Fake Lamy Safari Review

[Chef Boyardee]

I have been reading about the Fake Lamy Safari Pens here on FPN. Wanting one as a starter pen, I immediately searched the Ali Express website and found what I wanted. Out of a range of 5-6 colors I went for the matte black. I paid $13.99 including postage, shipping from China was quick. I knew I would be getting a fake for 13.99, just too good to be true, especially coming from China. I wanted to check one out and hopefully educate some people on the existence of Fake Lamy Safari pens. Here's what I got:

 

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk170/Anteater69/Fake%20Ass%20Lamy%20Safai/DSCF1415_zpshdyic9jt.jpg

Front of Packaging

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk170/Anteater69/Fake%20Ass%20Lamy%20Safai/DSCF1416_zpsxydy2z2v.jpg

Back of Packaging

 

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk170/Anteater69/Fake%20Ass%20Lamy%20Safai/DSCF1419_zpsayfjuanw.jpg

"Freshness" seal around section

 

Here's the Nib:

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk170/Anteater69/Fake%20Ass%20Lamy%20Safai/DSCF1425_zpsmuhzi8g4.jpg

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk170/Anteater69/Fake%20Ass%20Lamy%20Safai/DSCF1421_zps1gc6ty5p.jpg

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk170/Anteater69/Fake%20Ass%20Lamy%20Safai/DSCF1423_zpsi4so2wrf.jpg

 

The Pen also came with a Box of 5 Black Lamy Cartridges, I'm not sure if these are genuine carts or not. I really wonder if these carts are real or not. I don't have any real ones to compare them too. A converter is also included:

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk170/Anteater69/Fake%20Ass%20Lamy%20Safai/DSCF1429_zpscoz0rabo.jpg

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk170/Anteater69/Fake%20Ass%20Lamy%20Safai/DSCF1430_zpsbadksyy8.jpg

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk170/Anteater69/Fake%20Ass%20Lamy%20Safai/DSCF1431_zpsm4kdqktr.jpg

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk170/Anteater69/Fake%20Ass%20Lamy%20Safai/DSCF1436_zpsgkqmdgp0.jpg

 

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk170/Anteater69/Fake%20Ass%20Lamy%20Safai/DSCF1435_zpsik1nt8ve.jpg

 

How do I know this is a fake?

Here is a picture of the Black F nib next to other genuine Lamy nibs. Notice how the breather hole doesn't line up with the real ones? Also the slit coming out of the breather hole is off center. This is how to tell the difference as pointed out in some posts here on FPN. The real black colored nibs also look alot more black compared to the Fake F nib. These are my brother's nibs for his CP1 but they will fit a real Safari. You can put the real Lamy nibs on the pen. However, they fit very loosely and need to be bent/shaped a bit to stay put. These fakes only have F nibs as far as I've seen. I would not recommend using genuine Lamy nibs with this pen and would say it's not really possible as they will just slide off with gravity.

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk170/Anteater69/Fake%20Ass%20Lamy%20Safai/nibs_zpsvcvjss33.jpg

 

 

With the converter filled with Sailor Black this pen had major nib creep and absolutely too much ink flow. It always started right up at the beginning of the day. It actually wrote very well until the weather/temp/atmospheric pressure started fluctuating here. After carrying the pen in my pocket all day the nip would have a large amount of creep and too much ink would flow from the nib into blobby pools. I'd have to wipe the nib and let it settle with cooler air to get it to behave.

Here are some writing samples with the converter filled with Sailor Black:

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk170/Anteater69/Fake%20Ass%20Lamy%20Safai/DSCF1444_zpscx2umksm.jpg

The Pen writes much more dry with the Lamy cart. It doesn't start up quite as well as the converter does. The ink is a nice dark black, I'm not sure if these carts are genuine Lamy ink, but I'm pleased with the performance so far.

Black Lamy Cart

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk170/Anteater69/Fake%20Ass%20Lamy%20Safai/DSCF1443_zpsn8rbd3jm.jpg

 

Here are some more random pictures of the pen after several weeks of use. Overall an OK pen. I prefer a more fine nib. I am used to my Hero 616 which is an F nib. The Lamy F writes too broad for my liking. A good pen for carrying in the front pocket. It is a little unpredictable weather it will start up, gush ink, or dropper ink all over. I find my Hero 616 more reliable in this regard. When the pen works it is smooth and nice to write with. I do not like the tripod grip, either how it forces me to hold the pen or appearance wise.

I don't have a "real" Safari but would like to compare the fake and legitimate models. I would guess the genuine Lamy safari will hold up longer, work with the interchangeable nibs, and come with a warranty. Over time the genuine Safari would be worth it. It's actually scary to me how close pirates have come to the real thing with this product. If they put more time into perfecting the nibs and having an assortment of nibs that work with genuine Lamy product we may be in trouble.

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk170/Anteater69/Fake%20Ass%20Lamy%20Safai/DSCF1432_zpsjrljlvzr.jpg

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk170/Anteater69/Fake%20Ass%20Lamy%20Safai/DSCF1433_zpskhp87t4o.jpg

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk170/Anteater69/Fake%20Ass%20Lamy%20Safai/DSCF1434_zpsdv6lw4ai.jpg

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk170/Anteater69/Fake%20Ass%20Lamy%20Safai/DSCF1440_zpszj6rbdqd.jpg

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk170/Anteater69/Fake%20Ass%20Lamy%20Safai/DSCF1446_zpsxpdcdkhp.jpg

Edited June 16, 2015 by Chef Boyardee

[RyanM]

What I don't understand about this pen is why anyone would buy it. You can buy a real Lamy Safari for not much more. I don't know. Why did you buy this pen? The price you paid for it really isn't that much less than a real Safari....

[The Blue Knight]

What I don't understand about this pen is why anyone would buy it. You can buy a real Lamy Safari for not much more. I don't know. Why did you buy this pen? The price you paid for it really isn't that much less than a real Safari....

 

I think it was to educate the rest of us on the Fake safaris. (thanks chief)

[Chef Boyardee]

What I don't understand about this pen is why anyone would buy it. You can buy a real Lamy Safari for not much more. I don't know. Why did you buy this pen? The price you paid for it really isn't that much less than a real Safari....

I bought one just to test it out and report on it. Even though I may not be a big fan of the pen, I don't like the idea someone could spend $40 and get a $10 fake. Mostly I guess I wanted to do some investigative pen reporting. Everyone wants genuine Lamy, right? I don't want people getting ripped off.

 

So if I bought a real Safari:

Matte Black Safari $30

z 24 converter $5

5 Pack of Lamy Black Carts $4.50

Total of about $40 + Postage vs. $14 postage included for the fakes. I think $26 is a lot less than a genuine Safari.

Edited June 16, 2015 by Chef Boyardee

[gordonhooker]

What I don't understand about this pen is why anyone would buy it. You can buy a real Lamy Safari for not much more. I don't know. Why did you buy this pen? The price you paid for it really isn't that much less than a real Safari....

 

Most places I have been sell the Lamy Safari in Australia for AU$49, I can understand why someone would buy it at $13.99 including postage even if the $13.99 was US dollars the current conversion rate still brings the pen in at AU$18.00.

 

The best price I have seen in Australia is Larry Post AU$39.99 + postage and which are in Sydney I believe, in Brisbane AU$49 is the best I have seen.

[senzen]

Great review, I kept thinking everything looked legit until you got to the nib; given my tragic experience with fountain pens I'd rather save and have some peace of mind and no flowing problems than pay less, although a couple of my Lamys haven't been perfect they eventually get going well. I've paid $22-$23 for all my Vistas, plus converter.

[Chef Boyardee]

 

I think it was to educate the rest of us on the Fake safaris. (thanks chief)

No problemo!

[Jamerelbe]

 

Most places I have been sell the Lamy Safari in Australia for AU$49, I can understand why someone would buy it at $13.99 including postage even if the $13.99 was US dollars the current conversion rate still brings the pen in at AU$18.00.

 

The best price I have seen in Australia is Larry Post AU$39.99 + postage and which are in Sydney I believe, in Brisbane AU$49 is the best I have seen.

 

Peter's of Kensington will sell these for AU$34, plus $5.50 postage (you can ask your local Officeworks to price-match, if they have any in stock!). No choice of nib (they come with M as standard), and no cartridge converter - but given the current exchange rate, that's at least comparable to buying the real deal from overseas. I believe Pulp Addiction (Hunter Valley NSW??) have similar prices.

 

Or you can buy a Jinhao 599 - a really nice 'homage' to the Safari - from JustWrite.com.au (based in Blackstone, near Ispwich in Qld) for only AU$7.69 plus postage. You'll find the latter a much better buy than a fake Safari...

[Dickkooty2]

Or you can give The Writing Desk a try : http://www.thewritingdesk.co.uk

 

I bought a Safari in my choice of color and nib size with a converter and cartridge for $28.00 including shipping UK to US.

[Jamerelbe]

Or you can give The Writing Desk a try : http://www.thewritingdesk.co.uk

 

I bought a Safari in my choice of color and nib size with a converter and cartridge for $28.00 including shipping UK to US.

 

Good point - for whatever reason, I've done most of my overseas buying from the US, but it's worth casting a wider net - UK/Europe and Asia are sometimes cheaper for us Aussies, especially in light of the recent strengthening of the USD. And depending on the product, it seems to be an increasingly viable proposition for US-based buyers too...

[gordonhooker]

 

Peter's of Kensington will sell these for AU$34, plus $5.50 postage (you can ask your local Officeworks to price-match, if they have any in stock!). No choice of nib (they come with M as standard), and no cartridge converter - but given the current exchange rate, that's at least comparable to buying the real deal from overseas. I believe Pulp Addiction (Hunter Valley NSW??) have similar prices.

 

Or you can buy a Jinhao 599 - a really nice 'homage' to the Safari - from JustWrite.com.au (based in Blackstone, near Ispwich in Qld) for only AU$7.69 plus postage. You'll find the latter a much better buy than a fake Safari...

 

Thanks I am quite to happy to buy the real thing. My comment was directed at a previous comment that said the fake was close to the real thing in price - even AU$34 + AU$5.50 postage is still twice the price of the fake. I only have the blue to go in my collection of Safaris and I will save the money to buy the real thing.

[rwilsonedn]

It fascinates me that from the reports so far, the Safari homage pens from Hero and Jinhao seem to be far superior pens to the outright fakes. I wonder if that is a coincidence, or if it tells us something about the structure of the Chinese pen industry.

ron

[LeonW]

I think it was to educate the rest of us on the Fake safaris. (thanks chief)

Regret, but there is no educational value if the OP does not have a real Lamy Safari to compare side by side. Fake is fake and the moderators should make a decision please

 

It appears to me more like an advert and endorsement for Lamy Pens from a certain Web site. I can't condone the post.

Edited June 17, 2015 by LeonW

[Pen_Noob]

I am quite astonished to see how closely they have reproduced the real Safari. Had to take my black one from the case where I had it and compared. Still it is damned close.

For somebody who doesn't have the real deal, I think they could be tricked into buying even at full price, and get the nasty results afterwards.

[Pickwick]

I am quite astonished to see how closely they have reproduced the real Safari. Had to take my black one from the case where I had it and compared. Still it is damned close.

For somebody who doesn't have the real deal, I think they could be tricked into buying even at full price, and get the nasty results afterwards.

Caveat emptor.

 

Part of a quotation by John Ruskin:

 

"There is hardly anything in the world that some man

cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and

the people who consider price only are this man's

lawful prey."

 

Therefore, only purchase from reputable sources.

[Alohamora]

Thank you for the review. I have been curious about the fakes and your review has relieved me of any thoughts of purchasing one just to check it out.

 

I will go on enjoying my real Lamys and my similar looking Jinhao branded pens.

[Chef Boyardee]

Regret, but there is no educational value if the OP does not have a real Lamy Safari to compare side by side. Fake is fake and the moderators should make a decision please

 

It appears to me more like an advert and endorsement for Lamy Pens from a certain Web site. I can't condone the post.

Wow, I'm not sure how to take this. I wonder what that certain web site is? I'll take it as a compliment for my amateur photography skills I guess. I wasn't aware I was violaing any rules and am sorry if I have.

[Pickwick]

Wow, I'm not sure how to take this. I wonder what that certain web site is? I'll take it as a compliment for my amateur photography skills I guess. I wasn't aware I was violaing any rules and am sorry if I have.

Your review gave no indication that you were endorsing any website purporting to sell so called "Fakes". Why individuals bother to search dubious sellers offering fakes or replica fountain pens and then proceeds to buy them, then in turn posts their amazement that it's not genuine puzzles me.

 

If anyone wishes to purchase a well known genuine fountain pen, then take the true, tried and tested route!

[Dickkooty2]

From Leonw somewhere above

 

Regret, but there is no educational value if the OP does not have a real Lamy Safari to compare side by side. Fake is fake and the moderators should make a decision please

It appears to me more like an advert and endorsement for Lamy Pens from a certain Web site. I can't condone the post.

 

Leon W seems to feel that the educational value of your post is nil because the value should be defined by a direct comparison of particulars between the fake and a genuine Safari. A nice point.

 

However, I believe there is educational value in the showing of the incredible likeness to the original which many readers have in their hands. The educational value is in the forgers' time investment and skill to produce a fake in such detail.

 

Caveat Emptor, indeed! This is somewhat better than a G&D handbag sold off a rug on the sidewalk.

 

​As to the website, I wish that Leon W would explain that reference. Is it a website for fakes or a website for real safaris that you have in mind?

 

Marching to Pretoria,

 

Dick

[rudyhou]

interesting. i have a feeling we'll be seeing or hearing a lot more of these fake ones in the future.