Jump to content

Lamy Safari Extra Fine or Fine Nib?


zigggy

Recommended Posts

Hey guys,

If you currently have a Lamy Safari with an Extra Fine nib and/or a Lamy Safari with a Fine nib, please reply and let me know how you like it. I use .5 mm mechanical pencils now and since I write a lot of math and take a lot of notes I love the thin lines, which would lead me toward the extra fine. However, some reviews I've read (and I've read a ton so far) say that they're scratchy. I know this is in part due to the ink, but I would rather have a smooth fine nib than a scratchy extra fine one.

 

So please help make my decision easier. Extra fine or fine, and why?

 

Thanks so so much in advance!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 50
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • pen2paper

    3

  • Doug Add

    2

  • zigggy

    2

  • mshepp3

    2

I would stick with mechanical pencils for maths.

 

For normal writing, my Lamy XF nib writes smoothly after drawing for a while on a brown paper bag. Not as smooth as my F nib, but definitely not scratchy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have two fine nib Safaris and wish they wrote a finer lines. My next one will be an XF.

Edited by wimsey
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have an EF and a F, both are smooth, but I can write between 10 pitch typed text with the EF clearly. Scratchy will depend on the paper you use and how you write with it, I've had mixed results depending on the situation. I would also think one of the smoother inks may help the scratch, I've only used Lamy carts so far.

 

v/r,

Stacey

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks a lot guys. Seems like the XF is the way I'll be going.

Good choice. I recently traded a M Safari nib for a F. The F Safari nib writes a line that is about the same in down strokes and sligthy wider in cross strokes than my M nib Aurora Optimas and Namiki Impressions.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

'Doug Add'

Good choice. I recently traded a M Safari nib for a F...

-p2p to Doug, Glad to see your post.. you hold exactly the info I'm seeking..

-the difference between the medium Safari and fine is??? do you have the same smooth flow, but able to get more defined characters in the same line space?

-also, you purchased a whole new Safari to get the fine nib? nibs can't be swapped out like an estie, correct? My lamy is from a local stationer-not even sure if they're still in business.. the cost to send in to Lamy for nib swap, surely would make new pen with fine nib cost effective???

Thanks:) p2p

Link to comment
Share on other sites

-also, you purchased a whole new Safari to get the fine nib? nibs can't be swapped out like an estie, correct? My lamy is from a local stationer-not even sure if they're still in business.. the cost to send in to Lamy for nib swap, surely would make new pen with fine nib cost effective???

Thanks:) p2p

 

Lamy nibs are sold separately (no need to send in the pen, sold here for example) and can be swapped easily. I've done it myself. Just take a piece of tape or bit of rubber glove, grab the nib and pull straight forward. It's a little scary the first time you do it, and it is a friction fit so it takes a little bit of force. But don't worry! It's easy once you get the hang of it.

http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/7260/postminipo0.png
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have Safari's in EF, F and M.

I currently am using an EF to do a lot of fine line drawing with - Love it!

I used to like medium nibs but am finding that I now prefer using fines. The Safari fine is really a nice writing nib- none that I have used (in any width) have been scratchy - so I guess I should count my blessings!

As far as math notes go - I would probably chose the EF .. Good luck with whatever you chose. I know you will enjoy the pen!

<!-- isHtml:1 --><!-- isHtml:1 --><a class='bbc_url' href='http://www.musingcrowdesigns.com'>Musing Crow Designs

Link to comment
Share on other sites

-the difference between the medium Safari and fine is??? do you have the same smooth flow, but able to get more defined characters in the same line space?

-also, you purchased a whole new Safari to get the fine nib? nibs can't be swapped out like an estie, correct? My lamy is from a local stationer-not even sure if they're still in business.. the cost to send in to Lamy for nib swap, surely would make new pen with fine nib cost effective???

Thanks:) p2p

The medium wrote a wider line, actually wider than a broad Aurora Optima/88 nib, about the same as a modern Parker Duofold medium nib. Ink flow was consistent between the two nibs.

 

I just swapped out the nib itself with another FPN member. Just the nib, like you can find at the Swisher Pen link posted by merzig.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

'Doug Add'

The medium wrote a wider line, actually wider than a broad Aurora Optima/88 nib, about the same as a modern Parker Duofold medium nib. Ink flow was consistent between the two nibs.

 

I just swapped out the nib itself with another FPN member. Just the nib, like you can find at the Swisher Pen link posted by merzig.

 

Thanks Doug and zquilts for the detailed info... yes in real world use, it does seem the Lamy medium lays down more of a medium to broad line.

The exceptionally smooth fine line in the low end vintage Sheaffer, (lost:( which cause my handwriting details to become more uniform, detailed, pleasant to the eye, is what made me realize how thick a line this Lamy medium delivers.

Temporarily-until my official record keeping notes become more polished in content, the 'big writing' serves a purpose;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am no expert, by any means, but I have owned a Safari with an EF nib for almost 26 hours! :roflmho:

 

I write daily in my Daytimer, desk size. My non-FP utensils of choice have been the Pentel 205 .5mm mechanical pencil or variants thereof and the Sanford Uniball Micro. I have used versions of these two weapons for close to 25 years. I purchased the Safari with EF to see if it would work with my style in my Daytimer. I am pleased to say that the result appears to be identical to the Uni-ball Micro.

 

The lines on the Daytimer are slightly wider than 1/8", my handwriting is fairly compact and I need a pen that doesn't "glob" too much.

 

As I mentioned, I have possessed my Safari for just a little over 1 day. I have not gone through a work day of recording notes and heavy planning in my Daytimer, but I did "practice" a little. I believe it will work. I appreciate the fluid writing the pen seems to provide while using a Lamy Black cartridge.

 

If you are looking for fine lines in general writing, I would guess that the EF will work for you.

 

I also have an Al Star with a Fine nib. It provides a much wider line (well at least relatively). It could work with the Daytimer as well, but would require a bit more care on my part. My only other point of comparison is a Waterman Phileas (sp?) with a medium nib. It seems to give me a line similar to a 1.0 mm or larger roller ball.

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My EF is adequately smooth for most daily writing, and strikes a nice balance between legibility and fitting more into a page.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm doing a crossword with an extrafine Safari. I really like the way it writes.

PAKMAN

minibanner.gif                                    Vanness-world-final.png.c1b120b90855ce70a8fd70dd342ebc00.png

                         My Favorite Pen Restorer                                             My Favorite Pen Store

                                                                                                                                Vanness Pens - Selling Online!

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey guys,

If you currently have a Lamy Safari with an Extra Fine nib and/or a Lamy Safari with a Fine nib, please reply and let me know how you like it. I use .5 mm mechanical pencils now and since I write a lot of math and take a lot of notes I love the thin lines, which would lead me toward the extra fine. However, some reviews I've read (and I've read a ton so far) say that they're scratchy. I know this is in part due to the ink, but I would rather have a smooth fine nib than a scratchy extra fine one.

 

So please help make my decision easier. Extra fine or fine, and why?

 

Thanks so so much in advance!

 

I am new to fountain pens and bought a Lamy Safari F nib two months ago. It writes like a dream, I use Noodler's bulletproof ink. However, I write small and think an EF nib would be even better! You'll be really happy with the Safari - and get the converter for cheap refills!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was using the Safari EF at work today, thinking "I wish they made an XXF" for all those tiny spaces I have to write in. The EF is plenty broad enough for daily use. But it's a great pen.

Much Love--Virginia

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was using the Safari EF at work today, thinking "I wish they made an XXF" for all those tiny spaces I have to write in. The EF is plenty broad enough for daily use. But it's a great pen.

 

 

go for EF, cause lamy Ef is really pretty wide... for daily writing needs, i am a 0.5mm width person, (sailor fine nib achieves that consistently, smoothly), but the lamy EF seems broader than the sailor fine nib by one size up.

 

so, yes, if u like a 0.5mm width writing, go for the lamy EF, cause, it's still slightly wider, but the lamy F would write too wide for my taste...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 years later...

I recently bought a Safari with a F nib and realized just how wide it is. I like my lines thin, and my writing compact.

 

Thanks for the advice to everyone on the thread - I'll be investing in an EF nib as soon as I can.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My Lamy Safari has a EF nib and I love it.

"Minds are like parachutes. They only function when open." James Dewar

http://i49.tinypic.com/2j26aaa.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Most Contributions

    1. amberleadavis
      amberleadavis
      43844
    2. PAKMAN
      PAKMAN
      33501
    3. Ghost Plane
      Ghost Plane
      28220
    4. inkstainedruth
      inkstainedruth
      26627
    5. jar
      jar
      26101
  • Upcoming Events

  • Blog Comments

    • Shanghai Knife Dude
      I have the Sailor Naginata and some fancy blade nibs coming after 2022 by a number of new workshop from China.  With all my respect, IMHO, they are all (bleep) in doing chinese characters.  Go use a bush, or at least a bush pen. 
    • A Smug Dill
      It is the reason why I'm so keen on the idea of a personal library — of pens, nibs, inks, paper products, etc. — and spent so much money, as well as time and effort, to “build” it for myself (because I can't simply remember everything, especially as I'm getting older fast) and my wife, so that we can “know”; and, instead of just disposing of what displeased us, or even just not good enough to be “given the time of day” against competition from >500 other pens and >500 other inks for our at
    • adamselene
      Agreed.  And I think it’s good to be aware of this early on and think about at the point of buying rather than rationalizing a purchase..
    • A Smug Dill
      Alas, one cannot know “good” without some idea of “bad” against which to contrast; and, as one of my former bosses (back when I was in my twenties) used to say, “on the scale of good to bad…”, it's a spectrum, not a dichotomy. Whereas subjectively acceptable (or tolerable) and unacceptable may well be a dichotomy to someone, and finding whether the threshold or cusp between them lies takes experiencing many degrees of less-than-ideal, especially if the decision is somehow influenced by factors o
    • adamselene
      I got my first real fountain pen on my 60th birthday and many hundreds of pens later I’ve often thought of what I should’ve known in the beginning. I have many pens, the majority of which have some objectionable feature. If they are too delicate, or can’t be posted, or they are too precious to face losing , still they are users, but only in very limited environments..  I have a big disliking for pens that have the cap jump into the air and fly off. I object to Pens that dry out, or leave blobs o
  • Chatbox

    You don't have permission to chat.
    Load More
  • Files






×
×
  • Create New...