Lamy Safari

First Impressions—I bought this for pure fun, and because I read it would write through multipart forms, which I have to do on occasion. The pen came in small plastic “crate” and included a cartridge but no converter.

Appearance and Finish—The Lamy Safari comes in a variety of wild colors. I went for the bright yellow so that I might have a harder time losing it. This pen looks industrial, yet elegant. Everything fits together well.

Design/Size/Weight—This is a super lightweight (0.6 oz fully loaded) plastic pen that comes in solid colors. It appears to be nearly indestructible. Despite its light weight it is a substantial 5 1/4” unposted and 6 ½” posted. Even very large hands should find this pen large enough. The cap posts very securely. The grip has a couple of angled faces cut into it that helps the hand hold the nib naturally in the appropriate position, at least for me. Others might find this feature annoying. The pen has an oversized paper-clip-like pocket clip that is very effective, and a pair of windows in the barrel that make it easy to monitor ink status in either cartridge or converter. The cap snaps on, and appears to seal solidly against the nib section. The whole pen seems to be very cleverly designed. The converter has little notches on it that lock in to slots in the barrel; the barrel and grip threads are machined so that when the two are screwed together, the ink windows must line up perfectly with the openings in the nib section. These are interesting little touches for a cheap fountain pen.

Nib Design and Performance/—I selected a fine nib. Nib construction is steel and is appointed in black, which contrasts nicely with the yellow barrel. The nib is hard as nails and stiff as a board. This puppy will write through multipart forms with no problem. Despite the industrial-strength nature of the nib, it writes very well, laying down a very thick and wet line for a fine nib, almost exactly the same width as a Sailor 1911M medium nib. Presumably because of the stiffness of the nib, there is not a lot of shading with most inks, but there is a significant amount of line thickness variation. Horizontal strokes are quite a bit thinner than vertical strokes. The nib has quite a bit of grab, or tooth, and if objectionable can be minimized with a lighter touch. The nib starts reliably, even after idleness, and I have encountered no feed problems. It’s not too fussy about writing angle.

Filling System—The Lamy Safari has a cartridge/converter fill. I bought a converter (not supplied with the pen), Filling the converter requires the entire nib to be submerged. The little recessed detail on the end of the grip is a pain to clean after filling the pen, and if you have the yellow pen you will really need to do this for almost any color ink.

Cost/Value—You can purchase one of these for $25; another $5 gets you a converter. Considering the reliability and sturdiness of this pen you get a lot for your $30.

Overall Opinion/Conclusion—The Lamy Safari is not a fashion statement, except in some perverse, industrial way. But it is an inexpensive (dare I say cheap?), reliable, fun, and indestructible fountain pen. I envision using mine in the garden to take notes, where its solidity will prevent me from destroying it if it is dropped, and its color will make it harder (but not impossible) to lose; or perhaps in the office to write through the ubiquitous multipart forms without having to reach for a ballpoint pen. Highly recommended.

Thanks, chemgeek! You describe the pen perfectly.

I use my Safari for testing inks and mixes that wouldn't dare fill my other pens with. Never had any trouble with it.

Best regards!

[EDIT] Thanks for your review Chemgeek

This is what I bought today: a Lamy Safari 'blue & red', sold only this summer, seems to be advertised for the girlie market, but never mind ...

Excellent review.

I love my two Safari's. And yes, they do take some abuse!

While the large clip doesn't appeal to everyone, it does get noticed by other fountain pen users. I had a stranger comment "Nice Lamy" and it took me a minute to understand what he was talking about! The pen was simply clipped in my pocket and he recognized the clip.

But thanks for the detailed review of your pen. Very nicely done. I look forward to reading future reviews from you.

Good review! You can get a great writing experience from an inexpensive pen. The Lamy pens are one example. You must try their 1.5 & 1.9 italic nibs. I often "borrow" my son's every once in a while!

Thanks for the review! I like the 1.1 nib... it puts down a line similar to the 0.9 Stipula nib.

St.Simon - where did you get the blue one? That's a nice color!

Agree almost completely from the short experience with my dark grey fine nibbed version.

(1) It is not a cheap pen, it is a well made inexpensive one. The distinction is very important.

(2) I get no noticeable variation between verticle and horizontal lines. This is probably from normal manufacturing variation. Mine is fairly smooth, with a reasonable level of tooth.

(3) I think the design is more from the Bauhaus school and has something to do with form following function. I find the design extremely functional for a fountain pen.

(4) It really is a pleasant pen to write with (partailly because of the very stiff nib and partially because of the very functional design and very light material used) and I can easily see why it is the favorite user pen of so many.

(5) Around here I can get Skrip, short international, Waterman, and Parker ink cartridges. The prorietary Lamy cartridge is not carried. (The converter I have works very smoothly.)

(6) I think because of the overall design and execution of the pen, that with a converter and a bottle of ink it makes an excellent gift.

Currently, they are available everywhere in German (department)stores which sell pens (as Lamys are sold everywhere, here). I don't know about the rest of Europe or the world. But they are available from german ebay sellers, just look for the 'blue & red'. The pastel blue body colour is among the nicer safari colour schemes.

Chemgeek:
You're more adventurous with trying fountain pens on multipart forms than I am. Much kudos and many thanks to you !

I haven't tried any of my Safaris (all four widths) on multipart forms yet. I know the extra-fine won't do it.

Just seen on the web: Pengallery sells the Safari 'blue & red' SE for $23.

Thank you Chemgeek for the review. I glad Lamy Safari's have stiffer nibs. Someone at work spotted mine when I used it because it is a nibbed pen. He said that fountain pens don't work for him because he uses to much pressure to write. He is younger than me, so I don't know which fountain pens he has used. He didn't have time to elaborate. I've been thinking of gifting him a Safari.

You described the Safari very well!

Nice review, the safari was the first "non disposable" fountain pen i got and i love it. Though the fine nib is kinda dry to me though. Now seeing that blue and red version, i want another one, but dang i was saving up for a more expensive pen...


look what you guys did!

I love my Safari, I have some nicer pens, but the Safari is so wonderfully dependable and cheerful. I got a white one on ebay from some nice person in Kuala Lumpur. I like the white very much, it has an imperial stormtrooperish feeling. (In fact, I got a second one for my sweetie.)

For some reason I use my cheapo pens (the Safari, a GO, and whatever the cheap pelikan is) for bright inks (Navajo Turquoise, Always Greener, and Pinkly, respectively). I mostly use them for copyediting (never mind that the GO, which I adore, is really too broad a nib for editing marks), and for scribbling notes on to-do lists.

I have 4 Lamy's. Two in the plastic Safaris and two metal Al-Stars.
The feed on the aluminium version is slighlty wider. I believe it must have a different feed design as it writes much more smoothly and wetter than the plastic one. Its not the nib because they are all standard to the two pens. In the UK the metal one is only £6 dearer but definately worth it.
The design is very functional though distinctive. I've been very happy with it and se it as being of extremely good value and not as a budget pen!

Armchop

The Lamy Al-Star and Safari are those pens that you can easily collect to kill the insatiable appetite for fountain pens. I have 2 aluminums - green and silver. Planning on getting a Vista, yellow and orange. I spotted an orange one when I went to Froogle.com.

For the price, they're great for having 2 pens at the office (different ink colors), a pen at the home office, bedside table, toolbox, or for self-defense when you go to the ATM machines at night. Man, those nibs are deadly-looking.

Another thing I like about them, since my vision is not too good, is that when I grab the pen, I don't need to look at the nib if it's at the correct position. The ergonomic feature near the nib positions your finger in a snap.

joseph

Nice review. These really are all around great, reliable pens.

Safari is my second FP in six years. I've got a black one myself.
I just love it, especially the smooth writing and the extra light weight.

I also very much like the casual look of the pen.
Unlike other expensive FPs, I do not have to take extra care to not to ruin it and be cafeful all the time when using it. I use this pen pretty much all the time when I have to write.

Although it is really good and everything, I personally believe that size of the font are too thin. It does not present nice comfortable readable font. From my personal experience, I don't advice people to use it during the English examination (for essays).

However it suits my hand well.
I bought it for $45 Australian Dollar, which is not too expensive.
This is truely fantastic.
Thankyou.

I guess it is dependent on many factors such as your personal style of writing, how you grip the pen, the paper you use, the ink you use and your experience with other fountain pens to which you would compare it to.

If the Lamy was your second fountain pen in 6 years, what was the first one?

Hello Happy_time
On your Lamy do you have a fine nib or medium nib? I know what you mean about handwriting. I think ink makes a big difference. Of my non-blue inks I find great smooth and good looking writing with Waterman Violet and seems to be better than say Parker Penman Ruby.
Armchop

I don't know if it would work, but it would not be crazy to try a Parker cartridge in there. They are similar. It might not work - I haven't tried it.

I've got just one of these pens. The nib was rather rough to begin with though it has got smoother with use. Its a tough pen that will last but I find the cap does not clip on tight enough - almost lost it more than once in my pocket and the clip is not the most attractive of designs. But its good value for money.

John

Ur right.
I guess it depends on people's choice and preference of handwriting.
And my first fountain pen was Parker Sonnet I believe it was...
I cannot remember the actual name of the pen I had 6 years ago.

The addition of a bright steel nib makes a tremendous difference to the overall appearance of the pen. I put one on my dark blue Safari, and what a difference it made! I really wish I'd taken before & after photos. The pen now has a bit of sparkle, and one's eye is immediately drawn to the nib. When I write, I can see the reflection of what I've just written.

Ashland

Lamy Safaris are great pens - but Lamy has decided to be cheap these days. The ABS plastic is thinner and lighter compared to th eearlier Safaris. Ahh...to increase the profit marging by lowering manufacturing costs!!!

The Lamy Safari was my first 'modern' fountain pen.

I had a couple of Rotring Art Pens, but kept them in my paint case and only used them for art projects. I never thought you could carry one and use it like a *real* pen.

Anyhoo, I now have three Lamys and have bought a fourth one for a friend.

They're great lending pens to hand someone when they want to borrow my $300 demonstrator. I hand them my Lamy Vista. Most people don't notice the bait and switch.

I also use the Lamy Vista for my Blue Ghost Invisible Ink. Makes the whole pen glow like it's radioactive.

Has anyone here changed out the the nib on one? I'm a little leery to just grab and pull.

And does anyone know where to get extra nibs?

thansk for the review ... agree that its a high quality inexpensive FP.... I have been using a red one (or two?) for many many years... Only change was the cap... the ABS plastic cracked at the rim but then again this was after many many years of DAILY use... Bought a bright steel nib to replace the black one a few years back and ground it myself to a stub. Its a really really hardy nib and pen....


jus replaced the image with a better one (windowlight) ... the paper is creamed coloured ...

Just to add to the line variation part of the thread. I don't get any line variation unless I use a light touch then it seems that I can. SO besides manufacturer variation there can also be pressure variation!



As an aside I just sent my EF back to Lamy because it was a scratchy writer. Besides the $7.50 they are charging me to ship it back I have great hope for the pen


K

The nib comes off very easily! just a piece of tissue or rubber to get some purchase and it slips off.


The lamy website lets you pick and choose pieces that you'd like to buy $15 for a replacement nib. I guess you could also buy caps and bodies to mix and match as well.

K

The storekeeper showed me how to do it .... he placed a short strip of MagicTape (scotchtape) to cover over the metal nib , then he gripped the tape and just gently pulled along the pen axis ... this is to avoid damaging the tines by gripping it directly with too much force ..... This way the feed underside is completely left untouched / unmolested ...

Just added a pic .... says everything .... B nib ...


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How does the Lamy EF compare to the Namiki VP F nib?

The Lamy EF lays down an extremely fine point. Having only test-written with a VP F, I can't tell you for sure, but it seems to me that the VP F would probably match up to a Lamy F. Unfortunately, I don't have a scanner to give you an example of the Lamy EF, but it lays down one of the finest lines I have ever seen. My (rather educated) guess: The Lamy EF is quite a bit finer than the VP F.

Have you noticed tha ABS plastic body of the new Lamy Safaris are "thinner & lighter" than the older models? Sad!!!!!! That a company would do such a thing to consumers.....to make a buck by betraying.

replacement nibs - I get mine at Webster's Penshop.
only £4.50 I think.
Armchop

I bought a Lamy Vista (the clear bodied Safari) and I need to write on a lot of multipart forms, and it does a pretty decent job writing on triplicates.

I wanted a nib that can take some work abuse, and after reading everyone's posts, decided on the Lamy Vista. And for the cost of $25 from the pen store, I also don't worry about my pen walking away.

After trying both fine and extra fine nibs, I decided on an extra fine point on the Lamy. I think it writes a little bigger than the Japanese. I have several VPs and Sailors.

I have Namiki Black ink in my Lamy. Does anyone here have opinions on the Lamy Black ink?

Hi,

I'm looking for a nib with stroke variation... I understand there's either italic, or stub nibs for that, or oblique, or flex. Now, according to an online shop, the Lamy Safari/All-Star/Vista comes with a range of these nibs: EF, F, M, MK*, OM, left-handed (LH) B, OB or 1.1mm italic nib sizes. MK is for people not used to fountain pens, so I'm leaving that one and LH out.

Am I right in assuming EF-F-MK-B are regular nibs and OM-OB are oblique tips (hence the O) ? I find italics too extreme, so I'm looking for an inexpensive (not cheap ) pen with an oblique tip so I can experiment. Lamy All-Star OB sounds perfect if it fits that description


Peter.

What nib do you have on your Lamy Vista, churl? I just bought one yesterday with a fine nib, and I really really like it. I also have to write on a lot of forms, so I'm a little concerned. I totally broke my slightly-drunken vow of not buying anymore pens.

(BTW, I checked out your website through Flickr, the "what every clinical clerk should know" list is absolutely brilliant. I love it. I'm a fourth yr resident in path - I know, I got out - and I'll make sure to pass it on to my MS2 sister to warn her. She doesn't believe me - she thinks I am the only one who feels that way!)

*edited for egregious spelling and grammatical errors*

Hi PeterL...

you may want to read this thread concerning oblique nibs... Contrary belief, They don't give line variation...

http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...indpost&p=87667

Hi TM,

Darn So I was probably confusing with stub nibs. And those aren't as readily available as italics


Peter.

An oblique nib can give you line variation but it depends on how you rotate nib. I have seen it with my own eyes. It is more difficult to get line variation than with a italic or even stub but it is possible.


K

Back in 1998 (if I recall correctly) I got a black Safari. It was actually very dark grey. I had one significant complaint: surface texture.

The other colors were all smooth. The grey one had a texture like my new mouse, and I found it very aggravating in short order. Fortunately, the very nice folks at the Colorado Pen Shop boutique where I got it let me trade it back in, and I got a Pelikan M250 instead.

You guys are lucky. I have no clue where in the US it's possible to get just the point. As far as I know, I have to buy the entire section in order to change point width.

Swisher has Safari nibs (swisherpens.com) for $11. I believe these are the nibs only, not the sections. But at that price, you might consider buying a whole Safari pen with the nib size you want.

Swisher is the only place I've found that sells both the specialty and regular nibs online. Pendemonium sells just the specialty nibs.

Thought I'd bump this excellent review since I just received my Yellow Lamy Safari in the mail today.

I personally think it is very pretty to look at, but I like austere German construction, just like I like austere German synthpop. The nib is tough, and at first seemed very scratchy, but I slowed down my writing and it moves a lot smoother. The only pen I have to compare this to, because it is the only other pen I own, is the Hero 100. Both would be excellent choices for a first-timer's pen, but if I had to choose, it would be the Hero.

Really my reasons for getting the Lamy was to A ) experience a pen with an exposed nib so I could see how it works and B ) get some experience with a Lamy product, since I am FASCINATED with the Lamy 2000, which I am positive will be my first ~100USD pen. But I am also interested in a Pilot VP... hmmm...

My problem with the Safari is that it is a bit awkward to hold due to the funny grip. When I hold it how I hold a pen normally, the nib isn't angled perfectly, it is turned over a bit so I see the underside of the nib. So far I definitely prefer a pen without any kind of grip, just smooth and consistent throughout the grip's circumference is what I need.

But, I filled the Lamy with my new ink, Noodlers Blue-Black! So just for that I will be using it for a while.

I like the Safari too. Today I bought a fine nib to swap out the medium in mine -- haven't put it in yet.

If you have problems witht he Safari grip, you'll probably not like the VP clip placement. Both pens are for "school book" grips, and if you don't grip your pens that way, you'll have probs.

The old Parker 75's had a grip like the Safari, but the nib could rotate to adjust to your hand. Clever! I haven't looked around, but I bet you can get a (vintage) 75 for the same price or less than either a Lamy 2000 or VP. Might want to look into that...

Doug

I don´t get that... What do you mean? I´ve just compared a Safari from the W. Germany days with a new one (using a pachymeter to check the dimensions), and they seem to be identical .

Thats good to know Doug, thanks for the tip. I'll put the "75" on the check-out list, and hold off on the VP until I can actually try one out (though I have no idea where I would do that).

Now I just need to decide whether I want the 2000 in an F or M, but that is a topic for a different thread.

Just as an addendum, I find after a few days of use, the Safari has smoothed out considerably; less "scratchy". Though the lines are still inconsistent, this might be due more to user error then a problem with the pen.

It really is a marvelous instrument, all the moreso because of how inexpensive it is. I'm thinking of trying out another one (or maybe an Al-Star) in a M nib, so I can try out a new size nib without spending a lot of cash.

I did the same thing, purchasing the Al-Star after enjoying the Safari. I didn't care for the balance of the Al-Star, with the cap posted it felt top heavy to me. The aluminum body was light overall, but the cap just threw the balance off for me. I would try it out before you buy it. The nib is great, just like the Safari, but I traded my Al-Star. I am currently considering buying another Safari with a fine nib.



--J. Haney