on salePilot Explorer Fountain Pen - Red

Product Code PN12277

In Stock

out of stock

on salePilot Explorer Fountain Pen - Red

Product Code PN12277

In Stock

out of stock

$25.00

MSRP $31.25

Nib Guide

Not sure which size nib is best for you?

Try our Nib Nook tool to view and compare nib widths using our writing samples. Learn more ›

ENHANCEMENT OPTIONS
Pilot CON-70 Converter - Black
Upgrade Your Converter + $13.90 Pilot CON-70 Converter - Black
Color:
$13.90
$13.90

Pilot CON-70 Converter - Black

Product Code PN69901

In Stock

out of stock

$13.90
Add this item
Free Gift With Purchase
Pilot Metropolitan Ballpoint Pen - Retro Pop Gray
Free Gift with Purchase Pilot Metropolitan Ballpoint Pen - Retro Pop Gray
Color:
FREE
FREE

Pilot Metropolitan Ballpoint Pen - Retro Pop Gray

Product Code PN91425

In Stock

out of stock

$0.00 $23.74
Add this item

Introducing the Explorer, the newest value fountain pen from Pilot. This red resin pen has a matte metallic finish and is complemented by black trim. It has a snap cap, a stainless steel nib, and comes with a Pilot ink cartridge as well as a CON-B squeeze converter for use with bottled ink. It comes packaged in a gift box.

Click here to shop all compatible Pilot ink cartridges.

Condition
New
Brand
Pilot
Type
Fountain Pens
Color
Red
Demonstrator

Whether or not the barrel of the pen is translucent, allowing you to see the ink and filling mechanism inside.

No
Body Material
Resin
Cap Type

How the cap is opened/closed from the barrel of the pen. Some common options include Snap-Cap, Screw-Cap, Magnetic Cap, or Capless (no cap).

Snap-cap
Compatible inks & refills

Which ink this pen will accept. Choices include bottled ink and various styles of pre-filled ink cartridges.

Bottled ink, Proprietary Pilot ink cartridges
Filling Mechanism

How the pen fills with ink. Click here to watch our video tutorial on common filling mechanisms.

Cartridge, Converter
Grip Material
Resin
Nib Size
Fine, Medium
Nib Color
Silver
Nib Material
Steel
Postable

Whether or not the cap fits securely onto the back of the barrel when open.

Yes
Retractable

Whether or not the nib/tip can retract into the body of the pen (usually for click or twist-open style pens).

No
Diameter - Body
12.2mm (0.48in)
Diameter - Cap (without clip)
13.5mm (0.53in)
Diameter - Cap (with clip)
16.5mm (0.65in)
Diameter - Grip (mm)

Measured from the place most people choose to rest their fingers, which varies with each pen.

8.8mm
Length - Body

The measurement from the back end of the barrel to the tip of the nib.

128mm (5.04in)
Length - Cap
57.7mm (2.27in)
Length - Nib

The measured length of the visible portion of the nib when it is installed in the pen, from grip to tip.

17.6mm (0.69in)
Length - Overall (Closed)
142mm (5.59in)
Length - Overall (Posted)

When the cap of the pen is posted onto the back of the pen body, this is the measurement of the entire pen including the nib.

162.3mm (6.39in)
Weight - Body

If a converter is included with the pen, this weight is reflected in the total.

6g (0.21oz)
Weight - Cap
6g (0.21oz)
Weight - Overall (g)
12.0g
Max Ink Capacity - Cartridge

The maximum volume of ink that can fit in the pen when using a cartridge.

1.08ml
Max Ink Capacity - Converter

The maximum volume of ink that can fit in the pen when using a converter.

1.28ml

Customer Reviews

Based on 19 reviews
68%
(13)
11%
(2)
16%
(3)
5%
(1)
0%
(0)
S
Stacy B.
Penabled!

I gifted to my nephews fiance'! I have penabled her! She loved it!

E
Eric J.
Wasn't what I expected, not for me?

It's a nice pen. Feels and looks good. However the fine nib was more fine than I was expecting. I have a Metropolitan on the way with a medium nib to compare nib sizes. I knew Japanese nibs were finer but I was taken back how this one felt compared to the Lamy Safari fine nib.

S
Surabhit G.
Good pen, but the plastic body shows it's limitations

The explorer is a nice pen, writes smoothly, is light-weight and looks well put together. But, the plastic body, which while helps with the weight wears out over time. The cap on my pen has become loose and no longer clicks and stays in place but comes off. The pen has been relegated to my drawer because of the cap no longer staying on. I would suggest going for the metropolitan which has the same price but is built better.

A
Andrea
Great to toss in bag

I'm a sports mom and I keep this bag in my mom go bag along with a Leuchtturm1917 notebook.

D
David H.
Pilot Explorers just work.

i'm a big fan of the Pilot Explorer. They just get to work and do it every time. I dont do a lot of long writing sessions, I need to write 1-2 sentences, often, so I prefer the pull cap to unscrewing a cap. The nibs work well and feel good whether I'm writing slowly and clearly, writing a quick fast note, or drawing a sketch or something I'm planning/building. I prefer these to Lamy Safari, TWSBI Eco, Pilot Metropolitan, or Platinum Preppy as a beginner or "Relatively inexpensive hard use" pen.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I fill this pen from an ink cartridge? 8EDA1617-F73A-4DAF-8245-6D2BF4ABEB7B

A cartridge is small, disposable, sealed plastic reservoir that holds fountain pen ink. These come pre-filled with ink, and typically you just push to insert them into place and you'll be ready to write!

This pen uses proprietary Pilot ink cartridges, which are available in a wide range of colors.

You can learn more about how to actually install an ink cartridge on our blog, or in this video tutorial:

How do I use a converter? 8EDA1617-F73A-4DAF-8245-6D2BF4ABEB7B

A converter goes in the place of where the ink cartridge would normally go. From there, you can fill your fountain pen from bottled ink.

A converter is a detachable and refillable ink reservoir that allows you to use bottled ink in a cartridge-accepting pen. Typically you will install the converter into the grip section, dip the nib/feed into the ink, and twist or pull the converter knob to draw ink into the converter.

We have a great video showing how to use a converter here:

How do I clean this fountain pen? 8EDA1617-F73A-4DAF-8245-6D2BF4ABEB7B

It mostly comes down to flushing out the pen with water, and sometimes a little bit of pen flush if the ink is really stuck. 

We put together a blog post with step-by-step instructions, or you can watch the video here:

We recommend a good cleaning every 2 weeks, and any time you change ink colors. Water will usually do the trick, but we recommend you use our Goulet Pen Flush if the ink has been left in the pen for a while and could have dried up, or when you’re switching ink colors.

For even more information about fountain pen cleaning, check out our Fountain Pen 101 video blog post.

What's your return policy? 8EDA1617-F73A-4DAF-8245-6D2BF4ABEB7B

We accept returns for up to 30 days from purchase. You can read all our Return Policies here.

To initiate a return, please submit a request at the Return Portal. Our Customer Care team might reach out to you for more information.