Five Minute Pen Review: Pilot Prera

The Prera’s stainless steel nib is absolutely terrific.  I’ve owned a handful over the years, and all the nibs have been perfect out of the box.  I am a fan of fine and extra-fine nibs, and I think the Prera’s fine nib particularly shines. It’s an inexpensive, excellent introduction to Japanese ultra-fine nibs.

One nice feature is that the Prera nib and feed are friction fit and can be swapped out with other Pilot pens that use the same nib in different widths, like the Plumix or Penmanship.

The Prera can use Pilot/Namiki ink cartridges or take a Pilot converter to use any ink.  The Prera price is comparable to the Lamy Safari price when purchased from Japan or from one of the global sellers on Amazon.

It is a very short pen. That’s a benefit, in making it compact and easy to carry. But it does make it hard to use unposted. I have to post the Prera except for the briefest jottings. And while the pen is comfortable in the hand, it’s small enough even posted that I don’t usually choose it for long writing sessions.

It’s got good lines, and the chrome clip and trim look nice.  It’s traditional looking, but it comes in fun colors. Interestingly, more than most pens I have, the Prera is a conversation starter: people are tickled when I uncap it to sign a credit card receipt.

I do want to warn that the nib and feed can loosen over time, and start to leak, even if they are never swapped out.  I’ve seen this with three different Preras. Now, I do carry a Prera every day, so my Prera will get more jostling and hard use than most pens.  So people who keep the pen at home or use it only occasionally may never have this happen.

I started using Preras before Pilot introduced its $15 Metropolitan, a metal pen that uses the same nib.  I much prefer the look of the Prera, and its comfortable integrated section.  But the Metropolitan’s price advantage and larger size make it a compelling alternative, too.  If I ever need a successor for my carry-around Prera, I might give the Metropolitan a long look.  I know I’ll have one or the other, because the excellent, inexpensive Japanese fine nib is one I wouldn’t want to be without.