The PILOT Explorer is an everyday writing companion for when you're out and about, so you're always ready when inspiration strikes. It has a stainless steel nib so you can always enjoy a smooth writing experience, and a sliding cap seal mechanism that keeps it protected. It comes in a gift case, making it a beautiful present idea for a loved one.
The PILOT Explorer is an everyday writing companion for when you're out and about, so you're always ready when inspiration strikes. It has a stainless steel nib so you can always enjoy a smooth writing experience, and a sliding cap seal mechanism that keeps it protected. It comes in a gift case, making it a beautiful present idea for a loved one.
in 1 offers
The lowest price for Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen Red Medium right now is $40.62 at Mega Thing.
The all-time low was $21.46 on 10 Mar 2026 — today's price is 89% above the lowest ever. It has been notably cheaper before — worth setting a price alert.
Prices last updated 9 Nov 2026.
Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen Red Medium
The PILOT Explorer is an everyday writing companion for when you're out and about, so you're always ready when inspiration strikes. It has a stainless steel nib so you can always enjoy a smooth writing experience, and a sliding cap seal mechanism that keeps it protected. It comes in a gift case, making it a beautiful present idea for a loved one.
The PILOT Explorer is an everyday writing companion for when you're out and about, so you're always ready when inspiration strikes. It has a stainless steel nib so you can always enjoy a smooth writing experience, and a sliding cap seal mechanism that keeps it protected. It comes in a gift case, making it a beautiful present idea for a loved one.
Last updated at 09/11/2026 14:20:29
Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen Metallic Red Barrel Medium Nib
Delivery between Wed – Mon $22
originally posted on gouletpens.com
I'll be honest - the Explorer never really tempted me until the latest batch of colors came out. The clear one won out over the metallic ones for me - it's just a great-looking demonstrator. (Side note: the much darker translucent section is good for me - if I can't see every last spot of ink with crystal clarity, I won't obsess over them as much while cleaning. It also keeps up the pen's interesting transparent-and-black aesthetic.)I got a medium nib, and it's typical Pilot - smooth, great quality out of the box. They're about as consistent as it gets.Small details: the clip is sturdy but fits easily over thick material. The capping-uncapping action is really satisfying - has a soft feel. Posting is excellent, and the pen is light and balanced enough that posting ... MoreI'll be honest - the Explorer never really tempted me until the latest batch of colors came out. The clear one won out over the metallic ones for me - it's just a great-looking demonstrator. (Side note: the much darker translucent section is good for me - if I can't see every last spot of ink with crystal clarity, I won't obsess over them as much while cleaning. It also keeps up the pen's interesting transparent-and-black aesthetic.)I got a medium nib, and it's typical Pilot - smooth, great quality out of the box. They're about as consistent as it gets.Small details: the clip is sturdy but fits easily over thick material. The capping-uncapping action is really satisfying - has a soft feel. Posting is excellent, and the pen is light and balanced enough that posting doesn't back-weight it much. Section might be thin for some (similar to the Metro diameter-wise) but works well for me. I'm using a CON-40 at the moment, but it can take the beefy CON-70 as well. It feels nice in the hand.Minor quibbles: The step is by no means sharp - certainly far less so than on the Metropolitan - but the plastic on the barrel right up against the barrel isn't exactly the smoothest. I don't like the super quality on the nib, but I forget all about that when actually writing. (Plus I could always replace it...but why?)To sum up: if you've been on the fence about this one, or if you're looking for a first Pilot pen, why not give it a go now? It's lightweight, balanced, and can fit the whole range of Pilot converters. The demonstrator model lets you know right away when it's time to refill...and it also looks pretty slick.
originally posted on gouletpens.com
I’ve got a variety of pens from basic entry level to higher end gold nibs, but my explorers are the pens I use more than any other. I prefer the glossy white and matte black finishes for how they feel in my hand—the pearlescent finishes just don’t feel as nice—but I can be sensitive to texture. Pilot steel nibs run a little dry in my experience, so drier inks may not flow as nice, but I’ve had fantastic luck with most pilot, Sailor, platinum, and monteverde inks in these pens.These are lightweight, unassuming for the office, and rarely hard start even after being left inked and unused for a few months.
originally posted on gouletpens.com
I got the Pilot Explorer in Pink and love the color. I've loved my other Pilot fountain pens (Metropolitan and Kakuno) and assumed I would love this too. I got a medium nib and it writes a firmer than my other Pilots. I also forget that the Japanese nibs are finer than the German nibs like on the LAMY or Kaweco. So a medium on a Pilot is like a fine nib for a LAMY. I paired this pen with the Diamond Shimmertastic in Pink Glitz. It's the perfect match to the pen! The ink flows ok, but feels dry and adds to the feeling of stiffness to the pen. I'll try out another ink later and see if it flows better. The pen feels balanced in the hand and is lightweight. I just wish the nib wasn't so stiff.
| Capped / Retractactable | Capped |
| Clippable | Yes |
| Clip Material | Plastic |
| Converter Compatible | Yes |
| Pen Type | Fountain Pens |
Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen Metallic Red Barrel Medium Nib
Delivery between Wed – Mon $22
I'll be honest - the Explorer never really tempted me until the latest batch of colors came out. The clear one won out over the metallic ones for me - it's just a great-looking demonstrator. (Side note: the much darker translucent section is good for me - if I can't see every last spot of ink with crystal clarity, I won't obsess over them as much while cleaning. It also keeps up the pen's interesting transparent-and-black aesthetic.)I got a medium nib, and it's typical Pilot - smooth, great quality out of the box. They're about as consistent as it gets.Small details: the clip is sturdy but fits easily over thick material. The capping-uncapping action is really satisfying - has a soft feel. Posting is excellent, and the pen is light and balanced enough that posting ... MoreI'll be honest - the Explorer never really tempted me until the latest batch of colors came out. The clear one won out over the metallic ones for me - it's just a great-looking demonstrator. (Side note: the much darker translucent section is good for me - if I can't see every last spot of ink with crystal clarity, I won't obsess over them as much while cleaning. It also keeps up the pen's interesting transparent-and-black aesthetic.)I got a medium nib, and it's typical Pilot - smooth, great quality out of the box. They're about as consistent as it gets.Small details: the clip is sturdy but fits easily over thick material. The capping-uncapping action is really satisfying - has a soft feel. Posting is excellent, and the pen is light and balanced enough that posting doesn't back-weight it much. Section might be thin for some (similar to the Metro diameter-wise) but works well for me. I'm using a CON-40 at the moment, but it can take the beefy CON-70 as well. It feels nice in the hand.Minor quibbles: The step is by no means sharp - certainly far less so than on the Metropolitan - but the plastic on the barrel right up against the barrel isn't exactly the smoothest. I don't like the super quality on the nib, but I forget all about that when actually writing. (Plus I could always replace it...but why?)To sum up: if you've been on the fence about this one, or if you're looking for a first Pilot pen, why not give it a go now? It's lightweight, balanced, and can fit the whole range of Pilot converters. The demonstrator model lets you know right away when it's time to refill...and it also looks pretty slick.
I’ve got a variety of pens from basic entry level to higher end gold nibs, but my explorers are the pens I use more than any other. I prefer the glossy white and matte black finishes for how they feel in my hand—the pearlescent finishes just don’t feel as nice—but I can be sensitive to texture. Pilot steel nibs run a little dry in my experience, so drier inks may not flow as nice, but I’ve had fantastic luck with most pilot, Sailor, platinum, and monteverde inks in these pens.These are lightweight, unassuming for the office, and rarely hard start even after being left inked and unused for a few months.
I got the Pilot Explorer in Pink and love the color. I've loved my other Pilot fountain pens (Metropolitan and Kakuno) and assumed I would love this too. I got a medium nib and it writes a firmer than my other Pilots. I also forget that the Japanese nibs are finer than the German nibs like on the LAMY or Kaweco. So a medium on a Pilot is like a fine nib for a LAMY. I paired this pen with the Diamond Shimmertastic in Pink Glitz. It's the perfect match to the pen! The ink flows ok, but feels dry and adds to the feeling of stiffness to the pen. I'll try out another ink later and see if it flows better. The pen feels balanced in the hand and is lightweight. I just wish the nib wasn't so stiff.
I find the Pilot Explorer to be an excellent option for my particular needs. I am a left-handed overwriter, with a very peculiar way of gripping the pen. Many of us left-handed writers, out of necessity, have invented our own special way of gripping the pen. This pen offers a very neutral profile across its entire length, with a very smooth step-down to the grip section, so it can accommodate many kinds of grip styles and still feel comfortable to hold. The pen is also very light compared to the average fountain pen, which makes it very comfortable for me during long writing sessions. I highly recommend this pen for any left-handed writers or anyone who uses an unorthodox grip.
The Pilot Metropolitan with medium nib was my first fountain pen and I love it, but I was getting some fatigue from longer writing sessions and wanted a finer nib. The Metropolitan feels so hefty I doubted from pictures that the Explorer would be as big around, but you can see they're about the same, the explorer is just a bit longer and lighter weight. I like the heaviness of the Metro, but swapping to a lighter pen for longer writing sessions seems to have significantly reduced wrist fatigue. The fine nib is tidier for small writing and feels absolutely wonderful, very smooth.Not the most visually interesting pen but I appreciate the anonymous reviewer pointing out a subtle rainbow effect in just the right lighting, and being able to see when the ink needs ... MoreThe Pilot Metropolitan with medium nib was my first fountain pen and I love it, but I was getting some fatigue from longer writing sessions and wanted a finer nib. The Metropolitan feels so hefty I doubted from pictures that the Explorer would be as big around, but you can see they're about the same, the explorer is just a bit longer and lighter weight. I like the heaviness of the Metro, but swapping to a lighter pen for longer writing sessions seems to have significantly reduced wrist fatigue. The fine nib is tidier for small writing and feels absolutely wonderful, very smooth.Not the most visually interesting pen but I appreciate the anonymous reviewer pointing out a subtle rainbow effect in just the right lighting, and being able to see when the ink needs refilling is convenient. The cap has a smooth, satisfying tactile click.
I'm not exactly new to fountain pens as I had one gifted to me 40 years ago. I don't know what name brand it was, and believe it was an extra fine nib - which I found to be scratchy & very difficult to use. I cleaned it, packed it away for a few years and would eventually purchase another pack of cartridges to give my little pen another try, only to have similar results. The person who gifted the pen to me never taught me to hold it differently than a ballpoint and never taught me to use higher quality paper. So I continued my process of trying to learn these things every few years, eventually gifting the pen to someone else who was very enthusiastic about testing it out themself.Fast forward to January 2022 when a Goulet video dropped into my YouTube account I ... MoreI'm not exactly new to fountain pens as I had one gifted to me 40 years ago. I don't know what name brand it was, and believe it was an extra fine nib - which I found to be scratchy & very difficult to use. I cleaned it, packed it away for a few years and would eventually purchase another pack of cartridges to give my little pen another try, only to have similar results. The person who gifted the pen to me never taught me to hold it differently than a ballpoint and never taught me to use higher quality paper. So I continued my process of trying to learn these things every few years, eventually gifting the pen to someone else who was very enthusiastic about testing it out themself.Fast forward to January 2022 when a Goulet video dropped into my YouTube account I started watching the instructional videos and decided to purchase a couple beginner range pens with fine and medium nibs so I can give it another try with my newfound knowledge. I also imagine fountain pens have improved in the past 40 years. Upon receiving my pens (Pilot Explorer, Platimun Plaisir and Clairefontaine notebook) I found everything to be PERFECT right out of the package! I'm loving my new pens, the videos (informative and entertaining!) and Goulet Pen Company. I love my new pens and will be purchasing more as I rediscover fountain pens. Thank you for outstanding service and a wonderful experience overall.
it's fantastic. Being a Pilot, the expectation is pretty high anyway. This one is a Medium. It's ultra smooth, flows very well, no hard starts, sits for a week unused, and writes without issues. It passes the "drag" test (hold just the end and drag it across the paper at an angle). It holds the big CON-70, which on a demonstrator, is just kinda spiffy to see. Quick to uncap, it's usable without posting, though it is postable, too. Pilot sets a high bar at this price point, and, while I've personally never had a bad Pilot fountain pen out of the box (including G2s and V5s), I'm just extra pleased with this one. As much joy from using this pen as the E95, and that's a high bar, too.
Ordered two during a promotion, one in clear the other in copper. The clear was a fine bib, the copper a medium nib. This one writes smoother than my metropolitan, but that could be combined with Jacques Herbin Vert Atlantide (love!). I'm finding so much enjoyment with this combination and though high shimmer, does not clog. A well balanced pen posted. Flows very well and I will probably come back for a second clear one when they're back in stock as I prefer the extra weight of it. I wound up giving the copper pen away to a friend and I can say the color is truly lovely and she likes it a lot. A great buy, especially if you're someone like me that has very small handwriting and prefers a super fine nib. (A reason I have yet to go for a Lamy or twsbi). Enjoy!
I got this with a M nib after owning a Metropolitan with a F nib. I was shocked at how much more I liked this pen. The combination of the better ink flow due to the thicker nib size and a much more comfortable pen to hold results for me in a significantly improved writing pen. For those who are cautious about this pen because it's plastic while metropolitan for nearly the same price is not, don't! The material feels great, and it holds a con-70 (free at this time) vs the much inferior con-40 the metro holds.
I did not buy this pen from goulet pens, but i thought i should write a review here because people will actually read it. I got a blue Pilot Explorer in Fine nib and it seemed really good. The blue color looks just wonderful, and the snap of the cap is really satisfying. Unfortunately, the nib feels really bad. The "fine" nib is really thin, noticeably thinner than the fine on the platinum preppy and so much thinner that the lamy safari fine. Possibly because of this thinness, it is really scratchy, making it really not feel good on any paper. It almost feels like an extra fine with no ink, but it is outputting ink. It is surprisingly consistent, performing the same on rhodia paper as on cheap notebook paper, but it just feels pretty bad, so much that i prefer using ... MoreI did not buy this pen from goulet pens, but i thought i should write a review here because people will actually read it. I got a blue Pilot Explorer in Fine nib and it seemed really good. The blue color looks just wonderful, and the snap of the cap is really satisfying. Unfortunately, the nib feels really bad. The "fine" nib is really thin, noticeably thinner than the fine on the platinum preppy and so much thinner that the lamy safari fine. Possibly because of this thinness, it is really scratchy, making it really not feel good on any paper. It almost feels like an extra fine with no ink, but it is outputting ink. It is surprisingly consistent, performing the same on rhodia paper as on cheap notebook paper, but it just feels pretty bad, so much that i prefer using the preppy.
| Capped / Retractactable | Capped |
| Clippable | Yes |
| Clip Material | Plastic |
| Converter Compatible | Yes |
| Pen Type | Fountain Pens |
