• Pros: a gold nib at the low end of the Custom line, Pilot's CON-70 converter included, and nine colors at Goulet.
• Cons: its #5 nib is the smallest in the Custom lineup, and it is a big price jump from the Metropolitan.

Want a piston filler instead? Goulet's 2024 Pilot guide noted that the Custom Heritage 92 was "the only piston-filling pen that Pilot currently makes."

Good for: your first step up to gold.

Pilot Falcon: a soft nib to play with

Price: $224 (list $280) as of October 7, 2026 at Goulet Pens.

The Falcon has a soft 14k gold nib that gives line variation when you change your writing pressure. Press a little harder and the line gets wider. It comes in soft extra fine, soft fine and soft medium, with a CON-40 converter and a screw cap.

• Pros: thick and thin lines from an everyday pen, plus a converter in the box.
• Cons: Goulet warns that you "can overdo it," so go easy on the nib. The soft extra fine has "a very toothy feel."

Good for: someone curious about expressive lines who has a light touch.

Pilot Custom 823: the big ink tank

Price: $416 (list $520) in amber, clear or smoke, as of October 7, 2026 at Goulet Pens. The amber was out of stock in fine that day.

The Custom 823 has a 14k gold nib and a vacuum filler, which Goulet's 2024 Pilot guide called "the only Pilot pen that has this." It holds 2.55 ml of ink and comes in a gift box with a 70 ml bottle of Pilot Blue.

One quirk to know before you buy: when you write, you slightly unscrew the knob to let the ink flow. Goulet also notes that any pen holding 2 ml or more has a higher risk of leaking when you travel, especially with big changes in elevation or temperature.

• Pros: a huge ink supply, a bottle of ink included, and a translucent resin body.
• Cons: the extra knob step, and the price. Goulet says it suits "those who like to keep the same ink in a pen for a long time," and that people who change inks often may prefer the Custom 743.

Good for: one favorite ink and long writing sessions.

Namiki: maki-e and the Emperor

Namiki Emperor: the art pen

Price: $2,700 for the solid black or vermillion urushi versions, and $7,000 to $19,000 for maki-e designs, as of October 7, 2026 at Goulet Pens. Most were out of stock.

Namiki calls the Emperor "Namiki's highest ranking series." The body is ebonite, and the nib is a size No. 50, which Namiki says is the same size as the large maki-e fountain pen created about 100 years ago. Goulet lists the black Emperor with an urushi lacquer finish and an 18k gold nib. It is an eyedropper pen, so the barrel itself holds the ink. It comes in a wooden box with a bottle of ink, and it is big: 174 mm capped and almost 48 grams.

• Pros: art made by maki-e artisans that you can actually write with, a giant gold nib, and a lifetime warranty in the US.
• Cons: the price, eyedropper filling instead of a cartridge or converter, and Goulet's rule that it is "unable to accept a return of this pen for any reason once it has been used with ink."

Good for: a once in a lifetime pen.

Looking for Japanese lacquer art for less? The least expensive Namiki pens at Goulet were Chinkin models at $1,600. In Chinkin, special chisels engrave a pattern into the lacquered surface. Or try a Vanishing Point Raden at $980, where each piece of abalone shell is hand cut and hand laid into the pen, which has a hand lacquered urushi finish.

Which Pilot should you buy?

• Your first fountain pen: Kakuno, or the Metropolitan if you want metal and a converter.
• A small pen for a planner: Prera.
• Your first gold nib: Custom 74.
• Notes all day: Vanishing Point.
• Thick and thin lines: Falcon.
• One ink for weeks: Custom 823.
• Art: Namiki.

Warranty: buy from an authorized seller and keep the receipt

Pilot's US warranty page gives the Kakuno, Metropolitan and Prera a 2 year limited warranty. It covers only pens Pilot distributes in the US and bought from an authorized US retailer. The Custom 74, Falcon, Custom 823 and Vanishing Point get 3 years from purchase with the warranty card or proof of purchase. On both of those tiers, bent or damaged nibs are not covered. Namiki pens get a lifetime warranty with the registration card and proof of purchase.

Try a Pilot at Pens & Pints

Reading about nibs only gets you so far. The best way to choose your next pen is to write a few lines with one. SD Pen & Ink meets for Pens & Pints every 3rd Saturday, 11 AM to 2 PM at AleSmith Brewing, 9990 AleSmith Ct, San Diego. The meetup is free, with no dues and no membership. Bring a Pilot you love, one you are curious about, or just your questions. All experience levels are welcome.

Follow @sdpenclub for more details.

Common questions

Is Namiki part of Pilot?

Yes. Pilot began in 1918 as Namiki Manufacturing Co., Ltd., founded by Ryosuke Namiki and Masao Wada, and took the name The Pilot Pen Co., Ltd. in 1938. Today Namiki maki-e pens are made at Pilot's Hiratsuka plant, and Pilot's US warranty page covers Namiki pens, including the Emperor, with a lifetime warranty.

What is the best Pilot fountain pen for a beginner?

The Pilot Kakuno, $15 to $20 at Goulet Pens as of October 7, 2026, is Pilot's pen for beginners, with a smiley face on the nib that shows you which way is up. The Pilot Metropolitan, around $34, adds a metal body and comes with a converter for bottled ink.

Is the Pilot Custom 823 worth it?

It is if you like to keep one ink in a pen for a long time. The Custom 823 has a 14k gold nib and a vacuum filler that holds 2.55 ml, and it comes with a 70 ml bottle of Pilot Blue. It was around $416 at Goulet Pens as of October 7, 2026. The trade off is that you loosen the knob slightly while you write so the ink can flow.

What is a Pilot Vanishing Point?

A fountain pen with no cap. You click the pen to bring out or put away an 18k gold nib, and a trap door keeps the nib from drying out. Pilot launched the design in 1963 as the Capless. Standard versions were around $192 at Goulet Pens as of October 7, 2026. Some writers dislike that the clip sits on the grip.

How much does a Namiki Emperor cost?

At Goulet Pens on October 7, 2026, the solid black and vermillion urushi Emperors were listed at $2,700, and maki-e Emperors ran from $7,000 to $19,000. Most were out of stock. Pilot's US warranty page lists a lifetime warranty for Namiki pens.

Sources

We opened every page below while checking this post in October 2026. Prices and stock change, so check with the shop before you buy.

1. PILOT Corporation, Company history (corp.pilot.co.jp)
2. PILOT 100th anniversary site, History (pilot.co.jp)
3. Namiki official site, About Namiki (pilot-namiki.com)
4. Goulet Pens blog, Namiki maki-e fountain pen overview (Oct. 23, 2023) (gouletpens.com)
5. Namiki official site, Techniques (pilot-namiki.com)
6. Namiki official site, Emperor Collection (pilot-namiki.com)
7. Pilot Pen US, FAQ (warranty) (pilotpen.us)
8. Goulet Pens blog, Japanese vs Western fountain pen nibs (gouletpens.com)
9. Goulet Pens blog, Cartridge and converter compatibility guide (gouletpens.com)
10. Goulet Pens, Pilot Kakuno fountain pen, Clear (gouletpens.com)
11. Goulet Pens, Pilot Kakuno fountain pen, Azure Sky (gouletpens.com)
12. Goulet Pens, Pilot Kakuno collection (gouletpens.com)
13. Goulet Pens, Pilot Metropolitan fountain pen, Black Plain (gouletpens.com)
14. Goulet Pens, Pilot Prera collection (gouletpens.com)
15. Goulet Pens, Pilot Prera fountain pen, Empress Teal (gouletpens.com)
16. Goulet Pens, Pilot Custom 74 collection (gouletpens.com)
17. Goulet Pens, Pilot Custom 74 fountain pen, Smoke (gouletpens.com)
18. Goulet Pens blog, Pilot Custom pens explained (Aug. 28, 2024) (gouletpens.com)
19. Goulet Pens, Pilot Falcon collection (gouletpens.com)
20. Goulet Pens, Pilot Falcon fountain pen, Black/Rhodium (gouletpens.com)
21. Goulet Pens, Pilot Vanishing Point collection (gouletpens.com)
22. Goulet Pens, Pilot Vanishing Point fountain pen, Black Matte (gouletpens.com)
23. Goulet Pens, Pilot Vanishing Point fountain pen, Raden Stripe (gouletpens.com)
24. Goulet Pens blog, Hall of Fame #1: Pilot Vanishing Point (Jan. 17, 2024) (gouletpens.com)
25. Yoseka Stationery, Pilot Vanishing Point fountain pens explained (yosekastationery.com)
26. Goulet Pens, Pilot Custom 823 collection (gouletpens.com)
27. Goulet Pens, Pilot Custom 823 fountain pen, Amber (gouletpens.com)
28. Goulet Pens blog, How to fill a vacuum filling fountain pen (Mar. 4, 2025) (gouletpens.com)
29. Goulet Pens blog, Removing vacuum filler pen o-rings (Mar. 15, 2013) (gouletpens.com)
30. Goulet Pens, Namiki Emperor collection (gouletpens.com)
31. Goulet Pens, Namiki Emperor Urushi fountain pen, Black (gouletpens.com)
32. Goulet Pens, All Namiki products (gouletpens.com)
33. SD Pen & Ink, Meetup details (sdpenclub.com)