Lamy Vista With 14K Bicolor Nib

[Segel]

Lamy Vista

Fine 14K bicolor nib

Ink: R&K Scabiosa

 

Appearance: 9

The Vista is a very unique looking demonstrator. Modern and functional, light and attractive. The Safari looks a little childish to me, but the clear Vista really classes up the design. This may be the only pen whose appearance improves in demonstrator form. The pen originally came with a z-24 converter whose red knob seemed out of place on the pen. I replaced it with the z-26 converter with chrome accents and prefer this clean look much better. The bi-color 14K nib, originally installed on a Dialog 3, is to my eye the best looking fountain pen nib on the market. Completely unadorned and clean.

 

Construction & Quality: 9

The Vista is probably made of the same plastic as the Safari but it somehow feels different (better) in the hand. Overall, very good fit and finish. The plastic does acquire microscratches, and the z-26 converter has somehow swelled the section so that the threads have become tight. The nib is very well made and the feed and converter work nicely. Cap posts securely.

 

Weight & Dimensions: 10

 

Very light pen though long (about as long as a MB 149) but nicely balanced and comfortable over long hours of writing. I prefer the pen posted and have never found the triangular section to be a problem.

 

Nib & Performance: 10

This is tied with my Lamy 2000 for my smoothest nib. The 14K nib is very springy and even modestly flexible. The 14K nib writes so much better than any of the steel nibs I had on the pen (1.1, 1.5, OB) and is pure joy to use, similar in feel to muy old Parker Parkette.

 

Filling System & Maintenance: 8

 

The converter works fine, but fairly low ink capacity. I have considered converting to an eyedropper. The pen is easy to disassemble for cleaning and fellow FPN members instructed me how to fully break down the cap because ink had leaked between the chrome and the clear plastic. The pen cleans readily, flushes quickly. Just wish it held more ink.

 

Cost & Value: 10

You can purchase a steel-tipped Vista for about $25 and a converter for another $6. The 14k gold nib cost twice as much as the pen ($60 used from FPN classifieds) but was worth every penny. I would replace both pen and gold nib tomorrow if lost. It is, frankly, my favorite pen. I love its simple unassuming appearance matched with its lovely writing experience. Lamy should make these nibs more readily available for they truly transform these pens into something special. These nibs are the only way to get something approaching a flexible nib on a Lamy.

 

Conclusion: 56/60

The Vista has written over a thousand pages since May. I use it daily for sketching, grading, writing. It has travelled to work with me every day, including a half-dozen conferences. A durable, versatile, pleasant, easy to live with pen. Great Value.

Edited December 18, 2014 by Segel

[Gorpy]

Very nice review! Quite in-depth and very clear. Also very nice (and unique) handwriting and finally someone that does their upper-case "J" like me!

Edited December 19, 2014 by Gorpy

[Ego Id Veto]

Heh, that's like putting a Porsche engine in a Volkswagen Beetle!

 

I've considered doing this on my Al Star, but I think I'll just go for a higher range Lamy already with a 14k nib.

[jacob_gatten]

I wish there was an easy way to purchase the 14k nib alone without a pen. As far as I know Lamy doesn't sell their gold nibs separately.

[beboy]

Nice review! I was thinking about doing that with my black matte Safari but I put that idea aside for a while.

 

What size of nib do you use?

[LeonW]

@ Jacob, I bought the 14K nib separate from a Lamy dealer. Use it on my Lamy Joy. Pure joy!

[jacob_gatten]

@ Leon W. did you buy it off of a online retailer?? Or ebay? I have found a listing on ebay for 94 bucks or so. I would love to buy one separately from a reputable dealer without buying a studio just for the nib haha.

[Mishka5050]

What nib range is available in 14k? EF-B?

I would love to put it on Safari