This is my first review ever of a fountain pen, but I just had to share my impressions of my newly acquired Lamy Studio (the black one, with the chrome grip).
First Impressions: 4/5
Bought from a private seller on eBay who was also selling a Montblanc Meisterstueck. This pen came to $40 including shipping. It arrived in the flawless original packaging, included a well-cleaned converter, and was slightly used with a bit of crusted brown-black ink around the base of the nib (that took a while to clean off). In addition, when first filled with Levenger's Cobalt Blue, used briefly, and placed carefully in the pen drawer, there was a spray of ink droplets all over the chrome grip when the pen was opened the next day. This happened three times (no jarring, either!) and then I took a folded paper towel (based on a tip from another poster) and gently but firmly pushed the nib inwards towards the feed. Hasn't happened since and I've used the pen five times, but I'll wait and see.
Appearance and Finish: 5/5
I love the sleek matte black-and-chrome body of this pen. Most other black pens I have are glossy, and are ubiquitous in most office environs. This draws attention to itself, for the lack of unneccesary ornamentation!
Design/Size/Weight: 5/5
The sculpture-like clip actually has a nice use! It prevents the pen from rolling on a sloping surface more readily than most others. Of course, it also looks cool. I like the fact that it snaps onto the back of the barrel as well. The designer actually thought about the user, and that some would like to post the cap! (I don't...it makes it just too heavy for my mid-size hands). It was a little on the heavy side when I first picked it up (but maybe that's because I've been using a Hero 443 as my daily writer) but it feels substantial (like closing the door on an older Mercedes-Benz, if you will).
Now about the chrome grip. I discovered that immediately after I wash my hands with soap and water, and my fingers are slightly moist, I can grip the pen well enough to write (but I still wouldn't want to play tug-of-war with it). However, if my fingers are even slightly greasy (having had a cookie, say), then the pen will tend to slip. The grip by itself rates a solid 4/5 just because of this.
Nib Design and Performance: 4.5/5
When first filled, it wrote like a perfect fine (if there is such a thing). Possibly due to an airlock, the nib ran dry after fifteen minutes of continuous writing, and immediately before, the line width went from fine to medium. After screwing in the piston until the nib was wet again, the nib went back to it's perfect fine width. No skips either, and just a hint of tooth if not held just-so. Otherwise a nail that's as smooth as glass (and I prefer firm nibs). The ease with which the nib glides over even cheap printer paper very much offsets the slip-effect of the grip.
The Filling System: 5/5
The standard Lamy converter has no issues. I just wish the twist knob had a knurled/splined grip like my Waterman and Parker converters.
Cost/Value: 5/5
Especially considering what I paid, minor issues were to be expected, but they have mostly resolved.
Overall Opinion/Conclusion: 4.5/5
While I can't say this will replace any pen in my collection, it is a solid, dependable (as of now) writer, with a smooth nib, fantastic looks, good ink capacity, and nice, weighty construction that feels good as long as the cap is not posted. All in all, a new favorite that could not be beat for the price.
Best Regards,
Bilal Hassan
Clarksville, MD
)
nib. I "sense" a difference, but that may be something subconscious about gold-versus-steel or the nibmeisterization of the gold nib. Either way, I prefer writing with the gold nib. Part of that may also be the fact that I really like the way the gold nib is two-toned. I don't think I'd pay 5x for the difference, but there is more difference than just the nib between a Safari and a Studio. If you are going with the Studio, I think the gold nib upgrade is worthwhile.