Lamy Studio

[caligatia]

I bought a Lamy Vista (the transparent version of the Safari) at the beginning of the summer. I fell madly in love with the extra-fine nib -- it adds a bit of elegance and line variation to my small handwriting, and I loved the way it felt on paper.

 

However, the Vista/Safari grip made my hand sore and tired after writing a lot. This depressed me, because the nib was just so wonderful. So I asked around the FPN, and found out about the Lamy Studio.

 

The Studio has the same nib as the Safari, but in a completely different type of pen.

 

 

I bought this one, the black version, a month ago. And I'm utterly delighted.

 

I love the styling of the Studio. The clip alone keeps me fascinated for long periods of time. This is a beautiful pen for anyone who likes clean, simple, minimalist lines. The other pens in the series are equally beautiful, but the black was my favorite.

 

And the grip! Ohhhhh, the grip. Nice and wide and round. You'd think the chrome would be slippery, but it's not. I can -- and do -- write for hours with this pen. Between the gliding of the nib and the comfortable grip, it takes forever for my hand to get tired.

 

And did I mention that it's beautiful, too?

 

Stats: It's 5.5" long capped, 6 1/8" posted. 1/2" diameter. I paid $60 for it at swisherpens.com, and they included the converter. (No affiliation, just a happy customer.)

 

The pen's cap clicks into place very solidly with in capping and posting, leaving no doubt that it's securely in place. I like that.

 

In the past few weeks this pen has become my main writing instrument, surpassing even my beloved Pilot VP. The Studio writes more smoothly and evenly, and the pleasure I get from it is worth the loss of the one-handed click of the VP. It was worth every cent I paid for it, and I can't think of a single complaint. It really is the perfect pen for me.

 

So if you love your Safari nibs but want something classier and with a better grip, I highly recommend the Studio. You won't regret it.

[J English Smith]

Nice review! I have a Studio ballpoint in the brushed chrome. That was from last year, before I rekindled my love of fountain pens...but it is a very comfortable pen to hold.

 

I've never been unhappy with any Lamy pen. Always well designed and a pleasure to use. I love the Accent series too...

[RayMan]

I've always liked Lamy Safari nibs, but the triangular Safari grip is not ideal for me. I've got to get myself a Studio.

[blak000]

Great pen. It's also one of my favorites... well, until I get my 2000 working at least! :bonk:

[CharlieB]

Great pen. It's also one of my favorites... well, until I get my 2000 working at least! :bonk:

 

What's wrong with your 2000? I have one of those and find it to be a very reliable pen.

[Toukejin]

Hooray, thanks for the review. I'm in love with my Safari, and was planning on buying myself a blue Studio for Christmas. Looking forward to it even more now.

[greencobra]

Nice review. I own 2, a chrome Fine nib and a black XF. I don't have a problem with the chrome section on the black pen either. I think the Lamy fine nibs are some of the best out there and we can all agree that they put down a true fine line, without question.

[encremental]

greencobra - I was thinking of getting both the black and the steel then swapping the sections over so I could have sort of bling and stealth versions. Would that work or are the materials used just different enough that it would look wrong?

 

John

[caligatia]

greencobra - I was thinking of getting both the black and the steel then swapping the sections over so I could have sort of bling and stealth versions.

 

That would be SO AWESOME. Seriously!

[blak000]

Great pen. It's also one of my favorites... well, until I get my 2000 working at least! :bonk:

 

What's wrong with your 2000? I have one of those and find it to be a very reliable pen.

 

Although I think it's a great pen, I don't feel it's very reliable at all. The forum abounds with threads concerning leaky nib sections, scratchy nibs, etc.

 

My 2000, in particular, is leaking from the piston area. Every time I leave it for a day or two in my cup holder, it decides to belch out half the ink it's carrying. Needless to say, it results in quite a mess. The pen is actually at Lamy USA for repairs (sent there for the second time, for the same problem). I miss the pen, though... despite its problems, it's still one of my favorite pens.

[greencobra]

greencobra - I was thinking of getting both the black and the steel then swapping the sections over so I could have sort of bling and stealth versions. Would that work or are the materials used just different enough that it would look wrong?

 

John

 

The sections change out on my pens. In fact I like the look of the black on black pen.

 

 

It's been my experience with Lamy and the Studio in particular to be very reliable. I've had mine a year as of last month and have used them without even experiencing a skip nevermind a leakage issue. We tend to forget about the hundreds of posts from the FPN members who are happy and have no issues with their Lamy products. As I write this I'm thinking about a couple of high dollar pens I bought this year that had to go back for warranty work soon after I got them. I wish they had worked as well as my $40 Lamy.

[encremental]

Thanks greencobra! As soon as the backlog from the postal strike we have just experienced in the UK dissipates, the deed shall be done.

 

John

[AndyHayes]

I have been looking the the Studio for a while as a repository of a 1.1 italic nib as I wanted something that looked a little better than the Safari/Vista. I found a slightly used Accent on electronic Bay cheaper than the list price on a Safari so I picked that up instead.

 

I must admit that your Studio looks better though.

[penburg]

I must say ditto on the good review. I too have, and regularly use, my Studio. Brushed stainless steel, with F nib. A regular go-to pen, that always, always writes on the first stroke. As many good things I've heard about the 2000, I wondered why the Studio didn't receive more press.

Edited November 5, 2007 by penburg

[alec]

Hi Steff, another thanks for your review.

 

I've been enjoying my Lamy Vista 1.1 italic for a while. Looks like a Studio may very well be in my future!

 

Best to you,

Alec

[meilleur]

Speaking of Lamy Studios ... anyone know how to get replacement nib sections? LamyUSA has a wide assortment for many of their pens, but not (at last look) for the Studio. I have an XF and I'm looking for an F.

 

<edit>

 

For the s/s and India rubber version, I should add.

Edited November 5, 2007 by meilleur

[tamburlaine]

I believe the Al-Star, Safari and Studio share the same nibs. Just the bodies that differ, obviously.

 

EDIT: Except for the Palladium Studios with the gold nib.

 

EDIT 2: Reference: http://www.thewritingdesk.co.uk/lamy/lamy_nibs.php

Edited November 5, 2007 by patrick1314

[meilleur]

Patrick:

 

I'm pretty sure you're right, but I don't have the equipment to swap nibs out; I'd be happy to pay for the new section to save myself the trouble of getting the tools and the time to learn to use them (and then screwing the job up!). It's just odd that Lamy wouldn't put the parts on their replacement part site; they have nib sections for the Persona, Safari, and Accent lines, but none for the Studio. (Or the 2000, either, though that's less surprising.)

[tamburlaine]

Oh, I see! I mis-read that, I didn't notice you said 'section'. I thought you didn't need any tools to replace the nib, except, according to twd a bit of sticky-tape..

 

Replacing a Lamy nib is quite straightforward if you follow this procedure:

 

1. clean and dry the pen

2. take a piece of Sellotape 50-60mm long and stick it across the nib, ie at right-angles to the axis of the pen, with the middle of the piece of tape on top of the nib. Make sure the tape only sticks to the nib, not any other part of the pen.

3. hold the pen in your left hand with the nib horizontal and facing to the right and the tape hanging down either side.

4. put your right index finger under the nib and grip the tape around that finger by using your thumb and middle finger.

5. pull the tape away from the pen, applying gentle downwards pressure to ensure the tape stays stuck to the nib. The tape will grip the nib and slide it off the feed (black plastic part).

6. slide the replacement nib on by hand, making sure it goes all the way to the end (it will be quite stiff but you shouldn't use any tool).

 

If you are left-handed, just replace "right" with "left" and vice-versa.

Edited November 5, 2007 by patrick1314

[blak000]

Read Patrick's post. You don't need any equipment... just some scotch tape. I've swapped out nibs myself; you'll be amazed at how easy it is. The metal nib isn't attached to the pen. It basically just slides right onto the feed. A pretty nice feature, if you ask me.

 

If you live in the U.S., you can order replacement nibs from www.swisherpens.com

The only problem is that they don't carry a steel EF. I wanted one, but had to settle for putting on a black EF on my Lamy Studio. Doesn't look bad, but...

Edited November 5, 2007 by blak000