After my renewed interest in writing with my Pilot Metropolitans, Ana handed me a new Pilot Kakuno from the Madoromi Series ($19) and encouraged me to take it out for a test drive.
Somehow the Pilot Kakuno is a pen that I sort of missed in my fountain pen exploration. I say that because at one point I bought one at a pen show (I think maybe Los Angeles?) and it has sat in my drawer unopened for many years. Suddenly I had a new one to compare it to (spoiler alert: they’re not that different) and I could also compare across Pilots more entry brands.
The Pilot Kakuno is a starter friendly pen, often given to students and the like. It’s lightweight (12g), and is a plastic barreled pen that comes in a variety of colors. Nib sizes are usually somewhat limited (EF, F and M in most models) and are steel nibs, whether they are silver or gold. One of the signature features of Kakunos is the smiley face on the nibs!
The pens write very well, with fairly crisp nibs. The fine is lovely, though a tiny bit fine for my tastes and the medium is right in the sweet spot. Kakunos take proprietary cartridges or converters, but are generally easy to use and clean. The original that I bought was a clear plastic demonstrator, though one of the fun things about early models of Kakunos is they had different colored barrels and caps. The caps are snap on, and are easily postable. They are also a bit indented at the top, making for an easy grasp.
These are slightly larger than pocket pens, but not overly long. They come in at about 5.25″/13cm capped, and just slightly shorter (5″/12.5cm) uncapped.
So let’s talk two other things.
How is the new Madoromi Series different than previous editions?
The Madoromi Series adds a few new pastel shades “inspired by a sleepy sky.” Madoromi in Japanese translates to naps or drowsiness.
The other item of note is that the bodies are made of 85% recycled plastic. I think this is pretty cool!
How do the Kakunos compare to the Metropolitans?
The answer to this one, at least to me, is more of aesthetics and feel. The Metros are aluminum bodied, so they are heaver. Whereas the Kakuno comes in at 12g, the Metros weigh in at closer to 26g. So what kind of weight do you like in your hand? Do you prefer the feel of plastic or metal?
In terms of price points, the older Kakunos are available for $12.50 at JetPens, while the newer Madoromi series are priced at $19. The Metros are slightly more expensive at $25.42.
If we’re talking aesthetics, the Kakuno has a hexagonal barrel shape, while the Metro is more a sleek body tapered at both ends. The Kakuno also has that smiley faced nib!
The bottom line is, I think all of these pens are super fun to use and make it relatively easy to get into the hobby. If you’re price conscious or looking for a fountain pen for a kid/student, I think the Kakuno is a great option. If you’re looking for something a little sleeker, then grab a Metro. Either way, Pilot has you covered!
DISCLAIMER: Some of the items included in this review were provided free of charge from JetPens for the purpose of review. Others were purchased with my own funds. Please see the About page for more details.