How To Take Care Of Your Lamy Al Star/safari?

[BlottingPaper]

Hey guys. My mom just gave me a Lamy Al Star and she's getting me a Safari too because I really liked the Al Star. Both of these are kind of expensive here in India (at least by my standards xP) and i want them to last long. Is there any thing that I should know about Fountain pens, so that I don't damage them unknowingly? How and when are you supposed to clean FPs? Are you suppposed to clean them? Really sorry for asking such questions but I really don't know anything about Fountain Pens :|

Thank you

[madzaxmax]

Bookmark this page on your browser. Its the FPN Custom Google Search.

 

http://www.google.com/cse/home?cx=016372583718073050395:1rsitsemrpo

 

You can search whetever you want on this.

 

Some forum topics on maintaining a safari:

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/162860-cleaning-and-filling-lamy-safari-eyedropper-video/

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/176954-clogged-lamy-safari-nib-section/

 

I see this is your first post. It would be a good idea to introduce yourself here:

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/forum/31-new-members/

[madzaxmax]

And congrats on starting young.

 

May you never touch a ball pen or roller ball again

[sopa]

The Lamy Safari and Al-Star are tough little instruments and are excellent starter pens. You'll find plenty of maintenance tutorials and videos around here and elsewhere on the net.

The basics - flush every few fills if you're using the same ink. If you're changing inks and colours, you obviously would need to flush thoroughly before that. Occasionally, you may want to remove the nib and clean underneath. Removing the nib is really easy and thee are tutorial videos around.

My Safaris and Al Stars tend to perform better with the wetter inks. With some of he drier inks, they tend to have hard starts and skips.

Also, I must tell you that being made of aluminium, the Al Star is a little more prone to scratches, so you might want to be careful when you toss it into your bag. The ABS of the Safari is very tough.

Happy writing!

[Sasha Royale]

I wiped my LAMY Safari with a cloth and warm water, when I dripped marmalade on it.

 

As with all of my cartridge/cartridge-converter pens, I flush the nib and feed with

clean water every few weeks, and before storage. Dry thoroughly.

 

Use good, modern ink that is intended for fountain pens.

 

 

 

Clean the LAMY before giving it to your grandchild. (It will last many decades.)

[fryguy128]

Never press down on the nib. You should write so light that it's almost like only the ink is touching the paper.

[wastelanded]

Sasha shows a good point. A baby's ear/nasal syringe (aka 'bogie bulb') makes cleaning much, much easier. There are bulb syringes for...other things. They don't work so well. Trust me.

 

Taking the nib off and rinsing is also a good idea. After pulling the feed a few times on my ALstar, it removes much easier now so I can really give it a good clean. It also writes wetter now: Montblanc Midnight Blue flows through it like the Danube, and shades oh so nice.

 

These pens get better with use. Take moderate care of it and you'll have years of fun and service from it. Just don't put it in your pants pocket, or it may snap at the section threads when you sit down. Again, trust me.

 

Edited to add:

Edited March 29, 2013 by wastelanded

[Runnin_Ute]

Sasha shows a good point. A baby's ear/nasal syringe (aka 'bogie bulb') makes cleaning much, much easier. There are bulb syringes for...other things. They don't work so well. Trust me.

 

Taking the nib off and rinsing is also a good idea. After pulling the feed a few times on my ALstar, it removes much easier now so I can really give it a good clean. It also writes wetter now: Montblanc Midnight Blue flows through it like the Danube, and shades oh so nice.

 

These pens get better with use. Take moderate care of it and you'll have years of fun and service from it. Just don't put it in your pants pocket, or it may snap at the section threads when you sit down. Again, trust me.

 

Edited to add:

 

I had one break at the section threads too. And it was in a pocket made for pens in my bag!! It must have been hit just right. $25 for a nib & section from Lamy on their website (lamyusa.com) (I have an Al Star)

[Sallent]

The Lamy Safari is a battle tank. It will survive a lot of abuse. No need to take special care of them. Simply flush it once in a while to keep the feed and nib from clogging up.

[Xeros]

The Lamy Safari is a battle tank. It will survive a lot of abuse. No need to take special care of them. Simply flush it once in a while to keep the feed and nib from clogging up.

I agree the Lamy Safari is one of the most durable pens I own and this is coming from a 13 year old.

[Runnin_Ute]

To clarify....

 

It was in my bag, was getting beat up... BUT..... I had had it for several years before it happened. Not the rule but the exception. It has been a great pen.

[Runnin_Ute]

To clarify....

 

It was in my bag, was getting beat up... BUT..... I had had it for several years before it happened. Not the rule but the exception. It has been a great pen.

[tomgartin]

 

As others have said, just flush it every once in a while. Don't drop it from tall buildings or sit on it, and it should last forever.

 

Welcome to FPN. I hope you enjoy this little pen community.