Lamy Safari

[Ecriveur]

I have 3 or 4 Safaris and I quite like the clip. Since it's a kind of double clip it keeps the pen more stable in a pocket than the more common single clip. Of course, it also gives the pen more of a "street level" kind of look - not the pen you'd use to sign an international treaty - but that's actually a plus in many situations where you'd have grounds for concern that something like a Caran d'Ache would look pretentious.

[Truman]

Thanks for the review. I also own a yellow one and bought it due to all the glowing reports on this forum. Can't say it is my favorite by a long shot. Nib too scratchy but i guess for the price it is "ok" overall.

[fourseamer]

Thanks for the review. Though my collection has grown, I always have a Safari or two inked and ready to go.

[inky]

Truman, have you tried the paper sack trick? Make some figure 8s on the bag for a few minutes and see if that smoothes out your pen. It's worth a try as any pen that is scratchy tends to stay in the drawer.

 

Good luck.

[jacksterp]

I can't imagine a scratchy Safari. Mine is incredibly smooth.

[Runnin_Ute]

I will have to try that paper bag trick on my Alloy/AL-Star. After flushing it is better than it was, but not nearly as smooth as my Waterman Phileas.(both fine)

[iamchum]

safari's are pretty good ey love the incredi-smooth nib.

[docholliday77]

Truman,

 

I have a Lamy Al-Star (basically a metal Safari) and had the same problem as you. I tried everything, different ink, paper bag trick, I even cut larger grooves in the feed. Ultimately I replaced the feed and nib with a broad instead of medium. Ever since, it writes like a dream: nice line, smooth, never scratchy. It almost got junked, but now it is a favorite.

 

 

Thanks for the review. I also own a yellow one and bought it due to all the glowing reports on this forum. Can't say it is my favorite by a long shot. Nib too scratchy but i guess for the price it is "ok" overall.

[Vijay]

I got my new Lamy Safari Fountain Pen with a medium nib yesterday. The nib has attitude. It writes like a charm when the surface of the nib is at 90 degrees with a vertical line drawn on the paper on which one is writing. Make the slightest change in the angle and it gets scratchy and inconsistent with ink flow. In my natural writing position the surface of the nib is turned a little in the anti clockwise direction. How can I correct the pen to suit my grip? Any help would be appreciated.

 

Cheers

[jacksterp]

I got my new Lamy Safari Fountain Pen with a medium nib yesterday. The nib has attitude. It writes like a charm when the surface of the nib is at 90 degrees with a vertical line drawn on the paper on which one is writing. Make the slightest change in the angle and it gets scratchy and inconsistent with ink flow. In my natural writing position the surface of the nib is turned a little in the anti clockwise direction. How can I correct the pen to suit my grip? Any help would be appreciated.

 

Cheers

 

First, you might want to try writing a series of infinity signs (maybe 8-10) followed by the same amount of the number 8. Do this as you would normally hold the pen. Use a brown paper bag to write on. The bag is a toothy kind of roughly finished paper. I suppose brown butchers paper will work also.

 

Test on your normal papers after each series. Hopefully you will notice an immediate improvement after only a couple of series of infinity signs and 8's.

 

Hope this helps.

[davidnaillpiper]

I feel the pen is well built, sharp looking (I have the demonstrator), and definitely a great pen for the money.

 

It's not my favorite pen, but does a really good job handling poor quality paper.

[hypro999]

I've got a safari with a medium nib and I must say, it is REALLY smooth, my friend however had a fine nib which I did find to have less flow. Maybe you just got a bad nib or chose the wrong size?

[ammarmali]

Awesome review! Thanks!

[RyanM]

I would think I would avoid using a knife to open up the tines.... You're lucky you didn't permanently damage the tines. Had you tried the more simple method first of pushing down on paper a bit harder than you should, making it flex for a couple of times?

[hbdk]

Yes Safaris are supposed to be smooth and with a good flow. They are hand checked at the factory, but nobody is perfect..

I can use my Safaris with some rather dry ink (e.g. Pelikan 4001 BB) with no issues.

 

The clip is special, yes, but also very functional; it will hold the pen securely in a thin shirt pocket as well as a 3-layer coat pocket with double foam inlay

[Pewt]

I bought the Safari the other day and I was actually disappointed when it finally arrived.

It wrote fine, but it felt very awkward in my hand because of how light and long it was so I sent it back.
I've heard endless amount of praise for the Safari, but I just couldn't see what the appeal was.

Now I'm just waiting on my Pilot Metropolitan to arrive, a pen I have been very satisfied with in the past.

[Astronymus]

How is a Safari "long"?