The Perfect Pen?

[P47pilot]

Hello everyone, I'm new in the forum. Not long ago I discovered fountain pens, my first pen was a pilot varsity that I bought without realizing it was a fountain pen. I loved it! I wanted more, so I went ahead and bought a pilot metropolitan with a medium nib(without knowing there are nib sizes) after realizing it was way too thick I bought a lamy safari with a extra fine nib, and I absolutely love it to extreme extents! But after 1 week of normal use, the cap won't stay closed... I looked online and I found a repair(opening the cap and putting tape around a rubber insert) and it did fix it for awhile, but now it is again loose, as soon as I point it down the cap falls, and if I clip it to a pocket or something the pen slips right off the cap making a mess everywhere.

I contacted lamy for a replacement they said I could send it in for repairs, but it has a processing fee of 9.95 dollars, plus I pay the shipping(its the worst costumer service I have experienced so far). It would be cheaper and easier if I went ahead and bought a whole new pen, but of course buying a new pen every week its not appealing at all. So here is my question: is there a pen out there that writes as smoothly as the lamy safari extra fine, and holds a decent volume of ink inside, around 20 dollars(I'm a college student, I can't afford much more than that) ?

PS: I was looking at the pilot metropolitan fine, but the converters seem to hold way to little ink. Basically I'm looking for something like the lamy safari extra fine but with a better quality that doesn't wear out after a week of use.

[Tresconik]

If you like everything else about the Safari, get another Safari. I've never heard of this problem with the Safari before. The Kaweco Sport is another nice pen, but I had to do a lot of work on the nib before it wrote like I wanted.

You can also get the Pilot 78G

[P47pilot]

If you like everything else about the Safari, get another Safari. I've never heard of this problem with the Safari before. The Kaweco Sport is another nice pen, but I had to do a lot of work on the nib before it wrote like I wanted.

 

You can also get the Pilot 78G

Thanks, I'll look up the pilot 78G and the kaweco.

I rather stay away from lamy now, first because of the problem (for what I have researched a lot of people have had this problem) and second because the lack of customer service of the company.

[WayTooManyHobbies]

The Metropolitan is also available in fine from Anderson Pens, Goulet Pens, and Jet Pens - no affiliation with any of them except as a happy customer. The 78G is still available from isellpens.com (same lack of affiliation). Anderson, Goulet, and isellpens also sell ink samples and converters, which is a convenient way to try things out.

 

Good luck with your search.

[Namo]

What ia happening to your Safari is not usual, so if you love the pen, buy another and stay tuned for parts (cap). If you prefer a twist cap, the 78g is a h*** of a pen.

I suggest you buy your pen in a B&M store since it would be easier to have a warranty honored through the store.

Did you try and contact the seller? Because your Safari is clearly defective. I would also give a try and contact Lamy in Germany directly I did deal with them at least three times and customer attention was awesome each time.

Edited April 22, 2015 by Namo

[Blue_Moon]

Another vote for the Safari. You say you've researched the issue and a lot of people have had this problem. Although I'm not from Missouri, I don't believe it. Please post links to your research. You're the first person I've ever come across that's had this problem. I know you're gun-shy to get another Safari, but this problem is a fluke. Contrary to what you're saying, the cap falling off is NOT a common problem with the Safari. I'm not saying no one has ever had this problem before. Just saying it is not a common problem. You're chances of getting another with the cap falling off are unarguably small (dare I say most likely infinitesimal).

Edited April 22, 2015 by Blue_Moon

[CarlosCaligrafia]

Simple, you can refill Pilot cartridges and use it in the Metro. I find the Metro sturdier than the Lamy. Saying that i have years with my Lamy and sans some scratchy nibs that I could not repair, I finally got a smooth EF, and begin to love it again.

 

Also Pilot fine is finer than Lamy EX. The finest lines in this sketch are from a Metro F and the boldest from a Lamy EF

Edited April 22, 2015 by CarlosCaligrafia

[LuckyKate]

I've used a Safari and an al-star every day for the last ten years and neither has ever given me a day of trouble. My daughter uses both as well. If you like the Safari get another one!

[rnfuller]

There also have been several reports of FAKE Safaris. You may be a victim. Did you buy it from Amazon?

[P47pilot]

Another vote for the Safari. You say you've researched the issue and a lot of people have had this problem. Although, I'm not from Missouri, I don't believe it. Please post links to your research. You're the first person I've ever come across that's had this problem. I know you're gun-shy to get another Safari, but this problem is a fluke. Contrary to what you're saying, the cap falling off is NOT a common problem with the Safari. I'm not saying no one has ever had this problem before. Just saying it is not a common problem. You're chances of getting another with the cap falling off are unarguably small (dare I say most likely infinitesimal).

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/138136-lamy-safari-cap-problem/

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/202486-repair-a-lamy-safari-cap/

There are more around, but i couldnt find them this time.

[P47pilot]

There also have been several reports of FAKE Safaris. You may be a victim. Did you buy it from Amazon?

Maybe. Yes i did buy it off amazon. ill try to stop any differences.

[P47pilot]

I've used a Safari and an al-star every day for the last ten years and neither has ever given me a day of trouble. My daughter uses both as well. If you like the Safari get another one!

Maybe ill go for the al-star since its metal, i doubt it will wear out that easily. Thank you for the tip!

[P47pilot]

Simple, you can refill Pilot cartridges and use it in the Metro. I find the Metro sturdier than the Lamy. Saying that i have years with my Lamy and sans some scratchy nibs that I could not repair, I finally got a smooth EF, and begin to love it again.

 

Also Pilot fine is finer than Lamy EX. The finest lines in this sketch are from a Metro F and the boldest from a Lamy EF

Love the metro, too bad i bought a medium nib and its too broad to take everyday notes in class

[strictlyobiter]

Buy a Pilot Penmanship and a bigger converter for the Metro. Swap in the Penmanship's EF nib. Sorted?

[Blue_Moon]

Okay, I'll concede that some people have had problems with caps over the years. I was not aware of that. However, these are both old threads, with only a few recent posts on them. Considering all the Safaris sold, it seems there is a very tiny percentage of people that have had problems. I would still have all the confidence in the world to buy a Safari and not worry about the cap.

 

I agree with the others also. You might have bought a knockoff. See this video about how to spot a Lamy knockoff:http://goldspotpens.blogspot.com/2015/04/how-to-spot-knock-off-lamy-safari.html

 

Buy your next Lamy from Goulet, Anderson, or JetPens.

[P47pilot]

Buy a Pilot Penmanship and a bigger converter for the Metro. Swap in the Penmanship's EF nib. Sorted?

I didnt know you could do that! Thank you very much ill give that a try!

[strictlyobiter]

I swapped a Penmanship nib into a Leopard Metro for my little sister with a CON 50 converter. Total cost of the Penmanship and comverter was 15.

[Sailor Kenshin]

Maybe. Yes i did buy it off amazon. ill try to stop any differences.

Got pictures of the cap and pen the way it is now?

[ethernautrix]

... of course buying a new pen every week its not appealing at all.

 

Oh right, You said you were new here.

 

(Sorry. Couldn't resist.)

[ethernautrix]

If you're in the SF Bay Area, you might give Pen Posse a try. Bring your Safari and maybe you'll get some ideas for how to fix your cap. Some whip-smart folks comprise Pen Posse.